Japhet

Can't say for sure but I think being 10 feet away from Phil Lynott on stage at Brunel University probably did it for me.

I don't think a covers band is obliged to try to replicate a song at all. I love putting your own spin on a song. For example, a band I used to play in did our own version of 'Come Together' by the Beatles. It was quite a heavy sounding band, and when the singer announced the song there would be a bit of a groan from the audience. They soon shut up when we launched into it in a drop D tuning. Sounded wicked and we used to get asked to play it over and over.

Sorry, but just don't get it. Start with a nice new bass then knock the crap out of it, maybe leave it in a damp place for bits of it to go rusty or could probably drag it home from a gig tied to the back of the car. Is it to give the impression that the player has been around the block plenty of times or is there something I'm missing? Don't see people throwing bricks at their new cars so what's the attraction when it comes to a guitar?

Practice on a bass with a high action and heavy strings if you have such a thing.

All subjective. Don't particularly like Kaiser Chiefs but Oasis always sucked in my opinion.

Songs in the Key of Life. Love's in need of Love Today was fumbletastic!

My favourite is to hook everything up, plug in, tune up and then check the sound..........nothing. I'm really good at not connecting the amp to the cab and don't notice because it's out of sight.

Welcome to the 'deep' end.

I use a Catalinbread SFT which adds a bit of crunch or a whole lot more if you want it.

Ere's one for ya! (Steve Marriott impression) Cry of Love - Diamonds and Debris.

Doobie Brothers - The Captain and Me.

Gigged one of these for years and loved it. Only problem I ever had, which was nothing to do with the Trace, was when I played in a band where the guitarist used a Les Paul, played really loud and hogged a lot of the low frequencies with his sound. On the odd occasions he played something else )especially a Tele) the sound was spot on.

Expect him to storm the stage at the Oscars if his wife doesn't win best actress. To be honest, I haven't got a clue who she is but the name rings a bell.

I used to gig with the 4x10 and 1x15 set up. These days I use a 4ohm 2x12 cab and it's every bit as loud and a lot more defined. Weighs in at next to nothing too.

I've played a handful of gigs on large stages (those dome thingys). I much prefer the close quarters with the punters and the rest of the band. Although the sound is usually great on the big stages it always seems a bit impersonal and a bit lonely being 15 ft away from the nearest person.

For the amount of effects you want I'd say go for a small board and a few individual pedals. (Then you can succumb to GAS and swap around at will.)

Making your living from music makes you a Pro. Making some money from music makes you a Semi Pro. Nothing to do with ability or depth of knowledge IMO. Pino can't read music but to me is the consummate Pro.

I use a Catalinbread SFT to add a bit of crunch to the bass sound. Not into distortion or major fuzz really, but this pedal reacts nicely to the dynamics of your playing. Plenty of demos on Youtube if memory serves me right.

Bernard Edwards (pretty much anything).

After God only knows how many gigs.................I don't play it any more. (Runs off into the distance waving arms in the air and laughing hysterically)

Love my current rig for sound, portability, cut in the mix, looks and just about anything else. It's a definite keeper. Tecamp Black Jag 500. into a TechSondsysems ND 2x12. Sometimes use a Genz Streaminer 600 (sonic equivalent of hot chocolate). My trusty old Stingray 4 (recently fitted with John East preamp) or Lakland 55 01 (Soon to be fitted with John East preamp). Board consists of Korg Pitchblack, Pigtronix Envelope Phaser, Catalinbread SFT, TC Electonics Nova Dynamics, MXR Octaver, Markbass SuperBooster and a Ditto Looper. Have to rely on pedals now for GAS control!

Much as I hate Fender for pulling the plug on Genz Benz, the Rumbles are very good amps.