Dan Dare

Probably around what it's worth in market terms (with the proviso that its utility value is greater, as others agree above). Try offering £300 and see if the seller bites? You can always agree somewhere in the middle. I'd say it would be a decent buy, but not a bargain at that. Buy a nice wide strap for it and away you go.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1485271793' post='3222659'] My wife wanted to go to a Westlife gig at the NEC. I bought 2 tickets and told her too take her mate. There was no chance I would go to that. I went to Lionel Richie though. I didn`t think I would enjoy it, but he was immense. Great bit of banter, and you could tell he is a seasoned professional [/quote] +1. The perfect solution. She and a pal have a treat on you, you earn brownie points and you don't have to stuff cotton wool in your ears/wish you were dead. Genius. Oh and don't expect her to come to your gigs unless she wants to. That's only fair.

Real US built instrument - solid with excellent tone for not a lot of money. Great buy if you can find one. Er, I mean, they're rubbish. Don't bother. Where did you say you've seen one for sale?

I wonder, if you have smaller hands, whether you're forced to play more on the edge of the finger rather than the pad because of the stretch. You mention that it affects he last two (assume you mean the ring and pinkie). If you are playing on the edges, the skin there is not as tough and it may be that a shorter scale instrument would be the best option in the long run, but I appreciate that's not the cheapest way to go. As far as strings go, agree with suggestions for Cobalts, Elixirs and Pressurewounds. Afraid you may have to spend a bit experimenting. Good luck with it.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1485084278' post='3220935'] My vote would probably go to Sandi Thom's "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in my Hair)". [/quote] Yes indeedy. Punks with flowers in their hair?. My arse.

Been left in the sun

A bedpan

I see the moths have been at the body.

[quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1484671825' post='3217374'] Now there's a sideline, Tornado shelters in Orange [/quote] Orange County, I presume.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1484736094' post='3217853'] The plywood case obviously adds the missing heft. [/quote] Only if it's posh Birch ply...

1400w? Wonder if it's got 2 ICEpower ASC700s under the hood.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1484650673' post='3217117'] A lot of what make funk 'funky' is playing slightly off the beat. David Garibaldi (drummer with Tower of Power) has an excellent clip on Youtube where he demonstrates moving the snare beat around in any given bar and where the bass drum beat can also be shifted around. It's worth a look. [/quote] I'd bet he doesn't play everything off the beat at once, though. The whole point of playing off the beat is that there has to be a beat to play off from. hence Brown's comment.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1484672360' post='3217385'] If you hold onto that gear for long enough, it will become vintage and highly sought after. [/quote] Unless it was sh*te to start with...

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1484514898' post='3216065'] Transportation in US bar bands is a crucial issue. So you really have to question the guy whose depending on his 20 year old car to make it to all the gigs. Good, well maintained gear is also an issue. When a guy shows up with an old untuned beat up kit with no cases with duct tape all over the place, it's usually an indicator the guy has other issues. Blue [/quote] May be worth stipulating that applicants must have good quality kit, then

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1484680984' post='3217474'] Why is OK for the sound guy to be paid and not the bands? [/quote] As both a sound man and a musician, I'll tell you. A band will normally do one or two slots/sets at a charity do. There may well be several bands at such an event. The sound man will have to get there before everyone else to set up, sort out sound for the bands, the speeches, the raffle, play background music, etc, etc, etc. He will pack up/leave last when everyone else has finished. He may well have to pay a gopher to help load in and out. It's a very long day and he will do several times the amount of work of any individual performer or band. Reason enough for you?

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1484218405' post='3213580'] Welcome back Discreet! There are indeed more important things to get worked up about but I am am glad to see this getting discussed none the less. It is difficult enough to find out if you have any talent for music without getting an instrument from a well meaning relative who doesn't realise what the "D" means. I fear these instruments will discourage some aspiring players from ever going further. Thomann clearly label their decorative instruments and have about six different ones from about 35 quid for a miniature (50cm long) Warwick thumb to about 95 quid for a Harley Benton BM-75. It doesn't hurt their sales of real instruments one bit. Get the bugger to declare exactly what he is selling I say. I am all for free trade but not when it is immoral as this appears to be. [/quote] This +1

I'll have the minidiscs and recordable CDs if you don't want them. Our local tip has a large recycling section that takes all sorts of electronic and related stuff, so that's where I take things I don't want that are too good to chuck in the bin.

Ah memories. I remember when it was called The Thatch and was an Irish music venue and dance hall. Had some great nights there.

The one in, one out rule helps. You can't buy anything unless you get rid of something.

Another vote for Highway Star. I'm a bit of a petrolhead, too, so it has to be that song.

Would depend on the crowd. Osmonds covers for bikers, Megadeth for the local old peoples' home and so on...