Daz39

That's awesome sauce

Awesome - well done! I considered responding, as I am in Halifax, but I lack the time, and probably the skill...

Your shed has a big lock on it, right?

Yes. Both BLS albums are great

He's a total maverick, cool dude and ace player. I used to follow his blogs last decade when he would describe his portable espresso machine he designed for his motorbike, and his endless travels on tours. Dude's been around so long he played in a school band for JFK in err '62? I do want to know what Bass he plays and how for his tracks on the Union album for Yes. Sounds like a metal fretboard fretless, it's amazing. Let's not even start on his stick playing (GAS!)

I've got a Modern Player Tele - it's lovely. Skunk stripe, honeyburst or charcoalburst it came in. 3 pickups (Neck tele, Strat-mid and a Humbucker at the bridge with a coil tap. Loads of options, great noise. Mine's actually heavier than my bass at 9lbs+, but it's worth it. I paid £380 for mine and I believe they're discontinued now, so might be bargains about.

Looking good so far. Will the tuners be swooped for lightweight ones, as is often done?

I've heard a couple of albums. It's epic stuff. Mr McM is frighteningly good.

These are well reviewed and apparently solid tone machines that just play really well. Yeah, they look marmite but y'know; some of us don't look tort...

What the above posted (because quote post keeps playing up). Every awards before a specific one targeted at (for example) POC - is in effect a White, middle class, award. It's privilege - and it applies to pretty much every area of modern western civilisation. I can see how having a targeted ad helps a band's identity and probably their chances of success, but that itself further reinforces privilege and systemic bigotry/racism.

Exactly. Marketing. If they sell half the crazy basses they put out in this way, they cover their target for marketing spend I reckon. It gets people talking, and equating Ibanez with innovation. Some of their (in my opinion) mad ideas have worked: they have sold loads of the 7 and 8 string guitars.

That's utterly crackers. Very cool and they will probably sell a few to nuts who like noodling aimlessly but don't want to put the fretless down and pick the fretless up etc. Like me! Good price considering it has fancy wood, piezo, 7 strings etc.

Good on the Rush team there, and other donating peeps. I admit; I bought Prog once a year at best and never the other publications. Lists and endless adverts are not worth the price tag. Shame as there was good stuff: I got the special edition of err CR?, Prog? with the Clockwork Angels release.

I three finger gallop; two is just daft. Love noodling to Maiden tunes, there are plenty that just make you ache but most have accessible parts. Agree with an earlier post: Moonchild is insane, and 22 Acacia Avenue is epic.

Grott, that's the one!

Newcastle used to have 7 or 8 gear shops: Sound Control, Sounds Live, Windows, Jake's Bass Place, the vintage shop near the fire station, one at Eldon Square (the street not the mall)...

Ibanez Portamento is very nice.

Cool!

I had an RBX 370? (something like that) and a 765A. Both super-nice to play, not too heavy, good sound and quality.

Yes - it is possible to be mentally ill and still be a supreme bellend. Mr West is living proof. It's tricky isn't it - on the one hand, he does and says some fairly daft and maddening things, but he does appear to suffer (possibly because of all the fame and illusory greatness he surrounds himself with.)

Well - given that Angels or Let Me Entertain You are inevitable entries in dire pub karaoke nights - I reckon it has affected our culture.

Currently binging on early albums after for years only listening to Monster onwards. Great tunes, although the smash albums are hit and miss for me.