kevin_lindsay

Well, here's the story - the first bass I ever played was a friend's Fender Jazz Bass. This would have been around 1978/9 or so. The bass was one my friend bought in 1974 from a local store after someone had traded it in. So, that bass has always been a huge reference point for me. In January this year, my friend was feeling a bit under the weather, so he went to see the doc. He was sent for tests and was then informed that he had cancer - and only had a few weeks to live. Needless to say, his wife and daughters were distraught. Unfortunately, he passed away on 26th February this year. A couple of weeks ago, my brother received an e-mail from the family saying that Jimmy (my friend) had said he didn't want it lying around the house and he wanted it to be used, and the family were asking if he know the best avenue for selling the bass? I was contacted, whereupon I called The Bass Gallery in Camden, London to explain the situation and get the anticipated sale price. I then called Jimmy's family to advise them of the info I had been given. 5 mins later I received a callback. Carol told me that Jimmy stated that if I had shown any interest in the bass, then he wanted me to have it. So, they then insisted that I have the bass with no charge. I have made a contribution to the hospice which cared for Jimmy in his last few weeks as a token gesture - I felt that in the circumstances it was the correct thing to do. So - I had the bass delivered to me on Friday. Jimmy liked the low B sound, but couldn't get on with 5 string basses, so he had his bass set up for BEAD tuning. It was battle scarred from decades of playing, and was pretty grubby. Here's a pic When the bass was setup for BEAD tuning, whoever did the work changed the bridge for a brass one (which isn't quite the correct spacing for the pickup polepieces), and also changed the original nut for a brass one

Thanks guys! I'm glad both instruments arrived safe and sound. Hope you have loads of fun with your new purchases. Kev

Sounds great - love it!!