Cat Burrito

I'm playing in West Berkshire that night but did want to say that Fat Lil's is a great venue for anyone who doesn't know it.

Is this a trick question because if so I'll pitch for Elvis

I can't help but feel the original advert is both incredibly optimistic and rubbish, in equal measures. Irrespective of whether they are a good band in general. I think it's a case of whatever works for each band BUT have an exit strategy in case the line up changes or the band splits.

I saw them blow Supergrass off stage at Cambridge back in the 90s. I wasn't expecting that to be the case but they were really on it.

That's a big ol' journey. I once collected a basschat sale bass from the other side of London and that also wound up being an 18hr journey due to snow and being stuck on the M25, but thankfully not that mileage you managed. That is a huge collection of basses. You have more basses than most shops! Welcome to the upright owner's club.

Before the internet and forums I was strictly one bass - a 1989 P-bass. Whilst it is great buying and selling I can't help but feel those were simpler times. I'd go with gut instinct here.

I spent years playing in a Watford based band whilst living near Newbury (an hour away). The band wasn't really earning anyway so I lost money on balance but liked the band. Everyone has different thresholds so if it isn't a problem I wouldn't worry. Also I had a very good bass player play for a band I put together, based in Hungerford with him coming from Staines. Equally, I know guys who grumble about playing 5 miles away.

I play both having spent the majority of my playing career as a bassist. I got more into guitar circa 2006 because I was working with a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and wanted to stretch out. I reverted back to being a bassist when life dictated I cut my musical outgoings but wound up auditioning for a guitar gig a couple of years ago simply because I liked the band. I think what many musicians fail to understand is that just because you play one doesn't mean you can play the other. I had to work really hard to not sound like a bassist playing guitar and even had a year plus of lessons with exactly that remit attached to them. I enjoy both now. Bass is perhaps more natural but I like the fact I have to work at guitar and do get good feedback from audience members about my guitar playing these days.

Maybe 4000 as a top capacity, we've played the O2's C2C festival 4 times now. We also had a 5 minute slot on CBS in America which was our biggest online audience. You take these things in your stride though as it quickly returns to 12 people in Sheffield.

Playing with a 50s rock 'n' roll band this weekend, an audience member came up and said "do you know any Oasis?". It's stuff like this that happens all the time now. Having been around the live scene for the best part of 30 years I can only agree with the general replies here so far. I guess for me it's in my blood and I can't imagine not doing it. My view is I always play to whoever is there and try not to sulk / strop when playing to 6 people who are only half watching.

Some of the Japanese made 57RIs have a narrower fretboard / more conventional neck (mine!) but they are not easy to find. To be fair having played my original as my main bass for 20yrs+ the fretboard really is something you get used to and don't think about.

TV Jones make great fildertron pickups. I think you may have been unlucky though - the pickup on my Squier Cabronita was stock and stunning so I wouldn't rule out a like for like swap if you can find a cheap one on EBay.

Recently Facebook has been particularly good as it's often local pickup with no fees. EBay always gets a sale but the cut is massive. I have bought and sold on Gumtree too. And then of course there is here. Thankfully I sold off the last of my mildly silly ones last month so I am back down again to an acceptable working number of instruments for the amount I play.

I don't think any one era can lay claim. Personally I didn't like the 80s (when I started playing) but the OP makes a valid argument for it being something of a golden age. The 50s with the move from doghouse bass to Leo's electric bass must be a contender. Also the early 60s with McCartney's innovative lines, plus what was going on at Stax and Motown must be worthy of note. And the style in the 70s with players like Dennis Dunaway too. The quality of amps and basses now would even make today something of a golden era too.

I had a "buyer collects" Ebay auction about 10 years back and the buyer drove 200 miles to sit in my road, not knowing if he had won. I invited him in and we watched the auction end together. It would have been pretty awkward if the sale got bidnapped - thankfully his was the winning bid!

Other than a tuner (Boss TU3), no effects into an Ampeg PF50t head and Ampeg Portaflex PF115HE cab. Same set up from pubs to village halls to art centres. Bass wise usually a flatwound strung P-bass but occasionally a Hofner verithin with stock strings. All very old school (marmite!) tones. [url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/pb1_zpskorbdskp.jpg.html"][/url]

I always found it was better to say "we are" rather than "what we want" - I never got why more ads don't do this. An ad looking for 20-25yr olds could miss out on a perfect 28yr old. But yes, I immediately switch off when I read really specific criteria, even if I happen to meet it. And no band is ever going to dictate to me what shoes I wear!

My bass in post #2 went after a recording session where the engineer moaned constantly about the intonation. I always regretted that so when I saw Hofner had brought out a long scale version I snapped it up. [url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/DSC00340_zpsyuaqhph7.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1472229056' post='3119687'] no problem, Dunelm Mill purveyor of fine furnishings quite interested in what the child related inspection was does it do the ampeg thing well for a smallish amp? [/quote] I think so - it's obviously a practice amp but it sounds 20 times better than that little Belcat thing. I wouldn't pretend it's a 100% SVT sound but it's close enough to play along at home with. The "inspection" basically involves the appearance of a dent in the speaker cloth and a very farty sounding speaker. Inquiries are ongoing.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1472223443' post='3119612']did that rug come from ikea,[/quote] Dunelm, if my memory serves me correctly. Thanks for your interest in my attention to good home furnishings

[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1472224873' post='3119637'] I was also a big fan. [/quote] Good man!

[attachment=226442:Amp.JPG] Having lost a Belcat tweed practice amp to a "child related inspection" this week, I thought I'd pick up something a little more sturdy. Over the last 5 years I've got through that Belcat amp and a Vox practice amp. As I use Ampeg for my main amp I thought the 20w BA108 would be okay. It arrived today. Early thoughts are it is much bigger than I thought (some negotiation has already occurred as to what can stay in the living room), it sounds fantastic (and particularly so for a £100) and it is loud. Having the dial on about 3 keeps up with a loud record. Just hope it lasts longer than the previous 2.

Everything was about the Dogs D'Amour [media]http://youtu.be/JyXq7Qmua7A[/media] Probably should give Hanoi Rocks and the New York Dolls an honourable mention. Back in the days when men were men...