cetera

Stuart is concentrating on custom acoustic guitars in his semi-retirement: http://esopusguitars.com/index.html

Depends what you prefer. I find the Wimbish a little too slim in the lower frets (like a very slim Jazz neck). The Hill is a nice midpoint imho between a Jazz and non-baseball bat P.

The Ian Hill has the most comfortable neck imho of the Euro Spectors as it has the classic Kramer NS2 dimensions....

Sold my Genz cab to Nik! Agreed a poss sale to him at the Bass Bash on the Saturday, he came through with confirmation early in the week and by the weekend we'd met each other half way and done the deal. A top gent and highly recommended as always

"Anal love in the heart of the city.... Anal love in the heart of town...." Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City - Whitesnake

I keep looking at this and wondering what it is I like so much. I think it's the tort and blocks.... Hmmmm.... maybe I should get some block inlays stickers and a tort guard and put them on my Betsy? 🤔

'The Night Flight Orchestra' - Tufnell Park Dome on Thursday night. Possibly 'Stanley Dee' - Steely Dan tribute on Sunday at The Half Moon, Putney.

REALLY fancy one of these.... 💜🎸

KISS tribute band 'Hotter Than Hell - tonight at Hertford Corn Exchange

I'm sure he's a good bassist/decent all round chap etc but tbh, at the time, it forced me away from their stand and did nothing to show that their strings were capable of anything other than making the sound of 'falling down the stairs'.

He was mentioned as an example re: that very point, by professional session/West End bassist Ian King at his 'workshop' at the recent SE Bass Bash.

Sounds like your client may have been the showboating bassist in the vid lol!

Pat Benatar..... "Hit me with your best shot". Sounds like "Hit me with your pet shark". We play it in our theatre show and I may, or may not, have sung it like that on occasion

#SoMuchWinning #WeLostWillNeverGetOverIt #SunlitUplandsAndUnicorns IBTL

Damn..... really tempted by the purple one. Crazy cheap price....

Overall yes. The Euros are still fantastic basses built to an excellent standard and are the 'standard' imho... The US ones are all custom shop now and if anything they have a greater attention to detail than some of the last models Stuart put out.... but you pay the price. Asian ones are generally excellent too with just an occasional niggle reported, but a cheaper price point.

Funnily enough I watched this the other day while browsing through OGWT performances by different classic acts...

