Steve Browning

Almost 8 years and no deterioration in the quality of service! Bought V-Amp from Mike that arrived quickly and was well packaged. Thanks. Steve

Always worth remembering that a mistake is ancient history the moment after it is made. Never beat yourself up about it.

You'd think the Ukrainians could have picked off the board of the BoE easily enough, when they invaded.

In my case, a machine head broke while I was tuning in the dressing room. Couple of odd electrical things over the years, but that's the main one.

Generally, go with the singer (IMHO) if they make a mistake, otherwise plough on and let the miscreant find their way back (or stop playing!!). I wouldn't do the 'pointed look' as it will apparent to them that they've sphered it up and it alerts the audience to the fact. We might say that we played the jazz version when the number has finished.

Same here. If there is no need for the fretless I take two (main and spare).

Blimey, there are my greatest hits. the '53, the '66 slab, the '66 Jazz and my '66 Precision. I don't recall fitting the EMG pickups on it. I had thought they were only on a Squier I had at the time, and used as my spare. Looking at that Jazz, it may not be my old one. That was more cream coloured with a tort scratchplate. Mark with the pony-tail and Dave Garland. Dave was/is a fine engineer/producer and we did a lot of work with Jim Lea of Slade. If I message you my remail address, would you be kind enough to email me the pictures?

I remember it well, and the unhappy aftermath. I was a director of the company behind the studio and, as such, gave a guarantee for the rent. After I left, Mark emptied the studio and left me with a £37k CCJ for the outstanding rent! Luckily for me, the landlord was sympathetic and never enforced the debt but the repercussions were severe, they cost me far more than money. Getting back to the band, I seem to recall the guitarist using echo very much in the style of The Edge. The Jazz was a '66, and I've never really got on with them. The sunburst was probably my '66 also, and which I still own. The '51 was, in fact, 53. Oddly, it is featured in Haynes Fender Bass Manual, and even shows the certificate I got from John Entwistle (it was one of his old basses). The pics would be amazing to see!

Indeed it does. I am that bass player. They created a job for me there so I could be a full time Pretty Thing (oh, the irony). 145 Wardour Street was the studio and we recorded the track there (as we did the rest of the album that followed). Mark St John was the 'owner' and he also played on the track (he's in the video too). Which band were you?

They were a pretty big deal before my time. I was very much making up the numbers but had a great time and played with some pretty impressive people.

A version of Eve Of Destruction. The Pretty Things - Eve Of Destruction (Promo Video, 1989) - YouTube.wmv

I was in the top 40 with a band that, itself, had other hits before my time.

They did just the one song 25 minutes in.

You won't regret waiting on the Mesa.

They were on. I watched one number. Don't know if they did another one - couldn't be bothered to stay up to see. Not a fan, but my partner's youngest son is part of their management team. Royal Crud.

Hi Stewart.

Mainly named for identification (as all my basses are Precision types) 1966 = #1 because it's been my number 1 for almost 40 years 1971 isn't really used much so remains nameless 1972 = the Wreck, mainly because it looks as though Rory Gallagher may have owned it SVL (1) = Emily - so named (and with the name actually on the neck plate) so my eldest knows it's hers when I snuff it SVL (2) = Hannah - same reason A/E fretless = the fretless really. Not actually named. The Greco and Tokai aren't used much so aren't named/identified.

My Virgo brain is struggling with that red amp sleeve!! 🙂

Go on YouTube and put in Ronnie Pickering and you'll see, and forever remember the name.

Can't be. We know who he is.

I have lived with this (it's not a bass I use on gigs), but it's starting to bug me. When the volume pot is wide open, the tone appears to be wide open too (no matter how it's set). Back off the volume a little and the tone functions as normal. It's a straight Precision set up with nothing fancy. Any thoughts on a likely cause, folks?

On my basses, volume control at willy height. It seems to feel more natural! 🙂 When concealed in clothing obviously, my arms aren't that long!!

Welcome to the club. I love mine. I've had them for a couple of years now and can't wait to fire up the rig every time I use it. Prepare to be stunned when the rack ears turn up - they're heavier than the amp!