Billy Apple

Outside of anything that members here might be able to do, you can't go wrong contacting Maiden management via the website. If there is anyone who is hands on, it's Steve Harris, I'm sure he'd do something.

In a perverse way, I agree with JH, and what suprises me is that more manufacturers have not gone after the makers of copies from the far east. I wonder if because many have got into bed with oriental factories that it makes it difficult to protect their property. It's a shame JH can't differentiate between an individual selling a copy (an individual who given time may well buy the real thing) and a factory/importer/shop selling them new. He can't expect that those already made can cease to exist, but he can do his best to ensure no more are made. And if he persues the makers I would say good luck to him. I just wish he could cut some slack to the people who pay homage to the brand, while being short on the funds to get one. But, as I say, for a perverse reason, I feel like having a go on a Ricenbacker.

There's something not right here. I think he's a grown-up playing an enormous comedy bass, I mean the bass has even got 5 strings.. Nonsense!

I don't seem to be able to quote BRX's post, so, BRX, who does make Rockingbetters, and moreover where does the notion come from that all of them are made by Tokai?

I was going to get a Rickenfaker tattoo this weekend, but now I'm not so sure

Can you post pictures of a real Ric that you have scratched the word 'Hondo' on with a compass point?

That's heavy maaan!

I'm enjoying the look of this Gibson very much. Puts me in mind of a Mosrite.

I'm finding then for £20 more on 'tinternet. Where did you get yours?

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1368530079' post='2077984'] If this was in the "Off Topic" bit - BC members only - I may scare the life out of you.... [/quote] I hadn't realized one was open and one was closed. Do you think this is putting people off posting? I put it in general as it's bass related. I'll get the mods to shift it over if it will encourage members to share.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Well done. A vast resource for members, young players, gear-heads and fans ruined. The row was over, done and dealt with and Guy was still big enough to post.[/font][/color] [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]We've just made ourselves look amateur beyond belief.[/color][/font]

Some nice old pics here, folks. Please give a bit of background to the old ones. What was going on in your life, gear you were using, that sort of thing?

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1368426702' post='2076810'] At some point on here do'you think we could talk about basses again? [/quote] Hear hear. +1 and all that. I think the bones have been raked over enough.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1368345760' post='2075818'] [attachment=134618:Steve - curly in 1978.jpg][attachment=134619:29-07-12-015.jpg] 1978 vs 2012 - ouch!! [/quote] Both of them are cool as.. Please give us the '78 story

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1368342008' post='2075777'] I stumbled across some old recordings on my old computer a couple of months ago... [/quote] Don't be shy.. Stick them up! [quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1368344001' post='2075797'] [size=4]Just wonder, do many of us try a lot harder with our music when we only have the bare minimum to do it with ?[/size] [/quote] I do think keeping things to the minimum stuff helps creativity. The songs and playing have to stand on their own without hiding behind stuff. [quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1368345189' post='2075807'] Billy apple= Shaun Ryder? [/quote] Well, err.. I was thinking more along the lines of Brad Pitt. [size=1]This has been said before.[/size]

I tried to take some pictures, but close up all you get is the flash going off.

I recently came across a couple of photos of yours truly taking his first steps on the bass. I was 16 years old, bursting with punk-rock and opportunity. The snaps were taken by a school friend who developed and printed them himself. As you can see we were young and the situation was more important than photographic skill. The year was 1983, the location a market town called Hexham in Northumberland. I look at these snaps and it all seems like yesterday. They were taken in the guitarists bedroom, we played into the same amp via the high and low inputs (guitar amp, that is) and did not have a clue about watts/resistance/short circuiting/etc/etc/etc. It was enough for us that we were making a noise, and most importantly making our own noise. At this stage I think we had three songs, one was called 'Take' and I can still hear it in my head now... GGGGGFFEEEGGGGGFFEEE.. My bass is a Westone Thunder IA that I'd blagged from the guitarists brother. The eagled eyed might spot that the active switch is off, because I never put a battery in, and it sounded just fine to me. My mate traded his Washburn soon after for a brand spanker blonde Squier Telecaster that he still plays to this day. I had the Westone until '87 when I sold it to Barney McKays on the Westgate Hill in Newcastle (Crack Converters of the day) to fund my Glastonbury ticket that year. After that I played an Ibanez Roadster that another (wealthy) mate had lost interest in (for quite a while with no A string.. expensive in those days). The Ibanez was vastly superior to the Westone, but it did not last due to the fact that his Mum turned up at my house demanding the bass back that I'd stolen from her Son! I'd had the bloody thing for 8 months! Anyway, when I look at these pictures I get all misty eyed. It all seems like yesterday, and life was all in-front of us. We honestly did not have a care in the world. The biggest problem we had was scrounging money for tabs and beer, trying to pull and sorting transport for the gear to gigs. From these small beginnings my 'Basslife' has taken me to many places and many people. And in many ways I've come back full circle to the joy of simple pleasure of playing bass. It's nice now because I've got some pennies in my pocket so can enjoy the things I could only wish for when I was 16. But the truth is, is what makes tone is a desire and love to do something for yourself, and to hang all others opinion. From this, all tone will flow. Anyway, 30 years later.. The author with his Westone Thunder IA. Acquired off the Forum and finally complete with a battery! Please post up your 'then and now' snaps, and please give a little story so we can carry the torch for those to come. Best wishes to everyone

I think it will look great when finished. Good choice with removing the JPup, it looks gash.