Marvin

Doves - The Universal Want AC/DC - Power Up Only 2020 albums I've listened to

I've got a Browning fishing reel, it's great. ...as is this coat I'm putting on to leave the room.

Once you add the VAT to the the prices on Thomann's site they're petty much what they were over the past few months. Some items are a little cheaper than in the UK some a little more expensive. So their prices are a known and fairly easy and straight forward to understand. What puts me off buying from Thomann currently are the unknowns and non price factors. As a UK consumer I can no longer rely on EU distance selling regulations for purchases from EU countries (distance selling regs have been rolled over for now into UK law to cover UK purchases, but that doesn't help if I buy from Thomann). Where do you stand with warranties? Do companies you buy from outside the UK have to abide by or provide a warranty? How would you return an item that needed repair? Would you be able to return something for repair? I returned an amp to Thomann for repair once, nothing could have been simpler. Download the postage labels, take to the PO, send it off, it was back within 2 weeks. Anything you send back now would need a customs declaration, fill it out wrong and who knows what fun will ensue. Non-tariff barriers are going to be a major headache of you've been used to regularly buying from EU countries. Buying from an EU country will be little different than buying from the US, Japan or any other country for that matter. How many of us buy regularly and without a second thought from the US, for example?

This is what happened when I put a Fender product into my 'basket '. You'd also have to consider what happens regards warranty. Also if you wanted to, or had to return it, what the paper work would be. The same combo from GAK is £274 inc VAT and delivery. How it'll effect prices in the long run will be uncertain. I bought a Fender Rumble 210 cab from GAK several weeks back for £275. Now at GAK they're out of stock but the price is £319 (which I believe is Fender's RRP). EDIT: just edited the post so the image doesn't need to be downloaded to view.

When I wasn't wanting to be a ROCK STAR playing at Wembly I wanted to be an aircraft engineer. Unfortunately it turned out I wasn't too hot on science, namely physics, and my maths was sort of only OK, so I decided that perhaps I should try different subjects. I went on to do Economics, History and Politics at A-Level and then Economics and Politics at University. I was quite good at them...although it didn't result in a decent job because I was naff at interviews. Oh well. Somewhat strangely I did tick off one thing from my musical bucket list. About 2 years ago I played at the Arts centre in my town that had/has hosted the likes (not all good I might add) of John Martyn, Danny Thompson, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands and Andy Fairweather-Low and loads of great gigs from local bands. The strange thing was that the first band I saw there was when I was 17. 30 years later I was stood on stage with the guitarist from that band (who's about 10 years older than me). So that made me smile a lot

I only use a clip on tuner if I'm too lazy to use my pedal. I prefer a pedal as it can double up as a mute pedal. I don't like, or rate, clip on tuners to be honest. I don't find them accurate and they look naff.

...play in a rock band at Wembley stadium. From as far back as I can remember, from seeing maybe Live Aid, I don't know. But that's what I wanted to do. And watching INXS LiveBabyLive on iPlayer, yes I'd have some of that Look at the crowd shot at about 15 secs.

Last time I ordered strings from Amazon I ended up with a mobile phone case for a Samsung S something or other.

Ghost Town was the first single I bought with my own money. I was 8 I think, I bought it in a branch of Littlewoods. Anyway, I love Mr Panter's bass playing. He also seems a really nice bloke. Win win

True. 2 places I played several times have music, or is a music venue because the people running them just love music. Unfortunately, these people don't often own the building.

With changes coming regards planning, whether there's demand for live music venues will be somewhat irrelevant. The owners can make more money from other uses. There will be lots of pubs and music venues disappearing, and I don't see many replacements, the cost will be too high and there are more financially attractive alternatives.

When I had a rack mount compressor and eq i used the FX loop on my amp. Since I sold that set up I haven't really used effects that much. The last amp I had didn't have an effects loop so if I used the pre-amp pedal and/or compressor pedal they'd have to go before the amp input. I've got an FX Loop on my current amp and I might use it for an idea I've got...saying that it might not work

Up in the wilds of North Devon. Nearest known town is probably Barnstaple

If I get around to picking up my bass this is what I do. I just learn songs I need to learn or want to learn. For the last 10 years if I've been in a band it's been a covers band so that's all I need. The originals band I was in was a bit like being in a covers band as most of the material had been written before I joined.

Did anyone but one of these basses. Ashdown seem to be promoting them quite heavily on social media. It gives the impression that they've not sold well? Maybe they have sold well?

I've had a hiatus from bands, and ironically just before Covid came along I'd decided to get back into bands again. (Partly sparked by going to watch Editors in Manchester ) I will, when circumstances permit, be out gigging again. When that is who knows. It could be May 2021, but if it's later then I'm fine with that, I can wait. I've already been in touch with a few old band mates and there's the possibility of putting something together, so that's hopeful. Covid aside, my other reservation is whether there will still be places to play. Hospitality and entertainment have taken one almighty hit and to be honest I think there will be a lot of bands trying to get booked at a handful of venues. Getting paid is a whole other ball game. But yes, if it's safe in May, I'd be looking to get out there again. HOWEVER. I think gigging is a long way off in reality. Proper gigging, if it's ever to come back, could be over 12 months away. It's no surprise to me that infection rates remain stubbornly high when I see so many people simply ignoring social distancing. Through my work I see the people in my small town who are in and out of each others houses, the people who have friends or relatives staying over night, and all the other infringements. I don't think the virus is going anywhere for a long time. EDIT: and just as I finished typing, the people who live across the road have just had friends arrive and walked straight into their house. We're in this for a long time.

Thank Ray. I'm blushing

I bought a Behringer mixer from Ray. Quick replies, no fuss, posted and arrived quickly, well packaged. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from @RAY AGAINST THE MACHINEMACHINE again. many thanks.

I've bought from several of the bigger UK online music retailers, I can't remember having any problems. I recently bought a cab from HAM and at check out you can decide which day it will be delivered, which is very helpful. From what I remember G4M do that as well. One thing I noticed about the cab I bought was where it had come from. The packaging labels showed it had been to the Netherlands before arriving in UK. There are too many unknowns about buying from Thomann right now. Price, delivery time (which has always been excellent from them), right of return, warranty status - will any warranty be valid, or will you even get one. I thought about getting an amp from them recently however, it was the after sales unknowns that put me off.

I can't really see anyone wanting it any price to be honest. £2500 can buy some very nice basses...ones that aren't as aesthetically displeasing as that one.

This article has been bouncing around social media, it's complete garbage to be honest.

Staying out for the Summer by Dodgy. I can't stand winter, or autumn for that matter. Cold, wet and dark.

When the current measures are eased there will probably be live music. But there'll be a lot of bands chasing a very limited number of gigs. And they won't be like the gigs we've all loved in the past. Vaccine or no vaccine, Covid is here to stay and we'll still have to maintain these new 'behavoirs' to contain it. The best hope is that it mutates into a strain that becomes much less harmful, or as with SARS1, burns itself out.

I've only got about 10 mins left to watch of the 'interview'. I like Peter Hook, could listen to him talk for ages. That said I don't like Joy Division, New Order, his style of playing is a bit meh for me as is the signature bass...still thoroughly enjoyed the video though 😁

Excellent band. Wish I could get to one the gigs, but as usual by the time I finish work the venues are too far away. Oh well.