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People are quick to moan, but I also like to be quick to praise where it is due. All sorts of grief with the DHL (Damage Handling Loons) over the delivery of my new Fender Precision after a phone dall from DHL to tell me theyd damaged it. George at Andertons was cool, told me not to worry, they'd sort out any damage. Just get it delivered then make an assessment and let him know immediately and he'd sort it. Fortunately the hard case and bass within were fine, it was just the packaging that DHL had mullered. I phoned George back to advise the bass had arrived undamaged, and thanked him for his reassurance. I mentioned that G had been cut a little short and as I tried to tune it beyond F it just slipped round the capstan. Well, not 20 hours a later a full set of spanking new Fender 45's drop through my letter box, fortunately delivered by a different company who didn't manage to drive a forklift over it. I'd have been happy with the one string, but a new set was a very pleasant surprise. Even better as I actually quite like Fender rounds. So top marks to Andertons. Reassuring on the phone, poised and ready to help refund/replace if the bass or case had arrived damaged, and super generous with the strings when I only needed the one. Well done. If anyone from Anderton's is reading this, thank you. You'll be top of the list next time I get a tax rebate that the missus doesn't know about and I go bass shopping.

So, yesterday, this arrived. Before we get to the photo, if anyone doesn't like pointy things, leave. There is nothing here for you but pain. I ordered this in 2021. How has it taken so long you ask? There was a thing called covid if I recall. Also, there were also hilarious parts problems on backorder for ages. Enough of that nonsense. What is it and where is it made then? Grainger basses and guitars are up near Peterborough, and around the time of one of the lockdowns they posted a bass in this shape that had a mad blue acrylic top. The cogs started turning. So, my idea was to have this wired like an Alembic Series 1 bass and it is. After chatting to Nuno at Lusithand about it I bought some filters off him (his stuff is great by the way - check out his site) with the caveat that it might not work. Undeterred, I sought the advice of the basschat massive and many thanks to @Hellzero who provided the Jack wiring diagram. Basically, the bass can be used stereo or mono with different jacks (like a Rickenbacker), but it's active with a filter and volume for each pickup also a pickup selector. So there's 2 jack outputs. I also got Darren and Gavin to make the bass modelling the neck on my own Alembics. They've done that amazingly precisely. Top and back is flame maple, body is walnut with headstock facings and neck strings. There is a touch of neck dive, but I've not used a wide strap yet. The bass is quite light as the upper wing is chambered. Naturally, I've got a hipshot on it for drop D and there's a brass Warwick Just a Nut too. Bridge is Babicz mono rails to accommodate the narrower spacing. Inlays are mother of pearl. Pickups are Nordstrand Zen Blades wired in parallel to keep as much top end as possible. The reason being is that Lusithand Filters go to 4kHz give or take, whereas Alembics go to 6.6kHz. So, does it sound like an Alembic? In a word, yes. If you want that John Entwistle 1982 Who bass sound, you'll get it. Or if you want a great clean sound it'll do that too. Darren, Gavin and Nuno were fantastic throughout this especially when there were wiring issues we had to resolve. If you're looking for a custom bass made by a British company (or anyone actually), then Grainger do really exceptional work. Also, Nuno at Lusithand makes really good preamps and pedals which are well worth checking out.

A bit late, but my new blues band played our first couple of gigs a week or so ago (Tapestry in Bradford on the Thursday & Venue 23 in Wakefield last Sunday), supporting Mick McConnell's (guitarist from Smokie) new blues rock band at both gigs. It all went really well for our first gigs and went down very well. It looks like it's going to be a good band with some top players. Just need to get some more gigs booked now...

Neck through. Sorry, I'll post a picture of the back.

Van's been found by the Police in a lock up. Gear was nearby...

The pedals I was waiting for (two compressors) arrived so I've now put my main board together. There's one more board to go; a certain sci-fi film series themed board but there's one pedal I'm waiting on which will hopefully be here in the next couple of weeks or so. I've finally got a board where I have an octave, fuzz, octave, fuzz chain (I actually quite like fuzz into octave even if logic suggests I shouldn't but now I don't need to choose). It's power-hungry (it needs three IEC cables) and the settings pictured reflect those decided by my bedcover when the pedals were upside down while I was wiring it, but after some twiddling it sounds good! The chain is: BP1 > BP1 Loop Send: Strobostomp > Opti-FET > Octabvre > Doom 2 > Subsonic > TAFM > Frantabit > MBD3 > Cave Bear > XD > Type Two > AFG-1 > ADG-1 SE > Slow Loris > DLA-2A > Nimbus SE > BP1 Loop Return > Element (underneath board)

