graham1945

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1488463890' post='3249183'] Having initially misinterpreted the title of the thread (and wondered why it was in General Discussion rather than Off Topic), I wonder if there is a similar misunderstanding here. I'd read it as being "!the landlord who rents me my home has asked for my NI number" which would be to do with new obligations for landlords to check that tenants have a legal right to live in the UK. The same thing broadly applies to employers, and one of the consequences is that companies are obliged to obtain a valid NI number for anybody that they wish to pay as an employee. As others have said, bands are not employees of the pub (in theory the "band" should check that all of it's members are legally able to work in the UK before sharing out the fee) but it may be a simple misunderstanding that the new landlady thinks that she has these obligations. [/quote] Good point. Another reason to ask the landlord/lady why they are asking for it.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1488272119' post='3247322'] Giving out your NI number could lead to it being used for identity fraud. Especially if its left lying around pub offices for anyone to see. If its proven you gave it out and it was used your bank might no cover any losses from your accounts. I'd be very wary of anyone asking for this. Dave [/quote] Agreed. Also, unless you can satisfy yourself that the pub, or whatever organisation is asking, has a robust and approved system in place regarding data protection (your ni number) don't give it to them.

[quote name='Downdown' timestamp='1488224718' post='3247015'] Did you ask the landlord why they wanted this? [/quote] No, we were taken by surprise really. Having read all of the above we will now be able to discuss it. Thanks all.

Thanks for all of the above. It's a gig we've done for ten years, just a pub with music, BUT with a new landlady. Cheers Graham

Got asked for this for the first time after playing for over fifty years. Is this a new thing? Anybody else experience this? I declare all my band income on my tax return, but I don't want to get involved in other band members' tax affairs.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1485166499' post='3221614'] You should have this anyway . Comes with Musicians Union membership. [/quote] Yes, you're probably correct with that point, and the band are going to take out insurance now. However I'm not a union member, (neither is anyone in our current band) and haven't been since a brief period in 1965. Being a pubs and clubs musician, playing for the enjoyment of it on a non regular basis, I've very rarely been able to achieve union rates so felt it would be rather pointless joining a rather dictatorial union only to be breaking their hourly rate rules on a consistent basis. My opening comments about PAT testing should also be read with the above knowledge ie the rules and regs that existed in 1963, when I started playing, are so very different from today. Glad to read all of the comments and opinions above, and we have decided to get all of our gear PAT tested on the basis that if we don't, something MIGHT happen. Now isn't that why the legal and insurance businesses are such lucrative professions? Cheers, Graham

Thanks fellas, as I feared. Don't we'll be playing there! Need public liability insurance too! Graham

Hi, anyone have a ballpark cost of PAT testing a whole band's equipment, including main pa and monitors? Thanks in advance. Graham

Have just bought Harry's de Gier Bebop 5 which he personally delivered to St Pancras Station FROM HOLLAND! We had a good yarn and, as usual, the face to face deal with COD went very smoothly. Harry was a great communicator throughout the deal, and an A1 ++ seller. Thanks again Harry, hope you found the mincemeat counter in Waitrose OK? Graham

Have just sold a lovely Zon bass to Madis. He happened to be visiting London which made the deal much easier. We met up in a very crowded Victoria station and concluded a very smooth and gentlemanly deal, both happy bunnies! Communication with Madis was first class. Excellent Basschatter to deal with.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1475749741' post='3148395'] There was a thread a while back started by somebody waiting for a Hyperbass that took a lot longer than the time quoted. I always found Zon to be particularly bad at answering emails. To be fair it's pretty much a one man operation but it's still not good customer service. [/quote] I wrote / mailed Zon a month ago to date my Zon for sale on here. I received an e mail reply less than 24 hours later with the month of birth and official facing wood description. So they are still there!

Don't you just love coincidences!! Thanks. Thinking about a fretless. Graham

Has anyone tried this bass and have any opinions on it?