RhysP

They're a superb live band. Funny, when I first used to go & see them all those years ago (when Di'anno was still with them) I never would have thought they'd get to be as massive as they became.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1470320141' post='3105092'] One of the main reasons I don't play bass very much anymore is that when I started to write & record my own material I realised that 99% of the time what I was doing just didn't actually need any bass. Heresy I know... [/quote] Having said what I said above I've just spent the last few hours recording a new rough demo of an instrumental & I actually got the bass out from under the bed & recorded a bass part. Rather enjoyed it too.

One of the main reasons I don't play bass very much anymore is that when I started to write & record my own material I realised that 99% of the time what I was doing just didn't actually need any bass. Heresy I know...

I think a lot of people like saying they've had stuff serviced by 'my tech' because they think it makes them sound cool. "Wow, he's got his own tech guy, he must be a real pro".

A lot of the people I listen to don't use bass guitar, or any other sort of bass for that matter. Wouldn't class most of them as bands though as most are solo performers or duos.

Would PAT Testing come under the umbrella of being "recently serviced"?

You'd only be able to do that if the amp has a crossover of some kind that will let you send different frequencies to different outputs.

Zons are superb basses.

Absolutely they do.

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1469874094' post='3101626'] It would be a boring world if boundaries were not pushed. [/quote] I didn't see any boundaries being pushed in that performance, certainly not in the way Bowie did originally.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1469829845' post='3101454'] where's Mick Ronson? [/quote] You are joking, right? I thought it was absolute sh*t, but most of these "cast of thousands" tribute things usually are.

Have a look at the M-Audio Prokeys 88sx - full sized keys, pretty portable & has a few basic on board sounds that should cover your piano/organ needs. Can also be used as a MIDI controller if you want to use any software to boost your sounds without taking up any more space than a laptop would. Cheap too.

He won't get a Fender Twin for anywhere near £300-350.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1469132990' post='3096094'] If you are still looking for 5-string semi-hollow long scale basses how about [url="https://www.facebook.com/334082209985909/photos/a.342059922521471.77637.334082209985909/1127924587268330/?type=3"]this Atlansia Fortune Bass[/url]? [/quote] Ooh, sweet!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1469070788' post='3095519'] Both of your definitions are a bit narrow in nature IMO, but I get where your coming from. [/quote] I was being somewhat less than serious.

Covers bands play music that the people in the band hate but the punters love. Originals bands play music that the people in the band love but the punters hate.

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1468919998' post='3094255'] The band starts off being the Jam then rapidly turns into the Style Council. [/quote]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1468919647' post='3094252'] Doesn't this view depend really on how this starts? What I mean by this is this: There are 2 ways you can be mates in a band: 1 - Mates first, band develops out of friendship - then the social scene is good. You have loads on common. 2 - Band happens, then you start to socialise - then the social gatherings are only really band-meetings, because it's all you have in common, unless you MAKE it go to another level. [/quote] In the past I've answered "bass player wanted" ads where I've been told that I would be expected to socialise regularly with the rest of them. The last band I joined actually started talking about all getting together with our wives/girlfriends at each others houses for meals on a regular basis before we'd played a note.

The other members wanting the band to be a big socialising/friends thing when all I want to do is play some music & then go home.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1468777637' post='3093259'] Have you ever considered that you've got Aspergers ? It's something that I have, and can cause anxiety problems, which it sounds like you have. [/quote] I was thinking exactly the same thing. A lot of what the OP wrote mirrored pretty much exactly my own experiences with playing in bands (and life in general) - loved the playing, never had any stage fright but all the other stuff terrified me. The bit between setting the gear up until it was time to play was hell on earth for me, and this got worse & worse as I got older & started to drink less (the drink was helping me cope to an extent but I just couldn't carry on like that). Got to the point where I just had to face the fact that I wasn't cut out for gigging & socialising in general, but I couldn't work out why as it was something I should have loved doing. Lots of other problems with extreme anxiety, depression & just not being able to cope in lots of 'normal' situations led to me losing my job & finally to being diagnosed (twice, by two different clinical psychologists) with Aspergers Syndrome earlier this year at the age of 51. Finding out the reason for why I behave like I do has been a massively positive experience for me - I know it's a cliche but I really do feel like my life started again when I was diagnosed.

For that kind of money I'd at least expect a one piece body on a natural finish instrument.

Chinagraph pencil. Mark the gain & EQ settings for your various basses on the amp so you can go to them quickly & easily. Always worked perfectly for me, though it might not appeal to people who like to have an excuse to buy another bit of kit for no reason.

Might help if you post a link to it or something.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1468345172' post='3090341'] No, that was Keith. [/quote] I always get that wrong.

I thought it was the name of the dog that Russia sent into space.