Leaderboard

First time out for the recently formed Just two songs at a small open mic (and we had not yet learned the words!) but it was well received and a load of fun. I spent the rest of the evening enjoying the other performers and co-running the sound system. S'manth x

Sweet bass, real nice find. I've just seen this thread, the bass sounds awesome. You have original soldering on the pots so its almost 100% certain the pickups have never been out or fiddled with. I can tell you exactly what happened with the bridge. At some point an owner took the neck off - for whatever reason, probably to adjust the truss rod. When they put the neck back on and re-strung, they noticed the strings weren't aligning evenly down the bass and treble sides of the fretboard. Something they probably never even thought of before, let alone noticed - and then they couldn't remember if the E and G strings were always like that - so they panicked and their conclusion was..."the guy at the factory didn't mount the bridge dead centre in the middle". So they moved the bridge to what they thought was the "correct" position. Problem solved, E and G strings both the same distance from the edge of the fretboard. A global rookie mistake - I've owned more than one P Bass or Jazz with two sets of holes under the bridge. The stupid part? It's not a commonly shared set-up technique, but when attaching the neck, before fully tightening the neck mounting screws, you string up. Then you check that the E and G are equidistant from the fretboard edges. If one string is closer to the edge, all you gotta do is pull the neck by grasping it around fret one towards the side that has the bigger gap between the string and the fretboard edge. Then once you've eyeballed it and it looks good, you tighten down the neck bolts. The bridges were never mounted off-centre by mistake - they used jigs to drill all the main holes on the body and neck. Neck pockets will have a tiny amount of play - even if a neck pocket is super tight, you can still tweak it a fraction to either side to align the strings perfectly. Anyhoo, killer bass you got there, nothing like an early 70's with the B width neck. I just picked up a 73 - the thing was buzzing out everywhere, truss rod was all wrong, and the the G was almost off the edge of the fretboard. I don't know if the seller was a player or not, but this thing was unplayable. Sitting in its glorious original case. But a couple of turns on the truss rod, an alignment of the neck before tightening the bolts and a re-intonation and it is incredible. Ten minutes and no re-drilling of the bridge lol... The photo being taken from slightly above actually makes it look like I haven't aligned the strings..made me laugh after the alignment issue I described...

Spotted in my local rehearsal studio: 🤣

I've played gigs in several states that I'm not prepared to admit to, but one strangely pleasant memory concerns the two Easter gigs I played shortly after prostate cancer surgery in 2015. The first was on Good Friday, at a pub about a mile from home. The band carried my gear in for me, and I sat on a bar stool while playing, but was still in too much pain to play well. The second was at a pub about 200 yards from home. After the experience of the previous night, I loaded myself with painkillers and again used a bar stool. Being in my local pub, quite a few people knew about my surgery and bought me drinks to keep me going. A few songs into the first set, I was just sitting there and enjoying the music, totally detached from reality. I remember thinking that the bass player was quite good, and I remember wishing that I could play like that. Then I looked at my hands but didn't make the connection between them and the bass playing. After the gig, people kept coming up to me and telling me how relaxed I looked.

After unexpectedly having the chance to try out a Fender Mustang last week I got enthusiastic about buying one for myself, or at least something similar like the Squier Rascal, as a complete change from my conventional J and MM big boys - fast fingering, low weight, what's not to like? Sanity prevailed when I remembered my rapidly diminishing bank account (two privately rebuilt teeth recently = £2k) and the fact that I still had that old Fenton Weill bass up in the loft that I was given in 1974 - vintage even then! - surely that was a shorty and worth another try before splashing more cash? When I was first given it the poor old thing had a very tatty dark maroon finish, a cracked scratch plate and two non-functioning tuners. Nowadays that might have added value by making it 'road-worn' but back then I had no qualms about restoring it. The paint was stripped back to natural wood, the whole thing polyurethane lacquered, the tuners were all replaced, new pot-knobs fitted and I had a new scratch-plate made by Taffy, a very clever tech in Yeovil where I was living at the time. It was my only bass until '79, when I splashed out on a new Jazz, at which point it went into storage. So I recovered it from the loft last week 44 years later, fitted a new set of Tru-Bass strings and plugged it into my Cube 100w combo for a trip down nostalgia lane. Wow! The very punchy sound from those twin PUPs was still there, the 30" neck and floating bridge were a pleasure to play on and it still looks (to me) amazing for a 60-year-old bass. Downsides? Well, it weighs in at 10lb (4.5 kilos)so it's no lightweight and the neck is pretty narrow (40mm at the nut) - not for the sausage-fingered, I think, although fine for my cute little mitts! It's going on-stage this weekend, should be fun. Does anyone else play one of these or anything similar? Here are some pix of the beast...

