Leaderboard

I hope all of you guys can get here in time! I read that Sander de Gier’s flight got cancelled and he’s on a boat, and more people from Holland are in trouble. I’m in a pub with a beer. Come say hi at the Eich stand tomorrow!

I've just received an email confirming that the show is going ahead. Most importantly for out-of-town visitors, they add: " If you hold a Saturday ticket and wish to use it for Sunday instead (or vice versa), you are welcome to do so."

I think a lot, but not all, comes down to how staff are treated. If people are well paid and feel valued they will respond in kind. If people are treated like dirt and paid peanuts they will have very little loyalty to that employer. Why so many companies fail to see this is quite beyond me.

At the best of times

About 22 years ago, at the age of 41, I was walking my beat in Plymouth along College Avenue, past Manson’s Music and I peered into the window. That re-triggered my desire to learn to play a musical instrument. I’d been keen at school, but my parents decided that as they weren’t musical neither was I and that the fiver deposit on the school trombone wasn’t going to happen despite the music teacher pushing for it. I’d been a marching band snare drummer and I’d had a bit of bandsman trombone practice time in my previous 20 odd years in the RN but that was it. Why bass? To be honest it was because I thought it would be easier, oh and different. I bought a headless Hohner Jack from Manson’s and my bass journey commenced. Bands, who’d have them eh? I got involved with some work colleagues and friends in Plymouth and we struck up a regular practice in Saltash Rugby Club. It was pretty dire, I was pretty dire too to be honest and we sort of collapsed after a while. I learnt a lot though and the taste for gigging was firmly instilled in my brain. I also started listening to bass and becoming sort of ‘bass centric’ in my interests and music tastes. In 2004 I moved North to Kendal for a change of career. I had by now acquired a superior case of GAS that would see over 100 basses pass through my hands to date. I think that’s quite an achievement although I’m not sure if it’s one to be proud of. I actually had 27 at one point (yes I was single at the time). I saw an ad in Mad Monks in Kendal for a bassist and headed North to Penrith for an audition. My first ‘proper’ band? Well sort of. Regular practice with 3 local guys who were all older than myself and generally a well-heeled bunch. The band’s music was supposedly a democratic choice but the singer/lead guitarist had a habit of going down the pub, referring to us as ‘his band’ and stating that he wasn’t going to play any of that crap that the bassist suggested. The Rolling Stones were the best band in the world and ‘Dead Flowers’ was their best number….. So, the writing was always on the wall really. The other guys were great, and we actually gigged three times. We opened at a local ‘mini-festival’, did one gig in the local for our supper and one charity gig. I loved it and put up with a lot of aggro in the hope of becoming a regular gigging band, but it wasn’t to be. A shame really. It got bitter and twisted at the end, mainly between the said lead guitard and the rest of us. I then had the experience of getting into a punk band that folded and then re-formed with a new bassist. The lengths some people will go to to avoid telling someone that they have another bassist who’s their mate etc. and fits the band image better. Finally, a really long stretch with a group of guys in Kendal who were actually good, particularly the lead guitarist, but we never made a gig. At the best we sounded really good. All classic rock which became very tiring after a while. I think that some of the guys didn’t really want to or have the bottle to gig but wouldn’t admit it. This all went on with the odd change of personnel for years. Recently I thought, enough is enough. I was completely dis-heartened. I sold my rig, sold some basses and thought I’d retire to a bit of noodling in the bass cupboard. It hasn’t really happened. The basses and practice combo have just sat there gathering dust. And then I bought my wife a ukulele. That’s it, I’m a bit smitten! I’ve succumbed to the Uke syndrome. All that life of bass, buying, selling and swapping at clandestine meeting in motorway services has stopped. A whole era seems to be winding down and coming to an end. I still have 5 basses and my TC 250 Combo. I’ve 2 custom ACGs that I don’t intend parting with, a full Uber top spec bubinga and wenge Finn 5 and my special holly topped headless Salace. I also have Rita, a Musicman Sterling with a Nordstrand that used to be well known in these parts. I’ve owned her twice and she stays. That leaves my pearlescent white Nanyo Bass Collection 5 that I’ve just bought from Mick and fettled with a Glockenkland pre. Finally I’m a umming and ahhing about whether to keep my soft aged Fiesta Red Sandberg 5 string P bass. It’s beautiful. I was never one for relic finished instruments but this just works. It sounds wonderful and weighs 7.5 lbs. But however much I love it I’m not playing it so what’s the point? Hmmm… So a long journey and life always changes. I've met some great people and made life long friends. I just thought I’d share. If anyone is local to me I have a load of bass books and odds and ends sat around. I don’t really want to advertise and post etc. So, statistically not good. 22 years, more than 100 basses and 3 gigs! Well life isn't always as you'd want it to be and if you don't have the right ingredients around you you'll never bake a cake I'm, off to play my Uke Peter

These adds from Promark drumsticks are pretty cool and the bass playing is real smooth, but that drummer is killing it;

What can I say, Self built bass, self built cabs and a heavy rack-----------Loud and proud

Bet this guy works for ESP 🤫

Surely the best response would have been "Howdy, partner!"

