stewblack

Worst instance ever was starting A Message To You Rudy. Or rather not starting it. Specials trib, early soundcheck, long afternoon drinking. Stepped to the front of the stage, made 'em wait for a bit then thought to myself - I have no idea what this song even sounds like. Mortifying. Nowadays it still happens occasionally but two significant factors have changed. One I'm sober. Two I realise I'm a musician not a heart surgeon. Nobody dies if I fluff my lines. So I just ask the rest of the band to hum or play it to me. We were doing a Bruno Mars song which I had successfully busked with chord sheets until this particular gig. The guitarist told me I should start it.Byt there's no bass on the intro I argued. BL agreed with him and sure enough when we reached the song I had no idea. Couldn't bring it to mind. After a few fumbled attempts guitar wandered over and asked - Do you actually know this song? I was bang to rights. Had to admit that no I didn't. Apart from when we gigged it I never heard of it.

To be honest I knew it was a long shot and it's no worse than it was before.

Oh to be given the chance to be so choosy

Actually I have realised something rather crucial. I wouldn't be still playing without Basschat. I learned about lightweight gear here. Barefaced cabs, crucial to my continued musical career. Quite simply I would have given up humping that bloody great 8x10 everywhere.

I've followed with interest a couple of threads where a basic instrument has been transformed into a thing of beauty and wonder. But I honestly don't know if it is worth what that must surely cost. It's not all that special after all. But in the hands of a master (and there are some here) maybe it could be.

Thanks for all the support and suggestions. I will try light strings but it's pretty bad with no strings!! I did toy with the idea of letting someone who knows what they're doing loose on it. I've

Tweaked mine so much it came off in my hands earlier

Woah! That didn't go how I thought it would.

You try saying pink torpedo or tits

Oh God, I'm sorry (falls to knees) FORGIVE ME

Don't apologise. I missed that detail in the post. In my defence i didn't say super compact in my reply. But you are still correct I had missed that.

I'm in a band that does a real mixed bag of covers - whatever the BL throws at us. Everything from Erykah Badu to Guns N Roses via Etta James and Bruno Mars and much else in between! I also play in a soul band I've used there too. It's pretty flexible.

I can't speak for Merton but yes I do. Or did before the plague. That's my big black rig when I'm not in the mood for prisoners. Ashdown CTM100 and two BF Compacts. Black suit for me - not optional.

I'll start. Thank you BC for introducing me to James Jamerson, Joe Dart and Geddy Lee. Thank you for helping me to find out which basses I really like. Thank you for telling me about Ashdown. Thank you for helping me to read and write music. Thank you for supportive words when my private life went through the mincer. Thank you for introducing me to new swear words. I no longer use the words flip, nasty pasty and pink torpedo in public. Instead I replace them wherever possible with flip, nasty pasty and pink torpedo.

Drives the song forward doesn't it. More urgent than if he'd swung it.

It really is. I recommend these cabs. Light but beautifully finished and a great sound

So following the principle of the video above I excavated the end of the trussrod (using less finesse but did the job) and revealed more thread. But alas the whole thing must be seized in there . the moment I began tightening (strings off slight pressure on neck to take strain off the rod) and the end just sheared off inside the nut. So I have a nice wall hanging or a bass that is good for the first few frets

This looks like what I need

Actually no. I'm not doing it. The finish between the neck and the fretboard is perfect, there's no way I won't ruin it,. I'll just play with a high action or keep it as stage candy.

Nik is a smashing guy to deal with. Good sense of humour, polite and clear communications. Above all he pays on time and leaves nice feedback 😉 Seriously though I recommend this fine upstanding Basschatter to the trading community.

I don't own an iron, will an infra red heat lamp do? Or does it have to be a damp heat?

Hi Gary it's an old Japanese faker (I think) someone once said it looks like a Shaftesbury but either way it is a through neck. Or set neck or some such