I just wanted to throw this out there rather than burying it in the 'What are you listening to...' thread. Now then. My wife picked me up from the station last week and for some reason was playing Supertramp in the car. I'm familiar with the main singles (Dreamer, Give A Little Bit, Logical Song, Take the Long Way Home, Breakfast In America), but to be honest I've never done a deep dive on them. Oh. My. I'm genuinely shocked at how good this is. The weirdness is what I can hear in there that isn't too far removed from what came after. The Bee Gees-esque harmonies, how much of a debt Built To Spill owe them. Elements of Public Service Broadcasting. I'm only going forward from Crisis, What Crisis? It's all subtly brilliant. Enjoying these immensely.

Finally had the full dozen basses at home again so had them recline on the orange sofa again. Had to use the wide angle lens on my iPhone so it's not the prettiest photo ever. But still. Top, from left to right: Sadowsky MetroExpress JJ5, Lakland USA JO, Fender CS '64 LE Jazz, 1966 Fender Jazz, Fender Standard Jazz fretless, De Gier Bebop 5 Bottom, from left to right: Yamaha BB N5II, Blade B2 Tetra Bass, 1971 Fender Precision, De Gier Soulmate, Fender JMJ Mustang, Sterling Ray34 with Boekholt fretless neck

I’ve got one. All original as far as I’m aware. Don’t play it as often as I’d like because I tend to use my Mustang. Really fond of it though. Affectionately known as Martian Cricket Bats in some quarters.

I think that if you're playing rock'n'roll you have to make sure you're both rocking and rolling... So I have two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.

Music was always my thing , played trumpet as a kid , did all the grades , youth big bands and orchestra then got into rock got a bass went to basstech then got into jazz git a double bass , did the post grad course at guildhall 2003, been making a living playing since , tbf the first 5 years were pretty hand to mouth but I was young and had low outgoings and it's built up and up , this week I've got background jazz function in a central London members club tonight, Thursday a jazz gig in Annecy France , friday 606 jazz club in Chelsea on bass guitar , Saturday festival gig with an original band on bass guitar, Sunday jazz festival gig nr Naples It's a fairly average summer week for me although I'd have a few weddings I realize I'm lucky to have had that formal education and encouragement from my parents and it's been hard and tbh I don't think I could switch to it now with a mortgage and 2 kids but it works for me

Hey folks! I thought this wild looking thing would interest some of you! it’s a 1979 Ray in a very aged and rare Inca silver. Apparently there were less than 200 of these made (some say 153) out of 25,000 pre Ernie Ball basses! so i feel pretty lucky to have snagged one! I’d love to know your opinion on Mojo vs case queens! What’s your preference??

So, at rehearsals the other night I had difficulty tightening the bolt that holds the vertical section of the stand. A quick investigation showed this Given that this bolt is used frequently, I’ve replaced it with a bicycle seat post quick release which is working better than the original imho. Just sharing here in case anyone else encounters the same issue 😎

This series took me from not being able to slap properly at all to being sort of OK in a few weeks. I'll never be Marcus Miller or Victor Wooton though.

