Old Horse Murphy

I'm totally the opposite and have a well-paid permanent job that allows me to use music as a release from a stressful working week. Am I less committed to the bands compared to someone who earns money as a primary source of income from gigging? I'd say no. In fact, I've found quite the opposite in some instances, whereby the musicians who consider themselves "professional' as it is what they they use as their main job are often a bit more sniffy, often derogatory about certain gigs than other members. I appreciate that it's obviously an earning issue for them and that they could probably earn more elsewhere, but I've always thought if that's the case then please do so. If the band is made up of a majority of hobbyists, then that's likely the direction the band will run in. It's a bit like me turning up to play for (I don't know) Old Haberdashers 4th XV and being upset because they're not very fit and don't take it seriously. It doesn't mean their commitment is any less and maybe I should read the runes before joining. Of course YMMV and this is only based on my only limited experiences with bands. I have never been or never will be a pro musician and I have endless admiration for anyone talented and dedicated enough to make a living out of their passion, but I think it's important that people have a release they can use from the stresses of their "real lives" and sometimes those two paths of pros vs. rank amateurs collide.

Gigging my Kingbass tonight and hoping the neck doesn't melt in to a pool of tar of something 🥵

I sent my Yamaha SLB via UPS earlier this week which arrived safely yesterday. As opposed to your clowns I managed to add over 8lbs to the weight and approximately 50cms in height too. Still, at least it arrived, although the courier reminded me of Obelix with his obelisks when he took it away.

This was the tree and car. Guess who won?!

now look what you've done....

My new blue

Teeth. Preferably someone else's 🤤

Thanks. I had a 5 String Status S2 which I loved. It was one with a headstock that sadly became headless when a tree fell on my car 😢

Thanks Simon, I hope you're keeping well

I beg to differ. Having spent an hour with some of my work colleagues I can safely say that a week passed by.

So I rightly have a reputation of being a gear whore and rather than attempt to deny it any longer I've chosen to embrace it: after selling and trading quite a bit of kit, this is what I've ended up with. First up a mint condition Fender USA 75th Anniversary Precision Bass with a one piece ash body finished in a gorgeous Bourbon Burst with gold hardware. I replaced the original white/cream pickguard with a black one and strung it with a set of TI flats and it's wonderful. I've been gigging this for the last five gigs and it's just brilliant. Next is a stunning Status Kingbass Artist that I traded my Stringray for. I've owned a S2 before but not one of these. I've just restrung it with my favourite nickelwounds and it plays beautifully. Ergonomically it's a different ballgame to my usual favoured Fender/Music Man body shape but I'm getting used to it. I then traded another bass for a gorgeous Stingray 5 Special in a Ghostwood finish. After selling 2 of my SR5's a while ago I realised that I really missed them and this one fits the bill nicely. And finally a Stentor Conservatoire fully-carved DB that I was offered for a bargain price. It's just beautiful and sounds so loud and resonant. It came with a fitted Realist which saved me a job too. I was looking for a decent upgrade to my previous DB and was contacted by a chap who had one for sale in Bristol and after arranging to try it out I fell in love. These join my venerable P Bass, my bitsa Fretless and my 4003S. After my Hohner Jacks sell I'll be left with 6 basses and a DB having previously been up to 10 or 11. Aside from my old P Bass which doesn't go out too much now I'm confident these will all be used and hopefully gigged regularly and between them, I think I've got most of the sounds I could ever really want covered.

I think it's due to British Summer Time.

Good to hear I'm currently weighing up the cost of changing my name to Lee by Deed Poll vs. having to pay for complete string sets when I inevitably cut a string too short as well...

John was kind enough to sell me a much needed Ric Truss rod tool which arrived in record time. He's a really nice guy to deal with. Highly recommended.

I couldn't find a feedback thread for Richard so I thought I'd start one. I had the pleasure of meeting this fine fellow today to hand over a combo. A lovely chap and very tall! Highly recommended. Thanks again Richard