Leaderboard

Around October last year our friend Nick Smith came to see us about having another bass made but to his design of shape which he called the “Midas” We lost Nick in January in a tragic accident before we got past the design stage of his new bass. However he had selected all of the woods and we’d gone through the detail on the spec that he wanted. Following Nicks funeral at the end of February Gav and I felt it was only right that we finish Nicks bass, and after seeking approval from Nicks family we decided that it would be fitting that once complete we would hold a raffle or auction with all proceeds going to a charity close to Nick and his families hearts. Over the last few weeks we’ve been progressing through the manufacture of Midas number 1. And over the next week or so we’ll share the photos and videos of its progress so far. This video shows the design of the bass, technical specs follow “Greenie” the Kratos he had from us a few years back which had become Nicks main gigging bass for Genesis Connected. It features a one piece ribbon sapele body with a beautiful book matched flame maple top, flamed maple one piece neck with ebony fret board, Aguilar HJ pickup and 18v preamp, led fret board side dots, Grainger bridge, hipshot tuners and Evo Gold frets! Once the details of the charity raffle are tied down we’ll post on how it’ll all work, but we should have Nicks Midas done within the next 6 weeks! Stay tuned for more updates! SOLIDWORKS Premium 2023 SP1.0 - Midas Full Assembly 2025-03-29 09-46-28.mp4

TL:DR - I've bought a new bass. It's very nice. I've been hankering after a jazz for a while to fit with the vibe of my new band. Thought I wanted another Sandberg, a Vincent or really push the boat out and get a Lull. However, I fell in lust with the blonde Fender Japan Kazuki Arai signature jazz on the Bassbros website. It was 4.5kg however, so not for me. Then they got one that was listed as 3.8kg on their site. I messaged them to double check. It was actually 3.8kg. I was in trouble. Being away from Thurs to Sunday guaranteed that this would happen on Thursday afternoon (pic whatsapped to my by my delightful and not at all surprised by another big box arriving other half). Had to wait until Sunday to open it, it played nicely straight out of the box, but a swap to my preferred strings and lowering the saddles by a quarter turn really made a difference. The I plugged it in, oh my, these noiseless vintage pickups really are something. It's the sound I've been chasing for ages. The low B is fabulous. It's gorgeous and not at all 'signature-y'. An engraved neck plate is the only giveaway, and it comes with a plain one too, nice touch. I've got my first gig with my new band on Friday. Everything sensible says I should play my Sandberg as it's a known quantity. I won't though, can't wait to hear this thing in the mix. If anyone's bothered enough then I'll try to get some video and update this post at the weekend. Or, if you're near the bright lights of Chorley then pop along and check us out at The Shed and Garden.

Hello! I've been an on-and-off TB'r for a few years, but the mods have finally left a bad enough taste in my mouth for me to give up on it. On a thread about "Best Pedals for Ultimate Clean Tone," I posted a picture of an empty pedal board as a joke. That was deemed offensive enough to warrant deleting my post on the grounds that I was insinuating bassists shouldn't use effects. The ironic part is that I myself have a large pedal board full of effects. Anyway, rant over. Here I am. Also, the challenge question on sign up felt like a trick question. Mr. Fender's first name was Clarence, not Leo.

Last year i've been working on a Wal copy bass. As Wal basses are my absolute favorite and i am the happy owner of 3 Wals (two MK1 basses and a ProIIe) i was wandering if i was able to build one myself. Since 2018 i'm following a luhiers education (6 hours a week) at the CMB in Puurs (Belgium). I allready build an acoustic steelstring guitar (Martin#1 copy) for my wfie so now it was time to treat myself. This Wal copy ofcouse needed to be an extra addition to my collection. Since i have a fretted Mk1, a fretless MK1 and a fretted Pro (which has a more vintage sound compaired to the MK's ) my weapons are quite complete. But they are all 4 strings ands sometimes i miss a low B. Since i prefer 4 strings i've decided to build another 4 string but tuned BEAD. To make a plan i disassembled my MK1 and measured everyting. Last week i've completed it and it feels and sounds damn close to my other Wals! Here are the specs: Mahogany body with ebony facings (maple veneer) Matching headstock Maple/mahogany neck Ebony fretboard Danish oil finish Lusithand Double NFP special MKII preamp Turner Multicoil Pickups ABM bridge Shaller tuners Handmade potmeter knobs and output.

