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I started on classical guitar (my brother's, as it happens). Very difficult to play barre chords (I have a classical guitar now, and still find it difficult to play barre chords on, 55 years later). A steel-strung acoustic proved much easier to play.

I've been pondering the idea of a video wall. My 80s band played a gig in front of one a few years ago, and our frontman's daughter very kindly created an MP4 of instantly-recognisable 80s films. We'll pass lightly over the licensing fee issue... It worked really well. I'd have liked to include some more political footage - the Falklands war, the miners' strike, a few memorable Spitting Image sketches and so on - but the link between the music and the footage made quite a difference. Video wall controllers aren't as expensive as they used to be, and second-hand flat-screen TVs could be used instead of pricey monitors, but including one involves (a) more gear to cart about, (b) a longer set-up time, (c) whoever is rigging the video wall needs to be done and dusted before the drummer and bass player need to set up and (d) most importantly, the video wall support needs to be stable enough so that it won't tip over and fall on the band. And it needs to be easy to fit-up and strike, too. Not a simple ask. But if I can find solutions, it'll solve the problems with having to have projectors out front in just the right place.

I didn't bother. They're not going to be travelling very far over the lifetime of the bass, after all, when compared with the normal applications for thrust bearings.

Couch straps are all vegan

Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

I found a 'weekend warrior' course in Nottingham... no longer running. It was five or six rehearsals each a week apart, then a gig with each of six 'bands' doing 30 minutes. Got me back into the game and three of us started a band, which is still going under a new name after I moved away. Transformed my life getting back into playing.

It's something I've been considering. I have two powerpoint projectors and something along the lines of what @rushbo suggests would fit our vibe. But yes like @Franticsmurf says, for most of our venues placing the projector seems unworkable

Is that 269 that those straps have been made out of?

Tomorrow I get to plug mine in 😅 been sat taunting me all week

My main amp for a good few years has been the Tecamp puma 900, forerunner of the eich t900. I tried loads before I settled on it.It can be all whatever you want it to be, very versatile and easy to use. Some have said it’s sterile, but by simply using the’taste’ function it is anything but. Quick, punchy and loud.would definitely try the eich 900. I think they are virtually the same. Form factor tiny aswell. Good luck with your search x

Everything but the Non-Binary Sibling Sledge

Rather better rehearsal with the originals band this time as the BL wasn't stressed out and exhausted. Got a little disrupted towards the end as the slightly dodgy PA amp in the room started cutting out on particular notes. Still, we continue to make progress.

What separates your band from the other bands in the areas you work in? - I'd say it's that we are an originals band and never play covers. What do you have that others don't? - Tricky to answer without sounding a bit arsy, a couple of seriously good musicians (and then me as a counterpoint). I'd like to think our songs are lyrically interesting and cover a number of styles and from the bass perspective there are not many songs without an excursion beyond the 12th fret. I know, sorry brethren. If you were pitching your band to a prospect, what would be your bast selling point. - We are very reliable. You can also add in areas where you think your band struggles. - It needs a decent bass player.

I know you're all eager to hear this - when your batteries are running flat, the old MS series stopped working (but you could check the battery level). On the Plus series, AFAICS you can't check the battery level but when the batteries run flat, it stops working and the panel flashes twice a second accompanied by a CLACK CLACK CLACK noise, so that's, er, really handy.

Ugly and old Wreckless Eric

Woohoo! Officially going to review phase!

🙂 We understood. 🙂 As to my Behringer Model D, there was a known issue with it, which was easily taken care of with a new wall wart and a firmware update. In case someone owns one or is on the fence: the weird declining click-like sounds in the Sustain phase, for nearly every second note, vanish with an update to v 1.1.2, so let that aspect not hinder you. Now I've heard the Model 15 and Model D together, I'm even more impressed with the Model 15 than I was a few weeks ago. Its tone is sooo sweet and luvverly that it brings me back to models like the Moog 35. The third oscillator, against my expectations, isn't missed at all on this one - given that the thing has so much to offer elsewhere on the panel. Also, from limited experience, it seems to me as if it's more stable than the Model D. I can't remember having had to retune at all, which is much needed on the D - - annoyingly so. This is in stable room temperature and both synths placed side-to-side on a table. I've always loved the Minimoog to bits, but am shaking my head in disbelief over the Model 15.

. . . . being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November. Always nice when the bass player gets some recognition.

QC’s go for £1100 - £1200 I find second hand, the sweetener is how much extra stuff can you get for that like a DC7 and Solo 18. But you will get the occasional £900 bargain. I ended up going open box because I wanted the warranty on something so expensive and the ability to send it back but some of the deals I saw were near new price. If you can list in a dip in supply when Thomann and Guitar Guitar don’t have any in stock you can really ask a premium. I’m looking forward to these Anagrams cropping up for 600-700, that’s a real sweet spot for something so powerful.

Bought my 2009 4003 Rickenbacker, really nice guy. Sent funds immediately, shipped the bass to the address provided, good comms the whole way and he confirmed receipt. No problems whatsoever, deal with confidence. I too was concerned he had no posts, but checked in with Hobbayne and now I can confirm Gkats exists and this deal was flawless. So if you’re reading this with those same concerns, you’re al good, deal away.

Welcome Al.

Two bands. The three piece blues band's secret weapon is an insanely talented young guitarist, the drummer and I have played with Alex long enough to have a sort of telepathy so we can improvise while staying really tight. Basically, if blues rock fans see us once, they come back Unfortunately, Al is also in a breaking indie band (playing Isle of Wight this year...) that are busy and getting busier. The other band is a bit different. We are all in two bands and have nothing to prove. We play songs we like (anyone can veto a song) and don't shy away from stretching ourselves. Our schtick is ckasdic rock, but we have an eclectic set list with songs people now but don't expect. Sex Bomb and Devil Woman, alongside Pressur and Time and War Pigs. We try really hard to be professional. We polish our songs, work hard on our sound, have lights, a banner, an image, cool posters, lots of humour and play with attitude.