Leaderboard

When on holiday to Houston to visit friends I used to frequent all my old music shop haunts. One in particular, Guitar Centre on Westheimer, had a second hand Warrior Signature for sale at nearly $4k! Stunning bass that over a period of about 5 years I asked to play whenever I was there. Loved the neck, balance & small body size but the strings and setup were awful. The last time I was there I tried it again and it was still less than stellar.....but they had dropped the price slightly to $3,600. I decided that I had to get rid of the hankering once and for all so I offered to pay them for a new set of strings, battery and a tweak of the setup. If I really didn't like the bass after that then they just got themselves a free set of strings and a better playing bass (= more chance of a future sale). They half heartedly agreed and put on the new strings (without cleaning the fretboard etc!! ) tweaked the truss and lowered the saddles a bit. I sat down, plugged in and played a few riffs........WOW....it was an absolutely different animal!! It played and sounded wonderful. I decided to make them a "cheeky" offer of $3k as it had been sat in their stock for at least 5 years that I knew of. I thought, start low and you can always increase your offer......didn't need to, the manager accepted straight away! That bass was mine for the next 11 years and never let me down or dissapointed.

Spent the afternoon rebuilding the big board it's been in bits for ages. Got some new bits to try now after my fusion bands brief Hiatus 😄 EBS Microbass 2 - A/B box/ Preamp/DI/ Overdrive/ headphone amp and Effects loop. Very very useful bit of kit and great quality sound. In the loop I have all of the effects, so I can use them through the Headphones. Donner Deluxe Mini tuner- in the Link jack, it acts as a tuner out, as this thing was awful in line with other pedals. FEA Optifet - I had one of these wonderful compressors before and I knew it was a stupid idea when I sold it. Lovely warm fat, with a nice sheen. Tons of control, but most importantly it adds to your tone, this thing can sound like a Diamond Bcp1 or a Cali76CB which the switches (and I've owned both) very pleased to get another. BOSS LS2 - splits the signal after the comp, so all effects have compression beforehand. Has two seperate lines of FX that I can switch between or run in parallel Loop A - general effects. MXR Bass Octave Deluxe- I had one of these before and while I loved the tone and tracking, it had a noise issue. I really needed an Octave thst tracks well with active basses, and this was the best I'd tried in that application. Two different voices to mimic the EBS and OC2 Sounds. EBS Bass IQ - this is a great sounding filter!! Lots of variation with the modes and simple to use. Not as fat or resonant as some, but has a great tight/clear filter tone that cuts through really well. EBS Dphaser - As above but a funky, swirly,fat and very cool Digital Phaser. I love this thing Loop B - Synth Channel Emma - Okto Nojs - Octaver and synthy Dynamic Fuzz in one pedal, can be used individualy or combined for Dirty synth tones. The Fuzz on this is worth the price alone, it's in two parts first is a dynamic Fuzz with a subtle octave up past the 12th fret (very like the 3 leaf Doom) and has a square wave synth Fuzz which is voiced an octave down, I love this with a Phaser. Source Audio C4 synth- had one of these before, with a posh midi thing, only used 6 sounds in it 🤣 Synths/octavers/filters/phasers allsorts in here, but just sticking to the six sounds this time. Got a few nice synth sounds in there incl an OC2 with Bitcrusher and an MXR filter model. 3 leaf Groove Regulator- I've owned the other versions of this filter, so gone back to the original. It is fat and organic sounding, fairly polite as filters go, but sounds really good with the Octave/Fuzz combos. Easier to dial in than its successors, and has a handy loop, unfortunately any pedals in its loop can only be used with the filter. Source Audio Gemini Chorus- another Gem that I've had before, I'd forgotten how good this pedal is. Six presets for all my Modulation needs it's got various Chorus/Flanger/Phasers currently programmed as well as a very synthy resonator sound.

Non-stop "Hi-ho sodding Silver Lining" for days to come... 🤮

Acoustic gig. She's Right I'm Left This Saturday 1/14 @The Harley Motor Milwaukee WI 5:30 Blue

Another convert to the Squier gang here. I've got a Bass VI and recently bought a 50s Precision. Regardless of price, they are simply superb instruments. I'm going to buy a white 50s P soon and mod it like Chris Squire's.