Plectrums, plectra - take your pick.

My Jake 5 arrived today. Just unwrapped it, plugged it in briefly, kissed it a couple of times. An exceptionally trim 3.6kg - 8lbs - for a 5 string Precision!! Neck dimensions I spec'd are perfect. Delano pup has the extra bite over the Aguilar that I hoped for. Figured maple neck/fingerboard and headstock are to die for. My expectations were very high but this has just blown me away - how is it possible to make such a good bass for £1600? Actually, £1500 - £100 was for the SKB case. And Adrian chucked a gorgeous leather strap in the case, too. I am now going to be mega impatient to use it at rehearsals and gigs. Swoon. I'll take some nice pics when the weather cheers up.

MET OFFICE ALERT - SEVERE WEATHER HITS GILLETT STAND A0!! So, what am I doing at home posting this when I should be on the M4 heading for London Olympia? No prizes for answering that one! Having enjoyed the best winter weather of just about anywhere in the country, we've been bitten on the bum by the heavy snow that's hit Somerset over the last 24 hours. The van with our stand is snowed in - as am I, Michael G and our Product Engineer Simon Austen at our respective homes. So, this morning has been an exercise in damage limitation The good news is that the show management have been able to build us a plain shell-scheme stand to replace our own wonderful (and expensive) creation and we're planning/hoping to travel tomorrow morning and be on the stand before lunch-time. In the meantime, we have to get close enough to the stranded van by car to enable the driver to load the stuff we need for the show (e.g. some basses!) on to his kids' sledges and meet us - I kid you not!! Luckily our friendly bass pro Freddie Draper (he lives in London) will be on our stand around opening time with his own bass and hopefully the couple of combos we're borrowing from Ashdown. He'll be holding the fort until we arrive so, if you're passing, be sure to say hi to him - and give him a pat on the back! Scrumpymike

London is much better this morning. Little if any snow overnight and a couple of degrees 'warmer'. All main roads clear, with limited ice on side roads. I'm guessing tomorrow will be better still. Heavy bass showers with occasional funky patches!

@Deedee The Sandberg "P" is called the VS. I have one that gets a lot of use at gigs with my US Std P (I have one tuned to Eb and the other to E). There used to be a passive VS in the original California series, this is a California II so slightly smaller body and thinner headstock. It makes them very light, this one in particular is rather less than 8lbs. I've changed the pickup to a Nordy NP4 and it passive mode it sounds great. Active good too, fairly subtle but effective EQ. Quick pic for you, note that this is a custom colour:

I'd certainly steer clear of linseed oil if you're going to apply any other finish. The wood will be fine without being "nourished". Black grain filler can work nicely but is messy and requires a bit more preparation than you'd think. I've posted this before, but here's the back of my telecaster guitar that I built. It's ash, so needed grain filling anyway, using thixotropic filler that I think came from Rothcoe and Frost. The order of application was: grain filler > dye > sanding sealer > clear gloss nitrocellulouse. If you are aware of the hazards AND have suitable facilities, check out the range of nitrocellulouse rattle cans on Manchester Guitar Tech. IIRC they do a translucent white

My playing time has dwindled of late - and when I do get the chance, I’m enjoying it. but I’m not really playing anything in particular, just twatting about. Maybe that’s why I’m enjoying it.

What I do is come up with a spurious reason why the song should be dropped.

(walks into sports shop run by former music shop staff) "I'd like to try those boots, please" (Assistant gets a pair from the storeroom, puts them on, performs 'street skillz' juggles with the ball for 2 minutes, then takes them off and hands them to me) "And that relates to a match situation how exactly...?"

For those who cant make the show , I will be doing some Facebook Live Stream from the show over the weekend, as well as the usual photos and video. Trev/

I say good on barefaced - they gave everyone a real fair crack at getting them at the cheaper prices. A lot of others just out prices up out of the blue.

Snow business like show business

Earlier in the year I contacted a load of new (to us) venues with our details and availability. As expected I didn't hear back from most of them - that's generally the form for getting gigs. I know the score and try to chase up and personally visit as many places as I can but can't make it everywhere. Today I've had messages from 3 of them saying that their band has pulled out and are we available?

Lubrication?

I was even wearin me Geordie jeans !

I must admit the LB100 does seem to have everything I'm looking for but I just can't get my head around it's head, i.e. that wee bit of an edge that sticks out of the lower middle of the head! All about personal taste I suppose...

I think that most people have had an ex bass of mine . Yes I can readily identify with the cyclic thing.

Unregulated capitalism demands dirt and peanuts, unfortunately. Supposedly we're a service economy, but this country's inherent 'f*ck you' attitude doesn't really sit too well with it...