I managed to acquire a Squire Mikey Way Mustang bass for a ‘reasonable-ish’ pice. Fit, finish and playability was excellent but the pickup sound woolly, lacked definition in the low end and just not great. So after Googling … I found pretty much nothing on swapping out the pup, where I did it suggest that it needs modding to fit, however after getting the dimensions of the EMG 35HZ and checking the pickguard it looked like it ‘might’ actually fit, so I ordered one and kept my fingers crossed It arrived today and it fits like a glove, easy install with the solderless pots and wires What a transformation, clear, articulate and punchy just need to add in some mids and it sounds ACE!!! If you’ve got a Mikey Way Mustang but frustrated with the sound then do not hesitate to pop an EMG in !!

Started using a new luthier recently and he takes a while but is really great! Old Stingray looking and sounding brilliant.

Musically I mean... I remember when this first came out in 87.... It was played on Radio 1 and various other stations endlessly.. I just cant imagine, even how epic this record is it would be played on mainstream radio stations today. Aids, Heroin, Crack, etc etc.. I just haven't heard a record this profound played on a mainstream music station in a long long time.... Sign O The Times.? Or maybe main stream music isn't as good as this anymore.

So, when Dave called me he initially said to "chuck it in the bin," which I wasn't really happy to hear. He then told me he was sending me a 'new' (returned) RM 800 as he had one that was perfectly operational but had been sent back and that it would take too long to work out the exact problem with my RM 500. I was astounded! The new amp arrived today, works flawlessly and I am one happy camper! Incredible customer service.

The only problem with Andertons is they keep a list of all the things you've bought over the years... I'm terrified the wife may find it one day...

Well I’ve succumbed and placed an order. Will report back once it arrives. 😊

If at all possible I do this as this way means I’m nearer the snare & hi-hat which makes it easier to lock in with the drummer. Plus the clumsy lead singer is unlikely to blunder into the headstock of my bass.

Yes, why does it always has to be the guy who has the responsibility for holding down the beat throughout the songs that gets to count in the tempo? Why can't everybody do their own count in? No one needs to tell me which tempo to play in! Polyrhythmics for the way!

What appeals to me Is the built in FX and that it can be used as an interface. Pretty much does it all for me at home and live. I may wait until after the ‘best amp ever’ lot put their’s up for sale 😂.

I have thickened my sound up in the past by adding a smidge of Octave and a smidge of drive. It doesn't need much, otherwise it sounds affected but just a bit of each will thicken the sound. Its also a very common recording technique to double track the bass and leave one clean and the second with a bit of drive to make a lovely warm, thick tone. I was shown this back in the late 90's by Mark Wallis who recorded It Bites, Travis, U2, Primitives albums etc. and have recorded this way ever since. Sting also did it in the Police but he doubled up with an electric bass and a double bass. More recently, I recorded with a fretless Precision with flats and then double tracked with a fretless Jazz with rounds. Created a nice kind of cello sound. So a smidge of Octave and a smidge of drive will add a nice thickness to your tone.

This morning the glue is hard. Hurray! That was close to being very annoying. 36 hours to cure is a loooong time though. I'm throwing away the containers, and have ordered more West System. It's a good reminder to measure exactly the two parts of the epoxy mixture, and to stir them together really really well. It's also a reminder to keep the mixing pot so you can check each batch has hardened. I use a paper espresso coffee cup. Phew😅

I used my new MIJ Mustang at rehearsal last night. Sounded great though a couple of buts. First I need to get some Ultralite tuners as it was dragging a bit on my shoulder towards the end. Second I really need to put some hours in on the thinner neck, on the more complicated parts of songs my fingers were falling over each other. For years I’ve played Precisions so am used to the wider necks, just got to get used to it which means hours & hours of playing - not a bad thing at all imo.

In the short breaks between eating fresh pasta and drinking prosecco, I started on carving the brace(s). There only one glued on for the moment: My plan is to have one jump over the other, rather than an X-brace which is glued together. Having shaped the first brace into a sort of conical shape, the handle of an iwasaki file was the perfect shape for the corresponding hole in the other brace: So they fit together like this: Clearly, that second brace has still got some work that needs to be done. Just a tad oversized.... Those iwasaki file are the nuts by the way. Hands down the best files I've used. Much better than the Dragon files that Stewmac sells. They create shavings rather than dust and leave a ridiculously smooth surface. Even the handles are the perfect shape.

I stand on the left or right. My preference is to be next to the high-hat, but I play with a couple of left handed drummers so that can change. When depping they might have other ideas, so I'll go where they put me.

The only part of that I liked was the Read Less option.

