Rayman

Magnetic Funk Explosion Cat & Tonic Super Galactic Allstars Deep Space Interrogation Squad Smash It Kick The Back Doors In The Ballbreakers Countersunk by Funk Flaptickler Jesus Loves Funk (and you).

I'm not going to pretend I understand anything about electronics at all, I don't, but I know if something sounds good or bad to my ears. I had a lengthy discussion with my tech about wanting an incoming bass (which I hadn't even heard or played at this point) to have its guts ripped out and replaced with CTS pots, switchcraft jack blah blah etc etc. Because I had a preconceived opinion of what I assumed would be budget quality parts, I assumed it would be a requirement to replace the "Duncan Designed" pickups because everyone reckons they're rubbish. Everyone's wrong. They might be lower output than the Basslines in my other bass, but they sound bright, and punchy and with a lovely jazz like honk, I think they're great. I digress....during the chat with my tech he basically said that replacing the parts would be pretty pointless unless they were faulty. Replacing the pickups would be fine if I didn't like them, but why not try them for a bit first, then decide. Great advice, because I loved them regardless of the make or opinions of others. He then pointed out that cloth wiring looks lovely but is no different in performance to the plastic covered stuff already in there. same with the pots, if they work fine, leave them alone, don't waste your money. So the bass arrived, and with a new set of strings and a setup, it was fabulous just as it was, without any pointless jiggery pokery. From that, I learned, that I've wasted a lot of money over the years "[i]upgrading[/i]" basses that really didn't need anything doing to them at all. The funk's in the fingers.....not in the lump of wood and wire they're holding.

It looks similar to a Gretsch Thunderjet I had. It [i]looked[/i] utterly beautiful. If I could, I'd have had it framed and put on the wall. [i]However,[/i] (and I wasn't the only one of it's owners to say the same thing), it sounded dull and lifeless, very disappointing. No matter what I did, different strings, etc etc, I couldn't get a decent tone out of it at all. I'd thought about putting TV Jones' in it, but couldn't be bothered in the end, so I flogged it with much regret. Probably not relevant to the Deusenberg, but thought I'd share it with you anyway.

Norm sold me his spectacular Schecter Model T, which needed industrial cutting equipment to get it out of its packaging (a compliment). Superb and hassle free deal, very highly recommended by me.

Sold Paul my classic 50s Precision. Top chap, nice and easy deal. Very highly recommended.

Sell them all and buy the Precision back. Easy.

As you go through Hope from Castleton, there's a left turn up a country lane, and the industrial estate he's on is just on the right up there. Can't remember exact details, it's been a while.

Hope, just the other side of Castleton Derbyshire.

Yeah I always wanted one too. I've had a few Stingrays in my time, but I always wondered how they compared to each other?

No such thing as crap gear. Just inexpensive and expensive. I've had basses worth 2/3K that were unsuitable for me, and I've ended up with basses that cost £300 a pop used, and I love them. My favourite bass ever was £90 on ebay. Wish I'd kept it. It doesn't have to be expensive or inexpensive to be right for you. It just has to be right for you. There's no such thing as bad weather, or good weather. There's just weather.