Rob MacKillop

Cheers, Aidan. Glad you like it! Play it to death!

Do please give us updates on how you are getting on with this bass...I was contemplating that model myself.

I have to admit the 30” scale makes it great to run around on. It’s just joyful to play.

Agreed!

Yes, I know what you mean. I absolutely love it.

Pau Ferro is often described as being tonally between ebony and rosewood, and is very smooth to the touch, which is what you want for a fretless.

Pau Ferro. Here's where I bought it, with some info: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_VS4_Lionel_SCA.html

Bought new from Bass Direct, it arrived this evening. I did not expect it to be so good - I don't why I thought that - but it is really an incredible bass for the money: £1300. I swapped the steel strings for La Bella Deep Talking black nylon tapes, and they fit perfectly. Everything about this bass reeks of quality. The hardware is all very good, and the setup could not be bettered. Superb fingerboard, best I've had on a fretless. I did wonder if a 30" string length would provide a good fretless sound, but it most certainly does. One dislike: described as "faded red", but turns out be more pink-red. I might consider changing that, though it's a big hassle to do so. But I'll definitely be keeping it. Full name: Sandberg California II V84 Lionel Candy Apple Red "Soft Core Aged" - quite a mouthful. Pictured next to my theorbo...😎

I didn't know you could remove the tab in the digital version - good to know. I'd rather the tab wasn't there, but it's the only way to recover costs these days.

They are. I've only done two so far, but will take on them all, I'm sure.

Cheers, lowdown. Your kid must be good if he can play these pieces.

Cheers, Dad (it's REALLY weird saying that!).

And that is on a three-string bass, as played by Bottesini.

I really love these studies by John Patitucci. You have to keep counting in your head, and keep your foot tapping - great fun. Being based on C Melodic Minor, this could also be played over an Am7b5 chord. The bass is new to me, from Bass Direct for half price - a bargain. Stock flat wound strings, and going through a Phil Jones Double 4. Anyone else playing these studies? A black and white bass deserves a b&w video...