Conan

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1321874547' post='1443850'] It's only a covers band... [/quote] As opposed to....? If it was an originals band would the answers and suggestions be different? If so, why?

My brain hurts...

I would definitely go second-hand with that budget. It's definitely a buyer's market at the moment, especially if you have cash. Trace Elliot gear is always available at a good price and delivers a huge amount of 'bang for your buck'. here is an example... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160619-trace-elliot-gp7-sm-300-4x10-for-sale/"]http://basschat.co.u...-4x10-for-sale/[/url] Great tone (IMO) from an iconic brand. Built like a tank. Heavy as a bugger, but easily powerful enough to gig with. You can't go far wrong at this sort of price. You don't say where you are, but you need to bear shipping costs in mind if the amp of your choice is not just round the corner.

Nice playing and nice recording! I must get out and see Russ next time he's local...

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1321636234' post='1441542']It did annoy me quite a bit as it questions my ability and i just feel that if they wanted a pick player they should have auditoned that fact and not taken a fingerstyle bassist. Dave [/quote] Try not to think of it like that. Everyone has that certain "sound" in their head on a certain track. It's even worse when it's in a covers band scenario. Yes, you are the bass player. But you are also a band member. How many times have you bitten your tongue at the way the singer phrases a particular line? Or the sound that the keyboard player selects? Of the volume of the guitarist? In the same way, they might all have different ideas about what the bass should be playing or how it "should" sound. They are entitled to their opinions, but equally that doesn't make them right! What's to be lost by giving the pick a try? At least it shows that they are listening to the bass part in the first place!! I'm predominantly a fingers player, but in a cover band there are certain tracks that you need a pick for. IMO of course.

I've not bought strings from them (yet!), but I did buy a hard case several months ago. Delivery time was much longer than I have grown to expect - but I guess it was not ridiculously slow - about two weeks.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1321270910' post='1437065']For a tiny but disproportionately destabilising minority, it might be a badge of honour.[/quote] The BassChat ASBO?! I like it already!