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@Bassassin This one should pique your MIJ interest 🙂 Around 83/84 (?) Guitarist magazine had aTune Bass Maniac review and I was smitten. The black fretted model looked great but the piezo fretless blew me away 😍 The Bass Centre had them for £899 and I had a YTS paying £16.40 weekly,couldn't feed myself on that wage nevermind save for a bass. Never saw one for sale anywhere ☹️ When I discovered bass forums online I'd follow every Tune thread looking for the fretless of my dreams,with no luck. Danny,who runs Bass Japan, told me even in Japan they were like hen's teeth. On the various Tune Bass owners clubs and FB pages I only found 3 people who owned 1. 1 fella is in Italy,another in Japan and 1 fella in Australia had one briefly (his fingerboard went wonky and the replacement was the 2 octave version) After 32 years wait 1 came up for sale,in Japan 😱

This is completely the point, watts are not subjective random nebulous things. they can be measured there is proof. So if a manufacturer lies there is an objective way of catching them out. Quite rightly there are laws against deliberate deception for financial gain across Europe, America and most of the world. Unfortunately not all our governments support trading standards enforcement as they should but that is down to the demands we put upon them as consumers and voters. Put your hands up those of you who support fraud. There are minor bickerings of course. An amp may supply 500w but only for a few seconds and another may do so all day, It may supply full power at 1% distortion or 3% distortion and maybe the power is rolled off at 50Hz in one amp and 20Hz in another but all of this is covered in regulations in different countries and only accounts for small variations in rated power. It is also true that few of us use all the power available to us from our amps and 250W is a lot of power which is enough for most of us. It's also true that some people like to play Top Trumps with power ratings. Plenty of people with cars with fourwheel drive and sport settings on their suspension never go near a puddle or racetrack but if they are being charged for something that says it does 0-60 in 5secs or 65mpg it should be able to achieve those claims in verifiable repeatable tests. Why would bass players or musicians exclusively agree to lower standards than the rest of the population. If an amp manufacturer makes a claim about their amp it should be provable and their responsibility to prove it. If they want to sell an amp with the claim 'loud enough' that's fine, a brave marketing strategy but up to them. The big problem is that if we let a few companies get away with it then others are forced to follow their deciepts or lose customers. It isn't just bass amps of course, we currently allow drugs companies to bury research which does not show the effectiveness of their products or identifies possible side effects. We know that it wasn't just VW who were fiddling their emissions data. Bass amps may be small beer in comparison but it is something we are all competent in and major consumers of. It's kind of important to call out this sort of behaviour as it happens. I'm perfectly happy for anyone to say a TC amp is loud enough or that the Bugera is great value for money, I can't for the life of me understand why some people are arguing that fraud is a good thing.

I have a few basses you won't see many of. Gordy Blueshift twin-neck. As far as I know this is a one-off, built in 1985 for a Manchester-based pro - his name's on the case but I can't remember it off the top of my head. Did a bit of research when I got the bass & sadly I don't think he's with us any more. It's been refinished in this rather fetching transparent pink - the original black's visible in the routes & pockets. The fretless neck is gorgeous, but my back hurts just looking at the pics. Thematically related - Retrovibe RV4 - only two in the world with this subdued and sober finish: Some may be aware that I have a vague interest in Japanese instruments - some of which don't turn up on Ebay (or anywhere else) much, like this Tokai Talbo B135. This is the 2000-ish reissue, but still spectacularly uncommon. Had this since 2003 after being consumed by a fit of GAS whilst stumbling around Denmark St. The only one I've ever seen in real life, and not seen another come up for sale since. Continuing with MIJ stuff - Washburn SB-40. This model doesn't appear in any catalogues, and seems to represent a halfway point between the Vulture & the Force series - there is some dispute amongst Washburn anoraks whether the model designation's correct, despite what it says on the sharp end. It's almost a fretted version of the bass Bathiki Kumalo used on Graceland, apart from the reversed P pickup. From the same era, a gorgeous through-neck from Kasuga Gakki. Badged as Pro Martin, which I think was exclusive to European markets, elsewhere this was the Kasuga Scorpion SCB1200. Another bass you could search for for years - as I did. Staying with the Big K - 1975 Kasuga EB750, one of the most elusive (and prettiest) MIJ Rickenfakers out there: And a curious Japanese take on the Jazz, with styling influenced by mid-60s MIJ design (and a few sympathetic reversible mods by me), a Kawai KB-10 Sleekline:

