asingardenof

TBF the VM70s Jazz was a very decent bass to begin with. I'm still upset I had to sell mine, but being able to eat was more important at the time, and I'm definitely not unhappy with the Sire that replaced it.

The only "mods" as such I've done to my two basses is to stick Dunlop pick holders to them, and swap the standard strap buttons with Schaller S-lock buttons. Other than these minor things the basses are what they are and I wouldn't have bought them if I didn't like them.

He seems to have a hatred of anything that is merely "functional".

It's dangerously close to guitar territory

It's not just you, they look awful.

Last time my wife went back home to the States for a visit I ordered a load of stuff, including strings, from Sweetwater to be sent to her mother's house. It was cheaper than I'd have spent over here, and I got free sweets with it, which was nice. Looking forward to getting over there myself and ordering more. Or I could go into a Guitar Center I suppose, if I really have to.

I use Poweramp, it does pretty much what you're after, even on the default skin. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer&hl=en_GB&gl=US

For gigging and rehearsals I have a 3" wide padded Levy's strap, which is awesome. At home I just use a 2" braided Levy's strap I've had for 20+ years

Venmo isn't a thing in the UK so you may not be able to find it. PayPal might be a more universal option, or a bank account that allows you to pay via URL like Monzo.

Nice. I wonder if my son will take up the drums, having been interested in seeing a drummer out in Leeds the other week, and seeing Nandi Bushell on Teen Titans Go.

You wouldn't need to pay US income tax unless you earn over $70k in a year (I think) but you may still have to file, in which case you'd need an ITIN number. If you do have to file and do end up earning over $70k then you'd claim that back as foreign earned income exclusion. The US tax system is extremely complicated and long-winded so good luck with that!

Contactless payments aren't common at all in the US (seriously, my MIL still has to sign receipts when she comes over here, which always leads to cashiers scrambling to find a pen and/or having to call a supervisor) so I'd suggest using Monzo, Venmo or PayPal.

Covers band called Replicater. The band was going long before I joined but I assume this is an attempt to be different and not just a typo. Doesn't stop everyone else spelling it the "correct" way.

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Apologies if I'm preaching to the converted but have you tried MM's signature strings? If not he talks in this video about finding more or less what you're after with them.

As I'm from the Wirral you have a kindred spirit here!

Ah, another expat from the right side of the Pennines!

Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams

Yeah, we split ours equally among the five of us

Welcome! Where in God's Own Country are you?

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles

Roundabout - Yes

I'm tempted by such an arrangement myself, our singist does like coming within my potential strike zone. I'm not sure a P-bass to the skull would go down well!