Rich

Many many years ago I used to have a 6U SKB rack case, I bought it secondhand and it didn't have enough of the fixing cage nut thingies to allow me to mount all the bits of kit I wanted in it. I looked all over the place on tinternet but couldn't find any, so I emailed SKB in the States and asked if there was a UK distributor I could approach. The reply was along the lines of "yes they can be a bit hard to find, give us your address and we'll pop some in the post for you FOC". I replied with my address and 3 days later they fell on my doormat all the way from Orange County California. Fabulous customer service.

Samson - Regina Spektor

Birdie Song -- the Tweets I can't believe I just typed that.

The Vintage brand Ray-alikes are supposed to be really excellent VFM. Not tried one but I believe they have a good rep.

Bloody Well Right - Supertramp

I bet I'm not the only one who will never ever forget the first time they heard 'Eruption'. Round at a mate's house, he'd just bought the album and as the second track played we all just stared at the stereo, and someone said what we were all thinking: "What the F**K is THAT??". Unbelievable stuff.

Drop The Bomb - Trouble Funk

Wonderland - Big Country

It's Brilliant, And That's A Fact A short one-act play {Scene: stage is dark except for a spot-lit desk bearing a laptop. A person is sat at the desk, typing a message on a music forum.} A: "I've never really heard band/genre X, so I gave it a shot the other day. Didn't like it at all." {A second spotlight falls on another desk and laptop, with another person typing a reply.} B: "Are you mad? Band/genre X is completely brilliant and anyone who doesn't like them/it has got cloth ears." {A third spotlight falls on another desk and laptop, positioned face to face with the second desk. A third person sits typing a reply.} C; "Nah, band/genre X is rubbish. Absolute garbage." B: "No it's not." C; "Yes it is. You can't even dance to it." B: "Yes you can." {spotlight over desk A starts to fade as the typing of persons B and C intensifies in agitation} C; "No you can't. Way overrated." B: "No it's not." C; "Yes it is." B: "No it's not." C; "Yes it is." {spotlight over desk A brightens slightly} A: {typing hesitantly} "I might give it another try, see if it will grow on me..." C; "I wouldn't bother, it won't." B: "Yes it will." {the typing of persons B and C gradually intensifies in weight and agitation} C; "No it won't." B: "Yes it will." A: "sigh." {spotlight over desk A fades to black} C; "No it won't." B: "Yes it will." C; "No it won't." {curtain slowly begins to fall} B: "And so on." C; "And so forth." both B and C; "Arrrgh." {fade to darkness, curtain falls}

Pure Pleasure Seeker - Moloko

Stevie Ray Vaughan was allergic to Portugal.

In For The Kill - La Roux

The Chinese Way - Level 42

Michael - Franz Ferdinand

Stop press: Music in "We All Like Different Stuff" shocker. Who'da thought it?

I suppose if anything, I follow him. But really we're a team and play off each other. We are the Engine Room 😎

Yikes, some of those are really grim. Just checked my Sire ash V7, it's a 2-piece body but the join is right down the middle so it looks a lot better balanced. The grain's not an exact match but it's close enough.

In which case I don't remotely blame you for sending it back. I'd have been a bit miffed if I bought a Squier that looked like that, never mind a £1200 Lakky. (as an aside, IIRC @P-T-P of this parish used to have a Lakky DJ5 in white with maple neck and white pearl pickguard, it was one of the most gorgeous-looking and -sounding basses I've ever laid hands on.)

Jingle Jangle - The Archies

From a man of your considerable abilities, I'll take that as a definite compliment

Size Of A Cow - the brilliant Wonder Stuff

Dark End of the Street - James Carr

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life - Eric Idle

It's a nice idea, but I'll pass for two reasons. 1, it would have to be at the exact same angle as the pickguard. Even the slightest discrepancy would stick out like a sore thumb. This would make it tricky to fit and I haven't got the patience for that 2, I'd have to cut slots for the height adjustment screws to sit in, or they'd mangle it in seconds. I haven't got the patience for that either

The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond - Scots trad.