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Busy Bandeoke in Bristol last night.

A bit late, but here are some photos from our gig supporting Byronic Sex & Exile 2 weeks ago: BTW our next gig supporting Aurelio Voltaire on November 5th is now sold out, so if you haven't bought a ticket you won't get in.

While I appreciate it’s not the spec the OP is looking for at all, just to demonstrate how versatile Jon is, here’s a 30” 5 string he built recently, obviously in the trad Fender tradition. What a cool bass! Si

Snatched a few minutes to finish the cab build from the bass bash. A few minor faults caused by rushing things as I was talking but nothing a bit of filler won't sort . Hopefully it can be filled and painted this weekend.

Last night I did a little bit of work to kick the can down the road... 1) fitted new bridge - I have nothing against the BBOT per se, but I do have a problem with it when it's got rattly springs that I can hear reverberating when I pluck a string. Giving a cheapo Guyker £19 Amazon job a go. Kinda like those part threaded saddles. 2) Drilled out a hole for the three way switch in the Jag's control plate. It was late, so I did it by hand. Which took a predictably long time, but at least it was quiet.

For what its worth I played a 77 black maple all thru the 80's and it was a very poor instrument. Heavy and weedy sounding. Not all vintage that glistens is gold.

My daughters' music teacher once told me "if you can't play it slowly, then you won't be able to play it fast."

Erm, Bloodstock, Download, Leeds, Reading, Glastonbury, Bearded Theory, Stonedead, Call of the Wild ??

PIckguard came, and I'd also ordered a blackSung Il BB404 bridge. Fitting the bridge was a bit squeaky bum time as I was still not sure where the 19mm spacing would throw the strings off the neck much. Working something out in theory is one thing, but practical application is often quite the other. I think it's turned out quite nice. Added an ADE string tree and used the same hole as the old disc tree so there's no un-needed holes in the headstock. One thing I completely missed and/or forgot, I didn't order black pg screws and black strap buttons. I actually like the silver pg screws, and still in 2 minds about the buttons. No biggy if I want to change tho.

Spare parts arrived today, with full and clear step-by-step replacement instructions, cleaning wipes, stickers, screen protector, along with the new screen. Although a little fiddly, it's now back to new. Peterson tuners went above and beyond.

Never had a formal lesson, but the best informal one was from my Mum, and had nowt to do with music. "Turn up on time and be nice." It's my ability to do both that has got me in more bands than my musical acumen IMHO.

Bought this recently becuase I needed a 2nd bass, I have my P (first ever bass) but wanted something with a different tone, and my favourite ever bassist (Roger Lima from Less Than Jake) plays them pretty much exclusively. I was going to get a Stingray but when I found out that Roger plays a USA Sterling I started looking into it. I have quite short arms and fingers so thought the smaller body and slimmer neck might be good (tried a jazz bass and hated it). Went to try this one and it fitted like a glove, I just couldn’t believe how comfy it was. Considered it for a day or so as this is only my second bass and a lot of money for me but in the end I went for it. In very good condition for a 2007 bass, the body has some minor marks and a couple of chips in the back (which I will touch up) but the frets are almost perfect and the neck/head perfect. it came with a pearl pick guard but included the original black one too so I fitted the black one which I prefer. Took it apart a bit to polish the frets and all the metalwork, set the neck and check the intonation, everything works perfectly And it sounds AMAZING. Apparently the pickup/preamp drives harder than a Stingray but never played a Ray a/B with this one so wouldn’t know. Turn the bass and mids up a bit and it’s just wonderful (novice so not sure how to describe it - just fat with a rounded zing?). Not really sure there’s a lot of difference between the 3 pickup selector options, it doesn’t drastically change the sound. Unfortunately one of the strap lock button on the Schaller locks I bought for it was faulty so waiting for Bass Direct to send me another (they were great) and some new strings on the way too. Need to raise the action on the A string as it’s a bit low compared to the rest but need to get the proper imperial size Allen key for it.

