casapete

I have my Lytes set so that the jazz pickup can be dialled in using the blend control, but the precision pick up is high enough to dominate when the blend is in the middle (notch) setting. If anything have found the jazz pickup the weakest, and replaced a couple with Fender Noiseless units, mainly to eliminate hum / interference in some venues. Having suffered a shoulder injury some years ago, if it was n't for the P.Lytes I would be struggling to find an instrument I could get on with. Got 3 of them at the moment, all great basses. Interestingly I also use a Danelectro Longhorn, which I love. Feather light, great sound and looks ace! Use mine in a country / rock band and it suits the job really well. Just don't tell everyone......

I would investigate the set up on your Precision Lyte first. I've had a few over the years and none of them have been lacking in the p-bass sound or output. You won't find a better lightweight bass for the money IMHO.

Definitely 'less is more' approach required. If you don't get it, you're in the wrong band!

I saw them twice in the 70's (including Earls Court with The Meters) and also in the 80's. Still some of the best gigs I have ever been to, and even now think they can still do it, albeit in a rather more ermm...mature way. I always think the Stones 'magic' is that thing of the songs / playing / band chemistry as a whole, and perhaps the reason some people don't get it is because they are looking for technical virtuosity and 'flash', which the Stones have never been about. Having said that, Keith and Charlie are two of my favourite ever players, and their loose groove makes the band sound like no other. Often imitated, never bettered.

Saw him with Chic last Sunday, barely a slap all night - just terrific groovy stuff that fit the band perfectly. Great guy to fill Bernard's shoes IMHO.

Saw them in Leeds last Sunday, amazing. Funny thing though - Nile came onstage around 9pm and introduced the video for the new song, which was then shown before the gig started! The band later played the song mid set. And then after the encore, Nile stayed onstage and introduced the video again as punters were starting to leave!!

Just sold Si my amplifier. Great guy to deal with, kept me informed of everything regarding the courier he arranged etc. Would recommend to anyone,top man.

Yeah, all the main stuff Nile has been involved with throughout his career, including songs by Bowie, Madonna, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Sheila B Devotion and even Duran Duran! Superb gig in Leeds, absolutely rammed although touts selling tickets outside for less than face value? Queued from 6.30, doors at 7, band didn't come on till 9! No support either, so a long wait. Drinks at daft prices, so audience getting twitchy. Need n't have worried though, the band were amazing, and Jerry Barnes on bass was phenomenal. (Jazz style custom bass in natural finish, with two Aguilar rigs.) Two hour set, great PA sound (upstairs anyway),best gig I've seen for ages.

The Fender Deluxe Active P bass Special would do the trick. MIM but with good PJ pickups and a slim neck, s/h ones can be picked up quite easily too. Worth a look.

Funnily enough I've always found the P pickups very ballsy on my Lytes, with the J pickups possibly lacking a little as well as being prone to interference. To that end have replaced the J's with Fender Noiseless pickups, which seem to balance well with the P and are hum free too. Love P Lytes, would be lost without mine.

Use phosphor bronze strings on my AB20, Elites or Daddarios. Maintains nice acousticy feel with a round full sound.

Feel the need in me - Graham Central Station Got to get you into my life - Earth Wind & fire (good luck with brass parts on this!) We can work it out - Stevie Wonder

Great gig with The ELO Experience at The Severn Theatre in Shrewsbury to a sell out crowd. One of those nights when it all comes together - venue, audience, crew & band!

63 Precision bass Ampeg SVT head Ampeg 810 cab. Old kit that still sounds killer today. Still have the Precision, still regret parting with the Ampeg rig!

Keyboard player in a band I was in was always weighing in heavy with the left hand, often conflicting with my space. One night in a pub gig we gaffa taped the lower couple of octaves keys on his piano - he laughed it off , problem solved!

Really enjoyed the show. Just watched recording of it and hardly skipped through anything,apart from Ellie Goulding who is just not to my taste. Loved William Bell and Boz Scaggs, and thought Ruby Turner was great, along with Joss Stone and Paloma. The Orchestra were as wonderful as ever too, and must admit I thought Ronnie Spector did a fine job on some ace tunes. Sure, there were some 'off' bits here and there, but as stated above it's live music and that's what it's all about.For me just a shame it's only once a year.

I got this when it first came out. Quite a reasonable read, although I just thought that the 'Specific case studies' section was overly repetitive and boring to be honest. Handy for people new to the Fender bass, but perhaps not for those who already have any more than a basic working knowledge of them.

Did n't take a spare bass for years, but in my present band I do now. Playing theatres I always have my spare Precision-a-like in the wings just in case. Everything else has a backup too - leads, mic, Sansamp, strings etc. Just enjoy the piece of mind it brings really, knowing that am equipped for pretty much any eventuality however unlikely it is to happen.

There were only two main bands for me as a teenager in the 70's - The Stones and The Faces. The Faces were the archetypal 'good time' fun band, shambolic at times but somehow how the loose feeling just added to the magic. Although a long time Rod Stewart fan, always thought he never matched the raucous energy and great feeling that he achieved in The Faces with his later solo stuff. Quite liked it when the two bands overlapped too (Woody & Mac), and always loved Ronnie Lane's playing. A proper Faces reunion now seems impossible with Mac's passing too, so sad.

So very sad, a lovely bloke. Saw him a few years ago at The Boardwalk in Sheffield with his Bump Band, a great evening of music and stories. His Hammond (and piano) playing were always top notch, and perfectly complemented The Faces in particular. First Bobby Keys and now Mac, what a great shame.

Tonight (Friday 28th) there is a documentary on Marshall amplification called 'Play it Loud' on BBC4 at 10 pm. Also repeated late Sunday evening too. Looks pretty good.

After my old SVT, probably the best amp I've ever used. Still got mine,it's definitely a keeper. Enjoy.

There is an hour long programme devoted to Jack Bruce on BBC Radio 2 this Monday, December 1st at 7pm. Called 'A life in blues' it is presented by Paul Jones - should be good I think.

Few years ago the agency my function band were signed to approached us to see if we were up for doing some UK dates as the band for a US singer, as we had a 3 piece brass section. It never came off, but I found out later it was for Jimmy Ruffin. I would have done it for nothing just to play the great bassline in 'What becomes of the brokenhearted' every night. A very sad loss. RIP