His guitar pal Ray Russell posted this on Facebook: "There wasn’t a gap of two days between either Mo or I calling each other. Once he was with Frieda of ABBA in Sweden, I was in Italy with Greg Walsh we spent evenings on the phone from music to surreal humour. Fifty years has gone by from playing with Jimmy Helms in Spennymoor to now waiting by a bedside of a man brave in death. "I held his hand, kissed him, said my goodbyes and he fell into a deep sleep. Six hours later he had slipped away hopefully to join the famous others who have left us. From now on Thunder will be laughter and rain will be tears of joy. I know I will see him, the back of his head walking somewhere but I won’t shout out, it won’t be real. "I feel confronted by a sea of exclusion, where to jump. The person that made trousers flap and out the groove right in the middle and facilitated strong melody lines as his own songs and what we wrote together prove. There will be posts of what musical heights Mo achieved and he was a master but also a master at making the most awful things funny. "Most of all, he was the closet two only children have been brothers. I feel that a part of me has disappeared like a land slide, a voice I will remember I hope until it’s my turn. My Brother in arms, Fuzzy Bear, Mo-Jo. Two thirds of my life I have loved you and that will never change. On Earth you have educated people to the nature of musicians. And never suffered fools gladly. Your values and integrity were emblazoned on anything you wrote and played and composed. You said a death was like a library burning. Although this was symbolic, I can feel the heat from here. An empty chair, a lead waiting to be attached to the Bass and amp that will remain silent. But you will remain long past the song has ended."

Its a just a few home truths. Some of us have done it and we speak the truth. As a side note, technically speaking. The renowned West End bassist Steve Pearce has often said. 'This game isn't about chops (that shld be a given) its about these two things. 'Reading fluently and personality'. If you can read anything without rehearsal and ur phone rings constantly because your the easy going efficient guy everyone wants to be with, then you can earn a very good income from playing bass......anything outside of that....forget it.

Crime of the Century is a must have record

thank you to all of you for your input. So it's more accurate to call it an '81 Precision in that case - that's cool because that is my YOB! Yes it's a bit of a boat anchor at 4,9Kg but I mostly play sitting down. I know Fenders from this era aren't that highly regarded but im really digging this bass so far.

Love and infection Joan A

I'm aware of a rock band, above average profile, lots of radio play, chart albums, support big names, play big festivals regularly, tour in their own name and can get a few thousand people in a venue. One of them also does ordinary pub gigs as a duo/band, another one has a day job to sustain his new family. I'm sure the others do as well. It's hard work.