Damn you FaceBook, why have you brought this to my attention? https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/atelier-z-baby

1428 That's now how many FREE accurate bass transcriptions (in standard notation) are available on my website https://tomreadbass.co.uk I uploaded 57 charts today including 32 brand new transcriptions. Including: 1-2-3 - Gloria Estefan - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_215748a3dd2040a59d8b33ff484ea2ad.pdf Apache - Shadows - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_5e9851bfcbae4a2782afd752d10ad899.pdf Born Under A Bad Sign - Albert King - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_da502049e6cf45c4b9fce13ad37821dd.pdf California Blue - Roy Orbison - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_0bde5676a4214f9bb28b0d922d1d590a.pdf Desperado - Eagles - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_4d26edca01a74560b68a2656b99bba65.pdf Do You Love Me? - The Contours - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_6f8a9b03019d47438c1b652a3910f8ae.pdf Eternal - Johnny Hates Jazz - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_b86642207ea4472b8c5cda20aad9e1a9.pdf Evergreen - Barbra Streisand - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_3da3fce60bf64565be8d8e61bdcb1f35.pdf Foot Tapper - Shadows - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_2e19c5c360554eaab1cf6ea4353bb856.pdf Forever Autumn - Justin Haywood - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_4100096e431842ddbeaa80b3ef42bca1.pdf From Me To You - Beatles - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_1d607a818c4843e098155757c875d5e5.pdf Hideaway - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_d8360b791a3e49b2b88d81100c677ccf.pdf How Long? - Ace - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_af207386e2b742a1a17c7c79b7fc9b88.pdf I Drove All Night - Roy Orbison - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_5aa0a055e29b40ffa7419a442d3b3f19.pdf I Wanna Hold Your Hand - Beatles - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_5e15406d5cdb46f19493ae469caa249a.pdf I'm Still Waiting - Diana Ross - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_db8ea8232b124a33adf784c629f052ed.pdf It's Late - Ricky Nelson - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_0d9596bc2e314661aba2b440215c6077.pdf Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_c004bf587037432492fade3d1aef8b4f.pdf Let It Be Me - Everly Brothers - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_b1af538e909249bb86d26c2946f01a50.pdf Let Me Go - Gary Barlow - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_3c6c79f8bb2b47b4af035feb0f271e37.pdf Long Time Gone - Crosby, Stills & Nash - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_bd2b95d37d9d480bbdf6e6f31483d9ea.pdf Lost For Words - Pink Floyd - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_2a71ee39f94740cfa30bace91a47e02c.pdf Mean Woman Blues - Roy Orbison - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_7d2fe7136a1e4b6584e2f44f6ee0e5da.pdf My Heart Belongs To My Daddy - Cole Porter - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_6877af269bc14c53b7695f5314e3cebf.pdf Nathan Jones - Supremes - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_5bb62c7461b94dd18a8e57763730ebb4.pdf Not Alone Anymore - Traveling Wilburys - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_3a0c4eb50e1d4e2780903542d15f6cbc.pdf Penny Arcade - Roy Orbison - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_d6488d52a37a4f1791dab37d693967cf.pdf Smoke From A Distant Fire - Sanford Townsend Band - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_fea2b366ae534daab399a0b47eddf5e7.pdf Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_301f70cde67749168c622235f32a21c7.pdf The Secret Garden - Quincy Jones - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_c8a197d2d20b4b6c9a10c47ee25b0281.pdf The Way We Were - Gladys Knight & The Pips - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_4657824456194e8eb528df574a052575.pdf To Love Somebody - Bee Gees - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_b87baf7a52db4854b2f42c3eb1ad669a.pdf With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston & Syreeta - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_e08c93e4b0814233979cf0bd77eb92d6.pdf You Alone - Sarah Hart - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_0646160395ee49b9ac1b3ade7d534eed.pdf You Got It - Roy Orbison - https://www.tomreadbass.co.uk/_files/ugd/238d8f_f66b27d0aaa14f4cab6a20fac286747f.pdf

Ok so black strap locks fitted, also some black control knobs and black screws for the pick guard. Looks a lot neater now. What do you think?

This fills me with so much anxiety haha Si

I was going to say the same! I have a great bitsa P I put together that doesn't get played, but that green....