I was a founding member of a KISS tribute with whom I spent 25 years performing across the World. I, of course, portrayed 'Gene Simmons'.... Do you have to be a fan of the original artist, or maybe you become one? You don't HAVE to be, but you should at the very least have a high level of appreciation for either the band or musician you are portraying. There's no way on earth I'd play in an Oasis tribute for example.... How important is it to be visually/musically identical? How much latitude are you allowed? This depends on the band. With KISS the visuals are EQUALLY as important as the music, but the visuals are also the hardest. I've seen some terrible KISS tributes where the Gene Simmons is only 5ft tall (even in his 7" stack heels) and the Paul Stanley is way overweight and lycra is NOT his friend.... lol! Many of them barely move onstage or think that an occasional stick out of the tongue is 'job done'. *head shake* With an ABBA tribute, the four upfront need to look right, but the rest of the band not so much. However, no matter what band/artist it is.... musically the attention to details needs to be there e.g. accurate parts, identical solos like the record/famous live version etc. I also think that where possible identical or very similar instruments should be used - particularly if the artist is know for it e.g. Mick Ronson - Les Paul, Clapton - Strat, Simmons- Axe, McCartney - Hofner/Ricky. Also, I believe there to be two distinct types of 'tribute'. 1) A 'Tribute to the Music of....' - Bands/artists not known for their look/visual impact/frontman with specific image i.e. Steely Dan, Eagles, Chicago etc 2) A Tribute Band/Artist - has a strong visual as well as musical impact whether just frontman or whole band i.e. Stones, Beatles, Queen, KISS, Bowie etc Anything else is a cover band. They may like to think they're a 'tribute', or bill themselves as one - but, to me, if they play the songs of an artist without the necessary attention to details musically and/or visually then they could just be a covers band down the pub... Do you ‘get into character’ or is it just a gig? In the KISS tribute my 'character' was everything. I had to learn/practice how to walk/prowl on 7" stack heels with a huge armour/studded suit on while playing bass, flicking my tongue, grinding my hips etc.... lol! Add lead singing 40% of the set on and bv'ing the rest on to that.... and then learning to breathe fire and spit blood... well, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, especially when dodging pyro pots and flame pods onstage! If I was a Bill Wyman, Flea, McCartney etc I would also think it essential to get into character. However, if I was in e.g. a Squeeze tribute, it wouldn't be necessary. Does it feel musically limiting, or is it fulfilling your needs? (Maybe you have a side band?) I wouldn't say I found it musically limiting - it was a challenge recreating the bass lines accurately while juggling the vocals and physical moves too. We also regularly changed up the set and played plenty of album cuts for fan and band enjoyment. I played/play other stuff at home for myself anyway and at various points over those 25 years I was in a couple of original bands and pub cover bands on the side. Also, there's a skill and discipline in recreating things accurately every night..... Do you have any qualms about tributes ‘stifling original music’? Not at all. It's a separate scene and tbh it keep venues in business, but we always tried to have a local upcoming originals band on as support when we could in order to give something back. Where else would they get to play their original material to maybe 400+ people a night and get to promote themselves/sell a few CDs etc? Certainly not on their own shows.... Have you ever met or been seen by a member of the ‘originals’? What did they say? We were very lucky in that our positive profile with the band and their record company gave us many amazing opportunities including: Gene invited us to perform a private show for him and the schoolkids on his 'Gene Simmons Rock School' TV series. This was a highlight as we spent lots of time in his company, laughing, smiling and joking. I've met him a few times now and the 'real' Gene I/we know is not the controversial person he projects for the press/general public (PT Barnum was right). We were asked to play at various KISS album and video launch events for Universal Records. We played various Fan Conventions across Europe where we met members/former members Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Mark St John (RIP) and their longtime Manager Bill Aucoin (RIP). We also had all bar Paul, Gene & Ace join us onstage at different events to play live with us! We only ever got positive feedback from them - although a couple of former members (with alcohol issues) were a little 'difficult' lol! Other well known bands also came to see us over the years including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers who saw us at the London Marquee club & Def Leppard who saw us at Tokyo Ariake Coliseum. What is the overriding thing being in a tribute act has taught you? Attention to detail, personal discipline, huge respect for the creative aspect of the original act and musicians involved...and the energy needed to do it night on night for years! It's also a lot harder to do it right than people give credit for..... or than doing an originals band, where there are little or no audience expectations other than hopefully vaguely decent songs. All the 'best' tribute bands and shows pull out all the stops, wherever possible/financially realistic and this sets them apart from what are, otherwise, mainly glorified 'cover bands'. Recreation of the main things the band/artist are known for are key....! However, having said that.... there are some particularly anal fans who will always find something to criticise. One guy said to our Paul Stanley that it was "an excellent show but you don't have quite as much chest hair as Paul Stanley"... to which our guy replied "I'm not Jewish either and I've still got my foreskin .... how accurate do you need it to be?!!" Having done it once, would you do it again? If so, would the musical angle be very different? I would..... not KISS though... as a slightly overweight 50+ in lycra and make up paying tribute to a similar 70+ year old wouldn't be a great look! I'd rather be involved with a 'Tribute to the music of' show..... ideally The Doobie Brothers, Journey, ELO, Toto or something equally as musically satisfying. I'm happy for now doing my 'Classic Rock Anthems & Power Ballads Show' in theatres..... although part of me would love to do a bit of 'Rutger' in an ABBA tribute too

Thanks to everyone who came, displayed, played, chatted, laughed and made for a fantastic day. It makes all the organisation of these events so much more worthwhile.... Big thanks to Colin @Hamster and Sarah (Mrs Hamster) for securing the venue and keeping us caked & coffee-d and to@Kingbassist for taking the time out of his busy schedule to give a fascinating and entertaining talk and demonstrate some awesome playing. Hope to see you again at future events Ian! Gear of the day for me was the new Trace Elliot head (huge heft and punch!) and the Trondheim Audio SkarBassOne pedal (juicy tones!). Both are new to market so keep an eye/ear out for them! Same time next year (preferably without the torrential rain storms)?!

I spent 25 years(!) in a KISS tribute. Lots to say so will contribute when I have more time, in the week.

