casapete

Seen Chuck many times over the years, and for me even when not ....err...on top form he is one of those people who still makes my hair stand on end. I saw him on the same UK tour as the BBC concert, at Doncaster Top Rank. He even wore the same shirt! That gig pretty much changed my life, and have been a fan to this day. Bruce Springsteen tells a great story in the 'Hail Hail Rock n Roll' movie. Apparently his band were booked to back Chuck in the 70's. Chuck arrived only just in time for the show, with the band not having met or discussed songs with him. A nervous Springsteen knocks on Chuck's dressing room door to enquire what they might be playing. Chuck's answer is 'Well son, we'll be doing some Chuck berry songs.....'

+1 Longhorn's are the business.

Definitely agree with Paul. In fact, have bought a Dano from him but deferring having it sent until I can collect for that very same reason! Great basses, just not the err....most durable build.

Spare everything on my main band gigs - leads / strap / amp / bass / strings / batteries etc. along with fuses & toolkit. Only thing not duplicated is my cab, but as it's a 4x10 then if a speaker went I could probably still manage, or just DI into the PA. It's a piece of mind thing with me, probably (hopefully) never need any of it but could really mess up the gig for everyone if anything went wrong. Pub gig near home then just spares of the smaller stuff.

Spare amp every time - those PA cabs will struggle. GK MB200 a good option for the price IMHO.

Agree about the recent Memphis stuff, quality still holding up. Such a shame to see a once great company losing it's way though.

For anyone who still has n't seen this it is being shown again tonight , Saturday 20th June at 11.50pm, BBC4.

After being in bands where the mixer was always running with every channel in use, I went over to always sourcing one that had enough spare channels for future changes. Also always handy to have spare channels in case one of the others does n't work etc. May seem an unnecessary expense but well worth it in my experience. Just sayin....

Use a GK 1001RB with my Compact, and it rocks!

We have two cellists in our band. Love the sound of them although never had a try at playing one. There again, as I'm dangerous on fret less bass I somehow can't see it being a good idea.....

Great article,thanks for posting. Wichita Lineman is still one of my favourites songs. We do it occasionally in my band and the audience love it too. IMO Jiimmy Webb wrote some killer tunes. He toured here recently but unfortunately I couldn't get to see him. Like Burt Bacharach he's not considered a great singer but nevertheless can just make his songs 'happen' in concert. Jimmy's songs and Glen Campbell's voice for me remains a classic combination.

Great stuff. Going to see Gladys at the end of June, hoping she has a bassist who can recreate the wonderful feel of her amazing catalogue of material.

Had a 410TX for a few years. Great sounding cab,stupid value for the money etc just felt like it was bolted to the floor. Used it with a Trace 500 and it never struggled at all. I can never understand how some companies can charge so much for a cabinet that has say Eminence speakers in it, however 'special' the design. Think Peavey made their own drivers so I guess it could have been economy of scale and bargain chipboard! Even so, think mine was £219 new, when others with not dissimilar specs were three or four times the price. Crazy.

Danelectro Longhorn unsurprisingly works for me.....

In my experience of singers in a function band, both band members and deps, I can't recall working with one who could read music. (In fact one or two struggled with reading...). Why is this I wonder?

I've always used Duracell Procells in my basses, never ever had any problems. These have now been replaced with the yellow and black Duracell 'Industrial' range, again still good. Have a dig around on ebay and you can find 10 packs of them for around £8 delivered, job done.

Looks like the great Waddy Wachtel on guitar next to Leland too.....

And not a bad amp too as I recall - plenty of volume, graphic eq and made in England!

In 1974 when I was around 15 years old, my pal John and me ventured down to London on the train and went round all the guitar shops in the West End. He finally bought one of these SG copies new from a shop on Shaftesbury Ave for around £35 if I remember correctly. His first electric guitar, it was a bugger to tune with a dubious neck joint that would creak and flex rather a lot. Pretty much like my black Avon Les Paul copy around the same time too! We both thought we were so cool with them, had hours of fun trying to learn Wishbone Ash tunes! Glad to see some have survived, it looks a fine example.

Saw BB at Manchester Apollo in the late 70's. Band came on and did a couple of instrumentals, swinging like hell. During the third, BB walks on with his guitar on and lead in his hand, plugs it into his amp (Twin or Lab series L5, I forget) and plays one note.....the audience goes ape. Pure class! Great gig a true legend. Lets hope he pulls through.

Loved his voice. The album he made with The Average White Band, 'Benny and us' is one of my all time favourites, as well as all the early classics too. A sad loss.

I'm in The ELO Experience, a pro band that plays predominantly theatre shows throughout the UK. Possibility of future tours in Europe and the US too. I really enjoy it, largely down to working with great people ( both band and crew ) which makes it a lot of fun. www.eloexperience.com

Great basses still very much undervalued IMO. Had to sell mine as it was too heavy for my ageing shoulder, but for anyone looking for a proper MM on a tight budget they are fantastic. Good buy!