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"Rick: I know, let's put Neil's speaker in front of the door! Neil: Oh, not that speaker! Jimi Hendrix once pi$$ed on that!" The Young Ones - 1982

Surely that's going to be an MIA Roger Waters P bass.

Man... if that piece of music doesn’t appear to be going anywhere it’s because it’s already arrived. Is there anything better than just being in a groove? I say just like it isn’t a holy thing, an everything... Man... That, right there, is it.

Right where I am now. Edit to expand. I'm a bit surprised at the number of people who seem to think I'm freeloading because I don't drive. Look, I'm not saying no one should drive. I have my reasons for not driving, and I'm sticking with them. I realise that my choices mean I will not be gigging with a 4x10, but I'm happy with that. I started this thread because I'm interested in hearing about how other people cart their gear around by public transport, not to criticise people who do drive.

(I’ve just set the comment above as the headline to the thread to alert anyone who may come across this link, hope that’s ok!)

Well I have sold the Godin A4 (slight lip wobble) and on Saturday I put the money from the sale down as a deposit on a Chowny SWB Pro via my local music shop, hopefully they will put that order in with Chowny today. This is the first time I’ve ordered an instrument without trying it first so I’m a bit nervous but I’ve done all the research I can and I think it’s the right bass for me. I just happened to be driving past Bass Direct the previous Saturday so I dropped in because I knew they had an SWB Pro so I managed to see one but I didn’t get a chance to try it, let alone buy it, because the guy in the shop was tied up with other customers, so be it, I didn’t have long anyway but just loooking at it gave me some idea of the quality. So, the guy in the shop told me 6-8 weeks after phoning Chowny, now comes the wait. Hopefully I can sell my Fenders (fretless Modern Player and Aerodyne) so I can get an order in for an SWB-1 fretless and see if having all three types of bass in short scale will actually stop GAS?

Just wanted to (belatedly) show the two beauties that I have recently purchased from fellow BassChatters. They are pretty different animals for me (both through neck, twin pickup) as I’ve mainly been a Precision or Stingray player for a long time. First up, a 1991 (I think) Made in Korea Spector NS-2A. This particular model came highly recommended to me by a fellow BCer and I’ve not been disappointed. With it’s shorter top horn, I was a little concerned that it would take some getting used to playing on a strap, but it’s been fine. It feels and plays like a top quality instrument and my thoughts of swapping out the preamp and pickups have been put to bed as I used it at a gig last weekend and it sounded great, cutting through and sounding punchy. I think I now know what players mean when they describe ‘piano like’ clarity. Next up a gorgeous 1981 Aria Pro II SB-R80. This really is in beautiful condition save for a couple of dings which are pretty well camouflaged (the joy of a natural finish). I once lusted after a ‘standard’ SB and was gutted once I tried one as I couldn’t get on with the string spacing. However, this R version with the more traditional neck dimensions feels great. I’m loving the different sounds available from this bass. Obviously a very different beast to the Spector, but still punchy and able to go from a nasally honk to full fat dub in an instant. All in all, I’m a very happy chappy and many thanks again to Maut and James for the smooth transactions.

Yup, can't disagree with that! Here's mine, beautifully refinished by @Grangur of this estate. Maybe you should let him loose on yours, too, and he'll be able to turn it into something worth nearer £400 rather than £40?

Summary: Wow, what great pickups - totally perfect - buy them now!. Bought from some bass happy chappy on a FarceBook bass group and fitted them to my VanderEnd the other day. My bass usefully has a route for either a P or a J under the scratchplate - it's messy but useful. I've been inquisitive for a while to try it as PJ rather than the JJ jazz it's been since I got it. I had scratch-it make me both a JJ & PJ plate shortly after I received the bass and it was clearly time to try out the PJ pickguard too, cue the new pick up purchase justifications. So now the EMGGB's PJ's coupled up with my Aguilar OB3 preamp (with passive tone), has made one hell of a versatile beast and I'm loving the passive sounds too. So next strap in and prepare for the worst sound description ever...hmmm, less mid honk than the typical Fender pickups, not as dark as SD Quarterpounders on a dark night and they've made me smile more than Lindy Fralin's have ever done (which I also really like lots). It does have a very smooth sound spectrum with a sweet warm and defined low end and slightly rolled off highs...it's more akin to the 'soul/Motown sound' in my opinion but clearly this Geezer chappy is a bit of a rocker so I hear....so it must be good for that music right? It's probably the most balanced pick up I've ever used across all strings. The P on it's own is defined and warm (warm is the key sound description). The bridge J is surprising, very funky and full, not brittle like some bridge pickups...it's funky, it's a fatter Jaco, Old Gregg has blessed this pickup, (funky is the key sound description). Together they're a good compliment too, smooth like chocolate, no power imbalance - they're friends, ...(Chocolate is the key sound description here!). I like em' a lot. Conclusion: Warm Funky Chocolate!

