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Great gig tonight. You have to love 2 hour gigs. We had a good set list and the gig went really fast. We took one ten minute break. More or less background music but it was fun. Our stage monitors were great tonight. Not many great pics but it'll give you an idea of what the room looked like. Daryl

What are you in prison for?

Ban everyone, from every demographic, from everything. Problem solved. Humanity will die out within a week or so and the world will carry on happier without us.

If it doesm't it'll save me a bloody fortune and give me around 2 weeks a year back 🤫

I was going to say that if forums all die out then at least the drummer forums will go as well. Every cloud... Then I remembered they can't read, let alone code! This law won't affect their cave wall scratchings.

Does it really have to be The End Of Civilisation!!! every bloody week?

This is an incredible bass. I have several jazz basses, including the Steve Bailey signature 6, the Marcus Miller MIJ 4, a fretless Squier VM, a Fender MIC modern player, and a few other non-JB fenders. I purchased this out of curiosity, but also because the SB6 is a rare thing that I wanted to keep pristine (so only use for gigs, not practice, to minimise wear and tear). I had pretty lowly expectations having picked up a few Affinity basses in guitar shops over the years. This is not your run of the mill affinity. The finishing is immaculate on the one I received, the output and tone is comparable to other passive JBs I own. The neck is a slim 12 inch radius, and feels like an Ibanez 6 string. String spacing at the bridge is 17mm, slightly less than the SB6, but as a result feels easier for finger style playing. I’m guessing the tuners and pots might wear quicker than my fender basses, but they are perfectly functional at the moment, and the bass stays in tune. I’ve found the neck on my Squier VM fretless so be a bit flexible (most notable when I am sat back on the sofa noodling), but this thing is as stiff as a board. The finger board was spotless, not dry and no fret sprout. The only adjustment I made was to lower the action at the bridge. The relief on the neck was perfect. In summary, I’m pretty shocked that Fender are selling this with the Affinity label, at the price point. As a university educator, I was fortunate enough to receive a hefty discount and only paid £205.00, direct from Fender. It really is a crazy bass for crazy money. If their QA is consistent, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to experienced players that want a genuine 6 string jazz bass, or those wanting to dip their toe into the 6 string world without breaking the bank. Anyway, I hope this helps. I’ll post some close-up photos when I get a moment. In the meantime here’s a photo I pulled together to compare the size and scale of the SB6 and Squier….

I've just skimmed the Ofcom pages, all 84 pages. It's draconian, bureaucratic, process intensive, intrusive and impossible to police. The fact that further guidance is still to be published will mean this Ofcom will probably have to be revised, though it does look rather thorough at the moment. The basic premise of the act is that any U2U service is capable of being used for any of 17 different crimes. So the smallest website that allows input and comments becomes a potential vehicle for any of the 17 categories. This is unenforceable in my opinion. Note that this is my opinion. Ofcom will need to increase its budget 10x or more to handle all of the workload coming through. Ain't going to happen. I would suggest that every single website asks Ofcom as many questions as possible and drowns them in paperwork. I'm also going to look at what the legislation says, if I can get it.

2024 ended with a cheeky little trip over to the Southgate Inn in Devizes. Armed with just my mandolin, I actually got the bus over. We got a heroes welcome from the regular customers and were greeted with "here come the goths". 😺 My wife snapped this one picture that sounds off a comparatively quiet year on the live front.

Board update. Just got an Ampeg SGT as Christmas present from my wife(she might have seen me watching tons of Ampeg SGT demos in youtube lol). Instant love on the B15 voice! Reason why I was GASsing on it. SGT switch is an always on for me. The preamp is surprisingly good! Took me few moments to dial the sound I’m after. Figured I’d be fine without the Cali76. The built in compressor is meh/okay but it works!

Looks alarming, likewise Basschat is very important to me, hope we`re not affected by this

I am giving away this Donner Dark Mouse Distortion Pedal. It is a Rat clone. It works fine, but the sound is not for me. Consequently, I am not using it and it is only collecting dust. It only cost me £15 used (no box), so it would be too much of a hassle to sell and post it. Well, see it as my Christmas gift to the BC community. Collection only (Leicestershire).

Me, myself and I.

That would be amazing. And a great example of a company listening to customer feedback. I was visiting the Yamaha store in central London today and spent a lot of time with the Ampeg PF-20. As much as I liked its tubey warmth, it might be a tad excessive to use just as di to go straight into my recording interface….I might wait to see if Origin come up with the goods before splurging on an actual tube head! The Ampeg is a lovely thing though….

Of course forums won't disappear - this is only UK legislation - people in the US, EU and rest of world are not affected by this nonsense. But the post from the owner of thefretboard.co.uk is absolutely right: under the current proposed legislation, it will become almost impossible to run any kind of online forum from the UK, and international forums will just block all IP addresses from the UK. The risks are just too severe - a fine of up to £18 million and a criminal conviction for the owner / managers. The legislation was drafted with only large, commercial, multinational companies like Facebook, X etc. in mind; if the legislation is enforced as it stands, those will be our only option in the UK for any kind of online discussion, unless we use VPNs to access international forums based abroad... which we all will... which will make the legislation utterly pointless, apart from having destroyed a large number of UK businesses.

