Lozz196

That’s very close, like it

I’ve experienced a good few musicians on the punk/Oi scene gigging Mex Fenders, Squiers, Epiphones. Most of them seem to do so as they don’t want to gig expensive instruments, a few having had some uncomfortable days awaiting the return of their expensive Gibsons/Fenders from airlines who had sent them to the wrong countries.

I think you`re right, why should anyone have to put up with sub-standard gear when you`ve brought along your own better stuff. In my last band the drummer used to regularly suffer with provided kits, especially felts/nuts on stands, and the stools. A good heads-up though, as we`re playing there in a few weeks, I`ll let our drummer know.

Not too far from Guildford……

Not something I would have ever expected to see

Classic 🤣

That’s the same for me, and why I left one covers band I was in a couple of years ago, I’d just damaged my back quite badly and simply couldn’t do any of this.

Yeah I`ve found that the change that made the most difference was plectrums, if I go to a .63mm plec from a 1.0 the difference in sound is much more noticeable than had I changed a bridge or brand of strings. And the validation point there being that the rest of the band noticed and asked what I`d done - most times bands don`t even know we`re there!

No we don’t have any singers in this band, instrumental only

We’ve just gone through Hazy Shade of Winter (The Bangles version). It’s one of those songs that is actually a fair bit harder than it sounds - well that’s what the rest of the band tell me, it’s easy enough on bass.

You’re gonna need a Red Bull subscription to keep up with that 😂

Yeah got to do it properly, but Alvin lived in the US for a while and has toured there many times so you’d hope he would know how to do it all properly. Charlie being the singer and most well known would have to do it the right way but maybe a financial decision was made for the rest of them?

My long term faves have been the Fender Custom Shop 62s, but the clip above from @Supernaut re the Nordstrand NP4 is great, I think if I were looking at anything new this would be a good one to check out.

Yeah I’ve never seen them either, looking forward to them both

Good old Alvin, ever the rebel.

No, even on iPhone don’t sound bad at all

You can try a drive pedal to add some warmth by having the gain/drive set very low, this way just takes off the harsh edges of the clean sound. A pedal with a valve in would probably add even more warmth.

I think I’d look at a Fender Rumble 500 if wanting something equivalent sound wise, for a decent useable backup to get out of a hole then the Gnome, it delivers much more than its tiny stature.

Yep, my Hipshot Xtender makes this song a doddle, without it I’d either have to detune the E to D or play the whole song an octave higher.

In my classic rock band we play songs that were originally in EB or D, so what we do is learn them in those keys at home, then at rehearsal just play them in E in the correct places. We haven`t got a singer so not an issue with pitching and given no singer no need for us to de-tune or bring along extra instruments.

Would be my choice too

I have to admit that as I advance in years my political thoughts are moving leftwards, not so much party wise but to the thoughts and care for others. Has been somewhat surprising as previously my leaning were more to the right (though not far right hatred mongerism I should add).