Well, it was one of those days, I knew it was 'cos it was light. You know the sort, when you get up out of bed and walk through to the living room, eyes still bleary, and you stand in the leftovers of last night's curry. I looked out of the window and screamed 'I've gone blind'. Then I realised it was foggy. You should have seen the looks I got from people in the street. Once I'd cleaned the remainder of the chicken korma and chapatis from between my toes, I thought I'd examine the diary to see what was happening. Having such a hectic social life and generally being such a nice guy, I have to keep a diary of all the things people just simply have to invite me to.

So there it was, large as life 'CC Music' it said. Once more into the breach. Stand back Billy Punter has work to do!! Heated up the last of the curry sauce and poured it over my cornflakes, and was then all set to go and do the business. I was also ready to go to work. The trusty, orange Cortina was traded in this day for a less trusty, orange colour Glasgow bus. I 'phoned my friend Eric, the half-a-bass player to see if he wanted to come out for some fresh air, but he was a little indisposed (don't ask!) My disguise was prepared for me without even thinking about it. I would go along as Eric. No-one would know the difference.

By the time I arrived at the shop, the fog had cleared and I could actually see my way around. The shop itself is in the city's west end, which is also known as student land since Glasgow University is nearby. Hence the shop is patronised by a lot of student-types and a lot of Glasgow's bands are also to be found in this ilk.

The windows are stocked with some new Kramer guitars and various different kinds of acoustic guitars and there is a certain element of temptation which beckons one inside. Who am I to resist such an offer. So it was head down and in we go. On entering this purveyor of music supplies you have to navigate a narrow corridor of amplifiers from Trace to Marshall, to Vox to Peavey. Say no more. On the right are all the bass guitars to which I immediately fixed my attention. A good selection of basses, new and second-hand, were available priced from around £89. I was given loads of time to wander round and also had a good look at the wide selection of guitars. They had everything from cheap Jap to hand-made electrics by a chap called Egypt, and there's also a 'not for sale' guitar collection featuring some very interesting models. Above the counter were drums and there were also a few keyboards, but this is predominantly for the guitarist or bass player.

I felt I had waited long enough and plucked up the courage to come out with my story. I was looking for a bass and an amp for under £400 to use with my four-track portastudio. Something that was good, but not too good, since I wasn't really a bass player, but I did need one for home recording. I was duly shown to a Westone Spectrum Bass in a very nice black finish and a Vox bass-amp. Steve (one of the owners) thought a Peavey Basic 40 amp would have been better, but didn't have one at the time. About 10 minutes later, though, he found one. This is a very crowded shop so a little amp like the Peavey can easily be overlooked. I was given ample time to try the bass and I was then asked if I would be paying cash since there were cash discounts and a trade-in facility. I politely declined to buy but said I would 'go away and think about it'.

Just before I left I thought I would ask about fairly cheap vocal mikes for home recording up to £60 and Hugh, the other owner, pointed me in the direction of a Beyer M300 at £69 which was a little more expensive but worth the extra cash.

CC Music is a friendly shop and the sort of place you could walk into and end up jamming with the owners. They also run a 3kW Bose PA hire which is a nice little side line. And with that, having felt their dealings, I left, satisfied!

CC Music (Contact Details)