SATURDAY Up at around 10am. Had a coffee and then filled the car with all of the gear for the day's exertions. I wasn't looking forward to Saturday very much. Two gigs in one day, both with a full rig and PA set-up to do. I've had radiotherapy recently and that, as well as a Covid booster on Monday, are flattening me. I arrived at Atherton Collieries AFC at 11.30am, as the fun day started at 12 noon. The weather did not look promising. There were lots of clouds and it looked like it might rain. I wasn't feeling too good about all this, but got on with the job, instead of moaning about it.. Our guitarist Ian arrived next. He unloaded his gear and was then made to take his car out of the grounds. There was really no need for that. There was masses of space and a row of cars parked not far away. He could have parked there with the others. I butted my car up to my side of the pagoda that we were hiding from the weather under. It didn't have any side panels and the wind would have blown us all over the place. Someone looked at me to move it and I pointed out that it was a windbreak and to protect us from the rain. Graham arrived and stuck his car on the other side of the stage area. We moved some large bins so his car could fit in the gap. The PA had to sit outside the pagoda. Ian put an overcoat over one of the PA speakers. Eventually a side panel was found for the pagoda and we tied it on and I trapped it in my car windows to try to keep it firm. It still blew around like crazy, but at least the little burst of rain that inevitably happened didn't get onto the gear. I covered the PA speaker on my side and I wasn't at all happy with the wind. There was now a rear panel attached too. This all hadn't been thought out. A single extension cable came to us from inside the clubhouse. I put my circuit breaker plug first in line. Our first spot was largely ignored by the punters, as they were around the corner from us, outside the main clubhouse, or just inside it. We played well enough on the whole, though Graham was on the CBD and wasn't feeling at his best, and we also made a couple of changes from the normal set. A quick video call to Chris in the break regarding the book. Everything appears to be approved. Our 'rather abridged' (shortened) second spot was pretty much the same, though we did have some people watching, as the weather had brightened up a bit. We interestingly seamlessly missed a whole section out of Tell Him (the 'Ever since the world began' bit and the last verse) and nobody noticed. The wind had really got itself together and the PA speaker on my side started to go over. Luckily a couple of our mates, Kenny and John, managed to avert a gear disaster. I have to thank them for that. We broke the gear down quickly enough. The next band were on at 5pm and we learned that they would be playing indoors. Typical. They are keen to have us next year. IF WE CAN PLAY INSIDE, PLEASE. The other afternoon events we are doing this year are all organised with the PA and drum kit provided, so I won't have to put the PA together at those. They will be nice to do. I will just be able to put my bass rig in place and play. Heaven. I was back home at about 4.30pm and settled on the sofa. At 7.30pm, I pulled myself together and went off to Lowton for the evening's gig. I was there just before 8 and Graham was already loading in. I just felt shattered. But I had a job to do. We set up. Graham had managed to have a sleep inbetween, so was feeling a lot fresher than I was. Graham and I had a brief discussion about which way the band should be angled on stage. One option would have left me with practically no room and the stage is a bit of a bass trap, amplifying the low end ridiculously, so I had suggested we didn't use the bass bins. That helped a lot. I kept my amp rig right back in a corner and it didn't really rumble too much. I have had to get it on a chair before now to stop it taking over the whole soundscape. The evening gig was an entirely different affair to the earlier gig. We had a packed pub, did a slightly altered set and played with a lot more enthusiasm. The crowd loved it. I was bushed, but the only real mistakes were forgetting to sing the last line on a chorus on the Boys Are Back In Town and a pink torpedo-up of sorts in Do wah diddy, where I missed a final section of the song out and just extended the next to last chorus. I put that down to being really really tired, as well as us not playing the song often enough. We came away with a very large tip and I was home before 1am. Bed immediately. A quick read and then off to sleep. SUNDAY I first woke up with my alarm at 10am and snoozed it. 10 minutes later I got up and went to the bathroom and perfomed my ablutions... and then I went back to bed. I woke up a few times, eventually rising at 12.20. I went upstairs and did this blog for the last couple of days. Last night's venue messaged me to reclaim 'the large tip'. It was a staff error. I responded positively, saying I had said it was more than I was expecting when being paid, but, as I had said to the lady who paid us, I didn't have my diary on me at the time. We have the jam night later on, so one last heroic heave and my weekend's work will be over. An afternoon of walking dogs on the park, TV and resting. I got to the jam night at 6.15pm, despite road works and set about beavering away straightaway at doing the setup. I chased cables to the far side of the room for stage left and stage right power. I got my gear in and the PA cabs and stands and the mixing desk and monitor. Also 3 instruments and a large Stanley 3 level tool box full of cables etc. I had finished doing my bit, setting the PA up and my gear, so we were ready to start at 7.10pm. The stage wasn't lit properly as I forgot the lights. I was too rushed and forgot to get some of them out. I have too many jobs. As I rushed round frantically, setting up, I listened to the other guys warming up on their instruments, while my stuff was still in cases and i was still putting things together. The jam night was what it was. Some new blood again, and really promising stuff. https://fb.watch/lz7MbGP1OV/ At the end of the night I broke the PA and my gear down and got it to the door. It took me 40 minutes of non stop running around to do it on my own. Me and Graham had our gear down and ready to go at the same time. Thanks to Nigel and Ryan for their kind help with Graham's gear. I was utterly shattered after breaking the gear down and loading it out. I'm going to have to make a decision on our jam nights. They are a lot of work and I'm just not sure I'm up to the effort it takes at the moment.

Not only do they make, in my opinion, the best bass amplifiers, but if you’re lucky enough call in and see them, they are the most amiable, passionate and generally awesome people you could ever wish to meet. I purchased a pretty tired EVO II 500 combo from here recently, at a bargain price. I took it apart, cleaned the cab and vacuumed it out, and took the amp stage into Ashdown for a service and replacement parts. Unbelievably lovely people, unbelievable value repairs and this old ABM now sounds absolutely stellar. I had one years ago, and totally loved it, but mistakenly, I went down the smaller, lighter, more expensive rig route, and could never recreate my sound. The band never forgave me for it. Now, this 20yr old EVO II has a new lease of life, and according to Dave Green, another 20yrs in it at least. I’ll never go for another brand, they are my sound. A small British company, with a big heart, made up of awesome people, building awesome amps. Proper amps.

Can the Fender experts here please tell me if this bass is all original. I have plenty of experience with basses, but this is my first Fender! It looks all original to me, but I'm just making guesses. That said, the straplocks are Schaller so im fairly certain they arent original. Albeit Musicman were using rebranded Schaller tuners at the same time.... So I'm pretty sure this is a '79 Fullerton....