Totally my approach - I guess my initial reaction was 'I don't want to lose my luscious Darkglass ADAM tones, or spend too much dough on amps (since I don't have any right now, ramping up from bedroom player phase)'. Luckily, there's solutions for both - either 'just' get the powered 250ACT speaker to use with the Darkglass, or get a full whack amp (500w combo, or Unity Elite 700 + 2x10 cab). And yeah, I do not think I'd need the 2nd cab now, so purely for visuals and that reassurance that I can cover anything, but once I cool down, admittedly zero need for the extension cab yet. I'm looking forward to Monday, meeting Blackstar HQ! They replied super quick and offered to show me around and let me try some stuff; I've also learnt from one of their videos that they actually based the distortion channel on the Darkglass B7K, which sounded very familiar! We shall see... Ander.

With buyers, yes, it's popular. What other "shop" offers a full range of low-value items, and second hand obscure books and CDs? With sellers, I think that it is less popular, given the number of problems that have been shared here. I suspect that is why ebay has offered virtually free selling - they need sellers to attract buyers. Certainly it's not because of the goodness of their hearts that they are offering discounted prices for sellers!

Reviving this to say I’ve now managed to compare the Octabvre MKII, Mini and MKIII and I much prefer the first two. The MKIII is quite different and I’m really not keen on it. I own the Mini at the moment but would dearly love to get the MKII again. (Really wish I hadn’t sold mine when chasing the latest shiny new thing.) Also finally got an OC-2 and get it now.

My best informal lesson was also from my mum. I had been playing a few months, and was showing her what I could do. Her response? “Can you do it with your mouth closed?” Also +1 with being on time and nice. I think it was Guy Pratt who attributed a lot of his success to being someone that people wanted in the room.

Clean electrics, neck good. Lovely nitro checking. Pix for those not on FB. EB-0

The band I was in at school had a 3 piece brass section (all jazzers) and parts were provided for all the songs. In amongst the Stax and Chess songs we threw in some Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. I not only learnt to read music but learnt how to play with other musicians, good technique and playing the groove. I learnt 90% of what I know in that band. The best musical lesson? Play with guys who are better than you.

A new bass day! A gorgeous 1973 Mustang, in cracking condition, from Andy Baxter. I think I'm in looooove (with the bass, not with Andy, although he is indeed a lovely chap 🤣)

Ryan Gosling doesn’t do it for me.

Hello all. It's been some time since I have owned a bass (2 Years), that situation has finally been resolved. Long story short My US Musicman Stingray was stolen shortly after I went through a divorce, where I lost my house and my job all at the same time. I literally couldn't afford anything beyond sustenance. I sort of have some semblance of a life again after 2 and a bit years, though Rent is extortionately expensive and I don't see it getting any easier ever... But life goes on! Managed to get a bit of cash together to Paypal Pay in 3 on this bass. I felt that getting a bass was more important for my mental health at this point. (Don't worry, I have a large emergency fund and some savings, I just don't like to outlay all at once). Made in Ukraine Stas Pokotylo PJ bass. Clearly a Fodera copy, but with a different headstock. Stas has no website, but conducts business through Email and his Social Media pages. Stas Pokotylo (Стас Покотило) (@guitars.sp) • Instagram photos and videos Mahogany Body Maple Neck with Rosewood board. Bolt on 24 Fret neck, Medium/Jumbo ish frets. Very heavy duty bridge. Not a clue what it is. Wilkinson Closed Machineheads. EMG P-J active pickups with no pre-amp. Roughly 7.5lbs in weight, Though this was taken on a very dodgy set of scales... regardless, it is light! I needed to take apart the bass, clean, reassembly and set it up when it came in as the action was pretty high (Though it seems to have been by choice as the Truss rod position was perfect for low action). Dropped the saddles and all seems well. Very little buzz from the frets if any. I am not a fan of the P-J combination usually, but this is surprisingly pleasant sounding after changing the pickup heights a bit. The Jazz pup surprisingly overpowers the P pickup for a change, which is better to my ears. It has a nice clangy tone with the Tone control all the way up, bring the tone down it has a really nice and wiry finger funk sound. The strings that it came with seem to be used standard gauge nickels. The condition of the bass in the photos is not representative of what it is like in real life, there are more dinks and scratches than I realised. I get the feeling the bass was un-played for quite sometime during it's life and probably stored in a bin liner in a moisture laden basement due to the dings all over and the slightly rusty screws. I cleaned off all of the rust on the screws and replaced the Pickup screws for new ones. There were a couple of sharp dents in the fingerboard which I used the Soldering Iron/Wet Tissue trick on and they are much less noticeable now (It didn't effect playability, just cosmetic). The Low E tuner is quite crusty so will be taking it apart to check out the gearing and get some lube inside it. The nut is a little skew whiff in terms of alignment of the strings, but for now is perfectly usable for the time being. It is certainly a lightweight bass considering it is of mahogany construction. I was very surprised with the pleasant weight. Plenty of sustain at the low end. No Dead spots or wolf notes. Whilst it is a bass of few features and built to a price point, it is clearly a quality made instrument. I believe Stas Pokotylo makes the basses for Jinjers Bass player. I might drop Stas a message to find out a little bit more about this bass, including it's age and original spec. So in conclusion, it's a fantastic bass for the money which needed/needs some TLC, It was certainly made with some care and attention. I am happy with the pickup sounds and I don't see the need for a pre-amp. The Playability is very very good and is on-par with my old USA Musicman Stingray. This bass will certainly last for many years to come Short term I would like to get the strings replaced with some Nickel 40-95's and the Pots replaced with something a bit meatier as the current ones seem a bit crusty (I believe these are 425k rated, not sure what brand they are all I can see is the T on the pot with a wiggly character next to it, any recommendations? Long term, I may try and get it refinished (Just a sand back and reapplied clear finish) So yes there it is! Not something you see everyday. It definitely scratches my Vincen Garcia itch as it can certainly cop that tone despite the reverse P and active pickups. Will I keep it long term? Hard to say, I did actually go into buying a bass that was Passive and Fender USA Jazzish... But came out with this instead. We'll see how it goes!

