TheGreek

When I first started playing I knew many people who had guitars with half a set of strings sitting in the corner of the room, rarely played. Probably worthless. I, on the other hand, have many well cared for and cherished instruments which maintain their value. I am their caretaker, their value preserver and their user. So in effect I am making more of that piece of wood than others who might not appreciate them as much as I do. They are not "just pieces of wood". I've owned many high end basses - I rarely used them outside of my home in fear of damaging them - one knock can devalue a high end bass by hundreds of pounds. They were, to all intents and purposes, worthless as instruments as they weren't doing what they were designed for. Were they "just pieces of wood?" Certainly beautiful pieces of wood but they were designed to do a job which they weren't being used for. Did they do it better than my current basses? - not measurably. Could I justify owning them? Yes, I maintained them and could afford to own them (till the fear of taking them out became a real issue). Those who argue that basses are just pieces of wood should try this argument with the wife's wedding ring. After all the diamond is just a super heated and squashed bit of carbon (like coal). The gold is "just a bit of shiny metal". Get your missus a copper washer and a bit of charcoal and see how much thicker your left ear is.

Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City Song by Rain Tree Crow (fna Japan)

Blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover - Vera Lynn (has anybody ever seen any???)

If that is the case there are several fallen trees in the local woods which I can sell for £200 for 10lb. Finding the lump of wood which works for each and every one of us is far more complicated and expensive. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean "better for me". Trial and error can ruin your bank balance.

Good post @CJPJ.

Further thanks to Richard for completing the job of replacing the pickups in my Kawai. There were a few issues with the first set of custom pickups which, frankly, weren't giving me what I wanted from them so they went back. One set of active Wilkinsons and some reshaping of the pickup cavities later (doesn't that sound easy!!??) and the Kawai is again knocking out some fantastic tones. Richard even brought it round to me, however the neighbours' sleeping child meant that I didn't get the chance to try it on the night. Played it this morning - as stated above, now kicking out great tones. I need to point out that luthiery isn't Richard's chosen field and that all the work on my Kawai was done around his full time job. Hopefully now he can relax a bit - go fishing, play some golf or whatever helps him chill. Good man.

Would have liked some clearer photos.

Happy to take the money...if you know anybody with any influence give them my details 😉

After all the silly little delays with this I think that I can live with it...

Sweet Baby James - James Taylor - (two in one)

Back in my arms again however.... Upstairs have a toddler who was asleep when Richard and Louisa arrived so I won't get a chance to play it in anger till the morning. Many thanks to Richard for the work he put into getting the bass back to full health.

George Baker - Little Green Bag. (Theme from Reservoir Dogs). Surprisingly easy yet surprisingly kicking!! https://www.google.com/search?q=reservoir+dogs+theme&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB854GB854&oq=reservoir+dogs+theme&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512j0i390l3.10747j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3bb0f17c,vid:anGYFI_hmII

Just had a call from Richard to say that he's dropping the Kawai off later...

@Machines, we're you walking around with a stripey top and a mask for a few days as it sounds like you stole it. I know we talk about Yamaha being great vfm but £89 was a steal.

Only 16 - Jackie Wilson

Currently have 7 fivers, though one (Yamaha BBG5S) is with @Grangur even though he has his own..

I do go through a fair few basses, some I don't gel with and sell on, others I keep for some time, sell and regret and there's the eternal search for that unachievable tone monster. Do I have one to rule them all?? Currently I'm loving my Yamaha TRB 1005 which I traded for my 5iiF and I'm missing. Ask me next week you may get a different answer...

So they're "BroaderBroadBasses" ??

I had a few days where a couple of basses came up which I couldn't say "no" to. Both play really good...hard to say which I prefer, so for now I'll be keeping them both. Squier Dimension and G&L L2500

So here's my BB605, bought for the neck which I'd hoped to transplant onto the body of my BB615 before @AndyTravis put me right. This is 24 fret, the BB615 is 21. Has more in common with my BBG5S than the BB615 IMO.

Mary of the 4th Form - Boomtown Rats

Billy don't be a hero - Paper lace