Contact has been re-established with the school (staff turnover/changes in all the relevant booking contacts). Hopefully some positive news soon.

Two gigs for me this weekend, both on the East Yorkshire coast. Saturday saw me playing with The Alligators blues band at The Black Lion in Bridlington’s historic old town. Quite a large pub at the front, with an amazing room at the rear that is concealed from the pub by large velvet curtains. There are raked pews that lead down to a dance floor area, and the stage is like a small theatre, with a a large dB PA that unfortunately we didn’t get to use. Easy get in from a side alleyway so it looked like being a great gig. Unfortunately there was a distinct lack of punters, but we still gave it our best to the small groups of folk who ventured in. A great sounding room, and I used my usual passive Precison Lyte / Rumble 500 combo which I’m really enjoying. Finished at 11.15pm, quick pack down and home by 12.30. Sunday early evening I was at our regular haunt in Scarborough, ‘The Lookout on the Pier’ with the acoustic duo. A beautiful day meant the town was busy, but we got parked ok and set to go by 6pm. The venue was rammed with diners plus a few guests seated at the back. We played our usual request format, and tunes included ‘Samba pa ti’, a couple of Simon and Garfunkel things and ‘Copacabana’ which I’d forgotten how much of a workout the bassline was! We both were given a nice tip from a visiting celebrity couple who remembered us from a gig there a couple of years ago, and also received an enquiry to play at the local yacht club from a couple who’d arrived at the gig by yacht - who’d have thought that in Scarbados! It was one of those gigs where it all gelled - great venue, audience and our playing, so much so that I genuinely could have played for another hour or more. Still, home by 10pm to pizza and wine.

Well, a new venue has opened up recently in our town, it is under a resteraunt, quite low ceilings, low lighting, little groups of chairs, very tastefully decorated, the sort of place you would go to meet someone for having an affair or something - looks like a little jazz club, very cute. I can imagine a sultry singer in the corner, with a guy on a double bass and a drummer, with a bass, snare and tom playing with brushes some gentle music. Only they didn't get that, they got us! I was a bit worried about this one as it really didn't seem like a good fit, but a gig is a gig and they booked us. Turned up earlier than others, started loading in, at least there is room out the front to go straight in (can't park there, but there is a car park round the corner, but loading is fine). We had the whole of the window area, so had to wait for the drummer to set up to see how much room we had, had a couple of feet between a monstera and the cymbals, enough for me. The only hard part of the setup was getting in each others way and the fact there were already people there who wanted to chat. But the place filled up with quite a few people we knew, and some people who came specifically to hear us, including one woman who plays bowling in the room below where we practiced on thursday night so though we sounded good! Started off quite quiet and went down well. The drummer got louder and faster through the gig but not much you can do about that. After much discussion we didn't really change the set list that much, brought back some older ones, couldn't do the newer ones as a lack of practice over the last few months. But all in all, a good gig, people seemed to enjoy it, the staff liked it, and after years of declining venues in town, its nice to see one come back.

Just got back from a great gig at The Queens Arms in Brixham with a good crowd who were very appreciative. It was an 11pm finish which helps with loosing an hour too. We played well, although there were a few 'moments' but we always get through them. I had my usual rig of Stingray 2eq, RM500 evo ii and BF210. Also, wearing my usual Skechers which are very comfortable. We have recently got a new mixer, as our old started to play up so it was quick replaced, which has worked wonders with our sound. It's well organized with wall mounted speaker brackets and lights, so less gear to bring. We don't bother with the sub here either. As with all the pubs we play at we get a free drink each (JD & Coke for me)and tonight that also included a couple of free lime and sodas which is my gigging drink as I drive. Bit of a break now till the next gig, but we'll work on some new songs.

