mikebass456

Fully agree Cliff! I stopped doing NYE gigs about 6 years ago, mainly for the excessive hanging around, early start, late finish, and under appreciation (not that I ever did it for the attention!). Weddings were even worse - knocked those on the head even longer ago! Pleased that folks are still out there entertaining on NYE though, and as long as they're doing it (mostly) on their terms, then crack on! 😁🤘

The thrill is gone - BB King

Come as you are - Nirvana

Carwash - Rose Royce

UPS ide down - Diana Ross

Road to nowhere - Talking Heads

There's three 'e's in December.....🤪

Take the long way home - Supertramp Happy New Year!!!

Cod Only Knows - The Beach Boys

Here's my pedal board for the acoustic band. Basically bits that I collected over the years for various other bands, which ended up in the cupboard under the bookcase (the pedals, not the bands). It mostly serves the various uke basses I use, keeping the levels even across the strings (especially the poly strings), and am currently making g the necessary adjustments for the Martin short scale acoustic that arrived a couple of days ago. As this doesn't have its own onboard tuner, then the one on the board comes in handy! I actually use the pedal for the ukes as well, even though they have their own onboard, as it also acts as a mute pedal and seems to be more accurate than the on boards in a couple of cases!🤔

Memphis Soul Stew - King Curtis

Over you - Roxy Music

Smithereens - Twenty One Pilots

Mr Jones and me - Counting Crows

Dreadlock Holiday - 10cc

Telegraph Road - Dire Straits

Sign of the Times - Belle Stars

In stark contrast, it was just the final rehearsal session of the year last night - no gig tonight either. I'm trying to stay away from Christmas and new year gigs nowadays - I know they're very lucrative and enjoyable (if properly organised and well attended), but for me it's all the time in the run up and breaking down afterwards that takes the shine off it. I'm now very much a spectator to the event. We're currently putting together a full set of material for our next main gig, which is still Patrick's day in a local (Irish owned) pub. It was the first outing for my new Martin short scale acoustic bass as well........

I'll be honest, I had to Google enki cases! They look absolutely bulletproof - I plumped for a Mono twin bass gig bag about 10years ago, and it's been superb! It's out regularly and stands up to gig van treatment perfectly! 😎🤘

Couple of great live music pubs in Louth - The kings head and Cobbles Bar! Plus the various blues and jazz clubs........ Have played in Louth for the last 30 years in various bands and always had a great time! Would love to be involved in a bass bash somewhere near.......😉🤞

I did have an email conversation with one of the people at Aquila a while ago, who assured me that the new formulation of the thunder reds was a lot less tacky than previous, and better than the thunderblacks. I have as yet to risk any of my pocket money on testing the theory out though, as most of my uke basses have fairly new strings on them (and they've all settled down as well!)

Agreed - they do take some time to settle down, even if you get the maximum tension on them initially. I've had to take mine off and trim the excess from the machine heads a couple of times as there was far too much wound around them. They're stable now though........

Used to get my pahoehoe strings from Roadtoad in the US up until last year. Have tried most of the others, but they suffer from the tackiness that prevents easy sliding etc. However, I've currently got a set of Aguilar thunderblacks on my Kala rumbler, and find that a wipe down with Mr sheen aerosol furniture polish gives the same feeling as the pahoehoe strings, and lasts for just under a standard gig. Have done this at least a dozen times already, with no noticeable signs of deterioration or other such problems. Dont use the Mr sheen furniture wipes though, as they are more alcohol-based and dont work anywhere near as well.....😉👍

Love a bit of Living Colour - cult of personality 🤘

Lost my younger brother to suicide just over 4 years ago now. Part of my christmas ritual now is on christmas eve to go sit where his ashes are scattered for while, then go for a coffee and cake where we used to go for ice cream when he was needing to talk and get away from things for a while. It certainly puts the rest of christmas into perspective. It doesn't get any less of a loss, just slightly easier to carry each year. Thoughts are with you and your band mate.........