November '86 or thereabouts saw the first appearance of inexpensive sample-based drum machines aimed at non-electronic musicians. I know I wasn't the only bass player to break down and pick up a Boss DR-550. As first purchases go the Dr. Rhythm was like hitting the jackpot - it was all the dedicated drum machine I ever needed. Fondly remembered for its super-easy programming interface, decent samples and its base-2 numbering system so common to all Boss/Roland gear of the time (patch numbers always went from 11 to 88). Nice compact size, too, maybe too compact. My DR-550 met its end one day when it had fallen, unknown to me, into a narrow gap between the wall and a bass cabinet in the rehearsal space. To make room, I pushed the bass cabinet up against the wall and heard a sickening crunch....Anybody know how to play "Taps"?

Rob Warmowski: File this one under "N" for "Never gonna use collapsing high-rise imagery in an ad campaign ever again."