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An actual action shot from Saturday:

The last year has been ... difficult! Fire destroying my flat, a back injury meaning that I am no longer able to work as an ICU bedside nurse and 'artistic differences' with a band I'd played in for 7 years. The support here on BC has been, well, I've no words! Thank you! xx My flat is scheduled to be restored by 11-Sep, 13 months after the fire! The builders have said that they are going to be able to cover the cost of a carpet which is amazing. The insurance are going to pay for me moving back (which is surprisingly expensive even tho it is just about 100m oer the road!) as well as the professional exit clean from my temporary rental. And this morning, I interview for a clinical Research Nurse (Cardiology) role and heard this afternoon that I have been offered the position, a big change ... but the "office hours" and lack of need to do a lot of moving of patients are just the ticket for my physical capabilities; but there are loads of things to learn and a lot of patient contact so my mind and my heart will still be fed! And the new band is slowly but surely moving forwards! S'manth x

On Sunday I managed a piano trio gig (pictured). This was good but most of the audience sat outside due to the heat. Then there was a jam where I cocked it all up. Caught something unpleasant as well.

Just black and red at the moment. Red like Geezer's. This pic was taken seconds after he bashed his hand on one of the pointy bits.

Some short 30 sec vid clips appeared on FB from Sat night first set. Not sure if this will load but will try http://www.facebook.com/1647406946/videos/823100932532968/ http://www.facebook.com/1647406946/videos/pcb.10227970050870430/216309024307924 http://www.facebook.com/1647406946/videos/pcb.10227970050870430/587917856866745

Hands up if you are jealous. One of @Jabba_the_gut's beautiful creations which came to me via @Owen.

Only place you should see competition stripes

Have a few amps, but mostly gig with Aguilar 751 or Euphonic Audio i-amp 800, into a pair of Bergantino 1x12s or an Eden 4x10. Although I have six class D heads, I, like flapping trousers as well and much prefer old school, hernia-inducing cabs. As I age disgracefully, I worry that Mrs Snorkie might find the 4x10 and the 1x18 as struggle, but have confidence she'll cope somehow. 😉

Once again, I just made it in time. I thought I'd get back to bass-ics with this one. I present a haunting solo bass improvisation to conjure up a surreal, distant thunderstorm on a long, dark night. The tech stuff: The bass is my Ibanez EHB1506MS, recorded into Cubase through my Line6 Helix. No other instruments, just effects from the Helix (Native), Eventide's Shimmerverb and Exponential's R4 reverb.

Basschat, otherwise known as Enablers R Us.

Mustang Sally played three gigs over last weekend, a Saturday afternoon village party in Kington Magna (no, I'd never heard of it either!), evening as part of the shaftesbury fringe festival in the Two Brewers pub. The afternoon was excitingly dangerous with rain tipping it down the whole time and a mini-whirlwind busting one of the lightweight tents just as we started playing. The punters were all county-set rich landowners and suchlike, barbours, leather hats, red trousers and expensive wellies, average age 68-ish. Their picnics comprised champers, foie-gras, etc. We thought that starting with Guitar gently weeps would scare them off but not a bit of it -they danced in the mud, got a bit tipsy and we even had some of the ladies balancing on straw bales to bind freshly-hacked branched from the trees around to splint the bent and busted tent poles with gaffer tape, doubtless carried in their Gucci handbags for just such an eventuality - the Empire spirit or what? The evening pub gig was warm and sweaty, rammed with punters who danced, drank and sang while the rain continued to soak the band outside in their wall-less tent - they were Dreamweaver, an originals power-punk four piece and bloody good - I'm hoping to book them for one of our West Bay minifests in 2024! Sunday was an afternoon gig at the Shaftesbury FC clubhouse, all of the band still feeling a bit stunned from the day before, but the punters rolled in, sat in the sun and danced for the whole afternoon. I used my new-to-me short-scale Harley-B (thank you, @knicknack} all weekend with the Bongo relegated to spare. Our guitarist loved it (less wrist stress than a 34") when I did my sax bit - he's now keen to play more - did I subconsciously buy it for him so I get more sax-time?

So for the last few months I've been gigging my Spector Bantam which I bought primarily due to the weight (7lb 8oz) but have found the ergonomics very much to my liking too as the body shape means the neck sits roughly where a 34" scale Fender would sit so I don't feel cramped at all. It's been a revelation in terms of comfort, playability and the day after a three hour gig I don't feel like I've been fighting as I have virtually no hand pain at all. On Saturday I was lucky enough to gig with my Spector and a Sandberg Lionel that may or may not become a long-term partnership. The electronics are great and it has a passive bypass too. Weight-wise it's 7lb 7oz and again, ergonomically to works really well for me. It gives me a real alternative sound-wise to my Spector which I find quite Hi-Fi and I really enjoyed playing it. I've sold a couple of basses recently so this one could replace those in my line up very nicely, but there is another Spector Bantam for sale at Bass Bros.... I can't see short scales ever fully replacing my 34" scale basses but they really are a joy to play.