So, the dots arrived this morning, 8 days after purchase, from the USA, not bad. The instructions are clear, fitting them is fiddly, especially getting the placement just right. These are the smaller ivory dots and are exactly the same diameter as the existing inlays, so positioning is crucial. The kit says you get 12 dots, but I got 14, which was good as I wasted 3 of them. The result is better than I expected, they look good, can be clearly seen, and hardly felt. Here’s some pics. Rob

Saw him in Bristol 2004 I think, brilliant. I hope the media play more than Silver Lining, his playing was progressive and dangerous right to the end.

Just ordered mine today, I sent them a message asking about buying it without VAT and they sent me a quote for the Capo and postage. It was just over £400, I suddenly found myself paying for it without thinking. They expect to be sending them out in around 2 weeks. So another pedal board rearrangement will be happening. I've also ordered a chorus, envelope filter and octave, should be a fun few weeks.....

Thought I'd post this, I no longer have it, it went to a member in Belgium I think?

Use the 'off' switch then. It has a similar effect to the 'block' button on Basschat 🙄.

Update on my experience. I took it out for the first time today, jazz band rehearsal in a local pub. I never noticed the fan, and it was frickin marvellous with the Barefaced One10. Rob

Interesting interview I found while navigating the internet https://www.bassgearmag.com/luthiers-round-table-7/

Fahrenheit 451 - Hawkwind

I contacted Tony when he mentioned in a thread that he had a set of tapewound strings he wasn't going to use. Credit card in hand I sent a PM only to receive a reply along the lines of "just send your address, they're free". Only here on BC do strangers give away stuff that you actually want. Tony is clearly a top fella and a tribute to this forum. My humble thanks to him for his generosity. Hope one day to return the favour.

Just the Bosporus - Bill Withers

Here's the full Malcolm Gerrie/Talks Music interview

No one back in the day made albums that sounded like (or even half as good) their gigs. . . . except Jeff Beck. Close your eyes and listen to Beck-Ola. It's exactly like the stage show. Marshall amps straining and flat out energetic playing. Micky Most wanted to make another Hi Ho Silver Lining, but the band told him to sod off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvt2xJB4uMc

I'm flattered! ...but it's a bit out of my realm, to be honest That said, I'm sure I've come across something on an old bass in the distant past that had something similar. The video above about the (excellent) bassmute said that the original Fender covers used to have mutes in them - and maybe that's what I'm remembering - and those are, presumably, 'always on'? But I'm sure the thing I have in my mind was switchable. I'll have a dig around and try to remember what it was on/how it worked. Ref magnets, I think that might be problematic. I think such magnets would have to be pretty strong - and that seems to me to be something you would want to avoid so close to the pickups and strings (and you certainly wouldn't want your cover to become magnetised). I'll have a dig around in my memory banks for whatever it was I've seen in the past, but don't hold your breath...I generally can't even remember what I did an hour ago. What were we talking about?

I tRavel ～ Simple Minds

Today program on Radio 4 played out to Beck's Bolero

What Mama Said Jeff Beck RIP

Jeff Beck was a phenomena, a one-off. Like when Aretha Franklin died, there is no one comparable to take his place. I once heard Malcolm McLaren describe Jeff as the Paganini of the electric guitar, and I wouldn't disagree with that. Special talents like that don't come along very often. Jeff had his own unique voice on the guitar, and it was beautiful. There was always something challenging and edgy about Jeff's playing. All the way through his career that distinctiveness set him apart from most of his contemporaries. He will be sorely missed.

I've posted this before, but unfortunately my setup has settled into something that is exceedingly capable, if a little boring and I just haven't changed anything in years. Either digital or analogue, depending on mood.

I haven't looked inside but I in line with what others have said my V7 is quiet as a mouse tiptoeing while wearing velvet slippers.

Another unique voice gone. What a body of music to leave behind. Saw him a few times over the years - first was at the Royal Festival Hall in 2002, at various points he was joined by John McLaughlin and Terry Bozzio, then the White Stripes came out for the Yardbirds mini-set. Later Paul Rodgers did Going Down. What a gig. We were sitting the row behind a rowdy group of Vic Reeves, John Sessions, Damon Hill. Leaving the venue at the end, we clocked we were the row in front of Jimmy Page and Harvey Goldsmith.

