Cat Burrito

I've gone from a 2 cab Ampeg rig to just an Aguilar DB112 and been very happy with the results. I also play with the loudest guitarist and loudest drummer on the planet with no issues keeping up. The Chocolate Thunder tolex is also very appealing.

When I had some on an old P-bass of mine the nut had to be re-cut because the E was so thick. I loved the sound but definitely a pro setup required (I appreciate others may have the ability but I didn't and indeed still don't).

I vary my basses and style across the 3 or 4 different bands / projects I play with so I officially love my set up x4!

^^^This^^^ - I sound like me when I play, whatever the backline. For old school tone play up near the neck without a pick and roll back the tone using flats. I have basses with rounds and play with a pick when it suits but if I want to sound Motown / Stax-y I do the former. And flats with a pick get that wonderful clipped 60s tone too. If you do want the old school tone, a bigger speaker like a 1x15 will get you closer but as said it's more how you play. I really don't think there is anything wrong with your rig.

L.S.D. - Lead Singer Disease.

I've been using the PF50t since I first heard of it, a few months after it was released. It's hands down my favourite head that I have ever owned and it keeps up ALWAYS across the 4 bands I play with. I've owned everything from practice amps to vintage heads to class D and loads more - this wins hands down. I hope the 20T is great too.

As someone who didn't used to practice much (& certainly not constructively), I found little and often worked best when I decided that I needed to raise my game, with a view to learning new things - rather than repeating the phrases where I thought I sounded at my best. I agree with the earlier comment that a block of time simply won't suit - from experience if it didn't work before it almost certainly isn't going to be the way forward. Good luck.

I travel an hour for my main band but we don't rehearse too regularly. I've travelled further in the past. The issue to me sounds like the effort isn't worth the band. I'm happy to put myself out for the right band. A lesser band would frustrate me over lengthy travel. Next week I have to cart an upright bass from Swindon to Camden for a gig that will barely cover my fuel costs. For me it's a complete non issue as I love the band, love the music and for the record I'm 45 and it'll be at the end of a long week at work.

And they've pulled the listing!

My favourite one was back when I was in a rock band trying to play country, We landed a show at a country festival. As we came off the motorway we saw a massive festival and the boys in the band were elevating my status as booker to that of legend. However SatNav took us past that one by two miles to a run down rugby club. On the bill was a young lad singing along to Karaoke hits by all the greats. The girls loved him and he was decked out all in black with a black hair and a black cowboy hat. We quickly realised we were more Lynyrd Skynyrd than country but went through a set, being repeatedly asked to turn town by some rather grumpy old folk dressed as cowboys. When this singer went on he did some fairly bland takes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson et al classics to his backing tapes. Afterwards he was lecturing our singer on how you don't need a band, just get a box with all the tunes and you can earn more. Our singer was politely taking it all, when Colin, our gentle giant of a rhythm guitarist lent in and said, "Excuse me Barnaby... can I just say what a massive fan I am of your music?" He cut for quite an intimidating figure and young Barnaby replied "er, oh, thank you, thank you very much" to which Colin than added "not so much you doing them, but those original versions are great!"

Ah ha! But I try to keep up with all the new Britpop bands... Def Leppard, UB40...

Of course there is an app these days - great idea! I remember in the 90s when another band on the bill were knocking my band because we had typed set lists! I suddenly feel like a bit of a dinosaur!

I picked up a second hand Epiphone T-bird a couple of years back, where the previous owner had re-badged it with a Gibson Trussrod cover. A great bass - I liked it so much I bought a proper Gibson Thunderbird within a month! So it's not all bad news

The Date; March 1995. The scene; The Flying Machine in Brockworth (now derelict). Scuzzy Glam / Sleaze merchants SkinTrade arrive, resplendent in lace up leather trousers with long black hair and eyeliner to discover the locals are all skinheads! To say the reception was frosty would be something of an understatement. A bar stool came flying through the air and hit the stage towards the end. We had enough punk rock spirit to do a very unwanted encore and left with an escort of irate skinheads who'd also offered there own unique interpretation of a "carry to the car" service with our gear after the show.

Rob Grill playing like he means it (although it's actually Carole Kaye)...

An Epiphone Embassy or Newport... and I have absolutely no idea why I feel the desire to update such an old thread! He also had an early 50s P-bass and one of those Micro Frets basses. when not on the upright.

I had one and it was stunning for the money. As said, swap out those cheap strings and you'd think you had spent double the money. I only got rid of it as I am 6ft 3 so it looked like a toy on me.

I bought a Dodge Brothers album about 10yrs ago, upon a recommendation. I like him, probably more than his band (if I am honest). he seems like a cool chap.

At 20 playing bass in a band was everything. At 45 playing bass in a band is right up there still. Only now I am more focused on being good rather than just trying to look cool.

I think I'm in touch and friends with pretty much everyone I've played with, across 30 yrs & over 15 bands. Life's too short.

I have the Gibson Thunderbird, having briefly owned an Epi model, I decided I wanted the main model. It's probably my favourite bass. The thing is just so cool looking and has the most low end I have ever heard from a bass, to the point I had to use brighter strings! I like the look of those Epi T-birds with the chrome hardware. if you like the look, I'd always recommend getting one.

A lot of the 80s! Reverb on snare drums, chorus on bass - a lot of great stuff sounds very dated now and not in a good way like some of those earlier recordings. I think the 80s was responsible for a huge leap in technical advances but sometimes the kit was used as overkill and hadn't fully developed its potential.