Thanks guys, it's a Wilcock that I picked up last year.

Just got a Squier CV Mustang bass - thanks again @martin8708 - and I have to say that after an hour of playing it it really is a superb instrument. I`m sure that the components and body woods are cheaper in relation to the Fenders but in the hand just playing it, well the quality is amazing, it sounds great as well.

Reading replies above, I’m quite surprised how many people have what I would consider a gigging set up as a practice one. I’m guessing these do probably double up as gig worthy ‘spare’ rigs? For playing at home I just use my cheap and cheerful studio monitors and desk, so don’t feel the need for a home set up - mind you, I’m beginning to think it may be a decent idea to spark off some more GAS…..😆

People in the way after gigs, a fact of a musicians life sadly. As is not many people hang around in the way to have a Marshall 412 rammed into them a second time. Sometimes the old heavy gear has more than one use.

Welcome to the end of July folks! We have another splendid crop of entries from the gang this month based on a phot provided by last month's winner @AndyTravis He offered some words of encouragement with the photo ... "Taken a good few years ago, walking home from the pub in a storm. Lightning and Street Lighting…" Here are your entries this month , please vote for your favourite 3 1 @Dad3353 A stroke of luck, a lucky strike... 2 @Leonard Smalls In my ongoing series of Songs From The Shows, here's my version of Rogers and Hammerstein's classic from South Pacific, "Happy Talk", as done by Captain Sensible. The lightning dictated the use of a vocoder and hence, the slight title change... 3 @NickD A tune about racing the weather home... probably from the pub. 4 lurksalot A bolt from the Black , I'll never get it back, did I ever have it, yakkety yak . 5 @xgsjx I'm in. 6 @upside downer Yet another drunken evening. It helps him to pass the time here. He's waiting for something, but what? He explores the skies every night but, so far, nothing. When will they come back for him? He waits and waits. It's all he can do... 7 @Doctor J I couldn't shake off the feckin Street Lightning idea so tried to make it work. Conspiracy theorists wearing tinfoil hats and attracting sky-based electrocution was the best I could do. 8 @AndyTravis all I could think of was Ride The Lightning ....and then when I set about it, I realised I haven’t played any metal, let alone early Metallica for about 25 years. 9 @Wolfram I thought I'd get back to bass-ics with this one. I present a haunting solo bass improvisation to conjure up a surreal, distant thunderstorm on a long, dark night. well pick the bones out of that lot, I reckon you'll find it very difficult. get your favourites down to 3 , then tick the boxes. superb selection I reckon Voting will close at midnight on 31st July

the voting is up Not only are the tunes and songs superb this month but the production on these entries is just getting better and better , It's amazing, fair play to all of you

Agree (even though I use one)... now if only you could ditch the useless plastic and just put the chip internal on the bass! No dongle, no cable; it would drive tech savvy watchers mad at a gig. LOL

Another one just arrived... early Classic Vibe. Faultless construction.

They look great, hearing them is the problem.

Did anyone try the new shortscale bass from Ashdown? Here's the link. Apparently, it's in its early stages. The info on their site is lacking. Body wood unknown, no full specs, pictures show 20 frets instead of 19 etc.

Good x Bad x ～ Led Zeppelin

Sometimes just giving them a few turns brings them back (like 10/20 turns back and forth). Most pots don't need maintence as such, certainly not after 6 months.

The assorted stuff our better halves will have to dispose of is rather frightening. The accumulation is something.

I'm desperately excited that BC Rich have finally reissued the Ironbird. It's one of my favourite bass designs ever. Despite not playing much metal anymore, I still hope to get one and use it as often as possible.

It’s ironic how a solitary pursuit becomes public performance. I’m thankful that I just worry about personal gear , I don’t worry about moving PA , band gear , or rentals. I’ve always been gigging , aside from the pandemic breaks , since the mid 70’s , and keep my gig gear by the door. So the first question is one cab or two , and fire the stuff in the car. Will I use a different bass or just run the regulars ? I rarely play outside of town so I’m going to expect to see some I’ve known for ages. I’ll probably meet some new ones. Some will look familiar. I mostly play the mid sized rooms downtown. Just a working stiff. No big star. If it’s a band that’s under rehearsed I might have some anxiety. That usually goes quickly after things get underway. There is something different about every time you play. And after all these years I still enjoy a good gig,

Exactly my sentiments mate...l couldnt live without gigging. The only thing that really bugs me are the pig ignorant people who just stand there when you're trying to get your gear in and out, especially after the gig when they're peed up and don't want to move, even after numerous polite requests! There's a pub on the outskirts of Sheffield called the Devonshire Arms in Dore, a really posh and up market area, Chris Waddle the ex England footballer is a regular in there. But the people are so up their own derrière and totally affected that they expect you to bow down to them and you are there just for their sole entertainment...they are all so ignorant...apart from Chris, he's a really nice guy! Rant over l'll get my coat....

