Monk Rocker

If he's fixed W.A.S.P's amps he's got my vote!!!! Lol

I've heard good things about that guy - he's been recommended to me too.

We get the picture - you don't like R&B anymore. But not everyone has had poor experiences there. If you're that angry about it speak to CAB/trading standards/a lawyer.

Yep! That's the one!!

please explain?

I spent a few quid getting my Stingray set up to play just the way I want it to, and once I did I realised I didn't actually want a new bass. I've since saved myself thousands of pounds by having my other bass set up too!

For sure, you're not going to be able to turn a strat into a Les Paul with a set up, but there's a lot more to a properly set up guitar than adjusting the action.

Having your guitar professionally set-up can often cure GAS.

Ahhh, didn't think of that!!

Yeah, granted, but they've had them for months and months! The point I'm trying to make is that despite best intentions it's really hard sometimes to support local shops when they make bizarre decisions! They refused to get me in a 500 bass head that I was going to buy, not just try out, and yet they stock high end guitars with a small niche market that they evidently can't shift. Just can't fathom their wisdom!

BTW, I'm not talking about R&B!

It may have changed, but when I worked in the trade there was fuck all to be made from high end gear, so it was basically a huge amount of cash laid out for very little return. When you can buy a starter bass for 13 or whatever trade, it's easy to see why shops focus on those.

I find it puzzling then why a shop would choose to stock two 1k guitars with a very limited appeal?!?!?!?! Surely they'd have more chance of shifting a Fender P-bass that those shitty A7X guitars?

iPlayer link

On Saturday we did a four track live session on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, BBC Radio 6Music from the BBC Studios in Manchester. We've got the first track at around 45mins and then the main session at around 1hr 12mins into the show.

Hope some of you might enjoy it:-)

I use R&B sometimes, and Bruce Miller's sometimes......no problems with either (got my early 60s Jazzmaster from R&B for about a tenth of what it's now worth a couple of decades ago!). But I've never had anything in for repair at either place...only buying stuff new. I've alays found the advice sound, and the staff cheerful/helpful. The downside is the cost, but overheads/staff have to be paid, and I'd be disappointed if either or both shops disappeared because of the internet.

I make a point of buying my gear from local, independent stores unless it's something that they simply can't get for me.

Off topic slightly, but why to the majority of stores only carry budget/intermediate bass gear? One store locally has in stock TWO Schecter Synyster Gates signature guitars, but not one decent quality bass head?!?!

I've not had any problem with R&B at all. I've been going there since they had the Inverness shop, which was where I first met Steve. TBH if it wasn't for R&B/Steve I'd probably not have stuck with playing guitar. He knew fine in Inverness I had no intention of buying the Kramer guitars that I always wanted to try out, or the distortion pedals, or the JCM800's!!!

Even in recent times, I've found them really helpful, but now when I try out the 1k+ bass it is with the intention of buying it!

When my band get a record deal R&B, and especially Steve will be getting a mention in the inlay notes:-)

Just in case anybodys interested, we're on tomorrow!!

Lol!!!

It's going to be a fully live session - no pre-recording or over-dubs! Any mistakes will be fully visible!!

I'm not too sure about the tracks afterwards. I think BBC/Craig Charles/?Freestyle will own the rights to the MJ track as it will be eventually for commercial release, and BBC will own the rights to the recordings of our own tracks. Not 100% sure as I've not seen the contract myself yet. I hope we can get the recordings!!!

We've been practising soooooo hard! Been burning the candle at both ends for a long time for this!! Opportunities like this don't happen everyday. The chance to play a session on any genre's flagship radio show is publicity money just can't buy - 350,000+ listeners!!!! Could open many doors;-)

Thanks man! I think you'll like what we've done with the MJ track;-)

It's going to pretty surreal playing in the same room that many of our hero's have played in, with an audience of one that happens to be Craig Charles!!!

Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show

On Saturday 25th September we're traveling down to Manchester to play a four track live session on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show. We'll also be playing a reworking of a Michael Jackson classic for his Off The Wall Re-Souled project. The show airs between 7pm and 10pm.

Thanks for reading, and hope you'll tune in:up:

I want to hear the 21 minute song:-)

For a moment I thought you'd reformed!!!!

That link above sums it up pretty well - Marshall amps, Ibanez tube screamer/Dod American Metal/MXR distortion. Crank up the volume on the pedal to the max, and gain low.

Some tasty propositions there! I wish I didn't live so far away:-(

I actually quite like them - a bit of a guilty pleasure!!!

I wonder if he's going to join Avenged Sevenfold full time? As a business proposition it's probably more attractive than Dream Theatre.

Off topic, but what does xD mean?

I agree 100% with the keep it simple theory. More often than not if a part isn't working people will try to make it more complex in an attempt to make it work, rather than stripping it down.

Boring drumming isn't always bad drumming. I find much of the super technical fast drumming dull as dishwater. What I'm not saying though is that I like Meg White (tongue firmly in cheek)!!

For what it's worth, I actually rate Jimmy Chamberlain up there as one of my favorite drummers. Derrick MacKenzie from Jamiroquai is also, in my view, very under-rated as a drummer. All time favorite for me - Buddy Rich!!

Thanks Chris, that's really helpful.

What I do just now is bass----->compressor---->synth---->overdrive----->tuner

I think I'll mess around with the effects loop tonight:-)

I'm currently using a compressor, bass synth, overdrive and tuner on my pedalboard, but I'm unsure of what the best order for the pedal should be. I'm also not sure of what to put through my effects loop, or whether to have the pedals in front of the amp. Any thoughts or advice welcome!!!

Thanks:-)