Also listed at Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_multi_stomp_ms_60b_590550.htm - £138 plus a tenner shipping, availability listed as "on request". The Bax listing now says "Delivery within approx 15 workdays" and it's down to £135.

Well. I'm pretty promiscuous when it comes to buying gear - I'll go with whoever takes my fancy at any given point. BUT. The experience of dealing with their customer service has meant I'm very happy to use Thomann again in the future. It was a bit of a faff taking loads of pics for them to claim against DHL but they were friendly and efficient in solving an issue. Honestly, cheap'n'cheerful products are only going to win you customers if the customer service is up to dealing with the issues and from my experience, it is.

As an aside I saw @ossyrocks in The Out and Out Blues Band yesterday doing a warmup gig in Lancaster. Really, really good. Two sets of blues, very tight band, no hesitation in recommending them to anybody who likes blues to go, watch and listen. As I was watching and listening, I was thinking Alan Price, Eric Burden, a bit of Dr Feelgood. The driving Hammond and Leslie organ were great, the drummer and lead guitarist worked together well. If only the bassist was up to scratch Just joking. All of the band worked together well. The mix was great, I could hear all the instruments really clearly, massive surprise as often the sound is garbage. @ossyrocks and the drummer put down a great rthymn section, surprised to see @ossyrocks singing as well. He's very good, not saying that because he's on the board, he really is very good. To be clear, the band are not a tribute band and had their own take on the songs. Two singers, one on harp, one on bass, a great keyboard player, drummer knew his stuff, hime and the bass were tight and a lead/rhythmn guitar who stayed out of the limelight and just got on with it without being flash. None of the band grandstanded, none of the band hogged the (very, very small) stage, the band were tight and loose This may have been a warmup gig, but I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Very few people there, so I had a table to myself and just watched and had a wonderful time. Thanks Rob

I sincerely hope for your health and safety's sake that your bandmate drummer has a lot more patience and restraint than I. A pedagogic approach of this nature would, at a minimum, be met by me with a deft drumstick through the offending metronome, and a fair few Anglo-Saxon words and phrases that would make my displeasure clear to all around. Still, if it works for you both...

I love Pick of the Pops on Radio 2. Currently hosted by Gary Davis. I always find any chart between 1977 and 1982 to be absolutely packed full of superb tunes, and some cracking bass lines. 1978 was one from last week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001y2kd?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Baker Street Wuthering Heights Night Fever Everyone’s A Winner Denis …oh and Brian and Michael’s Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs… I was 3 in 1978, so I think this period is fused with my early life and memories. But there did seem to be some high quality music in those five years.

Another company messing things up. Doesn’t even have Netflix, Boss really dont have a clue do they? 😂 I like it and am looking for a new head……hmmm…..🤔

At least they didn't let that fella from PMT demo it

Latest addition to my Ashpeg / Ampdown board is an Ampeg Liquifier chorus, courtesy of @Berserker. Rather a restrained board compared to a lot on here, but does what I want / need.

Absolutely wonderful sales pitch from Fender Japan: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-fsr-made-in-japan-elemental-jazz-bass-Nimbus-White/968563?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJTywcKXnuHvst8jrD3BJ6m0UKcevyaGgrJaDGSf2hVhHkrqbXRUaKBoCsUQQAvD_BwE 🤣

That looks cool!! I went for the English voicing

Very underrated basses IMO, but don’t tell everyone as they’re priced about right at the moment. Cool as f*ck too IMO, but many disagree.

I think you’ll be very happy. I run into either the hi or low gain input depending what I want to do - the hi gain giving more break up earlier on. And the EQ can be used to help as well - it’s subtle and not overbearing so pushing the bass for example will help load the valves without becoming mushy. HTH

I don't know why drummers insist on counting in the band. It's not the drummers responsibility to keep the band in time. I wish more drummers and musicians recognised that. If he can't stay in time with the rest of the band he needs to go away and practice drumming.

Buy a tandem and get a friend/your partner to hold the combo while you steer at the front !! 😂 Seriously a trailer seems the best option John 😎

I think it was @Bassfinger having a sneaky quip following recent posts on neck shimming ala little bit of something at the back of the pocket v's full pocket wedge shim and the possibility and associated causes of the 'ol Ski Jump neck etc... I don't belive twas a slight to you. For info my Ibby GSR200 does the same...

It's a crack. I got it for £228 as it was b stock but they've offered to replace for new and they'll take it up with DHL as the box has a great big hole in it!

A Dremel with a polishing wheel and a dab of fine cutting compound such as Meguiar's Ultimate Compound will take it to another level again If using steel wool mask off your pickups, or you'll never get it off