I sorted the jack points easily enough, the fitted nicely exactly where I would have wanted them, on the back edge right behind the control cavity so no harm done but bloody hell what an idiot Over the last couple of days I did some grain filling then today I sprayed sanding sealer. First coat well sanded back down to the wood, the second coat sanded flat, then finally a third cover coat just to be sure. There seems to be a couple of spots that look like they need a little more grain filling, I'll go out a little later on and have a look again and fill if need be so it will be ready to go again tomorrow. On that subject, I will be just spraying the bodies with a couple of coats of clear tomorrow in readiness to spray the gold for the burst on the Maple and the black for the burst on the Ebony on Sunday. Then hopefully I can spray the red over the maple body Monday before carrying on with the clear build up, woohoo!! Some pics of paint drying, thrilling stuff

Whilst I love playing flats for about 45 minutes, I find that they get progressively more sticky and ultimately impossible to play. im going to give this “below the belt” anti chafing cream a go and report back. This should stop my fingers getting sweaty and thus prevent the stickyness. It also has the added benefit that I can liberally apply to my bollocks after the first set if I find myself sweating excessively in the groin area, I should then have lovely fresh smelling bollecks and lose those sticky flats, win win.. i shall report back after my next gig 👍🏻 Below the Belt Grooming Fresh & Dry Balls, 75 ml, Fresh https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013L1WT30/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1YB7BbRTN5QXN

I had a 1978 Fender Precision in yellow like this one. Mine didn’t have all the chrome covers and was a bit more used than this one! Great bass, but it did mean you couldn’t stand at the back of the stage out of the way! i also had a 1971 vw beetle in yellow!

This. All of it.

Impossible to qualify? Maybe. Impossible to quantify? Hardly. Watt, unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) equal to one joule of work performed per second, or to 1/746 horsepower. An equivalent is the power dissipated in an electrical conductor carrying one ampere current between points at one volt potential difference. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica

The sheer futility of it all. Thanks @Cuzzie you d i c k 😀😂

If anyone wants the normal hardback version of this book (£50 at Amazon) you can get it from A Great Read for £29.50! https://agreatread.co.uk/geddy-lees-big-beautiful-book-of-bass-9780062747839/ At checkout put 'wine3' into the voucher code box and get a further £3 off too! £26.50.... Sorted :)

Bearing in mind the well-known forum saying, "you no pictures, him no happen", I am please finally to attach some photos of the work done for me by Jerome Davies of Cranbrook in Kent. Super job, really lovely wood went into the brace - pictures don't do it justice - and whereas I'm not going to give away his prices, I can tell you that it was remarkably good value for the quality of the work done. The brace is adjustable so I can make it very comfortable as regards playing position, and it helps get the bass in the right position for the hands to relate to the strings. It also gives a physical presence like a DB but without compromising the portability of an EUB. I am very happy indeed with this.

I stick to the Holy Scripture, as outlined below: A Reading from the Book of Bass, Chapter 4, Verses 16 to 20: 'First enter thou the purveyors of the Holy Bass. Then thou must count the strings to four. Four shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be four. Five shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count three, excepting that thou then proceedeth to four. Six is right out.' 🙂

I ordered a new bass today, a Spector Euro 4LX DW (Doug Wimbush) in Amber... doesn't arrive until next week so it's now a waiting game... Anyone on here play a Euro 4LX? It's too late to ask whether people like it or not (*I* do and that's what counts) but I'm interested in how you are finding it. How am I going to wait?? *groan*

Aria jpj3

1. jebroad 2. Len_Derby 3. Jabba_the_gut 4. Spondonbassed - Hohner B2A 5. Andyjr1515 6. Jimothey 7. Mojo 8. Owen 9. Teebs 10. Josie (I may have missed some)

I don’t see her problem, there’s easily enough room in bed for me, her ,and the 62 jazz !

George Michael.

I’ve been to Prague several times, all the things mentioned above are great. Charles Bridge is worth waking up super early for - if you go just before sunrise is gorgeous... and even then, there’s people, but not nearly as many as let’s say an hour later. The castle is cool, but there’s a lot to see. I like to just walk around Prague in the morning, the city is really cool and has a nice atmosphere... until you encounter some Czech people. I find them unbelievably rude. They do not care. 8 out of 10 experiences from pubs/restaurants/shops etc are really bad. I’ve been to various places in Czech and from what I’ve been told - even Czech people don’t like Czech people from Prague. Maybe it’s the capital city thing but my god they are rude. So, don’t be bothered if somebody is really unpleasant . I once got asked to leave the pub because I didn’t order enough! Anyway, I didn’t see anyone mentioning Petrin tower. If you go there at sunset and the weather is good - the view from there is incredible. Nice to walk up there through the park. It’s on the hill, where Strahov Stadium is. Here’s a photo taken at Charles Bridge last Easter at sunrise. Enjoy your stay!

