Deep Thought

You have a woman's bass my Lord! (Blackadder fans will appreciate this)

Thanks to all, chaps-I've ordered my copy of Gig Getter. We're basically after first-time gigs, not having been established for too long. The idea was that whilst the drummer's away, as we're not doing much else we can use the time to chase gigs. To my shame I've put it off for quite a while because I confess I'm not good at this this type of thing-self-promotion is not one of my fortes. He's due back soon and I want to have something to show for it! A problem we have is that most of our work mates have seen us a few times at Ambulance Service do's, and most of them aren't big blues fans, so getting them to turn out to see us in large numbers now the novelty's worn off is difficult. I'm planning a bit of a road trip, handing out demos/press packs to likely venues, although I'm stuck at home with my daughter and her chicken pox at the moment! I'll add the Lifeboat Inn to my list. Cheers lads.

I'm a lover of classic design-not just in basses but in cars, architecture, clothing, interiors, furniture etc. That's why the Fender shapes do it for me-it also just so happens that the Precision sound suits the straightforward, effects-free type of music I play, and the wide neck suits my playing style. To me nothing beats the Precision shape with that big old all-in-a line headstock (owned a Jazz and didn't get on with the offset waisted body). Oddly enough I'm not keen on the Telebass/Mike Dirnt earlier style Precision-dunno why. That, as far as aesthetics is concerned, is the way it goes IMHO. Sometimes you just like something or you don't and you can't necessarily explain why. I used to dislike Rickenbackers, but have recently begun to appreciate their classic design as well. I find it very hard to like virtually any modern bass shape-particularly not the smooth, slippery Warwick 'erection' type of thing, and definitely not the Bongo, which I think is the most hideous thing ever to have four strings (or five), and I don't care how great it sounds. Again as the Bongo shape is somewhat Art Deco-ish I ought to like it, but I don't. I also think a lot of modern basses that do have fairly attractive body shapes have ugly headstocks-afraid I think Shuker is a prime candidate here-nice, streamlined body shape with a squat, misshapen headstock, similar, as I've said more than once, to a squid's tentacle. The World of musical instrument design is a prime example of how vastly people's tastes differ-what is to one person a thing of beauty is to another a horrible monstrosity. Vive le Difference!

[quote name='beerdragon' post='289172' date='Sep 22 2008, 02:14 PM']Hay deepthought are you familar with the Bucket boys at all. caught them last week. awesome. that Tim renwick sure is some g....r player.[/quote] Certainly am-Willie their drummer is a workmate of mine at my 'other' job. Their whole lineup is an awesome array of talent, they've played with some huge names in their time-Floyd, Clapton-they were never going to be anything but brilliant with a lineup like that (Gits! ) HSD eh? Don't go a bunch on the stuff personally-afraid none of my home town brewery's output does much for me-just don't get on with the taste-it's to do with their water source I reckon, although Tribute isn't bad. Used to drink an awful lot of Wreckers (keg version of HSD) in my youth-probably what put me off it! I prefer Skinner's Ales from Truro.

We are the Steely-Eyed Missile Men-we play, to quote Sean of this forum 'Cool Dirty Boogie'. Mainly Blues/R'n'B/Blues rock with the odd modern one thrown in if we feel like it, with original material also gradually filtering in as I write 'em. All Ambulance staff, for our sins. Currently on a gig-hunting drive. Lots of new pics added to the Myspace page, link in signature.

The opening solo from 5 Minutes by the Stranglers. Or Yellow Submarine.

Our drummer's been off in India for a month, and me and the guitarist's job is to use the time to chase up some gigs whilst he's away. Guitarist hasn't been much use, so looks like it's down to me. I'm about to start a full-on offensive against the pubs of Cornwall, how do you fellows go about getting gigs?

[quote name='TheDarkReaver' post='286068' date='Sep 17 2008, 05:11 PM']Taken last year, let the mockery begin![/quote] A Spice Girls tie?? You deserve everything you get!!

Oh heck, wish I hadn't seen that Roland Microcube-now I want one. Just watched the little video clip-Warwick Dolphin I believe-the only Warwick I like the look of.

I just bought Platypus's MIM P-bass, another of Homer's old ones. It's great to know that it's been seen, played by and spoken well of by several forum members prior to my getting it. It's particularly gratifying in my case as MIM Fenders are prone to be a bit hit and miss, so it's nice to know one is not buying a lemon. It's a great system, unless you're after something especially esoteric, but what you're after will probably show up sooner or later. I've been fortunate in that all my basschat purchases to date have been pleasurable, civilised and easy transactions. I know this isn't always the case, but I think the ones which go awry are fairly few and far between.

I had mine replaced by a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder-my local shop did it, so I don't know how it was done, but the pot was replaced as well. I had to get new knobs, as I was left with a volume knob with a hole in it where the S-1 button used to go.

Bass? What bass? I didn't notice a bass.

I've just acquired Platypus's apparently much admired MIM Precision. Cracking bass it is too, but it came with a full set of 'ashtrays' which, not being my thang, I whipped off pretty sharpish. There are a couple of areas where the finish has come off around the holes where the bridge cover was screwed on-only a few square mm. Has anyone had any success with filling and repainting such holes, or dings in general, or is it a complete respray job or trip to a luthier? I was thinking of having a go with a little automotive filler and paint/laquer and a good polish to at least improve things a bit-good idea or not? It's not a big deal, but if I could do it myself easily enough I thought it would be worth a go.

Just bought some very nice knobs from Nick in a hassle-free and pleasant transaction. Happy to recommend.

Just bought Paul's MIM Precision off him. No hesitation in recommending him as a splendid fellow-bass well-packaged, a genuine pleasure to deal with, totally trouble-free transaction. Buy with confidence!

As my band has a sort of aviation/space connection (the name originates from the early space programme), I currently have a USAAF 'crusher' cap which I wear onstage (see avatar). Nobody has yet told me to stop wearing 'that silly bloody hat' so I'll keep wearing it until I get fed up with it. Stops the lights reflecting off my head anyway!

Meant to say thanks for that Sean-this could be the new band slogan!

We used to do this one-loved playing it (with a pick), sadly I couldn't sing it to save my life, so eventually it got booted out of the set.

That looks [i]really[/i] nice-better than the Blackstar, IMHO. I have a hankering for an all-black Ricky as well-one of these days, maybe.