2024 was by far my most difficult year to date for a long list of personal, professional, and emotional reasons. It makes me even more determined to value and enjoy all life has to offer in 2025 🙏

We shall blame @Lozz196 for this. defo right on the spot regarding build quality and sound, much prefer this Pro line and super easy carry. both cabs spec’d the same, I think I’ll learn each of those two separately and send the cab sim I prefer on each situation 😊 play time! Ander.

Humber-Ela Ela Ela - Rihanna

As long as they're protecting me from you nasty people, I'm OK with it.

I'm pretty sure that they're trying to sneak through the legislation while we're all binge-watching Hidden Secret Mysteries of the Lost Nazi Gold on the Titanic. With Dinosaurs. And Vikings.

Is it a joke? Is it 1984? Are those politicians really even more stupid as they really are?

I gave it one last try before turning in for bed... What has two thumbs and now has both outputs on a 4003 working as they should?

Last night was another concert with my teacher's Young Artists Orchestra, as usual augmented by a few adults in the bass and cello sections since a lot of the kids are too small to play the larger instruments. For some of the easier pieces about 7 of the youngest players aged 5, 6 and 7 joined us on stage for a total more than 35 musicians and as usual it was a great evening with a nice mixture of Christmas songs and the audience of about 300 loved it. Most of the kids started in my teacher's program at age 3 or 4 and so the oldest at 19 are very skilled musicians. For the fourth time my teacher asked me to add to the bass section and this year there were three bassists, two of them play better than I do and they are 9 and 16! I have learned a lot in two and a half years of lessons but these kids are fantastic, the younger one was a prize winning violinist until September when she decided to play bass and she is amazing on it, very smart and very dedicated. I wish I had started with the bow when they did at age 4 instead of 75, I am by far the oldest in the orchestra (78) and get immense pleasure from being a part of the group and as a side benefit my playing has improved and carries over into my jazz and bluegrass gigs. Here's the bass section after the concert.

Big corporate Christmas Party gig tomorrow night. We're not a Christmas Party band. However who can turn down 2k for a 6:00-8:00. I'm not trying to brag but I don't think I've ever played a 2 hour gig for that kind of money.And it'll be a long time before I see another one. Lol Daryl

When the bass player isn't being sawn in half by a table... He's gone bloody walkabout, again! 20241214 Tolbooth walkabout.mp4 Bloody wireless pest!

Hi all, long time browser/lurker, finally signing up! I've been playing on and off for (gulp) about 25 years, but you wouldn't know it if you heard me. I used to be involved in writing and recording a bit more seriously, but work demands mean my noodling is now firmly restricted to the bedroom (as it were). I've played quite a few different instruments over the years but I decided at the beginning of 2024 to focus on bass. I currently play a 2023 Fender MIM Jazz Bass, completely stock with rounds; a knockoff P of unknown provenance with a Tonerider pickup and Fender flats; an early 00's Ibanez BTB 400QM (I think that's right) with LaBella rounds; and I've recently acquired a 90's Ibanez SR890 which has turned into a bit of a project (but we've gotta have a project brewing, right?). I don't gig or play out, so I use digital modelling stuff exclusively now. I listen fairly widely and my tastes are all over the place. But in terms of what I like to play, I often find myself transcribing parts from 70's and 80's soul / funk / rock, the kind off stuff you'd find Nathan East or Abe Laboriel Sr on (disclaimer: I can't play like either 😆). I'm not a jazzer, but oddly I find myself enjoying the challenge and musical vocabulary of jazz-adjacent genres. I enjoy nerding out about arrangements (musical ones, not funeral etc). Anyway greetings from dreary Yorkshire! I see a few folks here based in Leeds and other centers of northern civilization. A cordial tip o' th' flat cap to you.

You've gotta laugh! I feel exasperation more than anything else. Oh, and I also had 2 gigs cancelled because both venues decided to redecorate!! I was definitely in 4 bands at the start of this year. I might be in another, but they've never asked me to join. I'm assuming I'm in because I get called for the few gigs the do. So I think I'm ending 2024 in 1 1/2 bands. I'm hoping my, "When one door closes, another opens", theory proves to be true in the New Year! May your 2025 be happy, healthy and prosperous. . . . and there's as much bass playing as you can handle. Cheers guys.

That's probably the most concise definition of the majority of governmental policy and action I have seen. The internet is fundamentally ungovernable and now pretty much the entire economy globally is reliant on it there can't be any actual blocking but the whole nation state and democratic process house of cards will fall quickly if their ineffectiveness becomes too obvious so you get this kind of dog whistle legislation. The cynic in me also wonders whether Meta and their like have been whispering in ears as a way of driving more and more traffic onto their platforms where we can be data harvested and advertised to. As many others have said BC is a haven and there are no doubt countless other forums that provide vital informal mental health and wellbeing support to people in an increasingly isolated world. Proper integrated policing and better education, support and more access to community -online or otherwise - is the real solution to keeping people safe but that takes money and time and real dedication, and puts less coin in the coffers of the big players, so it's a non starter. I hope BC and all the other decent forums find a way to keep going somehow.

