Cat Burrito

I noticed the same with my Burns

From flying 1300 miles to Ibiza at the start of the week to playing my closest gig to a homecoming ever, an open mic on the very road I grew up on, last night saw my school friend and I in our revived 80s alternative band playing covers by The Cure and the Mission on my mandolin. On many levels I enjoyed it as much as playing Ibiza!

Interesting. I didn't know that this existed. I have a Burns version. Again cheaper than the Squier. I bought it for some Glen Campbell style melodies in an original recording band but have actually wound up using mine a lot in an 80s goth duo. Love mine.

Just the entry level MM Stingray. I had an Olp a few years ago and liked it a lot.

I flew out to Ibiza to play the opening night of HRH Road Trip. The show was great, although I took my cheap Musicman copy as I didn't trust Ryanair with an expensive bass. The Ashdown rig sounded decent and the show was really well attended. My first trip over to mainland Europe since Covid. Ibiza was surprisingly not Chav!

Wider padded straps certainly lighten the load. My shoulder is definitely playing up 35yrs of playing Paul Simonon / Peter Hook style (tried raising it but ultimately I am an old dog and this was too much of a new trick). I couldn't use the strap in the original post as it contains leather but I have a Couch padded wide strap that really helps. I now sit down for parts of longer rehearsals and generally try to avoid the heavier basses when buying. As someone who turns 50 in 12 months I would always say looking after your bass health is important if you still want to be doing this in a few years time.

The answer is purely financial for me. If money is a worry and buying a bass is going to cause issues, don't buy it. I scaled right back when I got divorced many years ago and then played catch up when I came out the other side. I think with the cost of living right now I am playing things very cautiously but my finances will change again in a few years so I can relax then.

I grew up in a small rural town and was (& remain) an avid consumer of music. My journey went something like; The cooler elements of my parents record collection Through friends at junior school / Top of the Pops Being stuck at the parties of my parents' friends with their older cooler kids introducing me to their tastes Discovering stuff through the Rock / Alternative charts on mainstream shows like The Chart Show Reading the music press and learning which journalists I liked and taking chances.

Quite literally a case of "No good for metal" then 😸

Just seen this thread. I never used effects before but over lockdown I got into an 80a alternative duo and have been using the EHX pedals with that. I quite like the Big Muff but I use it sparingly and in combination with other effects. Reading this makes me wonder if I should have tried other brands but as I liked the EHX stuff I just stayed with the brand and the sound is great, for my needs. We have jangly 12 string guitar and drum machine / programmed keys so perhaps it would be a little more lost in a regular band set up.

Great thread! Onstage at The Marquee in the early 90s. That Jazz was also used on a Total Guitar session that was included in Issue 10. Same band maxing out our "leaning against a wall skills" (second left) The Ex-Boyfriends backstage at Caeser's Palace in Luton - I've discovered the early Manic Street Preachers! (second left again) Insert from a German punk CD released in the 90s.

Didn't he borrow a T-bird for one tour circa 1975? If that ain't worthy of a tribute model, I don't know what is!

Paddy bought a pickguard from me. Prompt payment and easy comms - all in the spirit of an effortless Basschat transaction.

It's 2022. I'm genre fluid. 😺

Slightly smaller crowd than the one from Nash's post but at the weekend the 80s alternative duo from the ashes of my old Sixth Form Goth band played the local village open mic. Loving this minimalist set up with acoustic folk instruments and drum machines / synths. Plus it's nice just to hang out with one of my oldest friends. I love that we can do a Cult cover and bring the house down, only to follow it with a bit of Bauhaus and clear the pub!

We did a very rocking set at the Finsbury in London. Lots of comments on my bass - it's literally just some bits! 😸

I have a couple of band mates who were known in the 80s / 90s and apart from the odd story about touring with bigger bands, these days it means nothing (to them) as we're all at the same level now. Both are very pro and very down to earth to work with.

I remember my step son telling me that Justin Fletcher and Mr. Tumble were the same person. Then I showed him THIS photo! He felt pretty silly after that.

I was nervous for about my first 6 shows (1989 / 1990) and then decided that I needed to get past that, so i did. Not sure if I just bury it now but I have had maybe 3 or 4 shows where I have been nervous before but I have thankfully been able to deal with it - usually when it's a new band / big show. I think I am lucky because I appreciate not everyone can say the same.

I've used Orange for years. Neither are wrong. The OBC112 does seem to be the popular choice these days. Personally I have used a 2x10, 2x12 and now mostly 1x15 with a 4x10 - all Orange. It's a versatile head so most cabs sound great with it.

Don't drink too much! 😸 Seriously though (& the above is serious), I have picked up so many tips over the years that there isn't one stand out piece of advice. Practice, learn the set, show up on time and by the occasional round for the band. Best tip I can give.

In 34yrs of playing I have only ever broken one string and had one amp let me down so I am very much a bass / amp with a few spare leads / cables etc if I remember kind of player.

We thought it would be fun to do those old songs on folk instruments. Plus, there is some mandolin on stuff by The Mission so it isn't *that* much of a stretch. We have the acoustic side like this and then the more conventional electric stuff with a drum machine, sequenced keys etc.

It might be of minimal interest to in excess of 99.999% of the world's population, but last night 60% of my old Sixth Form goth band regrouped and played some of the old songs from back in 1990. The three of us hadn't played them in almost 32yrs and it was a blast. I absolutely loved it. A local open mic gig and it really was a firm favourite. Plus, it's nice to gig away from the bass and play my mandolin for a change.

My basses are both varied in what they do through to how much they cost - so ranging Gibson Thunderbird / USA Jazz / Rickenbacker 4003s through to a uke bass and a Burn Bass VI. The variety reflects the different range of projects I do and the costs reflect whether it is a main instrument or something just to muck about on.