Crusoe

Until quite recently the old customs post was still in Belfast Central Station, albeit no longer in use. People used to come up form the republic to buy stuff like butter and take it home because it was much cheaper. Newry used to do a thriving trade in cross-border shopping, especially coming up to Christmas. About 25 years ago, fuel was cheaper south of the border and people would actually drive from Belfast to Dundalk to fill their cars.

I don't normally like gold hardware, but it looks good with that blue.

I was reading about the Beatles "She's Leaving Home", yesterday. Apparently it was sped up slightly for the stereo version to make Paul sound younger.

Really good cover. The bass sounds great.

The live album "Show" is great.

I've had a metal pick in my case for about 30 years. I've no idea where it came from and don't think I've ever used it, apart from to see what it sounded like.

I got the same guitar about six months ago and it really is excellent for the money. I've considered getting that amp too. I believe it is a clone of the Laney Super Cub 12

It has a very NWOBHM feel to it, which I quite like, but yeah, the vocals are very annoying.

That's a strange one. It's as if Fender were making a left handed offset body guitar, but someone forgot and carved the bottom of the body, for the arm, rather than the top. The bridge, trem arm, and pickguard all look homemade.

That looks great. I love the cracking on the sunburst finish

I prefer the pink one.

Basschat's very own Fred Dibnah

One bass, two electric guitars, one acoustic guitar...

Sounds great. Very cool to have Andy playing on it. Good luck with it.

Welcome!

I'm not in a band, but I would suggest making use of as much social media as you can. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the biggest ones, obviously. Tag in the venues. Use as many suitable hashtags as possible without making the post look messy.

I always thought Bananarama were singing "Robert de Niro's waiting, talking to Tanya" as if he was making idle chit chat with the receptionist.

I remember when I started playing bass at first, CBS era Fenders were generally regarded as a bit crap. I'm sure there some decent ones, but from what I read QC wasn't great. Nowadays, any old 70s Fender is almost revered like the Holy Grail and commands a fortune.

I saw them live a few years ago. They aren't really my thing, but I don't mind their music. The best bit of the gig, for me, was when they played the old bluesy stuff. He really is a very good guitarist.

I always thought it was "thumb police"

Sister Sledge - We Are Family "we're making love in a Femidom"

Photos?

Over on Guitar Chat (shut up, they aren't that bad) that I got two free bottles of Grolsch beer with a couple of straplocks at the weekend. @Dad3353 reminded me that you can get these basschatlocks

I thought something similar - "with my manchirons". No idea what a manchiron is. Malachy McCourt (brother of Frank of "Angela's Ashes" fame) wrote a book called "A Monk Swimming", based on the same mondegreen.

I don't go out in Belfast often, these days, but as far as I can see the live music scene seems to be picking up. There are the established venues, like The Limelight, but in recent years venues like Voodoo, The Dears Head, The American Bar and The Sunflower have been hosting live music.