Cat Burrito

I was in Camden a lot in the mid 90s and I would say the Thunderbird isn't wrong. The Musicman and both Fender P / J were the most popular generally in any Britpop band but generally it was just classic / iconic instruments. A BC Rich would be the wrong look but there were certainly Rics, Gibsons and Hofners too. Later day Oasis were using the non reverse T-bird and I am sure I remember bands like Elastica with Thunderbirds at times. The Firebird guitar equivalent certainly cropped up a lot. Unless someone in your band is really cracking the whip, I don't see it as an issue. Especially as you have said you love the bass.

For me it would Sami Yaffa who made his name in Hanoi Rocks back in the 80s. He's solidly played since 1980 without running the risk of getting mobbed in the supermarket. He went on to play in LA band Jetboy in the late 80s, did a cool little band called Demolition 23 in the early 90s, has had his own ventures, played with Joan Jett for a while and then wound up in the reformed New York Dolls. He's currently playing with Michael Monroe and just put out an autobiography and solo album. I like the fact he's had variety, stayed grounded and always had cool kit. Personally speaking I wouldn't be chomping at the bit to play with either Joan Jett or Jetboy but to play with Hanoi or the Dolls would more than allow me to take the rough with the smooth. For any ideas of playing with big bands, I think there is a lot to be said for the ability to go for a quiet pint with your Dad occasionally.

My father spent the late 5os / early 60s playing around Southampton / Portsmouth / Gosport area and after 34yrs of playing, I finally got to play in Southampton. The drummer from my first ever band turned 50 and invited my duo to play his birthday. We were joined by our old drummer for a few songs, marking only the second time we have played together since 1990. I also depped for his sister on bass as she did a couple of Creedence Clearwater Revival covers and I spent 6yrs in a CCR tribute.

I fly around the stage! I'm 50 next year and can't seem to calm down. I do a lot of cardio to keep in shape but my left shoulder is starting to feel it now. Probably best described my bass playing father in law who having seen me said "good but a bit posey". I asked if he meant me or the band in general. He thought for a moment and replied "well yeah, the band too, I suppose!"

Squier / Sqiure - I just wanna play base! 😸

I prefer them to "unboxing". In my day it was called "opening" and the whole thing makes me feel at least 20yrs older than my actual age.

Ah, I see! I just clicked the original EBay. I'd just assumed it was one of the cheaper ones. I guess you can get people guessing here or the other two options are 1) ask the seller to provide evidence that it is original or 2) ask Rickenbacker. At that price (or best offer) I would want the real deal too!

The EBay ones invariably are fakes. I have a black TRC on my 4003s and I like it - it doesn't bother me in the slightest that it might be a fake. The bass is real and that's what matters. I have the originals stored away but I can't see me selling the bass.

Good players who say they don't practice are not strictly speaking being honest. You HAVE to practice at some point or you won't get better.

Cheers @Lozz196, There most certainly is. I believe it is out around mid to late August when we go out on your with Electric Boys. I will be sure to let you know. 👍

The debut release from Slyder Smith & the Oblivion Kids is out today. We shot this video out in Ibiza where we debuted live last month. The drummer & I will be featured more in the next few videos but my bass (Ric through an old 70s Bassman) is right up there in the mix. Check it out!

This year I put together a pedal board for my mandolin and used the cheapest pedals I could find. It was a funding decision, rather than spend months buying the best pedal. I got some old firewood, cut it to size, painted it and added some velcro I had laying around. The most expensive pedal was £20. We're playing 80s alternative stuff in that band and I am delighted with how good it sounds. So yeah, agree 100%.

Stevie Nicks once said "cocaine wasn't a problem for this band until it became a problem". I think the same applies for alcohol. I work with 4 people across two bands who could be described as functioning alcoholics. For me, I won't go on having more than a second pint. I've done gigs having had more and they don't work well for me. I am lucky in that alcohol has never been a problem for me. On a big session, I only ever manage a few pints at best. I'm just not very hardcore and eternally grateful that this is the case for me.

I'm like Uncle Albert when it comes to medals! 😸

All local though? 😏 I have a few UK and European tours coming up though for the redemption.... same band each night though!

Not the Swan? The singer from one of my bands lives there and I was surprised how good a scene there is there.

I had three gigs Thursday through Saturday (local, Hull and East London) and a video shoot on the Sunday (Bristol). I was kind of relieved when Thursday AND Saturday's shows both got pulled / postponed. Friday night was a trek from Wiltshire all the way up to Hull for one show, that had been postponed 4 times during covid. With fuel prices at an all time high, it wasn't going to be lucrative but I've never been to Hull and I like playing places I haven't been to. The traffic was awful; at every point where there was an opportunity for a delay, there was one! The two main guys in the band are both about to launch solo albums so I wondered how well we'd all get on. I arrived ready for an argument, with anyone! However, the mood was great. The venue was The New Adelphi Club which has hosted everyone from Pulp to Adam Ant to Green Day over the years. The sound was superb, the lighting was the best I have ever seen it and everyone was super friendly. I didn't get to eat until after the show but a fan bought me dinner and the venue loaded us up on a decent rider so my only costs were fuel (ahem!). A great night and with the rest up on Saturday I didn't look too shattered for the video shoot on Sunday.

It happens but it is rare. I went down to just two Squiers a few years ago and used them at some pro gigs and one an album. We played a show in Windsor and the support bass player came up to compliment me on my tone and bass - he then clocked the logo and began backpedalling massively. This stands out in isolation. I am now back to mainly expensive basses simply because at that time I could afford them and it's nice to have nice things BUT I think most people judge a player on their playing, not their kit. I'd rather see a good band with rubbish kit then a rubbish band with all the gear.

My T-bird and Ric are through necks and I love them. My Hofner is a set neck and I love it. My Precision and Jazz are bolt on and I love them. So for me it depends on the bass. None of it is a deal breaker.

It wouldn't surprise me @ezbass and I had exactly the same thought.

I enjoyed it. Brain in neutral and just try not to overthink things. I think John Lydon's moaning has really helped raise the profile.

As a player, it is about connections - whether it is with band mates or an audience, it's good to share. As a listener, I have absolutely no idea. Different things for different reasons.

As the thread seems to have gone on this tangent - the last two shows I went to (Peter Hook and The Mission), both singers used iPads. They didn't perform to them, they were simply there as a safety net. Nobody cared and we all enjoyed the show(s). I kind of grow tired of all these pious statements (aimed at the guitarist in the OP and a few pompous friends on FB) about iPads on stage, clip on tuners on headstocks etc. Does it *really* matter? If the performer is glued to the iPad or the musician is loudly tuning up through the PA, fair point, but otherwise...

Sounds like you've dodged a bullet. The scene after a couple of rehearsals is going to be significantly less than 6 months in a band with a guy like this. My experience is that some people take it as a relief, some people are fine but get a bit sulky afterwards and some people get silly from the off. I guess your true personality comes out, depending on how it is done. Sounds like you've been more than fair and he's shown is true colours.

I have the Crush 25 for practice, the Terror head for small gigs and the AD200B for big shows. I love Orange and don't play heavy metal. Mine has done everything from power pop to alternative . Old school tones. I like Fender and Ampeg too but Orange are very consistent.