I think they've been empty since John Entwistle died. I appreciate Pino saved the day but blimey, a more unsuitable player for The Who would be hard to find.

Now why did I go straight for this image?

Sandberg basic ...green-burst, maple neck, Aguilar pickup..

https://on.soundcloud.com/M6aypH6vc1qqB9D48 erm. last minute. all I could think of was Ride The Lightning and then when I set about it, I realised I haven’t played any metal, let alone early Metallica for about 25 years. oh well… here it is…”Hyde The Lightning”

I couldn't shake off the feckin Street Lightning idea so tried to make it work. Conspiracy theorists wearing tinfoil hats and attracting sky-based electrocution was the best I could do. Yeah, I know. There's always next month. The technical stuff: Yamaha drums heard by thomann mics and behringer preamps, as always. Bass is L2k, guitars are a Gretsch 12 string and an Ibanez RG. Some of it has wah, fuzz, univibe, delay and probably more fuzz and more delay for extra zap using a real Fryette amp DI'd into a Palmer speaker simulator. Organ is a free Avid thing. All smooshed together in protools.

Had one, sold it on here - big mistake 😐

This is about the third iteration of my home-made pedal board. Nothing fancy, just basic Boss pedals and a passive DI. The tuner has the handy side-effect of splitting out a signal for my IEMs. The EQ is mostly used to stop my upright feeding back. The pedal in the middle slot varies, but isn't ever tremolo when playing bass! I built the board for gigs with a PA, where I'm using IEMs - although I don't actually do any of those anymore. It runs from a cordless drill battery and I get 3-4 months use from a single charge.

"Hi Gang Maple Road will be performing this week on Thursday 7/27 @ The Washington County Fair. We'll have Tim Sardina on drums. We'll be on the Do Drop In Stage. We start at 5:00." I'll let everyone know how it goes. Access to the stage might be tricky. I hope we draw a cool engaged crowd Blue

The headless Bongo was lovely (but needed finishing), but there's always the even lovelier handmade one of mine (handmade by someone else, I emphasise).

Today's development was receiving a written offer of the new role ... time was when Worthing and Brighton were in two different trusts and it would take ages, but they are now in the same trust and they are doing a fasttrack internal transfer! My DBS, Occupational Health and right to work in the UK checks have already been completed ... nothing in the NHS evers goes quickly, but I guess there have to be some exceptions! Officially I'm on 4 weeks notice with ICU, but my line manager has said that they do not intend to hold me to this (At the moment they are paying for an ICU nurse who is not able to actually work in ICU, so it's no surprise). It seems that I may be in a position to start in the new role in the next 2 or 3 weeks, which is wonderful! With my increase in my weekly hours from 23 (all I could physically manage in ICU) to 37.5 (The new role is office hours and without any moving/handling of patients or heavy equipment) and a surprise that my annual pre-tax salary will go up by about £80 a month (I'd thought it was more like £80 a year!) the financial challanges of the past year will soon be just a bad memory S'manth x

I do care about the looks of my basses, quite a bit I think. By that I mean that they have to look nice to me. Slightly or even significantly battered can be ok. A colour that I don't like is an issue. I do not need to own multiple basses. I just like them and the looks is part of the equation. My basses need to sound, look and feel nice - to me - and balance well, without being heavy. I don't see why I would need to own anything that does not thick all the boxes given that there's plenty of basses that tick all the boxes for me (maybe with some minor mods) and cost only a few hundred pounds. This may be down to me not being that refined and thinking that basses that cost a few hundred pounds sound and play great. It is possible that people that buy very expensive basses detect nuances that change the equation completely.

Funny this one is still rumbling on. Given all new fender shaped basses are at best licensed copies of what Fender used to make, is it any wonder the different licensees make their copies to different quality levels? Even if you look at US Fenders, Leo isn't there, the level of management that learnt from him are no longer there, the machines are different. There's not a whole lot that remains of what was & even back when he was there with his team & machines, they still kicked out some duffers. Not really surprising the far Eastern factories who are directly competing with each other for Fender based trade are upping their game & making some nice basses (looking at you 40th anniversary crowd). Neither is it surprising that that competition is pushing them towards or even beyond what is essentially the American continent B-team. I think you should just keep the ones you do like and sell the ones you don't, it doesn't matter what logo the licensee has printed onto the headstock. I've got two Fender type basses - one bolted together in America & one bolted together on the south coast of England, listening to a recording of my playing, no one would be able to tell which is which!

...or has got too close and lost an eye.

Nothing there to make me regret my recent purchase of a natural finish Player PJ Mustang. I suspect I'm in the minority, but I think the racing stripes make it look like a child's toy.