I'd be all over a 32" P Bass, I reckon it would feel just right for me.

Another vote for "Crime" from me, though "Crisis" and "Quietest Moments" are still very good. Check out also "Songs of the Century"; it's a compilation of Supertramp covers, performed by some interesting combinations of musicians. Crime of the Century is Rick Wakeman Tony Levin Billy Sherwood Scott Connor It's excessive (Wakeman!) but worthwhile, and there's no doubting the musicianship. Levin lands the first off-beat bass pulse (A) in the final ⅓ of the song in a far less ambiguous way than Dougie Thomson on the original...

Some proper party animals on here. I've had to cut back quite a lot on my bass playing. It was interfering too much with my ability to drink.

For bass solo, see above, for bass led instrumental probably... Or possibly...

Money. As long as I'm getting paid properly I'll find the energy to perform.

I cannot attest to BD’s service and despite the honesty of all BCers, the comments on here cannot properly be calibrated. You have to make your own mind up. My beef with them was a criticism of a manufacturer that they did not sell, that seemed spiteful. One of the things I learnt in my working life was never to criticise your competitors. If you do, you may allienate all their happy customers.

I'm a huge fan of all British Supertramp albums, I mean everything before Breakfast in America, they were really excellent with great harmonies and over the top compositions. Crime of the Century is certainly my favourite album. It took me years to be able to listen to Breakfast in America as it's been overheard.

I guess we've all had our moments. I have thought myself to have been incredibly fortunate over the years. I am very aware that the operative word is fortunate.

So not many people do it as a living as I can see. My dream of becoming a full time musician is crushed by you basschatters 😅. I understand the long hours and hard work which I don't mind( spent 15 years of my 40 in kitchens ).as for earnings I would need around 2k to 2.5k(roughly 30k a year) a month to be comfortable and as I can see its not the easiest. In tge past I used to be a signed musician and have never actually made alot of money from it but cost of living etc was different and had no family commitments, but I have managed to collect alot of stuff to actually open a music studio which is something I had in mind for a bit alongside playing live. Perhaps is time for me to find a different job and then build from thst by playing weekends etc. It's actually really sad that so many of us actually struggle to play bass for a living

It's tough , I'm retired with a pension. However, I still need my band income as a supplement to make ends meet. Daryl

It depends, there are so many variables. Your location, your age and what type of band your in and the market for live music. I won't get into the weeds with this . I'll tell you how it works in my neck of the woods. Even where I live where there is plenty of work for bands that know how to get it. You'd have to work your butt off playing 3- 4 times a week to make 12 grand a year. Blue

I've been listening to Sugar and Bob Mould today. Bloody love it.

I played my first bluegrass gig at a festival on Saturday and Sunday. I'm primarily a jazz player but got involved in bluegrass when the mandolin player saw me at a jazz gig and after a few rehearsals I became part of the band for this festival and one in September. I had to learn 26 songs but it was great fun playing with really good musicians and it certainly keeps you on your toes since the arrangement that was rehearsed may not be what happens on stage, very common in bluegrass so you have to listen carefully. Great weather and a decent crowd and I'm looking forward to the next time. I used my Yamaha SLB 200 instead of my DB, easier to haul around and easier for the sound guys to deal with. Quite a few bluegrass bass players have gone to EUB's especially for outdoor gigs, it doesn't have the visual impact of a DB but it's more practical. It was at a large campground on a beautiful river and In the photo things look pretty "rustic" but it was a great place to play and the sound system was superb. 😊

Shame to see there are a few comments that immediately went down a route the OP was clearly trying to avoid. Given that, maybe it’s not surprising they’ve not been forthcoming with further info. I’m sure the OP feels far more enlightened now some have suggested losing weight. Im sure that had never occurred to them before. 🙄

Ah, the Socket-Shagger. One to avoid.

A thing to remember is that if you want to be twice as loud you'll have to increase power by a factor of ten. To buy a pair of 2x10s and then strangle them with a low power tube amp will simply not get you anywhere. You have to balance the capabilities/needs of your speaker cabinets with the power you give them. I haven't used 30W amps since the Sixties! That said I do use a full tube pre-amp to drive my power amp.

I did that one too cato, quite a good video I thought

I'm up for the spare!

If everyone is paying for it then I don't mind !!!😝