Private 60th birthday party last night for us with BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam. Also our drummers birthday same day. Organiser saw us 2 yrs ago and thought it would be great for his dads 60th. He had shown him vids from the gig 2 yrs ago and his Dad loved them. Was in a church hall with its own bar which was kinda strange but a well organised event. Approx 40-50 guests. We were paid while loading in so that was a 1st. Not a big fan of private parties tho as not every guest will be into Glam so it can be a bit MEH !!!. Birthday Boy had no idea what was happening and we were asked not to give it away. Covered the logo on bass drum and no band t-shirts worn also no backdrop. 1st set was a bit slow to get moving. We had some feedback "drone" issue coming and going with singers mic that we just couldn't nail it. It wasn't fine at soundcheck. Turned out it was pick up from snare drum so we managed to resolve it for 2nd set. We had a few dancers 1st set and it was turning out like many private parties ("dead") but we were getting well paid so thoughts of paid rehearsal were going thru my head. We were all invited to partake which was really nice to be asked and we didn't want to disappoint our host and be rude so we partook of a few bits and bobs and were even delivered a tray of food in our changing room which was a large room just off the main corridor. 2nd set it just all seemed to clicked, sound was perfect, dancers filled the floor and party was officially started. Decided to use my Handbox WB-100 last night for a wee change and boy was that a treat. I forgot how much i liked an all valve amp. Warm depth of tone with the mids boosted as advised by our very own WoT and the clarity was just so good. Using the Sandberg VM4 into Keeley comp, WB-100, Mesa SW210/115 cabs and the sound was amazing. I need to use that amp more often. Feedback was excellent with several folks looking to book us with one guy that manages a few other clubs being very impressed. They want us back as a proper function rather than a private event and bar manager reckoned it would sell out. She even wanted a list of where we play so she can come along. All very promising. The number of people coming up at the end complimenting us was quite touching at times but obviously a few beers had been partook by the end of the evening. Something i don't usually mention but here goes :- Arrived at venue 5pm Set up and S/C 6:30pm Doors open 7pm 1st set 8-9pm 2nd set 10-11:15pm Loaded by 12:15am Home and unloaded 1:30am Bed 2am Dave

Sat in with Stevie Daniels at the White Swan near Newmarket. Great crown…lots of dancing and compliments. Debut gig for my new Elf head paired with Genz Benz 12’s. First set was with my Spectracore 5 fretless, then used the Peavey Dynabass for set two. All worked really well, and the Elf didn’t even get warm.

Hmm. i just sang and played guitar as a favour to a friend. Strangled a few indie classics and then came home. PA was woeful, couldn’t hear anything…people sang along and danced. I won’t be doing that again for a bit as I hate guitar playing, and I hate singing.

Very first gig for my new band last night at the Shed & Garden in Chorley. Great little place with a postage stamp of a stage, if you look carefully in the clips, you might just spot the keys player sat off the stage on the right behind the speaker. As first gigs go, it was absolutely excellent. Three setter 9-midnight. It's always nerve racking taking the car out of the garage for the first time. Will everything work? Will I remember the songs with all the extra distractions of a live show? Will they like the song choice (I was worried about this as the set isn't your usual weekend evening stuff, and very different from anything I've done before)? Where do I park? How many sockets are there? Will any of the others have a complete personality change when they get onstage? It was as good as first gigs get IME. Everything nice and pretty tight, no tech gremlins. We played well and the crowd got into it . Some quality dancing and an increasingly enthusiastic response. The keys player ended up with someone almost in his lap a couple of times, and the door staff went and stood in front of the singer for the last set to prevent deliberate or accidental crowd encroachment. We came off stage absolutely buzzing with lots of ideas about how to take things forward. My setup was my new Fender Japanese 5 string into a GR 350 class D head and then FOH. Wired IEMs through a Behringer P2. No cab, which was lucky as there wouldn't have been room for it anyway. The drummer took up almost all the stage, but his sparkly red kit did look lovely under the lights. If you're eagle eyed, you might spot that I've got a glove on my left hand. No, it's not an SBL tribute. This is down to pretty severe eczema which means that the skin on my fingers is paper thin and rips wide open very easily. To prevent bleeding all over my lovely new bass I took a chance on a glove from Amazon and it works pretty well. Excellent feedback from the owners, they've just taken on a new bar in South Manchester and we're looking at dates to play there. the singer is delighted, as it's walking distance form her house Right, a couple of rough phone clips: WhatsApp Video 2025-03-29 at 12.20.27.mp4 WhatsApp Video 2025-03-29 at 11.52.18.mp4

Last night was the first public gig with the new start-up band, In Like Flynn. We played the Globe in Somerton as a freebie for the FOC rehearsal time they've given us to get our show on the road. So pleased to see the pub full to bursting with the crowd having a ball and the real and virtual tills kerr-chinking behind the bar - a rare sight and sound anywhere these days! And what a relief to be a proper gigging musician again 😊

I was out with the cello last night for an orchestral concert in Carlisle. Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. Here's the opening page of the first piece. I think the double bass part is similar.