Some great stuff posted here. Love a lot of it. Discovered The New Mastersounds a few years ago. Rather good too!

Halloween party in Canvey Island

Well just think of it as having an "in" for now, or as long as @Ander87 is a sponsored artist 😂

This - I've very seldom been the best - indeed most of the time I feel the worst - musician in any of the bands I've been in. But boy have I learned a lot especially from keyboardists or guitarists (or even brass sections) suggesting bass lines that I would not have thought of, or drummers suggesting where accents should be etc. It's not that I don't come up with my own bass lines (I do 90% of the time) but I always ask the rest of the band what they think and happily take suggestions - especially if I can't initially work it out/play it - then I have a challenge! But playing live with better musicians is easily the best musical lesson!

When I was a young pup, I got a gig with a band who I was a long-time fan of. Knew the songs inside-out already, so I was clearly going to nail it. After the first song, the drummer politely says 'that was nice, but can you play about half the notes next time?' OK... I can do that. Another run through. 'Better. Now play half of what you just played.' And he was right.

@BigRedX Arctangent Festival, run by James in the podcast always gets at least one day of heavy rain but sells out (10,000 tickets) every year. Its possibly helped by being a small site with all stages in tents so there's not much trudging about outside. He said in one episode he doesn't want to go bigger, he doesn't see it being profitable if he has to book bigger bands. I think all the most successful UK festivals are outdoors despite the weather. Glastonbury seems to do OK and is often soaked.

No disrespect to the musicians who have exceptional technique, or to those that love 'complicated music', but my real ear opener was when I was working as a teenager in a record shop. At the time I was learning guitar, and getting into the likes of Alan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin. I was playing an Al DiMeola album in the shop when one of the bosses said 'this is good and very clever, but it doesn't swing'. He then put some Count Basie on. I genuinely think that moment transformed the way I thought about music.

That looks *very* clean. There's nothing like finish checking on an old Gibson.

Thank you all for your help. Only the smallest of tweaks was required in the end. The Victor Bailey Jazz is now ever so slightly sweeter again!

Last Friday’s gig took an unexpected turn when a drunk came on stage between sets—someone none of the band knew. I later found out that he had almost certainly stepped on my Peterson pedal tuner, cracking the plastic screen. Thankfully, the LCD beneath wasn’t damaged. I reached out to Peterson’s customer service, and they were excellent—sending me a replacement screen free of charge. It’s a reminder that for every bad experience, there’s often a good one right around the corner. Peterson gear may be pricier, but their quality and customer service make it worth every penny.

I've just seen a post from the new manager saying that he will be continuing with live entertainment. What my guitarist sent me... Hooray!

Yep, that would get a “Please return it, upon receipt I’ll refund the postage costs” response.

Wow wow wow. That's an incredible share. Thank you.