Updated list: 1. MacDaddy - Custom Shukers / Rob Allen Mouse / Peavey Vypyr VIP III 2. Binky Bass - Binky 10 string, USA Conklin 8 string, ACG 9 string, 3 x ACG 6 strings, Reiver 7 string (geeeetar), GR Bass Dual 1400 & GR Bass AT410+, Helix LT, Pinegrove straps, Richter straps etc. 3. Cetera - Spector (USA NS2 & NS2X, Euro Classic, Euro LX (w/Haz),Euro 'Rachel Bolan', Pulse II ) Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee', Fender 70's Classic P & FSR PJ with East pre, GK400RB, GK Legacy 800 & 4. Tech21 VT500 Heads, Genz Benz Neox212 cab. 5. Merton - various ACGs, Zoots, Conway Instruments basses, Glockenklang Blue Rock, Barefaced Two10/One10 6. Eude - ACG Finn SC Classic 6 string, ACG RetroB 5, ACG TKO Modern 4, ACG ChubstRR Mikro 6 string, 2 X ACG Mule 4 strings (on loan from ACG), GK Legacy 500, 1 or 2 Barefaced One10 Cabs, Dod 250(r) modded with @Sibob 7. Stingray5 - MusicMan Stingray5, Tune TWB6, Tune SWV4-BB, Boss GT-6B, Eden EC15 combo OR Trace Elliot GP12SMX combo. 8. NancyJohnson - NS Design NXT5a EUB, Lull JAXT4, Darkglass A/O900, Darkglass 112 cab, Tech 21 dUg. 9. prowla: Obligatory Rickenbackers, a Warwick or two, maybe a Kramer aluminium necked bass, some pedals, Ampeg & Tech 21 preamps (subject to change), maybe the Minitaur & MIDI bass pedals. 10. Silverfoxnik: G&L SB1, BC Rich Eagle, Godin Shifter Classic 5, Sprackenbacker Ricky copy, Mesa Walkabout 15 combo, or Handbox R400 + Vanderkley 1156 MT. 11. Happy Jack: an assortment of weird 5h1t that I can guarantee nobody else will bring 12. WalMan (hopefully!): Wal, Status S1 & S2 & Zon Legacy Elite. One of the rigs (probably Mesa D800 & BF One10 or BBII as there's already One10's on thelist) or Helix & Headrush. SkarBassOne pedal. May have an old case & 2U rack to sell/raffle 13. Steve Browning: Mesa TT-800 and Mesa Subway 1x15 cabs. SVL basses. Greco Pbass and Tokai Jazz. 14. OrangeFriday: Latest homebuild items - Tubular Bass and Basscape effects plus maybe Jellybean Bass (the one with a few LEDs in the neck) 15. BillyBass: Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas V (J) and IV (reverse PJ) , Balaguer select series Goliath (HH), Tech21 GED 2112 pre amp, Barefaced Midget,maybe a super compact too. Not sure about which head yet. Jam pedals Lucy dreamer, 16. Hamstead Subspace, Jam Pedals Ripply Fall. 17. Mudpup: Zon Sonus Std, Cort A4plus, Mesa Big Block 750, Mesa MPulse 600, Quilter BB800, Barefaced Big Baby cab 18. Simon C : G&L L2000 Tribute, Sire V7 Fretless, Ibanez EHB1000S Headless Shortscale. Various pedals (switch, tuner, Hypergravity compressor, Laney 85 Bass Octave, Bass Clone Chorus, Spectradrive) 19. Rumblefish: Reverend Rumblefish,Bernie Goodfellow bass, EBS HD 350,Vanderkley 112 MNT. 20. bass_dinger - Two Washburn 500s and a step-fronted SWR Workingman 12 with a three digit serial number. And maybe the Boulder Creek 5 string in my avatar. 21. Smanth - Harley Benton B-550FL, Kala UBASS, Roland Microcube Bass RX, TC-Electronics BG250-208, Line 6 Wireless, Some Zoom Pedals, Stompz if it is working, Bits for Phoenix. 22. Andyjr1515: Camphor Single Cut (see also For Sale listing); AJR's "Same woods and proportions as a Thumb but, wisely, a different shape" fretless; passing across the completed pink lightweight to Happy Jack 23. TrevorR - Wal Mk 1, Wal Pro 2E, Aria SB700, Frankenjazz, MarkBass LMII & Traveler 2x10, Pedalboard… 24. bassace97 - SVT Classic + 410, Stingray 4 HH and American Special Jazz Bass, and pedalboard 25. kebabkid - 2 x Sires and Roland Cube 26. Smanth - her good self 27. Darren R - his good self

