police squad

Over the years I've had some pretty special basses, Mansons, JayDee, Hamer, Steinberger, Rics. All fabulous bits of kit but I discovered that Precisions were my thing. I've had a fair few of them too. I cant believe the price of new USA or even Mexican Fenders these days but my JMJ is a really lovely bass But I have a HB PB50 and am blown away by it. I rolled the fingerboard edges and that's it. Horses for corses an all that

It actually amazes me that singers don't own a PA of their own or anyone else that doesn't own their own kit. I'm probably very lucky in the fact I've played with people who are totally self sufficient. Their gear works and they have spares etc. It's not rocket science is it? At my age, 56, I simply wouldn't put up with it, doesn't matter how good they are I have a decent QSC PA and for one gig a year, I bring the full rig for the benefit of the band. 3 guitarists, all miked up, Drummer brings own mics and leads. Guitarists bring their own vocal mics and leads (one even brings his own mic for his guitar too) I'm the only one in this band that has gone IEM. For me it sounds awesome because I can hear everything perfectly. It's their loss lol

I have no idea!! I literally just turned it on, worked out how to go mono or stereo (in my duo with backing tracks, I listen to the out front sound thru the headphone socket on the desk) and you have to 'lock' the frequency/channel. Otherwise its too easy to change it by mistake when clipping the reciver to your belt etc. I've used it on a handful of gigs but did my back 6 weeks ago and haven't touched anything since

I have recently started using the MI Pro 58 and I can say that it is really great. The only downside is , if I clip the receiver pack to my belt, my shirt alters the volume. I havent tried clipping it upside down. So I usually clip it to me back pocket. It's small and very light. Audio quality is first class. I have KZ pro 'something' which I like. I get a great bass sound but I have another set to try but I have a slipped disk and really can't be bothered atm. But when I'm back at it, I'll defo give em a try

I've had a couple of Trace Elliots. First gigging amp was AH150 Mk V thru a 4x12 marshall bass cab. It did the job but I couldnt afford anything else for a few years and stuck with it till the Marshall Jubilee I used a Marshall jubilee 300 for a good few years and it was quite good , better than the previous TE Then after some cobbled together valve pre amp and power amps settled on a Hartke HA3500. Superb workhorse of an amp (I bought another recently) Best onstage sound was at a festival in Dover, full Ampeg SVT rig. I just plugged in my bass and it sounded wonderful. Ampef PF500 for a while and I'm very settled with my Ashdown RM500 Evo II. It makes the noise I like to hear. Will be trying the Ashdown Pro-Di when I can get back to gigging (slipped disc) staright into the desk, no backline. So ATM top 3 #1 Full fat ampeg SVT rig (but there's no chance I'll lug it about #2 Defo My Ashdown RM500 EVO II #3 Ampeg PF500

I really like the matt black guard against the shiny body. Very cool

I always do this. New toy, get it out there. It's the only way I can tell if I'm going to bond with it. You can plug it in and sit with it all day, but the proof is in the pudding on a gig

I did this with my number 1 strat. It was a semi custom build, one piece body and I put a Warmouth telecaster neck on it. I had an old seymour duncan PAF that I wanted to put in the bridge position, so in the true spirit of Eddie Van Halen, I used a screwdriver to route the body out and a soldering iron to enlarge the scratchplate pickup hole. It worked, its one of my favourite guitars, sounds ace and I quite like the homemade thing on it

@SteveXFR have you got the set list yet I sometimes dep in my mates classic rock band but it's easy as they are all the classics we know and love. I recently did learn Sweet Home Alabama properly and it is much more fun to play now

I've been singing in bands since 1981. I've never bothered with the meaning of the lyrics. Some songs are nonsense, Borap for example. But about 17 maybe 18 years ago I started singing singing 'The Pretender' by The Foos Fighters. I had been in a difficult relationship (she was married BIG MISTAKE, I was recently divorced) and it had ended, but she hid so much stuff, told so many lies to so many people, that I felt this song had been written for me. When I sang it, I really went for it and I got quite a lot of comments about how I delivered it. 'you looked like you were living it' someone said to me at a gig. (I did live it) since then, I have always looked at the words in a different way and really put myself into the songs. I properly enjoy getting into the characters, it's all part of the show.

In my 18 odd years as Sting in 2 different police tributes, I have only ever had one punter say that my Bravewood looked just like Sting's beaten up old bass. I had a telecaster put together and relic'd for Both Andy Summers that I have played. I had one drummer even but the correct Tama kit in the right colour I've spent a lot of time watching Sting move and try to copy those movements We always dress the part, although as I hit laste 40s, the flying suit and fretless P bass stopped coming out. These days the Bravewood is gone and I use a Harley Benton PB50 which is in the modification process, smaller headstock and I will refinish it two tone SB We dont do big shows now, we just do a few of the bigger music pubs around the south east. If I go to see a tribute I do like to see the correct guitars. I know people dont always look like who they are playing but dressing the same helps a lot

thats the twisted sister guy isnt it. he was crazy

Really interesting Blue. I had formulated a sort of retirement plan to get into a touring legacy act (when I'm out of full time work) The act I really wanted to join, unfortunately the singer passed away, so that was that. I was doing an Americana thing with a semi famous name but I've been replaced by the rythmn section of his old band after one gig!! That band had shows booked around the UK, I received 200 pounds for the one show that I did and I assumed that's what it would have been going forward. Not worth it financially at all, considering the time away from home a travelling Back in pubs, doing what I do best (well when my slipped disk has righted itself)

I went IEM nearly 2 years ago. Most gigs are with my Duo and I have an outfront mix. Works for me I have depped in a mates classic rock band, all amps and cabs, no monitors. I just put my ACS custom moulds in and tough it out. I don't really enjoy this gig but they're mates and it's easy. I have done two bigger gigs with IEM and a proper sound system/ monitor man etc and wireless. Both gigs were amazing because I coud hear everything I needed, where ever i was on stage, with the added bonus my bass sounded awesome (so did the drums) They won't be for everyone buy they work for me. My Police tribute has also gone IEM in the recent months and the drummer is loving it

I was going to, bought the copper stuff. but didn't.

pedal steels? lovely any of the crocodile shoes stuff in the set?

I bought this bass in 1990 from (I think) Boogoe Music in Denmark Street. It was advertised as late 60s (it's 73) and was £450. I swapped my Aria SBR150, a Shure radio mic and a 100 quid. Gigged it really hard for 20 years and it hangs on my wall as I'm mostly short scale these days, although I gave it an outing last year. It's a keeper and the best P bass I've ever played

I'll be watching the final,as I'm still housebound with my back. A few beers, some snacks and not taking it seriously is the order of the day

you're a gent, thank you

woud they work on a thru body mustang bass? are there silks involved?

how can it feedback, have you lots of overdrive on it?

amazing work