Steve Browning

Somewhat surprised you are having issues within a few days of a service! Watford Valves website has some excellent valve reviews (based on their own testing) and I ended up with Svetlana Winged C 6550's in my trusty Bass 400.

Yes. I see he's had the hair removed. 🙂

Gotoh 203 bridge bought. Excellent transaction. Good comms. Quick delivery and well packaged (well, the bridge was, no idea about Pete himself - we can only guess!!). Steve

I have subsequently bought a Subway pre/DI and am very happy with it. I haven't used it as any part of my backline but it was excellent going into the pa when I did a gig that didn't require any specific backline.

Dennis Dunnaway - great player. The bass line in School's Out is not difficult but moves the song along brilliantly.

My first instrument was piano and, while an Abba band I had joined transitioned to fully live (with me on bass), I played the part of Benny. There were backing tracks and so I did about 3 months of miming the piano parts. It was utterly soul destroying. Being an ex-pianist, I was able to make a pretty good fist of miming but was always checking out the crowd for people who had sussed out what I was doing. Good money but a hideous experience.

If that level of power works for you then it works fine.

The OP says they have 30 minutes. I don't see more than two songs happening in that time, taking into account introductions etc.A longer time means more opportunity for more.

I might be inclined to try and arrange the rehearsals over a couple of days rather than weeks. I only say that because the first two will be waiting for a while to learn the outcome. Can you not set up something for a single day, extend the rehearsal? Definitely keep them apart and a restricted time is a good plan to avoid any embarrassment. In the time suggested I would think you'd only be doing 2 songs (after introductions etc) but I'd give them the two songs but check the keys with each of them. You want to compare them with the same material.

Bought a pair of LED lights from Martyn. Rapid delivery and nuclear-proof packaging and plenty of comms too. Exactly what you want from a seller. Highly recommended.

I would suggest to check to make sure that you need to take everything you were taking. Does the venue have PA (it might have)? That might be teaching you to suck eggs but worth double checking that you are taking what you need. Not trying to be clever here, just practical in the circs.

To begin with, yes. I reckon he changed around the time of The Game LP. The bass on Crazy Little Thing is definitely the strings where the windings started after the bridge saddle. I would guess he moved onto Swing bass after then.

I was so expecting you to conclude with ' and there in the corner was none other than, John Deacon'.

Yes. The Boogie eq has always been a sensitive beast and the controls all interact too. Back in 1988, when I got my Bass 400, I actually stopped using it for a short while because I couldn't figure it out. After a while I decided to persevere and it paid off. It does take a while to get to grips with the way it all works but it soon becomes automatic - and very worthwhile. Whenever I read a thread where people say it didn't sound right I remember how long it took me to get to grips with it. I have always maintained (and still do) that any Boogie amp is capable of producing exactly the sound you want. Whether or not you can find it is down to you!!

I believe JD's strings were changed every 3 gigs. I remember reading it somewhere (according to Pete Hince, the tech) but have no idea where now.

I have had similar service from DPD and even a picture of the parcel in the cupboard by the front door to show it was there. That's not to say others haven't had such a good service. It seems most of these firms are a bit hit and miss.

I believe that he's on the mend but I know no more than that. I'd got the impression he won't be featuring again.

Will do, Dave. Simon is away with Robben Ford soon and so we will be convening upon his return.

Aha. I should have looked at the 'don't comment without reading the whole thread' thread first!!

The Aukland jam is still going. Run by Andy Broad. The thing that puts me off that one is the fact that the room is so small they don't usually have a drummer, as such. There is a general dearth of opportunities in Pompey it seems. You're right, the metal scene seems to be thriving but then that's primarily a few bands on one bill and with no money at the end of the night. Is there any particular genre you want to get involved in?

Just bought a Mesa Subway DI from Dave. Lovely, easy transaction with good comms and lightning fast delivery. Highly recommended. Good Basschatter. Steve

As it happens I think it would be great to talk to him about the gear he has used. On the early tours he had a monstrous Acoustic/Hiwatt rig and I'd love to know about that. The rack distribution unit he used and why the various Pbass variations over the years. Not everyone's cup of tea I grant you, but I would love to talk to him about the gear he has used.