Redonizm were back at the Sarah Moore in Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday night. We really didn't think we'd be back here again as it was supposed to close permanently in the new year for redevelopment, but the building owner had a change of heart and let the landlord lease it for one year, with a view to a 10-year lease. A benefit of this is they are now independent and have associated themselves with local brewers and suppliers, so they have some lovely beer on tap! This was our first gig of the year after a busy Christmas period, so whilst it felt great to be out gigging again, certain muscles were out of shape, both physically and mentally! It took me a few songs to get my head into gear and stop making silly mistakes, but I was fine once I got into it. And boy did I ache the next day! A bigger turnout would have been great - quite a few of our usual followers were unable to come - but those who came and stayed, and seemed to enjoy themselves, and we had a decent crowd dancing in the latter half. Next stop, Cow & Telescope on Friday. One of our favourite music venues in Southend

We played The Chadwell Arms, which is becoming something of a regular joint. The landlord now greets us with handshakes and hugs, and the punters are very friendly from the moment we walk in. Last night was a mixed bag - we went down a storm, with loads of singing along, rapturous applause and a double encore. We debuted ‘free Fallin’ and I brought an old custom bass out of retirement as a one-off. The down side? Our singer has a new ladyfriend, and he was in full-on showman mode (presumably for her). He upped the rockstar act, which went down well, but the distraction caused him to miss a couple of cues, come in too early, or too late, and generally be a bit mistake-laden. I loved the positive reaction, but I’m too much of a perfectionist to overlook the errors. Must do better.

After a very long 2 months off in the hope my ribs would recover, we were finally back out last weekend. The Gifford Arms in Wolverhampton on Saturday was sold out. I was hoping for the same comedy sound guy as the last time we played there but unfortunately it was a thoroughly pleasant and competent engineer. Still, at least we sounded good but I don't have a lot to rant about! Sunday was the Hope & Anchor on a lineup supporting The Vapors. We were on at 5:30 pm which seemed very early to me but it was absolutely packed in there! I was forced to use the awful house kit. Obviously the bass drum couldn't stay still which forced a couple of errors. Thankfully my bandmates were tolerant of it this time! We went down a storm and we've seen merch sales online trickling in from London since. Result! It is so, so good to be back out gigging, even if it does still hurt a bit. Photo of my beautiful cymbals set up above the absolutely terrible house kit at the Hope & Anchor... Mini rant then: Imagine your band leader telling you that you have to use the house bass, and the A string tuner keeps slipping. You knew it was going to be terrible, you knew you could swap for your own gear in plenty of time, and yet you're forced to go with it due to others' ignorance. The band leader, the promoter, the sound guy, the headline act... everyone thinks it's fine to force the drummer to play sh*t drums but you're never forced to use a sh*t bass are you?!

And of course myself testing it.. Soundclips will follow!

Don‘t DO that. These days, any thread titled with someone‘s name, I take to be an obituary 😅

My first gig this year with my main squeeze, Felis Leo. We played at the Angel Inn, Andover...my first time there. Back in my youth I would drink mainly at the Lamb, the Lardie and the Station. The gig was part of a multi band, multi venue festival under the banner 'Andover Rocks Reignited' and I think we were the only originals band playing at our venue. One of our guitarists moonlights in a covers band and they were further up the bill, we were on at 3pm and they were on at 8. There were 2 stages, one for bands and at the other end of the pub, one for acoustic solo or duo acts. It was amazingly well organised, to the second as well! There were screens onstage for the bands counting down to the start of their sets and subsequently to the end of their sets. This was incredibly helpful 😁 My set up was an Ibanez sr1205 which I haven't played in anger for a long time, a TC Electronic BH550 and my two Barefaced one10s. Had a couple of complimentary comments about the one10s and my sound so chuffed with that (compliments are rare so I'll grab em when I get em). The whole day was actually great with not even a minor gripe about anything, got our photo taken by the local rag, everyone was in a great mood, spoke to people in the flesh who I've only conversed with on our socials and people genuinely enjoyed our set! I still have the same warm afterglow now that I had yesterday 👍🏻 I've not received many video clips yet but here's a bit of Timezone taken by the singer in our guitarist's other band VID-20250330-WA0000.mp4

Another Eagles tribute show, this time at a theatre in Stockton. An enjoyable night. We're a few shows in now, so everything is less of a conscious effort. The vocal harmonies parts - of which there are a shedload, all of which are very high / falsetto - are coming more naturally, so I can kick back and enjoy the occasion. It's such a strong, varied set - every song is a classic (assuming you don't hate The Eagles, of course). Anyway, I had to use IEMs last night as we were using the house PA and there weren't any monitors. I doubt I'll ever love using them, but I hate them less than I used to.

