Happy Jack

As to the OP, well done mate. I've winged a few in my time, but it sounds like you played a blinder. Instead of worrying that you're an imposter, surely this just proves that you're really rather good at what you do?

I started in live music by playing at one of the better jams in West London (the Drayton Arms, Ealing, formerly the King's Head, Acton jam). Quite literally everybody in the room was a better musician than me, and the great majority (including the guitarists) were better bass players than me. So? You have to start somewhere. If I could get in a time machine and go back those years - taking my bass with me, natch - there would still be plenty of better musicians there. There will always be better musicians than yourself somewhere, if you look hard enough. So stop looking and enjoy what you do.

In truth, then, I'd expect you to have a pretty impressive contacts book already. Just call a few friends ...

The whole information harvesting thing used to worry me in its early days. Now it is so pervasive that I notice it less than traffic or bad language. I still don't like it, but if someone is absolutely determined to know what brand of toilet paper I buy and how often I just can't be arsed to lose sleep about it. I'm four years younger than you, live in London, and use whatever channels are available ... my own network of musos, dedicated JMB-type sites, Facebook, whatever. I go with whatever is out there and hope that some of it goes somewhere. Usually I'm disappointed, but even the disappointments lead to more experience, new material learned, and a wider network of musos. Starting your own band is hard work but, at your age, chances are you already have decent kit, decent transport, and a bob or two in the bank. It's easier at 66 than 16, IMHO. If you go that route, though, give some thought to what sort of bands are actually in demand round your way. Starting yet another Dad-rock outfit, especially if your area is already stuffed with well-known Dad-rock outfits, may be a road to nowhere.

I was watching this:

For best effect, (1) play the whole song, (2) play it loud, (3) try to keep a straight face. And yes, this is the actual single as released in 1961, unaltered.

Now this guy could have posted "I play rhythm guitar and I want to join a band". Nope. Not a bit of it. Hi at the moment I'm looking for a drummer, bassist and lead guitarist and vocals and songwriting would be good too.

Or maybe this one ...

But you may find this more helpful:

Not a surprise really. That bass has been well bu66ered about.

I'm in a band with two bass players. Mind you, one of them plays lead guitar.

It's a hat, isn't it?

It's a tone thumbrest.

Haven't you written it yet?

Well that's what they told you, anyway ...

Pete, you are absolutely incorrigible.

That Devine will not have the sheer oomph of a Crown, and will turn out a lot less power overall. Given that I normally run amps at 9 o'clock, turning it up to 12 isn't a major problem. Obviously a lot depends on the cab you're planning to use. Something like a Barefaced would be ideal. An Ampeg 810 not so much ...

I bought one of these: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/amplifiers/devine-d-600-class-d-amplifier-2x-540-w No complaints so far ...

Aaaaaaargh!!!! You've got no shoes on! It's probably just me, of course, but I simply cannot imagine any circumstances under which I'd gig without shoes.

Casper The Friendly Hofner ...

And, of course, when you're 16 you know you're going to live forever.

You'd think that people like Sting and Bobby Vega could afford a decent re-fin, wouldn't you?