Perhaps they could do a deluxe version of the guitar with a bone nut & saddle

The DBs live in the upstairs study, amps, cabs and stands in the garage.

Where's the elf in the port photo?!

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No, I don't have kids. heh. We have this:

What guitar amp is he using? If you haven't got the stage size and venue size, I'm pretty sure he's got the wrong gear for the gig... or at least being a knob with the volume control.

Dang! Need to get me one of those (a bass playing g/f, that is)!

Entitled "20 Iconic Bass Guitars", I'm thinking of making this available to BC members as a print in either A3 or A2 sizes providing I get enough interest... This image you're looking at is printed on bog standard A4 and really need to be seen in a bigger format, but you probably get the idea. Any criticism welcome...

The 12th South East Bass Bash will be on Saturday 29 September 2018 At Jubilee High School, Surrey, School Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 1TE The first planning meeting has already taken place! (in a pub) Get the date in your diaries!

Well, last year I reached a bit of a milestone in work - 30 years! So to mark the occasion, in a moment of madness, I decided "to hell with it" and ordered myself a Limelight bass One of my fave colour combos (if not, my fave) is Fiesta Red, with rosewood board and tort plate (of course) Since having my old Squier P bass converted into a P/J, I've become a real fan of this pickup configuration A few years back, fellow South Walian pal FuNkShUi was selling a Limelight P, in Fiesta Red, and it had a Jazz style neck I tend to prefer Jazz width necks, or at least I don't mind P width necks.... but don't like them to be too deep.... So that was my order - a P/J Precision, fiesta red, with Jazz width nut. I missed out on FuNkShUi's bass back then, as I had to sell a bass before I could buy another A week later, the MM I was selling had sold (to another BC member) - but the Limelight had gone, and I had been kicking myself ever since Mark at Limelight has done a superb job. I asked him for a medium-light level of "distressing". I know not everyone is a fan of Relicing - I don't care.... it's MY bass I think it looks lovely. A quick noodle, and it feels amazing! Sounds lovely through my small practice amp too. Can't wait to plug it into a larger amp and crank the volume up Since the new CITES rules , Mark had a bit more trouble than usual sourcing the Rosewood fretboard neck - however, I wasn't in a huge rush, so I told Mark not to worry .... my new bass has been worth the wait. I'm a happy boy - but am currently in work, and can't wait to get home, to try my new bass (Pics courtesy of Mark at Limelight)

You could smash the road block with it........

I had the same set-up and I'd broadly agree with Paul's opinion. I'd add that the Midget could take more lower frequencies very well via EQ. Both are great cabs. I don't have a Super Compact but I do have a BB2, which is a Super Compact with a horn, in a slightly bigger enclosure. I also have a Super Midget. If small size is your most important criterion, the Super Midget will do most gigs alone but again, with less bottom. I prefer the BB2 though for the massive lows and sharper highs. In my experience a BB2 (or Super Compact?) will do all pub gigs and most other gigs in hotel/club rooms. I gigged my BB2 with a Quilter Bass Block 800 yesterday. This was the first time using the Quilter with the BB2. It's just astonishing how good this combination sounds. Don't overlook the 10" range of cabs. I have a pair of one10s and these are also superb cabs - beautiful tone and one will do in a small pub while a pair will handle bigger rooms or a louder band. If you're ever up to Belfast, you'd be welcome to try the cabs. Frank.

Yup. I got my EMGs from them. Even with customs it was cheaper.

