Shaggy

The most perfect pop song ever written is of course "Dancing Queen" (ABBA) as any fule kno.....

Just bein' honest guv! My favourite song of all time has the opposite going on - rather naff intro (sub-Who power chording) going into sublime song:. Joy Division's "Love will tear us apart". Doesn't fit the song IMHO.

A couple of years back I cut down on the gigging out of sheer exhaustion, and now actually spend the occasional Saturday night at home. This means that I inevitably have to sit through Mrs Shaggy's favourite programme; "Strictly come dancing", which I don't mind too much as I can usually find something to like in a programme with musical content and lady dancers in tight costumes. Say what you like about the cheesiness of the show, the way every bit of tension is milked to the nth degree, and general inanity of the dialogue - the professionalism and versatility of the band is absolutely top notch, especially when you consider what a diverse range of material they have to cover, and probably very limited time to arrange and rehearse. Inevitably, I listen out out for the bass (which the BBC being the BBC tend to mix down, but I route the sound through a decent stereo sound system) and am always impressed by the solid and unfussy groove of the bassist, which always totally compliments the tune. Also he wears a hat and always looks happy when the band is introduced, which is a big plus in my book. Google search indicates he's a v experienced bassist called Trevor Barry who I wasn't aware of before. Just thought I'd give him a bit of a big up, as Dave Swift of Jool's band gets a lot of good press on BC (NB: I own one of Dave's old basses...) and Trevor is every bit as good. Any "guilty pleasure" Strictly watchers agree / disagree?

Absolutely no one else will agree with this, but the one that springs to my mind is The Only One's "Another girl, another planet"; fabulous intro going into Buzzcock-esque weedy vocals.

Or Rastaglo?

Only ever seen one other one, recently sold by http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/ - being a mando player I was quite tempted! Dates from when mandolins were hugely popular in the early 20th Century - this would have been part of a mandolin orchestra with mandolin, mandola, mandocello and mandobass.

I remember reading the exact same article, though IIRR it was '79.... Think he was using the black Hamer Explorer bass by then. I saw WA locally a few years back - the hair much less abundant, but a good gig!

lovin' that sunburst Shergold…..

Nicest small valve combo for guitar I've tried is the Peavey Classic 30 - I snagged one in Crack Converters dirt cheap a few years back and foolishly moved it on. Currently using a mid '80's Mesa Boogie mk 3 short head with 1x12 Boogie Thielle cab, but I do miss the Peavey.

A bit off topic I know, but my backup / home use head is an '80's Marshall Silver Jubliee 3530 head (300W SS) - a really transparent sweet sounding amp, despite the power rating being a tad optimistic IMO (more like a 200W), and still ultra-reliable after 30+ years. Looks cool with the chromed fascia too

As an aspiring classical violinist; it was entirely down to seeing JJB in the Stranglers in 1977 when I was 16. Still fiddle a bit

I'm pretty sure that very bass was for sale on BC a few years back, with just the one neck (fretted), and around £4.5K less........

I was at Liverpool Uni in '81 and avidly going to all the gigs I could, big and small (I still have my Eric's membership card......)- don't recall The Last Chant though. Looking back; how lucky to be in that place at that time

Bought a Jazz body off ordep - smooth easy deal, great comms; buy from him with confidence.

PM'd re Orange & Marshall cabs

At the risk of sounding the curmudgeon I undoubtedly am; I would never buy anything (1) described as "pre-loved" (one wonders exactly what sort of relationship the former owner had with it.....), and (2) priced at anything ending in ....£99. Just call it £1.5K for F'----s sake. (Christmas coming? Bah humbug........)

Ah, the JJB500! Very tasty, and a rare beastie. I'd keep the yellow piping

+1 to that - after years of using hybrid Mesa and Eden gear in rock bands, I fancied trying something a bit more "modern" and transparent for the current funk / disco band project. As I'd already got a pair of 4x8 and 1x15 Ashdown mini-cabs as my "compact rig" (UK made, stupidly cheap on BC, and upgraded to 400W RMS each) I recently got an Ashdown MK500 (Mark King signature) head - mint and a mere £200 on eBay. Really fantastic amp, with the only useful built in effect I've ever found; the "harmonic emphasis" control. Another Ashdown convert here!