My view is that if after however many years people still argue about it, then the difference -if it exists- cannot be of huge importance, and it probably comes down to personal preference. So I file these threads under 'purely entertainment', conveniently... since my scientific background would go crazy if I tried to take these comparisons seriously.

See this is what bassists do, crack-the-F-on !! Well done all Si

You should either treat or pay people well, preferably both. If someone does neither, I try not to go there.

Letting your bass playing naturally wind down is fine. It has the opportunity to come back and flourish and flow freely. So that’s ok. It’s when you are being forced to stop doing something you love by others is when there is a problem.

I have to disagree there. If people accept bad service it legitimises it. It's then more and more acceptable for other poor practices to creep in, such as hanging onto deposits, repairs being late etc etc. I agree that wages are too low, but you shouldn't have to put a price on good manners and consideration..I let people have mine for free.

Better than 0 gigs mate. Keep playing and enjoying the music.

They make bass ukuleles you know Nice to hear from you Peter, I know exactly what you mean but perhaps an extended break will help. You'll always be a 'bass player' and that'll help you with your uke playing, too. I haven't been in a band for years now, and often don't pick up a bass for weeks on end, but I still feel like a 'bassist' and enjoy keeping up to date with the gear and social aspect. Stick around, and enjoy the uke. I've always been interested to play one but almost constant appearances on adverts, along with whistling, has put me off!

I had that in my late 20s - early 30s when my normal clothes were jeans, leather jackets and a few studs here and there. At the time I wasn't a musician, just the girlfriend of an equally metalled-up guitarist, but the attitude in those music stores that saw themselves as 'upmarket' was exactly as described above. (Slightly OT, when I bought my first home in this country, 20-odd years ago, we had to scrub up and look 'smart' to go to the estate agent, even after paying the deposit: they otherwise simply didn't believe a word I said and couldn't take me seriously - and I was a cash buyer!). After getting into playing an instrument, my main problem used to be sexism in music stores. 'Middle aged female looking at basses' almost always triggered either the dreaded 'Is it for your son? Can I recommend this/that?' or 'That's a *bass* guitar, are you looking for one of those with 6 strings instead?'. Thankfully, I haven't experienced that anywhere in the last few years, and I was never patronised at Wunjos in Denmark Street, for instance.

I've recently taken up playing a geeetar, just for a change. I know that when I pick up a bass again it will be with renewed vigour and interest. I read lots of posts by disgruntled/disillusioned players - unfortunately fewer from returning players - what I've learned is that you shouldn't close the door on your love of playing, even if you're not gigging as often as you'd like. You're allowed to take a break....but at the back of your mind you should have Arnold telling you.."I'll be back.."

Looks like a ballbag

I always played 4 string basses and fitted a detuner for the rare occasions I needed a low D. Then around 18 months ago (+/-) one of my bands decided to morph into a Bon Jovi tribute and a lot of their material is played with lots of low notes - Hugh Macdonald uses every bit of his 5 string basses! So I found myself having to get used to using one - I decided the best way was to use the 5er for everything and not just the songs I needed to, which I carried over into my other band. So I now find myself using 5 string basses exclusively and, actually, I quite like it. Not just for the extra low notes at my disposal but for the ease of getting around the neck and extra choices for playing certain notes - do i want the E to be open or fretted, do I want the bassier timbre of playing some notes on the B string - whatever. Makes me wonder what I would do if I came to a point when I no longer needed to use a 5er - would I keep to them anyway? And what of those wonderful 4 string basses I haven't touched for over a year?

Might as well sell crumhornchat.co.uk then ffs

It's a lovely little thing Al and currently my gigging tool , I was hoping to go to LBGS tommorrow and sort out a Spector Bantam but I have been foiled , so bonus points if anyone can bring one along , actually , double bonus points

That’s John Bollinger, noted Nashville multi instrumentalist and journalist. He comes across that way, but it’s his friendly way of not coming across as a know it all. Like I am, no doubt.

Ok time for a little bump , I'll be bringing my TC rh750 with foot pedal and the Rs 210 and 212 geetar wise , the Spector legend 4 a gretsch junior jet shortscale and a Gordon Smith SG i really enjoyed this last time and I'm sure I will again

I'm depping tonight, so far no sign that it's going to be cancelled. The snow has been coming down steadily now for a few hours, so as well as my rig, a shovel will be going in the boot. 😀

Or maybe he had

Great for doing LGBT summer festivals...

Years ago I ordered a radio for the kitchen from amazon. Came home from work to a card from Yodel saying the item was left in the recycling bin. I looked, bin was totally empty. It being bin day an all. Emailed amazon, they sent a replacement that arrived the next day. Two days later the neighbour knocks on my door. ”hiya, sorry about the delay, I’ve been away with work, but I took this off a delivery driver just as he was putting it in the recycling bin. He said he’d leave a card explains where it is” So the neighbour and I had matching radios in our kitchen from then.