discreet

Thanks for all the responses folks, very useful. Plenty for me to think about. Looks like the MB combo would be the best compromise between beans, portability and cost. Just need to amass the necessary shillings...

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1457562428' post='2999765'] Already lost most of me hair [/quote] Dammit, too late! ...May as well just buy the bass, then.

I keep looking at this which I like a lot... but I'm not really into shiny new basses, so it's fairly easy to resist.

Don't do it, you'll go bald! Did that work..?

Wow, you've got to love a red P with a mint guard. Look forward to proper pics.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1457439940' post='2998509'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chelsea Dagger - Fratellis[/font][/color] Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners [/quote] These songs are on the very long list that I won't play under any circumstances. Obviously my rock/pop covers band career has been seriously compromised as a result.

I'm really enjoying my 500 and I sincerely hope you enjoy yours.

Oh come on, not actually having the bass in your possession is NO excuse for not posting decent pics!! Sounds canny like, but we'll believe it when we see it! You know the rules!

[quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1457440594' post='2998530'] People will sit on a piss and beer soaked carpet in their most expensive clothes within two minutes of James's Sit Down, odd. [/quote] [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1457441846' post='2998563'] You clearly play some quality gigs... [/quote] It's a glamorous business we're in, that's for sure.

Another vote for Fender flats - 9050ML 50 - 100. Very smooth, well-balanced across the strings, sound great, good value too.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1457441634' post='2998558'] ...get him into a band ASAP. [/quote] +1 The quickest way to learn, imho. Then get him ripped to the tits on drink and drugs, just like a real rock star! It'll be great!

P GAS got the better of you then! Well done, looks like a decent instrument.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1457428075' post='2998296'] The new scratchplate looks good on your P too Discreet. I generally prefer Tort, or a dark plate - but it just sits right with that colour red somehow. [/quote] Thanks... Dakota Red with a mint guard was a Fender custom colour option in the early 60s.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1457369476' post='2997851'] Mmm... Porcelain walruses..! [/quote] Ooh yeah, one of those would go nicely with my glass unicorn and leather sackbut.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1457356732' post='2997639'] To the OP, don't let other people set the bar for 'success' in bass playing. [/quote] +1 What is 'success' anyway..? Some people who apparently have all the trappings of 'success' aren't happy about it at all and remain completely unfulfilled. Don't be too hard on yourself and don't waste your energy wanting what other people have got, or worry about what they [i]say [/i]they have done - life is terminal, no-one gets off the planet alive!! Enjoy yourself!

Done. Where's my free luggage rack..?

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1457351696' post='2997555'] I'm normally pretty tolerant of poorly phrased adverts but this one made me laugh/shudder: [i]I'm 27 and living in Northampton, looking for a new band to do get with, jam with and see how sh*t works. Want fame by 30 so no f***king around. Dedicated and motivated, irritated and pissed off necessary. Drop me a message and well go from there. Steve[/i] [/quote] It's a good ad from the point of view that you immediately know for sure you'd want nothing to do with him, so it saves time.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1457348157' post='2997513'] I've known a few bands who get around this inconsistency by drinking at reheasals too! [/quote] Nothing wrong with that if all in agreement. Before I stopped drinking I was in a band I thought were a bit sh*t so I'd have a couple of drinks before gigs to bring my playing down to their level.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1457344212' post='2997452'] ...it`s not the names you play to, or the releases you`ve put out, it`s how much you enjoy playing and gigging. Only stop if you no longer have the enthusiasm. The only way I`ll stop is if I no longer love doing it, or if I`m not able to due to health issues. [/quote] [quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1457345154' post='2997468'] ...if you can look back and say you've enjoyed it and can say you still do then there is no need to give up because you haven't played wembley yet. remember, seasick steve didn't make his real breakthrough until he was in his 60's, so there is time enough for us all yet. [/quote] Quite. I did a gig last night which was right up there from an enjoyment point of view. There were probably only 100 people in the audience at most, but they were so enthusiastic we were buzzing. Way preferable to playing an audience of 2000 disinterested punters. Statistics mean nothing, it's all relative. As said above, if you're into it, it's fun and you're enjoying yourself that's the only justification you ever need.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1457310102' post='2997330'] sounds like a nightmare, I hate hanging around between sound checks and the gig, plus band members get bored and drink to much [/quote] We don't get pissed, it's not allowed. I was annoyed about it, but the sound on stage and out front was amazing. So in retrospect it was worth it.

There can be disadvantages... yesterday (Sunday) we were obliged to turn up at 4:30pm for a soundcheck, which would have been fine but for the fact we weren't on stage until 9:00pm. So at least 4 hours hanging around. Mind you we sounded bloody brilliant and got loads of positive comments about the sound. What was I complaining about again..?

We have an unspoken rule that no-one drinks until after the gig. If you rehearse sober then drink before a gig there's a good chance you're going to have some kind of problem, either with hearing or with memory loss! Everyone has to be on the same page.

[quote name='CletePurcel' timestamp='1457205910' post='2996398'] ...the shop has the tc electronics bg250 series. I might try those as well. Anyone know anything about them? The cheapest one is quite small and light but has the possibility to add another cab. And it's only £250 for 250 watts... [/quote] Pounds sterling per watt isn't a good way to evaluate an amp. The wattage of an amp won't tell you very much about how loud it seems to be or whether it sounds any good, and in any case TC have form for being, er... creative with their ratings. Having said that, you have nothing to lose by trying one if you have the opportunity.

Agree with the general view - there are lots of convincing fakes of Shure gear - avoid.

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1457189881' post='2996185'] ...It's good money for playing music. Even if you don't like the songs, you can look at it as paid practice/rehearsal time... What's not to like? Beats shovelling sh*t any day of the week... [/quote] It certainly does. I'm OK with it in principle, I left the particular band I was in more for personal reasons than with any problem of wearing a shirt, trousers and shoes and playing songs I wouldn't normally listen to. As said earlier, it's one very valid way to become a pro bass player if that's your thing.