ezbass

At least ten years old on my Rob Allen. They are the same strings (black nylon, LaBellas) that it came with when I bought it 2nd hand.

Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams

Bands play Mustang Sally because it was in The Commitments. They play Sweet Home Alabama because that was in a film too. Alright Now was in a chewing gum ad. Films and TV have been responsible for many cover band staples. I think the reason these covers mostly suck is down to a, “That’ll do,” attitude.

Hi Heel Sneakers - Loads of folk

Ooh, that’s nice.

I Touch Myself - Divinyls

Bumble Boogie - B. Bumble and the Stingers

I think I may have found a way to stave off the bass and 2nd tier GAS, buy camera lenses and golf clubs!* *However, this devil may care attitude may bleed over into that which must not be bought. 😬

Flowers in the Rain - The Move

Eat The Rich - Aerosmith

The great Sean Hurley commented on this during an interview. Like many, he regularly turns his tone down a bit, but an engineer said to leave it wide open and let them change at the desk as required. Therefore, passive controls on full, active flat (if applicable). Don’t be put off when they spend ages getting a good drum and guitar sound, only to spend less than 10 seconds on the bass - ‘twas ever thus.

Herd It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

Master of Puppets - Metallica

Papa Don’t Preach - Madge

Dancing With Tears In My Eyes - Ultravox

Black Coffee In Bed - Squeeze (sorry, couldn’t resist adding 2)

Espresso Love - Dire Straits

I was just typing as you posted, see my thoughts above.

I use an MXR M87, but I’ve always fancied a Cali76 because of their reputation. However, the colour that the old version added was potentially an issue, so didn’t get one. Then they brought out the new version, that is less coloured and has a more informative VU, oh, oh, GAS ahead! Then I realised that an uncoloured Cali76, with a row of LEDs is pretty much an M87 (they are both based on the Urei 1176), but with a couple more bells and whistles (dry/wet blend for instance). So I’m sticking with the MXR (at least for now) and saving a few bob. My own compressor journey came about via a recording session, during lockdown. I sent a friend of mine, who owned a FOH company and often ran the board himself (with terrific results, best sound engineer I’ve encountered and also does pro recordings for others) a copy of the recording. He suggested some very subtle comp settings, which I applied and the way the bass sat so much better in the mix was striking. Straight away I researched comp pedals and have had the M87 on my board since.

Running Down A Dream - Tom Petty

Crazy - CeeLo Green

Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas

I like the look of that.

Obviously, Origin Effects have an axe to grind, but this might help.