Rayman

So my Frank Bello pimp job is done. A fun project, just because. I stripped out everything basically. There was nothing wrong with it stock, but I decided to just have fun with it. The only original parts now, are the wooden ones. I didn’t want to throw silly money at it, so I was sensible on the spending, basically thinking that everything should be black. I think it looks better than the stock chrome hardware. Wilkinson tuners, black bridge, strap locks, knobs….. @KiOgon loom …. Alan Entwhistle (?!?) pickups, which seem well made and pretty high output. What do you think?

OOOF! Nice sir.

If it can tell you where the nearest coffee machine is… I’m interested

Testing a rehearsal room in what way?

Ahh Antoria….. I had a fantastic Antoria Jazzstar guitar in the 90s. Totally ruined it by putting SD pickups in it 🫣…. tool.

We’re Kimbara not made by Kawai or similar? I can’t remember, but I do remember them being decent, a bit like I thought Cimar (Ibanez) were decent.

Technically I’m not actually singing and playing here…. However, we’re a 3pce metal band, and I’m lead vocals/bass. I guess as the primary song writer I make my bass parts manageable while singing, but it’s never been too much of a problem. I bet it’s harder in a covers band?

A few from back in the day might remember me buying, selling, buying it back, selling it again….. I’m an idiot. It was easily the best bass I’ve ever owned, but I was so skint… I had to finally sell it, and I’ve missed it regularly since. A Kinal MK5. It was perfect. The perfect neck, and those Aero pickups….. sigh

I’m getting married in August. We can’t afford anything flash so it’s just a small modest ceremony with no plans for a honeymoon. My poor Mrs hasn’t been on holiday for 13yrs! My first thoughts after winning a grand? Reverend Mercalli 4 in metallic Alpine green. 👍🏻

I guess the above experiences are indicative of a small business, great service most of the time, but possibly a struggle when they’re busy. However to not acknowledge the purchase of a bass from the website is a worry. I’ve been trying (via email with pictures) to order a Nordstrand Stingray pickup for a while, to fit into one of my Arias. All done via email because of the required photos. However the conversation has gone very quiet, so I’ve given up for now. I’m another phone hater, I just don’t like them. Even talking to the Mrs from my hotel last night, I couldn’t wait to get off the phone, I’ve always struggled with it, dad was the same. SO, email is great for me. In this day and age, you have to be on top of your emails, especially in business.

What’s the first thing that springs to mind? A holiday? A car repair? A holiday? The wife’s birthday (😒)? An amp?? OR… A lovely new bass 😈? What bass? You’ve got a grand…. if you want a new Stingray, you’ll have to put some more in…. but how about a new Reverend Mercalli or Sire V10? What’s it going to be?

Am I the only one who liked Load? 😆

I have tapes on one of my Sunn Mustangs….. and playing it with a pick is one of the funkiest things ever. Awesome tone, and no issues with string degradation so far.

How about this… We, as punters, are programmed (or swayed by the media) to love a band as they rise to stardom, then suddenly hate them for that popularity and turn on them because we’re told to…. Metallica Coldplay U2 Madonna REM Just off the top of my head. Let’s be honest, these are examples of ridiculously talented writers, performers, artists….. and we hate them all. Why? I can’t answer that. Madonna for example, is an unbelievably talented performer and musician, who, knew exactly how to direct her band both in and out of the studio, about the musicality of her songs, and sang many of her hits in one take, while giving the hired help instructions on exactly what to do and how to play it. Now…. we think she’s a washed up pensioner with terrible plastic surgery. The music industry is an abomination.

I’ve had a bunch of bits, and even a T Shirt from @Feline Guitars, you can’t go wrong.

Ok, so after some deliberation, I can join in here. To me they’re tools. I have no love for most of my basses…. I like them, but circumstances have always forced me to move them on in the past. I’ve had a bunch of regrets in terms of selling the ones I really loved…. a Kinal MK5, Overwater Progress 5, ‘78 P bass etc…. But this one is different. A recent gift from my ailing mum… AND it’s bloody perfect in all respects. For those reasons it’s the only one I can guarantee is going nowhere: 2013 Reverend Justice

I’ve never had a Squier, until a few days ago. I was looking for a project, to practice working on, changing parts etc, just for my own amusement. So I found a mid 00s Frank Bello sig PJ Jazz. I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. Nicely put together, the neck in particular feels really nice with good fretwork. The hardware is ok, no issues, and it sounds decent too. Ok, I’ve bought it to completely strip and re-build, but it doesn’t really need it, it’s fine as it is. I don’t know what constitutes entry level anymore, but as my mate above points out, compared to the MIJ crap we had to put up with in the 70s/80s as our first basses, instruments like these are absolutely great.

Just in case anyone thought I had beef… I don’t! I’ve had no dealings with them, but from the OP info, it sounded like an odd transaction. I stand corrected.

Ha ha ha…. I know, a lot of people thought that!

Before Basschat, there was Bassworld. At the time of joining Bassworld, my main basses were Stingrays. So I picked Rayman. I carried the name over to Basschat when was first launched.

Personally I’d be telling him to do one mate.