casapete

Absolutely Stew. Have always regretted selling mine, never had anything else that did what it could do. If you can get it to gigs then it’s a keeper.

Well the open air gig has been put back to early August. Despite being outside (but under cover), social distancing has meant it isn’t viable unless we have a near sell out crowd. Ticket sales had slowed as people understandably don’t have confidence with how it’s going to unfold yet. Given the way things seem to be going right now I really don’t want to predict what will happen. We’ve lost all of our theatre gigs that were going to be starting mid/late July, although some are going to be re-arranged (again!). As to my pub gig on June 29th, it’s not looking great either. Will probably be moved on to late July , if allowed.

Hey, that’s a classic! One of the tunes that prevented ‘Vienna’ from getting to number one by Ultravox. 😆

“It’s got a good weight to it”. I reckon they usually mean it weighs the same as a small planet, but to me it actually means entirely the opposite.

I'm not sure about 'sing' to be honest - here's him and his better half crucifying a classic.......

Hope it goes well for you Nik. Am so jealous you’re near one of my favourite shops in the UK, Coda Music in Stevenage old town. Nice shops and restaurants around there too, enjoy.

Deep Purple stuff on Sky Arts tonight - at 8pm Classic Albums features ‘Machine Head’ Then straight after at 9pm there is ‘Come Hell or High Water’, filmed on tour in1993.

Crazy. However, lot of younger people will know the song from it’s re-release. Following it’s use in the film of the same name, it then reached number 2 in the UK charts in 1992. I just wish I had a fiver for every time I’ve played it! Often at weddings it’s the song for father of the bride to dance to with his daughter. One of those songs that actually I never tire of hearing or playing, the genius of writer Smokey Robinson at his best.

Don't think anyone has mentioned this one yet - a great song and bassline (with plenty of space! )

Wish I’d had it off you then Pete! I’ve had a couple of them and played a few more and have always been surprised that despite the smaller body dimensions compared to a Ray, they’ve never seemed much or any lighter. Would happily settle for a Ray or a Sterling if I could find one 8lbs ish. My search continues....

You maybe know this already Dave, but the MM Sterling (US model) has a slimmer neck than the Stingray, and are a great bass. If I could only find a featherweight one it would be my go to instrument.

Yeah, all that money he made from his Barley Water must have gone to his head....😉

A long time ago I had a blackface Bassman 135 with matching 2x15 cab, possibly early 80's era Fender. Although it sounded quite sweet at moderate volumes, using it at gig levels was another matter. Reached it's max headroom fairly early, after which it just didn't hack it, becoming rather grungey & distorted but not in a good way. Didn't keep it long, despite it looking great!

From my experience it’s quite the opposite Mick - never played a naff Ray. Sure, some have been better than others, but none were anything less than great well made / quality basses. Only reason I don’t play one now is that I can’t find one light enough. My dream bass used to be a Precision. However, my first one was a late 70’s horror - heavy and with no life whatsoever. Soon changed it to a JV Squier 57 and found it wonderful. Only sold it when my 63 came along, which I’ve had for around 35 years now and is the one I’ll never part with.

I get this - that's why I also like blues, country and soul music.

Just seen this - anyone have any experience of them - seems an okay deal for £18.99? https://www.studiospares.com/studiospares-speaker-isolation-riser_465310.htm

My main band start again on July 10th, although must admit I’m still wondering if that will be possible. The first gig is open air so if the theatre situation doesn’t improve by then it could be our only gig this summer. Fingers crossed. Just got a new monthly residency in a local pub with my acoustic duo, starting 29th June, again if it’s possible. Really pleased that the landlord has the confidence to book us, so hope we get a good crowd.

I think it’s correct, but happy to have someone put me right if not. Anyone help out there?

He did for live shows, but I believe on most of their studio stuff they used various session bass players. Not a big Doors fan myself, but my older brother was into them for a while so I got to hear quite a lot of their albums. Years later their influence on The Stranglers was apparent too.

Ooops, too much wine this aft, sorry.

If you're considering adding another guitar to the lineup, then make sure it works properly. Nothing more annoying than both guitarists blamming away playing the same chord inversions all the way through the song until the solo etc - two guitars are a thing of beauty IMHO, but only if they've been thought out properly. If in doubt, a keys player may be your best bet, and probably a quieter option too....😀

I prefer the earlier albums Al, such as On the Third Day and Eldorado.

Although I’d agree, historically it’s always been easier to get a thicker higher output pseudo humbucker sound from single coil Fender style instruments than the other way round. Coil tapping twin coil pickups goes some way to achieve this, but not convincingly IMHO. I think PRS get fairly close with some of their guitars maybe? A 335 with both pickups on and the volume controls set just right can also get quite Fender-ish, but the differences in construction ( bolt on / set neck and scale lengths etc) mean it will always be something of a compromise.

Slightly off topic Ricky, but as you’re from the York area - there’s a band from there called The Blueflies who you may have seen. Fantastic 3 piece, doing a mix of funk/rock originals and covers. The guitar player Miles is wonderful, and ‘gets it’ completely, knowing how much to play and when not to. Uses a variety of guitars, mainly Strat and PRS IIRC. Worth catching them if you get the chance.