Outsold gig last Saturday

Ah what a miserable old git I’m becoming. it was nice to be out of the comfort zone, and in retrospect a bit of fun which people seemed to enjoy. I need to stop taking myself so seriously.

Bought this off a mate, practically unused, sat in its hard case most of its life. Plays lovely! Strung it up with Rotosound 66’s.

We had a good night at the Cow & Telescope in Southend on Friday evening. It was a bit of a rush getting home from work, scoffing a quick dinner and out again, but we had more time than we realised to set up at a relaxed pace and soundcheck. As usual in this venue, it seemed a bit too quiet on there when we setting up, but by the time we kick off at 9.30 we had a decent crowd of regulars and a steady stream of arrivals whilst we played. I made a couple of mistakes - including completely blanking halfway through the "Time is running out" riff. I put it down to not feeling 100% due to an iffy stomach I've had for a few days. I managed to blag my way through it and remembered it by the second or third time round. I noticed a couple of guys pointing and watching me intently during "Runaway Baby". I'm unsure if they were impressed or spotted errors in my playing! 😄. Another patron came up to me when we had finished and said it was so refreshing to see a band actually move around and put on a show, rather than just standing stock still and looking at our guitars and feet. A couple of our usual mob (including my wife and brother, who are not afraid to offer constructive criticism) said the set list was great too, with a few songs we hadn't played in years thrown in. We try to avoid too much repetition - for ourselves as much as anything! But it all seemed to flow nicely and kept people up dancing until the obligatory encores were finished with. So yes, all in all a good night. The next one is The Cricketers in nearby Westcliff on Easter Sunday. Out first time at this venue, and one we've wanted to get into for a while. We'll be a couple of members down (one of the guitarists, and using a dep drummer), but I'm sure it'll be fine.

Two gigs for me this weekend, first was with Siren at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon on Friday night - turned out to be a busy night with lots of faces recognised from our previous visits. We played pretty much all of our setlist but were cut short when the new manager turned on all the house lights and stage lights at the end of a medley that we do, we took that as a sign that he'd had enough, and so the crowd that had been up for a party all night, were calling for more to no avail!? A bit of a strange end to what had been a great evening really. Sadly no photos to share, as I was heading there straight from work I used my 'easy' rig, TT800, Big Twin II, Geddy Jazz with 70's P Bass as back up. Saturday night saw Sarum's Lot play at The Devizes Inn in Salisbury. We were asked to setup in the darts room. This was the exact opposite of the previous night where space was somewhat limited, so was a rather intimate set up for the drummer and me, leaving the guitarist to enjoy loads of room on his side of the room - in fairness to him he does tend to boogie and is much more animated than me! The crowd were up for a good time from the off, loads of singing & dancing, even some air guitar! This band plays classic rock covers and we were asked by a young lad whether we could do 'I believe in a thing called love' - we don't do it but duly had a go, and smashed it right out the park (even if I do say myself!). A thoroughly enjoyable gig with a great crowd - we all left buzzing 🙂 Same gear as previous night. Hopefully the links work😊 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16anAdo3PW/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F9bZbTbBw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Great gig at a local WMC this last Saturday for the Glam Lads. It's one of those old school clubs that saw the likes of Bob Monkhouse et al in its heyday but fortunately is still doing well...a pretty packed house as it seems the locals were up for some 70s Glam. A prospective agent showed up to view the first spot (looking to fill a few little gaps in the gig calendar left by the previous 'booker') so we were on our game and thankful for the large and enthusiastic crowd. The agent, also a bassist, was complimentary on my sound...he said his expectations weren't high when I said I was using just a couple of MarkBass 12" but he was surprised with the clarity and punch. So all in all a cracking night and our next visit there will be NYE which should be a stormer.

Well. Personally, I like em. So I'm trying one. A classic 5. I wanted Neck thru. Arrives tomorrow. Photos from the seller.