Bet the gates to stop non-bassists into the bass cave. Come on admit it.........you don't even have kids do you Dave

Because it's practical. You may prefer your drumkit, but if transport and/or setup times are an issue, your tolerance to provided kits increases. Same with bass... I much prefer my own but if it's a hassle and they provide one, I go with it. It may not sound teh same, but it will not be THAT different. You're going through the PA in most cases, so your amp becomes a glorified bass monitor in those situations. I will use my own everytime I can, but if it is going to be a pain due to parking restrictions etc and I have an alternative? I'll use what they give me. I may not enjoy it quite as much (although sometimes you do get very good equipment) but we will still sound good out there even if onstage it's not amazing.

I went to Barcelona a week after the terrorist incident. Apart from people taking selfies at the scene, which I found abhorrent, I found Barcelona a wonderful city with friendly people and some lovely places to explore. I went running before 6am most mornings and had no issues, although I'm a fairly big bloke covered in tattoos which may have kept any troublemakers at bay. It's like any other city - keep your wits about you, don't leave valuables on show etc. and you will be fine. I also discovered the joys of crepes with nutella and coconut ice cream as a true breakfast of champions. Enjoy.

Don't see them coming up in the FS listings that often though and, believe me, I've kept a careful eye out. I'm guessing they must be mostly 'off market' trades?

They're a good thing to have. Mine gave me her 1983 Squier JV P...

I guess it's a personal thing. As a Probation Officer, I long since learned to judge behaviour and not individuals. One of the things about GG is that he has never, to my knowledge, undergone any form of treatment intervention. I would love to see him doing the Thames Valley Sex Offender Treatment Programme and monitor his reactions to challenge. As for his music, I think it is s shame that those associated with him have lost their income stream at exactly the point where they need it. If hearing the music brings associations to mind, best leave it alone. If not...

That is a gorgeous bit of padauk and the matching headstock facing works so well with it. Enjoy when it finally arrives!!!

Love my Geezer P. Considering routing my Sandberg VS4 for a PJ set .

Squier neck means that selling it as a "fender bass guitar" is upbranding.

Carried this broken footed freeloading shirker for 6 weeks. He never missed a gig, bless him. But we banned him from sparring again at his kick boxing /kung foo / ninja turtle / far too old for this sh*t gym.

Yep...they don't make 'em like they use to... Do you know I remember when it was all fields around here...

I've just ordered one. The wait begins!

I’m going to say it.... Johnny Rod’s version with WASP is better.

https://classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/limelight-custom-builds/

First wedding of the year on Thursday night, slow drive from Elgin up to Strathpeffer in the Highlands due to the snow. Was sharing the stage with a local ceilidh band as well. Was a quick set up and sound check job, which included me wiring up half the PA wrong and not noticing till after the first set. Anyway, the wedding was running late due to speeches so we had to cut our first set down to half hour. Quick re arrange of the stage for the ceilidh band and a nice hour long break for us. Back on stage around 10pm and we played through till 12.30am/ish. Took a while to get into things and get the energy going. Anyway by around 10.35 we have a busy dance floor which made up for the rest of the night. Quick pack up and a long slow drive back down to Elgin fighting through all the snow. Van unloaded and in my bed at 3am. Long day considering I was up for the gym at 4.30am the day before and a half day work as well.

Thanks. It's has a Padauk face,

I'd be unlikely to even invite a non driving band member for an audition, but I'm not in a city and not are our gigs generally (ok Lichfield is technically a city, just).

I've not seen any of these "in the flesh", but have been seriously considering either the 420 or 620. I've owned a couple of late 70's 2619's in the past (same specs), which were real LP Killers, fantastic guitars, and with the addition of the Tri-Sound switches, they add some really useful, and easily accessible sounds. The 2619's pre-dated the "AR" range (even though they were "Artist"), and the specs are slightly different, the "AR"s tend to have thicker bodies, more like those of the LP / Yamaha SG, where the 26** series had thinner bodies. Some of the previous reissues of their 70's/80's range guitars have been superb, so I wouldn't expect anything less from these.

I am quite suddenly a huge convert to EB Cobalt Flats. Silky smooth, lively sound (for a flat) and no coloured ball ends. They do have dark purple silks, but I guess you could remove them if it really bothered you. Frankly, it is the sound that counts ;¬) and these do sound good.

Gibson 2018 SG Std. Walnut

Well, it's already in the Build Diaries but it definitely belongs here too - 1975 Gibson Ripper, restored from the wood up.