Cat Burrito

Is the Brits still going?

I enjoyed punk, although I was 3 in 1976. My musical introduction was through the cool 60s records of my parents collection. Some of their friends had older kids who in the back rooms of parties introduced me to The Clash, the Pistols, Buzzcocks, Damned etc in the early 80s. So my first musical discoveries outside the home were old punk vinyls. A lot of rubbish is spoken about music (& long may that remain) but I simply enjoyed the tunes. No real cultural significance for me. During the Silver Jubilee as the Pistols sailed down the Thames I believe I was at a tea party on Marlborough High Street dressed as a cowboy. I sat by my friend Pete and had a great day

I do and Mandolin Cafe was probably the best one I used. I mainly taught myself from books. It was always fun gigging the mandolin as people automatically assumed I was a much better musician than I actually am. Ironically most audience members talk to me after an upright bass gig or a mandolin gig - everything else is just meh!

I'm not massively into buying gear so much these days but it has to look right, yes. Colour isn't usually a deal clincher though - most equipment I like is old school looking (or vintage) so it's more does it play well?

Nothing wrong with a bit of 12 bar. I think if bands like music that features 12 bar there shouldn't be any stigma in playing it too. I think it only comes unstuck when you have bands playing it because they feel they have to or they don't want to.

because our singer had to fly out to Libya to cover the downfall of Qaddafi (he's a journalist)

I have a great canvas in my living room of Keef playing a Vox bass

Glam Rocktastic! Sweet! No bids either

I have a mandolin clamp that just clips to the mic stand, job done. I can't see them on EBay etc right now but worth hunting around for one. This is the closest I can find right now [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic-stand-mandolins-violins-guitars-banjos-/300525905070?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item45f8bd64ae#ht_500wt_922"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic-stand-mandolins-violins-guitars-banjos-/300525905070?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item45f8bd64ae#ht_500wt_922[/url]

[color=#333333]C, E-flat, and G go into a bar... The bartender says, "Sorry, but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat. F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, "Excuse me, I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found in this bar tonight." E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "You're looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.[/color]

Americana originals loosely somewhere between Dylan & the Stones

I spent £1500 a couple of times on basses that got sold on. It's all down to the individual but I find you can get some pretty amazing basses between £500 - £900 so why go nuts?

I've owned 4, 5 and 6 string banjos but am currently banjo free Good fun playing live too

I use cut up pieces from a mouse mat too. Sounds great to me

The reality is there are lots of people at charity gigs who are recouping some money so why shouldn't the band? There are a fair few promoters out there who I've dealt with who use the charity umbrella to get acts to pay for free. If the door staff, soundman and bar staff get paid then why shouldn't the band? Obviously I'm not suggesting the band makes a profit but some basic fuel costs etc is not unreasonable. I'd put something on the band's website along the lines of "The band is always happy to support good causes" and then explain that some basic costs would need to be covered. In the past I've found my bands giving more than anyone else involved in the event which sort of goes against the ethos of everything. And not replying is just rude. If they need to check with a manager or committee just a short email to say so with an "I'll get back to you" quoting a timescale. Or alternatively, a straight "no the budget won't stretch"

Vintage make good gear. Simple as.

Pete bought my original Precision from me, real easy to deal with and an all round top chap. Nice one

I'm another one to say Blues Junior. With the mods from the [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] BillM site it really goes from a great little amp to a stunning amp. Light, portable and loud enough to gig. Mine has an upgraded speaker and reverb tank. It's my favourite guitar amp[/font][/color]

My 2010 Rickenbacker had a neck like a baseball bat and I hear they vary the necks quite a lot. Personally I think a Jazz offers more versatility (& is cheaper!) but the Ricky gets more attention. Personally I prefer the Jazz by a mile but that's probably because I have always played Fenders. Opening the Rickenbacker case when I first bought it I really felt like I was buying into a lifestyle (like owning a Porsche, I would imagine) but it wound up getting sold on inside of a year. My Jazz actually eclipsed my Precisions and I never anticipated that happening

I've commented on listings like that before and usually the seller thanks you. What a jerk!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1325956532' post='1490399'] Not sure if contrary opinions are welcome in here but the neck on every Jazz bass I've tried has felt wrong. Too thin and strings too close together [/quote] If you look at my Jazz bass on the previous page you'll see it has a Precision neck for that reason

Mandolin, guitar & some banjo. Bass has always been my main instrument but I branched out for a while about 8yrs ago before returning *home*

From my experiences the basic level of every Fender level seems to be worse than the deluxe version of the one below i.e. Squier VM range is better than MIM basic, MIM Classic is better than HWY1 etc but it comes down to tastes and individual models. People do tend to rave about MIJ / CIJ and having played a few / owned a few I can see why. I do find the MIM Classics rival them though these days

I *may* respray my Jazz but I'm still succeeding in gassing for not having gas. A Gretsch orange hollowbody bass tempted me today but I stayed strong