Good gig Saturday night with the seven piece swing/Dixie band and we had our guest vocalist with us again. BL rented a small hall where we have played before and we had around 50+ that included a number of folks who had never seen us and a bunch of our regulars. We also had about six musicians in the audience that most of us had played with in the past or present in other bands, that was a bit different but they all seemed to enjoy the show. I was particularly pleased at the end when the best jazz guitarist in our area and his wife who plays bass complimented me on my playing and especially the sound of my bass. They both wanted to try the bass and checked out my pickup and we had a really nice chat. I have met both of them several times and they have seen me play but I must have been doing something right for them to spend so much time with me after the show. We did our usual three sets, two of swing/jazz and a shorter set of trad/Dixie where I switch to tenor banjo and the sax players go to clarinet and bari sax to play a bass line. The Dixie set was a bit rough with two new songs that we had only played once in rehearsal but all in all a good night. No photos but I was using my Shen SB 100 straight into the Bose PA and the banjo was acoustic, the horns aren't mic'd so I could hold my own in a room that size.

Three-set outing at the Reivers Sports Bar in Galashiels last night. Six of us had to squeeze onto a stage that was all of three metres square and boxed in by railings. It was tight, to say the least. First time we'd played there and the punters were quite boisterous, with many of them celebrating Rangers' 4-3 win over whoever the other lot were. Dundee, maybe. Went down really well, including six new songs that were having their first outing. Plenty of happy punters dancing and singing along. On the downside, the back of the stage was in almost complete darkness so I spent a lot of time squinting at the neck trying to see the fretboard markers. Then during the second set, my strap came off. I had to perch on the edge of my cab desperately punching out root notes on the one until the song ended. I think that'll be me out of the gear abstinence thread when I get a set of Schallers. We're playing there again on the 17th May. The rig will be the same as last night - Sterling Stingray 5, Eden WTX264 atop an Eden 210 cab turned on its side (the space was that tight!). Something to cast a bit of light on the neck is on the cards - the light from my tablet helped a bit but not enough. All in all though, a great night!

I've often said that I'd happily rock up, bass in hand and play to 2,000 people for free... I might even offer to pay but if you want me to hump £4000+ worth of my equipment to a venue/pub miles from home that I have no association with, at a time that inconveniences me, to play to a bunch of ar5eholes who have no respect for the hours/years I've put into getting to the level that I'm at... I want paying! I may have paraphrased the above on occasion!

Not a bad night at an old haunt of ours back to the 80’s in various guises. Not packed but reasonable crowd who were singing along and picked up on the dancing front in the second set to end well. I misread to set and completely missed the cue linking penultimate and final songs and said “you missed one” to drummer - he hadn’t, I can’t read 🤦‍♂️🤣 Had to use the KZ headphones for IEM’s, having at last checked the obvious and realised why I was only getting the left side in my moulded plugs after updating to the Sennheiser system and trying all different settings on the transmitter and receiver to no avail. Plugged the custom plugs into my iPad and realised that the problem was there DOH! Took a while to find the right tips to get a reasonable seal, but got there for the second set. I still need to get the main plugs sorted.

Backing tracks on a live gig? Not my cup of tea.

I’m using the Beta V and Diamond Comp with my passive Warwick 5 (strung with Chromes). I like it

I'm not sure how often the moderation team turns around, but it's always felt like they were very censorial over trivial stuff. I had another strike against me when I replied to the thread "Does the bass player from Korn use all 5 strings?" By saying "He barely uses the fretboard." They have very little tolerance for acerbic humor over there.

Last night i played at local pub called "Depo" for 20 minutes (5 songs). A season together for 5 bands. We played good and all was fine exept that they didn't have music stand and i had to play standing backside and keep my sheet on amp.

A new family picture of my 3 Wals together with a new born Claassen bass which I made myself. if you’re interested, here’s the build diary of my tribute to Wal: Wal tribute build diary

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

Great sound funkle! I used the same combination of electronics and pickups in my recently build Wal copy! (Sorry for hijacking this topic) Here's the build diary: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/510756-wal-mk1-copytribute-bass-claassen-mk1/

Conversely, I've previously gigged in front of an audience that were about as responsive as a row of folded chairs.....😲😆😆

I’m seventy three. When I found the gear was becoming heavy I bought modern lightweight cabs. The lift went from close to hundred to about twenty five pounds. My preamp and amp are not heavy. The big misery is trying to find a parking space in the downtown core but I doubt the venue will provide valet parking for the band. Pity. I have an old friend , influence , and mentor that has several years on me and is still playing. Great player. And whenever I watch him do the gig , with grace and dignity I feel like I’ve still got several years left. We are both still going strong.

I think it's pretty compact and versatile

I got these. They're one louder...