1. MacDaddy - Custom Shukers / Rob Allen Mouse / Peavey Vypyr VIP III 2. Binky Bass - Binky 10 string, USA Conklin 8 string, ACG 9 string, 3 x ACG 6 strings, Reiver 7 string (geeeetar), GR Bass Dual 1400 & GR Bass AT410+, Helix LT, Pinegrove straps, Richter straps etc. 3. Cetera - Spector (USA NS2 & NS2X, Euro Classic, Euro LX (w/Haz),Euro 'Rachel Bolan', Pulse II ) Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee', Fender 70's Classic P & FSR PJ with East pre, GK400RB, GK Legacy 800 & 4. Tech21 VT500 Heads, Genz Benz Neox212 cab. 5. Merton - various ACGs, Zoots, Conway Instruments basses, Glockenklang Blue Rock, Barefaced Two10/One10 6. Eude - ACG Finn SC Classic 6 string, ACG RetroB 5, ACG TKO Modern 4, ACG ChubstRR Mikro 6 string, 2 X ACG Mule 4 strings (on loan from ACG), GK Legacy 500, 1 or 2 Barefaced One10 Cabs, Dod 250(r) modded with @Sibob 7. Stingray5 - MusicMan Stingray5, Tune TWB6, Tune SWV4-BB, Boss GT-6B, Eden EC15 combo OR Trace Elliot GP12SMX combo. 8. NancyJohnson - NS Design NXT5a EUB, Lull JAXT4, Darkglass A/O900, Darkglass 112 cab, Tech 21 dUg. 9. prowla: Obligatory Rickenbackers, a Warwick or two, maybe a Kramer aluminium necked bass, some pedals, Ampeg & Tech 21 preamps (subject to change), maybe the Minitaur & MIDI bass pedals. 10. Lozz196: US Precision, Ashdown ABM600 & Ashdown ABM PRO NEO 210s x2 Ampeg SCR-DI, Sansamp BDDI v2 11. Silverfoxnik: G&L SB1, BC Rich Eagle, Godin Shifter Classic 5, Sprackenbacker Ricky copy, Mesa Walkabout 15 combo, or Handbox R400 + Vanderkley 1156 MT. 12. Happy Jack: an assortment of weird 5h1t that I can guarantee nobody else will bring 13. WalMan (hopefully!): Wal, Status S1 & S2 & Zon Legacy Elite. One of the rigs (probably Mesa D800 & BF One10 or BBII as there's already One10's on thelist) or Helix & Headrush. SkarBassOne pedal. May have an old case & 2U rack to sell/raffle 14. Steve Browning: Mesa TT-800 and Mesa Subway 1x15 cabs. SVL basses. Greco Pbass and Tokai Jazz. 15. OrangeFriday: Latest homebuild items - Tubular Bass and Basscape effects plus maybe Jellybean Bass (the one with a few LEDs in the neck) 16. BillyBass: Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas V (J) and IV (reverse PJ) , Balaguer select series Goliath (HH), Tech21 GED 2112 pre amp, Barefaced Midget,maybe a super compact too. Not sure about which head yet. Jam pedals Lucy dreamer, 17. Hamstead Subspace, Jam Pedals Ripply Fall. 18. Wolverinebass: Aside from bringing sideburns and sarcasm, not sure what I might bring. 19. Mudpup: Zon Sonus Std, Cort A4plus, Mesa Big Block 750, Mesa MPulse 600, Quilter BB800, Barefaced Big Baby cab 20. Simon C : G&L L2000 Tribute, Sire V7 Fretless, Ibanez EHB1000S Headless Shortscale. Various pedals (switch, tuner, Hypergravity compressor, Laney 85 Bass Octave, Bass Clone Chorus, Spectradrive) 21. Rumblefish: Reverend Rumblefish,Bernie Goodfellow bass, EBS HD 350,Vanderkley 112 MNT. 22. bass_dinger - Two Washburn 500s and a step-fronted SWR Workingman 12 with a three digit serial number. And maybe the Boulder Creek 5 string in my avatar. 23. Smanth - Harley Benton B-550FL, Kala UBASS, Roland Microcube Bass RX, TC-Electronics BG250-208, Line 6 Wireless, Some Zoom Pedals, Stompz if it is working, Bits for Phoenix. 24. Andyjr1515: Camphor Single Cut (see also For Sale listing); AJR's "Same woods and proportions as a Thumb but, wisely, a different shape" fretless; passing across the completed pink lightweight to Happy Jack 25. TrevorR - Wal Mk 1, Wal Pro 2E, Aria SB700, Frankenjazz, MarkBass LMII & Traveler 2x10, Pedalboard… 26. bassace97 - SVT Classic + 410, Stingray 4 HH and American Special Jazz Bass, and pedalboard 27. kebabkid - 2 x Sires and Roland Cube