miles'tone

Dunlop nickels totally. They are really great strings that are made to have no break in period. Very stable out of the box and mellow nicely. Last for ages.

Brilliant, I haven't been to one before! I can bring my double bass if needed - a nice old Meinal plywood thing set up for rockabilly - good fun. Got a Squier VM Precision 5 string which has had a Fender/Bareknuckle pickup upgrade. It's probably my favourite bass that I've owned and it's the cheapest! I can bring my Zoom B3 too. Looking forward to it!

If the Squier VM Jazz 5 string is as good as my VM Precision 5 (don't see why not) then have a stab at one of those I say. I had mine set up professionally and slapped some nickel DR low riders on and it's brilliant. My P5 was £249 new so what are you gonna lose if you do want to move it on? £80 or so max? Safe bet really.

I know what you mean and in a way Piano has made my bass playing more interesting. I've spent the last 3 years not playing in a band and just being dad to my two young boys mostly. Things got so busy that I didn't have time to even get my bass out of it's case so I didn't bother for a long time. I just would noodle around on an old piano we were given here and there. Now this year I've started playing more bass again and immediately found my 4 string to be really limiting as it didn't go low enough! Been really spoiled messing around on the dark end of my piano. I sold my 4 string and now have a 5er, something I was never interested in previously but now it makes total sense and I can't see me ever going back. Found the transition a lot easier than I expected too. Didn't hurt after all! So yeah, the piano has opened up my musical world. Loving the low B and playing more chordally now too.

Sorry about this one, the sound quality isn't good but it demonstrates why I love them. Totally into it, balls out. Kinda the band I always wanted to be in (Should really try being in a three piece one day. Played in a 6 piece for years so not too much room to wig out there) The Entrance Band: http://youtu.be/uonZ1Tru2oc

The Entrance Band Live: Grim Reaper Blues: http://youtu.be/MJMdNNSE0KE

This thread has been fantastic because it has brought Paz Lenchantin to my attention. Because of this I discovered The Entrance Band, a great rockin three piece who have been on heavy rotation every day for a couple of weeks now. I doubt they are everyone's cup of tea but together they really have something special. Works for me anyway. So cheers Basschat, thanks to you I've found my new favourite band THE ENTRANCE BAND - FINE FLOW - DALLAS TX: http://youtu.be/1w95c6g0UNk

Saw them in '92 supporting Guns N Roses. They blew GnR, off the stage. Made them look cabaret by comparison. I've had Angel Dust on a lot in my van this summer actually - found my old tape(!). Hadn't heard it for nearly 15 years but my, it really is a timeless classic. Peerless band.

Nice one! Saw that on the website myself (twas my fave on there actually) Congrats, it's a belter

Armstrong pickups can help you there. http://www.armstrongpickups.co.uk/repairs-rewind-services/

Nick Oliveri used/uses GHS Bass Boomers .115 and .095 for his C and F strings mixed with Ernie Ball Power Slinkys .075 and .055 for his Bb and Eb strings. Gives him the right string balance and flub according to the man himself in a YouTube interview that I can't find again right now. You can make up this set if you want by going to www.bassstringsonline.com and ordering the single strings (they are cheap compared to UK prices and you don't get charged import vat or anything.) You're welcome

Yes, mostly. I've always been very rhythmic and danced a lot as a child plus I've always picked out the bass first when listening to music. My initial approach to playing bass was "play the drums on the guitar". Still is really.

I do actually have the candy Apple red Squier VM Precision V, and I also need a lighter bass due to a bad back. Mine weighed 9.8lbs when I bought it and I did actually consider returning it because of that. But, after playing it I decided it was a keeper as it really is a cracking bass for the money and the candy apple red is gorgeous. I was expecting it just to be metallic red to be honest but it does kind of change colour in the light and has a copper-like hue to it too. It's really nice to look at. Another deciding factor is the neck. It has a great profile that is really comfortable and reminds me of my old AVRI '62 P neck profile in a way. I have modded it with lightweight licenced by Hipshot tuners, an American Standard P5 pup, a KiOgan wiring harness, a pro set up (dropped the nut slots a tad plus a fretdress) and a set of DR nickel Lo Riders (which take this bass to another level as the B string is stonking now! Fantastic string to string balance). I have also drilled out the body under the pickguard to reduce some weight and after weighing it properly now, it weighs 8lb 10oz which I can hopefully live with. I love this bass, it plays and sounds amazing and is a total keeper. My perfect bass all in cost me £420 which some may see as a lot for a Squier but I don't care, plus I'm not too precious about where I take it and I'm happy to gig it anywhere I suggested the Luna Paz above as it's very lightweight to begin with and had I known about it first I may well have taken a punt on that one instead as it costs about the same as my Squier has with all the mods. No regrets though.

Luna Paz P5 maybe? Within budget and only weighs 8lbs. And it's black.. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/luna-paz-lenchantin-signature-bass-5-strings-black/28134

The most success I've had with finding peeps to form bands with that have had any longevity, is to go to open mic/jam nights in pubs/cafés/artys-fartsy venues. Not sure if you can do this where you live but getting the chance to meet and hang with folk in person is always great for feeling each other out and making sure you start a band with the right people with like minds in the first place. Hope this makes sense as I've just woke up and can't find any coffee :-P

Allparts necks are very good quality and worth the higher price tag inmo and experience - mine had lovely flame to the maple and was solid as a rock. As good as a decent Fender neck easily. Not heard of musikraft before do so can't comment there sorry. There is always http://www.stratosphereparts.com/vintage-50s-ri-fender-p-bass-neck-tuners-precision-1957-maple-bass-guitar/ but it will probably come in at about £300 with postage and duty (bought a couple of necks here in the past).

Mint green for me.

Bought a Brand new Dimarzio model P for £25 from C.C. a few years ago. Made my week!

Et voila!

Big yes for Shoreline gold/tort/matching headstock from me. The matching head would work as it would be subtle, very classy imo. If you go for LPBlue then I'd go for natural headstock and mint guard. The tort guard can work with LPBlue but if you get a darker shade of it then the tort clashes too much for me. Ask for very light relic too if you go Limelight

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1407602235' post='2522246'] Who mentioned technical ability ? Certainly not me. I am referring to overall musical ability and musicality , and my assessment of what constitutes musical ability and effective music would, on the whole, tally with your own. . Some people have neither technical ability or musical ability. Kim deal and all too many of her ilk have some kind of innate musical savvy attributed to them [i]because[/i] they lack technical facility, when the reality is they have none . It is a classic case of the emperor's new clothes. All too often such musicians are neither skillful, tasteful, original or indeed particularly interesting in what they create, just like the "technical" players they are supposedly the antithesis of . There are many( too many) technical brilliant musicians who make awful music, but there are just as many unskillful ones who churn out dreary self-indulgent twaddle too. What I take exception to is the popular misconception that unskilled musicians are innately more creative, original and "refreshing" than ones that play well. Music is primarily a craft that you learn , not an art form that is the product of moments of transcendent inspiration, despite popular romantic myths to the contrary. [/quote] Just out of interest Dingus, why do you think Kim Deal is not a good bass player? Is it simply because you don't like the band she played with? She could play in time, serve the songs well (very simply ok, but that's all they needed) and could take playing professionally to large crowds in her stride. I mean it's not like she used to mess up with loads of bum notes, forget where she is in a song or rush the tempo. Also the Pixies songs usually sound simple but the changes could come in unusual places that would throw some people. Plus she could sing and play bass at the same time, which isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. Taste is a personal thing but she wasn't/isn't a bad player.

Jack.

What he said ^