Gust0o

Drink earlier, or drink more?

Wizards are pure sex

Wow, that's something alright!

Odd aside - Gareth, are you the lad from WHO2 on Youtube?

I'm liking this jeans analogy.

Now, I wear my jeans around my arse... so, how does this work now?

Don't get me wrong, Thunderbird - most of the time I wish I was some Jenson Button-esque playboy; thus demonstrating, no matter how fortunate or priviliged I may be, there's always something else to daydream of

The work issue struck a chord with me. A real resonance.

I think the playing has provided a real distraction; and, for many us, it's just what's needed from our work/careers, etc. I used to play a lot of rugby before my accident, and it was great. You could take your week and dump it into the game, and come out a different person. It was something to do, something else to hang your hat on.

I still do a lot of training and play the odd game. But work came calling in the last few months, a real career-making moment which required all hands to the pumps. Apparently I was such a different person over those months it was astounding. Drop it all, immerse myself in my shitting Blackberry, reports, programme planning...

There's a balance in there, and it took me some time to find it again. I'm glad I did; so keep your options open! It might be bass playing, it might not; but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

Congrats chief!

Staggered this hasn't gone, really!

In in the inevitable "who would win" round of the world's top film fighters, I still plumb for Jackie Chan. Sure, Bruce Lee would be a contender, but Jackie would be chucking the cutlery at him and bagging it on the slapstick.

I think I may the only person in the world of this mind.

Recent favourite, this one - Kasabian "Fire". Fun with an awesome grove you can really lock into. Plenty of space for doing your own thing with it too.

Do it fret, these Laklands are awesome!

If you'd pulled out the stuff in brackets from your last sentence, OTPJ, you'd have nailed my career

Odd that comment about the suit, now that I dwell on it.

Being a man of many contrasts, it started me thinking - and there is often a world of difference between what people will do when I'm suited and booted, with my work voice on; than when I'm in my civvies with my jeans around my arse.

I don't think that's necessarily limited to music shops mind! From taking the wife shopping around the various boutiques which seem to bankrupt me, I'll note that not many fashionistas love ripped Levis and Onitsukas. Shame!

The few shops we have around York have left me with a mixed bag of impressions. Awesome service and banter to disdain and a quick exit. Odd spectrum.

I'm sure your average pro could turn his/her hand to anything, with some delightful results. After all, isn't this a requirement for most, especially in a session capacity?

Could I do it? Yes and no. I do think you put a lot of yourself into your playing. I could make the notes, but I think you could tell I wasn't in it. I don't think it's necessarily style for me, mind, but more the music and the song.

For example, there are very few occasions where I think I can slap and sound like I'm actually enjoying it.

The Classic Vibe deserves it's plaudits, it's a really well put together piece of kit - and the saving over a genuine Fender will pay for this weekend's boozing, bonus!

If it doesn't have to be Fender, but simply a top-quality Jazz, then I would have said look at something like the Laklands. I had Molan's DJ4 the other month and I think I've played it every day since, it's impressed me that much.

If you're wanting to spend less, then the used market must be a lure - more bang for the buck, and we always seem to have a few listed on here.

Wow, now that is nice!

Very nice work.

I'm a Programme Manager. At work I know everything and bark the orders. At home I know nothing and do what the wife tells me.

Who'd have thought, eh?!

I've always wondered how many pros practice. Flicking through Bassist mag it would seem that many interviewees profess not to.

Lovely, cheap, wife would kill me.

After a few beers I once got into a fight over a game of air hockey, to much the same effect as the above.

I bought Molan's DJ4 the other week, and can say that this is a fantastic bass. Awesome player, very well built. Good price on this too.

This one will make someone very happy.

Woah, let's not bring Slayer into this!!!

There are always some great bargains on here. We've had a whole host of basses posted within your price range - and some, like the £125 Epiphone Thunderbird, with enough of a saving to get a few rounds in. I'd really recommend having a look in our 'For Sale' section - it'll give you chance to chat to the people who've owned the gear, talk about set-up, etc. It's something you simply won't find in most shops.

From the list, if I had to pick from those you've posted, I'd be drawn to the Squier Jazz. The Classic Vibe Jazz has an RRP of around £309 but is definitely a beauty, but the other models aren't far behind. I'm pretty sure there's been a couple of good looking Squier Vintage Modified Jazzes for sale here and within budget.

Your list of 'beginners' basses are a hell of a lot better than the crap I started with; from good beginnings and all that!

Welcome in chief.

Haha, a great advert for the power of Blackberry and the iPhone! Still, what better use of company time, sat in a hotel on a business trip, than to purchase a fine Lakland. Many thanks for the deal.

Just had Barrie's black Lakland DJ4 through the post. Everything as described, and packed with the kind of mastery which can only come with experience.

Great communications throughout the deal; plenty of patter and a real pleasure to deal with.

Would happily deal with Barrie again, and genuinely hope I have the pleasure in meeting at some stage. Top guy.