Japhet

Saw Talon at Milton Keynes Stables. I'd gone off The Eagles when you couldn't get away from Hotel California but after this I realised how many great songs they'd done long the way. No into the tribute thin either but Talon were right on the button and you won't see the real thing again. Los Pacaminos in Jan next - always party time.

Solid time keeping is the foundation. I used to (and still do) keep time in my head with something on the radio and then turn the volume right down for a while but still keep the beat going in my head. After a while, turn it back up to see how close you are and if you have sped up or slowed down. It's not always a good indicator though since the time keeping on some stuff can be out but studio recordings tend to be pretty good. You'll then notice if a drummer can keep time.

One very strong aspect of grief/loss is nostalgia. The loss of a musician, actor, broadcaster or whoever will likely trigger a lot of nostalgic feelings. The death of somebody you've never met or heard of won't. I also wouldn't describe a nod in that direction as an 'outpouring'. In my case it's a simple recognition that that person had an effect on me through their work, and I appreciate it.

Aaaaaaaaaargh!

Have had the same issue in the past. I unplugged the guitar and started packing my gear up. When I was asked what I was doing I said 'I can't hear what I'm playing and neither can anyone else so this isn't a rehearsal - so I'm going home. Anything else can be dealt with by email'. They got the message.

What bit of 'smart/casual' did you not understand?

I use the Diago ones that are very similar to the George Ls (but cheaper). I like being able to cut them to whatever length you want and have the jack pointing in whatever direction you need. It's a shame that power supply leads are always miles too long result in loads of bound up cable to try to keep things tidy. Would like to be able to make them to length.

1980s Tokai.

The end part of Layla is, to my ears, an unbearable racket of out of tune wailing guitar.

On my board I use a Bass Soul Food at the start of the chain for a bit of grit and a Tritonab drive pedal later on for dirtier stuff. Love the Tritonlab.

I'd have the Puma in a heartbeat if I was you.

In my experience it's very much a 2 handed technique where the muting or complete deadening of notes is just as important as slapped or plucked note. It's more like drumming on the fretboard than anything else and requires a lot more subtlety than you'd think (especially after watching Louis Johnson!).

I use a Tokai Hardpuncher (which to all intents and purposes is a P) with flats. Sounds good through my Aguilar Filter Twin which I prefer to the MXR which I also have.

I put a John East preamp in mine. Volume across the strings is fine whatever you do with the tone controls.

In my opinion the quality control on Stingrays has been consistently good as opposed to Fender who have been all over the place for decades. I've played quite a few Rays and they've all been spot on.

One of the best Stingray sounds I can think of is Paul Denman's playing on Sade songs like Cherry Pie or Smooth Operator.

Very different to a Jazz. Active preamp, single humbucker pickup, fatter neck and much more aggressive sounding. Great bass though. I love mine.

Caveat Emptor and all that...........

In my experience young'uns love the Line 6 Spider amps. Vast (and I mean VAST) range of sounds and effects and enough gadgetry to keep an 11 occupied for ages.

The stuff I think of as 'modern' is generally at least 10 years old now. If it's post Honky Tonk Women and Alright Now it fits my criteria though. Stuff like Ready to Go - Republica Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage Slither - Velvet Revolver Will undoubtedly be met with howls of 'They won't know it!' though.

This is a beautiful tribute to Elton John. Very moving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M001JpWB_Ms Great man who wrote some gorgeous songs.

Absolutely gutted. Fabulous song writer and artist.

I know Walter Trout has played a lowly Squier Strat for donkeys years. I'm sure he could have any guitar he liked but wouldn't be without the Squier.

Dark Side of The Moon for me. The lyrics to some of the songs have been astoundingly relevant throughout my life. They lost their bite when Waters left in my opinion.

Worked out alright for Glen Campbell on Wichita Lineman.