@KingPrawn ...is getting his on Monday. Serious risk that mine could be arriving from Gear4Music next week, too, and in good time to be a birthday treat!

Guitar Guitar have just confirmed they have received stock. Mine arrives on Monday . happy days !

Is that a crossword clue?

Some years back we were in need of a new drummer, so set up auditions. The first one to turn up, spent an age setting up his kit, tuning it, fiddling with drum heights etc. We finally launched in to the first song of his choice and he didn't do a thing, nothing. Claimed that he wasn't quite ready, so we started again, same thing, although on the very final note he wacked the snare drum and asked us what we thought

Glad to see you're paying attention Mr C. Yes - that's the conversation we had - string spacing matches the pickups! Always a good thing!

The small hole is for the low battery which comes as standard on the Uber Series. Being fully active it is a useful thing to have. String spacing is 18mm as are all 5/6 with the MC pickups. The 4 being 19mm. Alan

but when that headline reads as 'you're a twonk', maybe not so good?

I asked Trickfish straight up about their power ratings and they flat refused to give an answer. Similar to a post further up there was the ‘its impossible to qualify and there are so many variables’ argument. So I did vote- I didn’t buy one of their amps.

I'm just going to leave this here, it's all I can think of when someone mentions "air bass"... 🤣

RickenFakers!

A perusal of the history of Behringer's shenanigans gives said claims plenty of credence. But if you must, look at the power consumption of the amp. It's 880 watts. That means if the Bugera/Behringer claim is true it puts out more than twice what it draws from the wall socket. That either means they're deliberately lying or they failed to pass grammar school level physics.

Yes indeed! Jazz & Blues Club Ungelt just behind the church that you see the two fabulous towers of when you stand near the famous clock or on the town square. In the mean time I found the jazz club I mentioned above. It's Agharta (AghaRTA) situated at Železná 16 just a few minutes South of the town square.

I class myself as a semi pro musician. My logic behind this is I have a day job still but every week (mostly weekends) I am playing three or four gigs, I am getting paid for these gigs, I am booked by establishments or members of the public be it weddings, parties, events, clubs etc. and are paying me for this service. I have done 118 gigs this year and have been paid but not enough to support me fully and give up the day job. I consider this semi pro.

I've made an obscene fortune as a professional fat string pilot. They say I'm crazy but I have a good time Life's Been Good To Me So Far

You are a bassist and thus a God. Don't let anyone tell you different. (Although non-readers are only Demi-gods. so Ner ner ner)

Peavey Palaedium, the Jeff Berlin signature. This is one of the US basses, I think it's a 1993 model but I can't look at the serial number at the moment as I'm away for work. Jeff didn't stay with Peavey for all that long and signature basses never shift in huge numbers, especially for a jazz fusion player, so I doubt Peavey sold a huge number of them. They are fantastically made and worth next to nothing these days - Peavey have never commanded huge prices outside of their US-made Cirrus line. I got this for less than $300. I love Peaveys of this vintage. I'd buy a Rudy Sarzo signature or a TL-6 if I saw one for sale. A B-Quad is on my dream bass list too.

They only get away with what we let them. Reference the TC watts controversy, when TC was caught red handed flat out lying about their power specs. You'd think that universal condemnation would have followed, yet a substantial percentage of TC owners defended TC, saying in essence that they didn't care if they were lied to, so long as the amps sounded good.

This is an '88 Washburn B80, Neon Pink / Blue Crackle finish, rare as hens teeth and very little info about them unfortunately. The 'Stephens Extended Cutaway' is just plain sexy ....

Lo, verily I crave that thou dost save me a seat; for I too have been cast down from the path of righteousness by the temptation of BEADG.

I like the North41 - they've just released a new album but I've not had a chance to listen yet.

I’m surprised the most notable bit of my discourse on the new ACG was how Mrs B reacted!

It's not really a non-issue though, is it? Why do you think manufacturers use power ratings in their marketing?

the only way you can decide on an amp is to use it in a band setting, if you play in a band that is.

The Fuzz is stock.. Its just sort of nasty in a way that the zoom fuzzes aren't- i don't use the octave much! I like the fuzz in front of the wah too, so i can do that thing you get in EDM where it goes 'muffled muffled nasal fizzy BOOM'... Which is fun.. Yeah the EQ does a thing that's different somehow to what the Zoom EQs have. The sliders are different frequencies, that might be it!

I think I’ll still be investing in one 400w is enough for me and i love the look of it