An update for anyone interested - we finally selected a new bassist!
To roll back, our aim was to find not only a very competent bass player, but also someone with strong BV ability. In a largely rural area, not easy at all - actually, not easy anywhere.
We had a lot of applicants, & amongst those, a couple that were very close to the mark. However, eventually, one stood head & shoulders above the rest, but we had to wait a while before he was available for audition. We were after someone who could take the band forward, & we certainly found that.
Although I'm really pleased we eventually found the right player, I'm also a little bit scared. I'm fairly sure I'm now the technically weakest member of the band, but I'm embracing the opportunity to force myself to improve.
We're announcing the change in a couple of weeks time, then it's only two rehearsals until the first gig with the new lineup - tight, but doable.