Steve Browning

I would think 'budget conscious' rules out Barefaced and many other options. The OP wants us to be imaginative on his behalf, not tell him what he can't afford.

No apology needed at all. I expect Paultons Park adverts were fairly regional and I'm along the coast at Portsmouth.

Like what you did using 'hoot' in your post!!

I don't think I expressed an ignorance of new music. I expressed contempt for the ignorant assumption that we were ignorant. There is plenty of modern music I like.

So does that mean you'll not bother with your pointless criticism in future - pointless in that we aren't worth your youthful effort.

Although he did use the pickup when recording the soundtrack for Flash.

I have to say (reluctantly) that even the Foo Fighters were underwhelming. I know one of our number has a great gig with Rag'n'Bone Man (and long may it last for him) but all I see is Grossburger from Stir Crazy, a huge guy from whom emanates a voice you don't expect. Up until last night I've never seen him perform any other song.

Ah so you're going for his current look! Sorry John, if you're lurking.

I have two Fender Japan 75 reissues which I have changed to decent tort plates. The bass he used the most initially was a 67 with a transition logo and the reverse tuners. The 69 he had (and was eventually sprayed black) had the later logo. The two I have sport that later logo. My BoRap bass is a 72 which has been stripped but also has a tort plate. There is a fan site (I think it's called Deaky) list all his basses and their various developments. http://www.deaky.net/beat/bass1E.html

Ah yes. If the question was 'which is the video you'd appear in if you could' it would be Don't Give Up without question - and yes, I'd be Peter Gabriel!!

............ and Rickenbacker. Ok, I made that up.

Torn between Bohemian Rhapsody and the proper (full) live version of Sultans Of Swing. I bet those opening Bb's caused a draught through that Acoustic rig of John Deacon's.

........... and I don't like actives. Vive la difference and all that. There's so much choice out there you don't need to force yourself to like something.

You already pay VAT on goods from Europe. German VAT from Thomann, for example. You will see any import duty charged but that will be the only extra cost I would expect.

Ah, the sweet smell of that greener grass!! The JV will always be more highly thought of (they seem to be the pre-CBS of the post CBS age), but that doesn't make it a better bass for you.

Tough call, I would say. I have not played a Limelight but I have dealt with Mark and I know many people swear by them (as JV owners do too). I am not convinced that the JV's are pre-CBS investments in the making so my decision would be on which you enjoyed playing the most and don't pay too much attention to the 'aura' around them.

That's very kind but I think a JV represents rather better value as an instrument. I have owned a couple of JV's over the years and I have played a few and I haven't encountered a duff one yet.

Don't forget PPL too. They do the performing rights. They can also issue the IRSC number (each released song/version of a song has a unique number for cataloguing). My band went with Ditto Music who seem to do a great job for 19 quid.

Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) takes some beating.

I once had afternoon tea at the Ritz and the waiter pronounced it 'scone' so I was right all along. I mean, they must be right at Ritz.

But is it pronounced as in scone or scone?

I have used them for years and love the sound of them. Great strings. I have tried other options over the years but Jazz Bass strings are the best for me, in terms of tone - and value!

One of my Subway cabs had an annoying rattle that seemed to defy any attempt at diagnosis. Eventually, Mesa accepted that the speaker was at fault and shipped over another one. I had bought the cab from the Gallery and it was agreed that the swap would take place on a Saturday. I duly drove up and the original speaker was removed (it was a seriously tight fit). Lo and behold the reason was immediately clear. The guy stapling in the insulation had evidently refilled his staple gun during the process and a block of 3 staples were attached to the magnet and vibrating on the cone! I chose to keep the original speaker and was allowed to keep the (unnecessary) spare. So, I have a brand new and boxed 15" speaker in case I ever need it. Brilliant customer service from the Gallery, the guy came in on the Saturday morning on the the day he was going on holiday and Mesa Boogie for sending over the speaker and letting me keep it. Not sure I'll ever need it but there you go ...........

Ah, so you were the t1t the guys were talking about when I went in! :-)

My band play on mainland Europe a fair bit. We approach the power requirement by buying a couple of European plug and change the UK plug on a couple of 2m single socket extension leads. They take up a small amount of additional space, are not expensive and then allow you to use your own extension leads from there on. Generally, the venues will feed and water you too. The audiences are also far more receptive and even seem to appreciate you being there. Pretty much the direct opposite of a UK audience!! If you go through the tunnel to get there, I heartily recommend the burger van in the car park where you queue to board the train. The 'dog and egg' is a wonderful creation (pork burger with a fried egg on top). I can guarantee you'll have a great time and drive on the right. It's always the first roundabout that (almost) catches me out!!