These attempts to control people are really annoying; all they do is make things difficult for ordinary folks whilst the actual criminals just move on to something else.

Sorry to hear this. I don't know how old you are, but I'm finding tales of ill health all too common these days. My band are all gentlemen of a certain age, and I've lost a few good musician friends over the last few years. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.... Rob

The only recent 'problem' I've had with Bax was them sending me too much stuff - I got two of the same bass instead of just the one I paid for, which wasn't really a 'problem' as one was much lighter than the other and I got the choice. I rang them and asked for a label to post one back, and the RMA slip you print off and put in the box explained that it was "sent in error - do not refund". So of course then the refund arrived anyway, meaning I'd essentially no longer paid for the one I kept. I rang them again and asked for a payment link to return their money, and now we're all square. Both of the calls I made were answered quickly and the people I spoke to were friendly, so I'd still use and recommend them as there are some UK based shops where every time I've had occasion to contact them they've been abrasive at best. Regarding delivery, most things I've had from Bax have arrived on time or at most one day later than estimated. Those times have usually corresponded with bad weather, Black Friday, the run-up to Christmas etc.

Oh my gosh - They're great for French Cricket too!! The kids don't have a chance against me now.

Warm Audio Mutation Phasor II into an Aguilar Grape Phasor. WA does slow Phasor rates well, the Aguilar does the higher rates well, run both together and it sounds almost like an envelope filter, only imho much better. My latest go to funky setup.

I've toured with the Scott Dixons - never seen a guitar damaged in one, but they always ended up dented/deformed around where the lids attach after a while and become an absolute pain to close up. Recently picked up four Enki cases for a touring client - two of the new X series, and two (one guitar, one bass) of the original AMG versions, as that was all the available stock in the UK that week! Have had them in car boots, planes, vans, and on a truck over the last three weeks. All of them weigh in around 21/22kg fully loaded and flew as standard hold baggage on Ryanair without issue (their bag limit is 20kg but we had other stuff under weight so worked out with weights pooled - most other airlines are 23kg so should be fine elsewhere). The new X series are definitely neater - handles and latches are all recessed, so when you're stacking them in a van they're much easier to play Tetris with compared to the AMG where the handles protrude. The lids are much easier to remove and replace on the AMG though - the moulding around the hinge pins on the new X series makes them very awkward to slide back on in comparison. Only really an issue if you're using the cases as guitar stands and need the lids off and out of the way, otherwise you can just hinge them open and closed without removing the lid. Definitely happier with them than with the Scott Dixon alternative though, and the new X range has a triple guitar case too (which there was no UK stock of, unfortunately, else I'd have had them!). Been using them in lieu of a guitar rack while I've had limited workspace on a support tour and they've been great.

We have recently got a few gigs in Retirement Villages around the Southeast. We had the first on Sat. We didnt know what to expect but it was pretty obvious what not to play for these places. Only 2 x 45 mins sets and finished by 10pm. Decent money and a few free drinks at their onsite bar afterwards. Made a change from sweaty pubs and having to contend with drunks wanting to talk as we are packing up. We went down really well, and although it was a struggle to play a bit quieter than we normally do, it was quite fun and we all commented how much we enjoyed it. Of course i was at the back with full IEM's so to me the gig wasn't any different to any other, sound wise, but the others said playing quieter made them play with a bit more precision. I still have to wipe a few asses as far as setting up etc, but after having a bit of an outburst on WhatsApp recently I think some of it has sunk in. We are using a Dep singer at the moment, as my wife is taking a break, meaning I have to take the PA, lights, and my gear, and set it all up and break it al down without help. Got a bit fed up with this and made a few comments about it. Looking forward to to the very well paid NYE one. First time out on NYE with this band, and we are getting my wife to dep for the dep, which should be interesting. As we live right in the centre of London we have no idea how we will get home as the roads are shut until 6am.

A small board I made for a band where I use no effects (!!!), apart from the one bass solo at the end of the set where I wanted a bit of a boost. Any excuse to use the BB preamp.

So you've got £20 and you want a fish supper. You've found exactly what you're looking for... Cod and chips for... £19.95 It's being sold by a reputable chippy Would you buy this classic British dish, holding it, wrapped in newspaper, actually eating it with one of those wooden FORKS! This is just my pickled onion. 👉DO IT 👈 !!!! Granted, I would rather it was rock eel than cod and I realise my 5p change isn't quite enough to buy some mushy peas, but yes, no matter the price, because I like a few chips and a nice bit of cod, why not? You only live once. £19.95 Reasonable at half the price and if I'm not mistaken, after the opening speech by the Vicar, I think there's a tombola, or maybe it's a raffle? I really shouldn't have had that second sherry. That's almost certainly a fine way to spend a Saturday afternoon at the Letcombe Regis village fête Again just my pickled onion .

Never understood this obsession with nut width. This is pretty much P-bass width and barely a 1/15th of an inch more than a Jazz Bass. Reckon Jeremy Beadle wouldn't even have an issue.