HazBeen

The 80s, fond memories of first loves/kisses, first musical inspirations etc. Great to see some of the clips in the thread. We must not forget this was also the time of SA&W...... not so great. Some of my personal favourites from the era: POP ROCK/METAL

Absolutely, it is a well documented fact that the very makeup of your DNA changes overnight when you turn 33 and you cannot possibly be "cool" after. I have a slight urge to respond to the advert as a bald, non bearded 44 year old adult I think we would really gel well, especially as I do not think Green Day is punk. Hmmmm, decisions decisions.

So, who do you find most inspirational musically and why? For me it has to be Frank Zappa, for his mind blowing abilities as a composer and bandleader and one of very few who succesfully bridges music and comedy, two things I hold dear to my heart. The sheer amount of compositions and arrangements is impressive, but even more so when you realise they range from 4 bar blues to full on classical. And an honorable mention goes to my mrs, who for 20 years now has been perfectly happy with me being away several nights a week for what for all intents purposes is an out of control hobby

I'm not so sure I want to see Kim Kardashian's

In my opinion in all aspects of life you see quite a lot of people that make a career out of hitching a ride on someone else's success (moves/tv, politics e.g.) and more so than any of the people mentioned in the thread, their band members did not mind them being on board. And they at least made an effort of sorts and some were an inspiration to their band mates (Linda Yoko etc). I certainly rate them FAR higher than 95% of the waste of oxygen that polllute Social Media, who have ZERO skill and for some reason people follow them because they have most views or whatever. RIngo over Kim Kardashian any day of the century.

Then check out the Mikro at 28". It is a 3/4 sized instrument, very cheap. The body/neck is fine on it, but you would need to upgrade tuners, pickups and electronics ideally. You could do that and still stay well under 350 quid. A mate of mine has one as travel bass and upgraded it sounds great and plays great too.

Actually Ibby do the Short Scale Talman now as well, 30-32" I believe. The Mikro scale length is shorter

I think the question was specific to a short scale Ibby, otherwise there are indeed many alternatives.

Billy, been a fan since the mid-80s. Yes, mega skilled/mega flash at times, but the guy can do it all and can truly be viewed as a bassist who paved the way for many others and was instrumental (like Entwistle/Squire etc) in elevating the bass from a "shut up and stand in the corner" instrument to what it is today. Mad respect for the guy, although I do not believe in flying saucers and thetans.... or whatever you call them.

Isn't the Mikro Bass (Ibby GSRM20) pretty much a 4 string version?

Having recently extended my "cover/tribute" activity by adding a Pearl Jam gig I needed to re-acquire an 8 string bass. After some great advice (including advice originating from this here pasture) I was tipped on a ridiculously good deal on a new old stock ESP/LTD B208FM. I paid a fraction what they normally cost (I paid €400). A bass like this one: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B208STBLK--esp-ltd-b-208-8-string-see-thru-black It is not the prettiest, although it is better looking than the Dean Rhapsody 8 I used to own. The preamp and pickups are all ESP/LTD own design and I must admit they sound very good considering the cost of the bass. The neck is quite slim for an 8 string neck so very playable. What suprised me the most however was the build quality of this Indonesian made instrument, I had never owned or even touched an LTD previously, it really is very very good value for money. So, if you need to play Cheap Trick/ Kings X / Pearl Jam songs that feature a 12 or 8 string, this should be one to consider. That is all

It does indeed, good design.

Don't get me started..... I could write a book titled "the trouble with buying and selling stuff overseas", I literally think certain individuals within the postal service do this to take the piddle. I can send small packages to the UK for 20-30% less than the other way around. Get into bigger territory (say a bass) and all of a sudden I am paying 30-40% more than if I were shipping UK-NL. USA is much the same. Best way forward is to become a pirate and pillage what you need

I had several BEAD 4 stringers, to be honest I did not have to make mods at all, the bidge fit and so did the nut. If this were me I would buy a reasonably light BEAD set (5 string set, delete the G string) 0.125 or 0.130 max. In my experience you most times do not need to mod. Whether a 34"A sounds very good I will leave to your ears, for me I would go with a 35" neck which is one of the reasons I ended up going 5 string many years ago now.

Well that was unexpected..... it looks quite odd at first to see a Stingray P, but I can imagine it sounds like the dogs danglers. For those who do hot know, the original St8ngray prototype had a P pickup in the Stingray position, so you are almost going back to the first Stingray

My mate’s new funk/fusion outfit, holy cr@p the guy has improved his bass playing.

Hmm, good question. Also as 50 is not too far away (6 yrs) maybe a question to ask myself too In no particular order: - An original 62 Jazz - a 57 original P - a Zon Sonus in my favourite spec, I lusted after one when I was 20 or so but could not afford it - a Wal mk3 - a single cut hi-end bass, specs and builder to be established

That is a smart move, over the years Mike has been very forthcoming to several requests I had so I am sure he will be open to exploring. Thinking about it, he makes the Ament signature bird..... why not create a twelf string prototype version of that? Ament will undoubtedly want one and then he can sell you one half price for the idea

Kings X or Cheap Trick often are overlooked

The quest begins........ good luck to you brave sir! I salute you.

Like a 12 string, so very chorusy due to 2 octave strings per bass string. Listen to Jeremy of Pearl Jam and you will get the idea.

I remember the concert well, a few things I will always remember: lot’s of bands “failed” to do justice, Extreme was good, George Michael was incredible....