Old Horse Murphy

It is indeed with a 9.5" radius and the vintage frets too

So after looking at many many photos, measuring, marking with set squares and a quick prayer to St Jude, St Anthony and the newly-promoted St John Henry Newman, I decided to fit the covers on the P Bass. Fortunately it turned out well and all is good. Here's a few photos of it all fully furnished and a group shot of all the P's together. I'm off for a lie down

Thanks Lozz. I was sorely tempted by the Lake Placid Blue one but the sunburst was over £300 cheaper: an easy decision in the end as I love a bit of sunburst

Yes I think it's the new AVRI equivalent and it's got a nitro finish. I've always been a huge fan of the 75 Reissue Jazz but the old AVRI P Basses left me a bit cold. If this new one is anything to go by, they've really upped their game

This really was an impulse buy and came about after spotting a beautiful Spector Euro LX4 on Guitar Guitar and having the perennial "do I don't I?" argument. The 24 frets and tiny body of the Spector led me down the route of looking and my more favoured Fenders and I spotted a 2019 Original 60's P Bass in sunburst and after a few heartbeats the order was placed. It arrived yesterday and despite a bit of alarm caused by the factory "set up" it is now wearing a set of TI Flats and sounds and plays beautifully. If people have seen these yet, they really are of Custom Shop quality and fit and finish is exemplary. My old P Bass has been given a new set of Ernie Ball Nickel roundwounds and sounds amazing (the best P Bass I've ever played with rounds) and now, basically, I've got a P Bass with flats, one with rounds and a Tony Franklin Fretless. In all the years I've been playing and recording, most producers want either a P Bass with rounds or flats, so at least I'm ready to oblige without too much faff now! Attached are some pics together with a gratuitous family photo.

I know exactly what you mean

Well, this is the Bass that started the thread. It looks to be an unbelievably good price and looks amazing. https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/px191208352239001--spector-euro-lx-bass-natural-finish-pre-owned Unfortunately the small body with 24 frets was just a bit too kinky for me and instead I pulled the trigger on a Fender Original 60's P Bass (after a tinker possibly one of the best P Basses I've owned but more on that later). 2020 is due to be a dry year for me gear-wise so I'll have to sit and wonder "what if about my the Spector....

They have now 😉

Thanks chaps, very interesting. I never knew Graham Maby ( one of my Bass playing heroes) used them and of course I missed name checking Gary Tallent. There does definitely seem to be more players of Rock/Metal than other genres and it very-much echoes my own experiences of gigging my main squeeze (a bright red 1980's Charvel 1B with pointy headstock) in my R'n'B band and a number of people who come along to the gigs asking what the heck I'm playing. Anyway, the Spector I tried were super basses and apart from the 24 fret neck which gave me vertigo, were as good quality build-wise and sonically than anything else I've tried.

I'm genuinely bemused as the ones I've seen and tried look spectacularly built and sound great. I just can't work out why they're not more prevalent

Very much tongue in cheek, but having recently played a Spector LX4 and doing a bit more research about them, they seem to be very much a tool for Rock bands rather than other genres. I can only think of Sting and Greg Lake who were non-rock players who used these and I am sure there are countless others but wondered why they appeal to a limited genre musically than say, Fenders or even Warwicks. Looking at them and having played one, I can't see why they wouldn't suit other music styles but would appreciate some more thoughts or insights if people have them.

And of course one of my favourite jokes of all time too. Q: How do you make a duck in to a good singer? A: Put it in the oven until it's Bill Withers

I've been a fan of Bill Withers and his band for years and recently started listening to his Live at Carnegie Hall Concert again (and again and again....) Melvin Dunlap is sublime all the way through as always and his partnering with James Gadson has to be right up there with the very best. My current favourite track is this one and the groove is almost trance-like. To me THIS is Bass playing:

Martin answered my wanted ad for a Stingray pickguard. It arrived very quickly and is better than I could have hoped for. Highly recommended

I've played Sax on and off since I was about 12. It was always my "proper" musical instrument and was the one I learnt to read music on and learnt musical theory too. I was quite successful, playing in a few bands but had to give up just after university having lost my front teeth playing Rugby and although I always played Bass from about the age of 14, playing the Sax was some thing I really missed (I was always better at it than I was on Bass!) I had to stop playing Rugby a couple of years ago, so decided to try and re-learn the Sax. I've recently landed a Baritone Sax gig which I'm really enjoying, so I guess I can say I'm half-way back to being a Sax player again. Anyway, here is my collection: they're all Mauriats (don't remember them existing when I first played) and are super quality and very easy to play.

Hi Michael Nice to hear from you and I hope you're well. The Jazz didn't last much longer I'm afraid as I struggle with the body shape for some reason and always look line in shooting ducks when I'm playing one! I decided to replace it with a stunning 2014 Classic Ray which is in absolutely spotless condition. It's a lovely weight too. Not quite two matching pairs, but pretty close

I gave up for a number of years as I was playing lots of Rugby and Rugby and Sax playing don't mix! I was surprised too how much I'd remembered and actually, how much more comfortable I felt with playing again compared to when I was younger.

Thanks chaps, all good now so onwards and upwards. The Jazz is a standard size but I think through my exemplary photographic skills I've managed to make it look huge!

Thanks. It’s a P Mauriat and is the best blowing Baritone I’ve ever played. The Sop is a Mauriat too and the Tenor is a Yanagisawa. I used to play Alto a few years ago but I could never get it to sound right to my ears.

Well, this year has been a pretty rough one for us but I’m delighted to say that things have turned a corner over the last week. I’m looking forward to ringing 2020 in though! Anyway, the upturn in fortune compelled me to celebrate in style by getting rid of a few of my guitars and a nice valve combo that wasn’t being used and to reinvest in my main squeeze; the bass. Joining my trusty faithful P Bass and my recently acquired Jazz, I picked up a new Tony Franklin Fretless and a Music Man SR5. I really feel I now have every eventuality covered with these four which is a good thing as I planned on having a dry 2020 when it comes to musical gear! We’ll see....

I once had a call telling me I had been selected to have a half-price Conservatory fitted. I told them I was over the moon and could we arrange an appointment ASAP. You could hear the dollar signs rolling around the caller's head. She asked for my address and I took great delight in telling her I was in a second floor flat. At least she had the decency to apologise.