Cat Burrito

It's good to see buyers / sellers taking relevant precautions. It feels less strange when more people are doing this. With reports in the news this morning of the rise continuing for a second week, it does appear that a few folk are getting a little lax about things. I had a tonne of stuff for sale prior to lockdown and I was just now thinking I might refresh the sales threads again. There's always that fear of the guy showing up coughing with his whole family!

I saw that Ampeg head too but it bucks the trend. I am (pending an incoming payout) looking for an AD200B Orange head and the general guideline seems to be that these things do very much hold a lot of their value. Whilst I agree that the lightweight stuff is very much the preferred option these days, plenty still want (& pay for) those old school big valve beasts.

A lot of my early musical education comes from school.... but had nothing to do with the lessons.

Some of the post Diana Ross stuff from the 70s is great too, like 5.30 Plane.

Well, I took the plunge!

I have the Ampeg 50-t too and previously owned a Fender Bassman 135 (1978 model!) I am hoping to get the Orange AD200B this year. I agree that there are alternatives that suit other styles of playing, but a bit like me playing vinyl records, I am attracted to the inconvenience and expense!

I was getting Zilla to build me a custom amp head sleeve end of last year, after some (mixed) recommendations on here. The deadline was end of January but I found the guy was always apologising as I kept having to chase him. We extended the delay until mid February and in the end I just stopped messaging him. Last message I was getting a significant (unspecified and not requested) discount for him messing me around but I just wanted the work done. I guess I have given up now but after a series of very polite restrained messages from me I am somewhat put off. I've had loads of custom work done in the past (mostly straps and pickguards - but including an amp cabinet before) and whilst I get that patience is required with custom work, it was all a bit unnecessary. All I would ever ask for is periodic updates. I don't care if it takes ages, but keep people informed.

I had an old A4 one for years but I'm liking the wider ranges of colours and sizes. Thanks for the heads up.

It's the poor bugger in 2020 shelling out for over price meet and greets that need the help. We got out, relatively unscathed! I must confess the drummer's done a book and I am mildly curious but stop short at coughing up the £14 Amazon want for it.

The guy who played Johnny Thunders in Room 37: The Mysterious Death of Johnny Thunders was uncanny. The film divided fans but I enjoyed it. That actor was the most convincing piece of casting I have ever seen.

I fear it is all too easy to pick on 80s Hard Rock, so my humble offering is this mid 80s forgotten classic from bob Dylan. It starts with him not wanting to be there, continues with the worst choice of outfits in the history of fashion, coupled with some dreadful acting and if you hold out to the end you get to see Dylan do some synchronised dancing! I kid thee not!

The teenage me saw absolutely NO HUMOUR in that Kiss video! I now accept I may have been disproportionately forgiving. My saving grace was that we used to rent the Venom live video from the local video store just so as we can laugh at it! Fast forward to my current band and we were originally signed to the Venom singer's record label! Seems he had a thing for 70s glam!?

I too have previous for owning Vinnie Vincent records!

Playing in two originals bands (at the tender age of 47) I keep an ear to the ground. A lot of the mainstream stuff passes me by but on the fringes there always seem to be cool bands out there. I flit between the old guard in new bands (Tom Petty's guitarist Mike Campbell has a new band with a record out in November) and a lot of (mostly American) bands that are guys in their 20s. My default will always be the classics from Bowie to Elvis to the Stones but I think it's healthy to keep my collection fresh. I find YouTube is a good source and then I go off to Bandcamp to support the artists I like.

The bar is definitely lowering. I played a local socially distanced garden party on Saturday (paid) and I was as excited to do it as I was exactly one year previously being flown out with my bass to play a festival in Norway. Upon reflection Norway was definitely better but I was grateful just to be playing again.

I had a 2013 50s butterscotch one that was stunning and I gigged heavily for 2 years. Sold it on and recently bought the white blonde version as I missed it. It's got heavier (not a brick but not as light as before) but generally the tone / build quality etc is as before.

Amp wise I'd have an Orange AD200B head which I would run into an 8x10 Orange cab. Bass wise I'd have a range of retro styled brand new basses ranging Fenders (51, P & J), Gibson Thunderbird, Rickenbacker 4000s, Hofner, Danelectro and a decent wireless system. I'm actually not too far away from all of that now but I substitute a lottery win for a series of financially poor decisions!

I suppose it changes but regular favourites over the years include an eclectic mix of; Come Together - The Beatles Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield Sure Know Something - Kiss London Calling - The Clash and at the moment "Get Off My Cloud" (not the root note version that is all over YouTube but the way Bill Wyman ACTUALLY played it).

One note? Is it F#? I bet it is!

For me @Lozz196 nails the problem. I'd be happy to look at reduced fees, free drink / meal but usually from my experience no fee all to often just means the promoter / venue is really badly organised.

Or, finances allowing, simply get 40 different ones!

Mine would probably change completely every six months, thus is my fickle nature! This week it's like a 51 Precision with an upside down headstock but it'll look remarkably like a Thunderbird come September!

I still play LP records and actively consume music as much as ever. I've worked with some great musicians who don't really listen to stuff (maybe owning only a small handful of CDs that rarely get played) and can't ever see myself being like that. I drive with it, cook with it, have it on the background and relax by listening to it.

Back in the 90s my guitarist was a dyed in the wool punk rocker but he surprised us all when his kids got into The Spice Girls as his (surprisingly mature) take on this was "I'm really happy - they like music and are developing a passion". I applied a similar view with my step daughter. I got her into Elvis and a few of my likes but didn't stress when she got into Little Mix. She was at primary age at the time and it's her journey. I would play along with her Little Mix songs which impressed her enough in terms of wanting to play an instrument. My long term goal is for her to appreciate Patti Smith but I'm confident she'll find her own way there with my role being a gentle steer, rather than to drag her kicking and screaming. I say this as my father was an ex-pro jazz drummer and he pushed a little hard with me too early on. I still struggle with a lot of jazz.

I guess everybody has been impacted by this, even the amateurs and semi-pros who's livelihood can also be at risk. I went out for a meal on Saturday and we were the only ones in the restaurant. I think a lot of venues are going to go under, from pubs to clubs. Personally I hadn't taken any holiday since last September (for a UK tour) and was gearing up for a European tour in April and a UK tour later in the month. I felt pretty burnt out from my main job and of course both tours were pulled. I am a key worker so have worked throughout and currently haven't had a break for 10 months now. My outlet (i.e. music) has taken a beating and I don't see the end in sight. I have a UK tour booked for October that I can't see happening and my only gig is a socially distanced private event in a farmer's field next month. I far cry from jetting around Norway, Sweeden, Italy, Spain etc. I worry that as things resume, venues won't be able to pay acts and then the ones that do will be duos or solo singers.