tegs07

I would go further than the OP and argue that the cost of living (which is a systemic failure by governments and central banks) is not just crushing music but it is crushing the social contract and eroding the democratic process. Unless we are careful (and this involves tackling the thorny issue of politics, global rather than party politics) western liberal democracy is in trouble. Far right political parties are on the rise in Europe. Trump is on the path to re election in the USA. This is a pivotal year for elections. Choices made will have a profound impact. Tensions (internal and global) need to be calmed not exploited. Anyhow this is political (thread lock alert) and a personal issue for me that is always in the back of mind these days as we are sleep walking into dangerous territory and the media (mainstream and social) are getting hung up on all kinds of peripheral issues but ignoring a very real threat.

I don’t use social media. I just have fairly eclectic tastes in music so whatever algorithms spotify uses do a decent job in introducing me to bands all over the planet in many diverse genres that I would unlikely have heard of without it. Fairly niche artists that may have struggled to get 5 people in their local town to listen to them may suddenly find an audience of thousands. True there is little money going to them (unless they tour and then I will put some money in their pockets).

For all its evils Spotify introduces me to great music constantly. There are new, exciting and diverse artists out there. The mainstream media just churns out processed meat, the masses seem to like it, but there are alternatives out there.

Really enjoying 10 Ft. Ganja plant at the moment. Only recently stumbled across them.

Not sure if the music scene or liberal attitudes are that prevalent in Hereford or Somerset compared to London, Bristol or Brighton. Then there is the complications of actually paying the mortgage, rent, maintenance and energy bills on an isolated rural property. As for any suburb within commuting distance of the capital yes it’s cheaper but not cheap. My move to Bristol was partly due to the cost involved in moving from a flat to a house in the south east and going down to one income. It would have been tough 20 years ago. Now it would be even harder. Whenever a recruitment company offers me work in London I always respond sure if you triple the salary on offer I will consider it. That’s the sum it would take to replicate my life in Bristol (which is fairly modest and achievable only by the luck of timing).

A combination of the attempt to regulate private landlords combined with the spike in costs of debt repayment is reducing the rental stock significantly and pushing up rents at an alarming pace. Once inflation is brought back under control the UK needs a good hard think about how treating homes as assets is crippling the young causing unprecedented inequality and stymying economic growth. I doubt if anything will change though.

Yeah I am part of that process too. I’ve witnessed a huge increase in the numbers of people living in vans (and the muttering from the nimbys) but people are genuinely priced out of living anywhere in many parts of Bristol. I remember an early morning walk in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco many years ago and seeing large numbers of people living rough and being utterly shocked that this could happen in the richest country in the world. It’s now not so inconceivable that this could happen in the place I call home.

Yep. Remember when St Werbergs, Montpellier, Southville etc were cheap rent? Same with Kemptown, areas around The Level in Brighton or Camden Town or Nottinghill in London?? Same pattern throughout the country.

The biggest problem is the cost of accommodation. Low rent areas in most cities have been gentrified and even really dodgy areas are expensive. In many cities that have a creative hub even those earning a decent income with secure jobs have difficulty paying their rent until they have several years experience and a couple of promotions.

Description for this and neck in another listing are odd. Is this a case of AI generated text? Garbage in, garbage out? This is a concern of a handy tool that eventually the internet will be filled with nonsense and half truths (oh wait a moment

Sad to read this. You did really well getting to this stage. Maybe some virtual recording. Guy I used to work with collaborates writing songs with one guy in the states and another in new zealand. they “met” on some song d sharing platform or other as he writes tons of songs (but never finishes them)! obvious issues with gigging but they put it out on the internet and have fun.

Second hand instruments tend to keep their value and keep pace (or in some cases ) outpace inflation. A decent buy won’t leave you much out of pocket even with a short turnaround. I guess the question is will the hunt and purchase bring you more pleasure than a couple of pints or a take away?

Nice Technically they should be sold as Bitsa’s albeit made from genuine parts (ignoring the fact that all bolt on neck instruments are Bitsas anyway)!

I think Robert Smith took that one step further and took the Top Twenty pickup from his Woolworths guitar and installed it into his Fender to make it “sound right”

I heard it was after he looked into the bowl just before flushing.

Opinions vary. For me making a kit car or replica Rickenbacker/Fender/Mona Lisa is all fine. Selling it on knowing it’s a fake isn’t OK. True somewhere down the line someone may get scammed. Which I guess is your objection.

Whoever bought them would have noticed there was no serial number. They would also be getting a bass as good as a Fender, properly set up with decent pickups and most likely for less money.

I’ve played a few bitsa’s that had Allparts or Mighty Mite necks on them with Fender decals. The owners weren’t trying to fool or scam anyone. They just didn’t like the aesthetics of a blank headstock and didn’t want one with their name or some humerous Fender derivative. Each to their own as long as they don’t try scamming on re-sale. Sticking fake serial numbers on is definitely a no no. For what it’s worth the basses I played were as good as or better than a lot of genuine Fenders anyway. The necks are licensed by Fender for a reason.

Why is there a market for any counterfeit goods? Why do poorer people often desire clothes and brands that signify wealth while the uber rich often “whisper” their affluence? Why aren’t all cats grey? I suspect that there are many different reasons why people do this.

I don’t like headless basses. it’s probably not the instruments but a pavlovian response. Flashbacks to shiny suits and horrendous ‘80s music.

Yep This may be useful. The self-management download plan’s work for me. This and Yoga, though always listen to your body: https://purephysiomsk.co.uk/conditions/mechanical-back-pain/

Anything over £1000.

Don’t bother with the effort and expense of making a fake, just buy this: Not mine BTW

Great to see a serious attempt at sustainable live shows: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-67617094