Fender Boss to Fender Design Dept: "Let's have us a six string bass!" FDD: "That's gonna look like a cartoon next to the rest of our stuff". FB: "Do your best work". FDD: "Okay, you da Boss".

I am not sure why it is an issue - if you have £12k for a wal, buy it, you aren't hurting anyone, you aren't forcing other people to pay more for something. It is a crazy price to pay for something like that, but so are vintage fenders etc, all the time people buy them they will go up.

Do they drink it in the Congo?

This might not seem like the answer that you want, but... A lot of people, bass players in particular, struggle to understand harmony because they don't have a solid understanding of intervals (how two notes relate to each other) and basic triads first. It's going to be hard to get your head around 7th chord harmony and the devices that Marcus Miller is talking about if you skip over the much less exciting foundation work. A good starting point is to look up the intervals of the major scale (major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, major 6th, major 7th) and understand how those intervals are constructed (the musical spelling and grammar, if you like), how they're played on the bass, and how each one sounds. You don't necessarily need a resource that's aimed at bassists, and it can be helpful to work on some of this stuff at a piano/keyboard as it can provide an easier way to visualise certain things compared to the fretboard.

Cheese Electric - Oasis

I imagine another way of thinking about it is rather than walking off cos of a big list of issues, you had more important things going on than putting up with badly run childish nonsense of a band. Sometimes more important things are more important

So sorry to hear this - hope and pray that your dad improves. in my experience worship bands are often a bit (or more) dysfunctional because we are often a fairly random group thrown together through having musical skills - compared to a band that forms often from friendships and mutual interest. Our group often drives me nuts, but I think I’m there for a reason (also the oldest member by far) so I tough it out for a “higher purpose”. Sometimes though I’m sure it’s right to take a break. How they follow up with you will be important in knowing whether it’s right to return. Perhaps also as bassists we are more aware than most of timing precision, and of “serving the song” cos it’s what we do!!

"Just make sure it can't be mistaken for any of our other products."

Telephone call from Istanbul - Tom waits

Or I could change my playing technique to incorporate one of these.....

Just now wondering why this topic isn't called The Reggae Dread.

I would stick the foam to the bridge cover. And work out some sort of quick release for the entire bridge cover. I’m unsure on the specifics but should be doable

Burn Highway Star Knocking at your backdoor ... so hard to just choose a handful! But Burn is probably my favourite.

Thanks, should mention ( if it is not obvious by the condition) it was a FJ re-issue and not a 1968 one!

A 6 string Wal bass would cost you £3000 in 2012 (check on BC!). Today - when there are more of them in the world than that - it’s 4 times as much. Ask why it’s increased so much in value? By any metric, Wal basses are not rare. If you want one, they’re almost always for sale. It’s because the vintage industry has peaked in terms of pumping Fenders, and is now doing the same to Wals. We’ll probably see the same with PRS guitars at some point, and a load of 80s stuff that’s somehow now ultra-desirable. My point is that the prices are being pumped by guitar shops and dealers, and its customers who take a hit because they think these are rarer than they are and will continue to increase in value (no guarantees this is the case). Maybe it is pension cash coming through, people too rich to wait (nobody likes the thrill of the chase), or people assuming these are good investment vehicles. Tulips, innit.

God is Dead - Black Sabbath

I have found it immensely useful knowing the nominally flat settings on provided backline gigs. Plug in my pedal board and off to the races.

Well done! Hope you are proud of yourself 🤮

Still liking mine. I even have a little rampesque thing at the end of my fingerboard. You are correct, it is not a bass for slap. But I have not slapped in anger for..... I am not sure if I ever have.

I mostly suck my thumb while crying and wishing I learnt technique 45 years ago when I started playing. Then I think how would I have learnt technique on a short scale semi acoustic Antoria. I shall therefore watch other people play in awe and concentrate on making shapes on the fretboard my way.

A difficult one to call, but I think my favourite is .......................... And one of the best covers of Deep Purple's Highway Star is ..........................