Mike Brooks

Looking forward to meeting some of you tomorrow... albeit in horrendous circumstances. Safe travels everyone. Mike

I will keep you posted, I might be able to do the Sunday after all...will be in touch next week.

Hi all, I've been asked to share this far and wide... in celebration of our dear friend, Nick Smith... and to say our goodbyes. Tuesday next week. I'm going to be travelling from West/North West London, if anyone wants to car share. PM me if you're interested, I'll be leaving from Hillingdon/West Ruislip around 11am.

Ceased to be a 'company back in 2015-ish, lease came up for renewal I think and for whatever reason the company ceased, Rotosound bought some of their machines and the name became a brand, now under the stewardship of Strings & Things I believe. I could be wrong on all this of course. I was an endorsee from 1997 -2015, loved their strings but by 2014, I was getting a lot of dead E and A strings in my orders, usually returned half an order's worth of strings for replacements, so I wonder if their eye was off the ball by the end.

Around the $4.5 - 5k mark, depending on what you want.

Same prog...

He already has! The joy of Omega cuts!

That's 2 years of my life right there!

Thank you sir, will pay you a visit when I'm next up your way. Mike

Likewise, squire! We should do it again soon!

Yessir, same link...it will be available to watch until I pop my clogs....and probably even after that!

Thank you to everyone that contributed this afternoon... and a pleasure to finally 'touch base/bass' with some of you. Mike

Live from 2pm...

I hope this is okay to post this here, if not, I'll leave it in the hands of the moderators... In light of today's news and the many messages and conversations I've had today, I've decided to dedicate tomorrow's Live Chat on my YouTube channel to Nick Smith - my memories and stories of him and I welcome any of you to come and join in and let us hear your memories and stories of this fine chap. I've had several usually stoic individuals in tears today struggling to cope with the news. Be aware - there are many of us feeling exactly the same way, you aren't alone. Since the London Bass Show ceased to be a thing for many of us, the level of camaraderie and brother/sister-hood that that show engendered and generated has become a thing of the past. If we can bring some good out of Nick's untimely passing, then let it be a rejuvenation of that camaraderie, in looking out for each other, sprinkled with liberal doses of compassion and understanding. This music business isn't a competition - prizes aren't given out for being a pain in the ar*e! So, tomorrow (Saturday January 25th) from 2pm (UK time) for a couple of hours, come and join a bass-playing community, whether you play bass or not, and feel free to join in by text/video/audio but if you just want to watch and listen, that's cool too. If you just want to connect with others who feel sad at this week's events, you will be in good company - grab a cuppa or your drink of choice, cake is optional, and I look forward to seeing you from 2pm. The link is below: https://youtube.com/live/FsuriHj9Z0o

Belting!

My pleasure....nice bit of quilted maple there. Mike

All zipped up!

It's snug!

Let me know if you want a photo of said bass in said bag, for confirmation..... Mike

And now the Continental Blues Voyager bag has been discontinued...doh! Mike

I bought the Mono Vertigo M80-VEB-BLK because it was one of only two I could find that my MK signature Standard did fit into... with half an inch to spare! Mike

Yessir, the Mono Vertigo M80-VEB-BLK and the Reunion Blues Continental Voyager Electric Bass Case. Both will accommodate the near 50-inch headstock to point length. Mike

In my experience, a lot of bands are run by bass players... if they aren't on the gig, there isn't a gig. Sometimes, you just have to be tenacious in searching opportunities out. Networking locally is the biggest source of work, or has been for me. The skills required... how long have you got? Excellent communication, being responsive to all forms of comms (texts, calls, emails, social media posts) and replying quickly and efficiently, having a thick skin, doing all your prep, arriving on time and being punctual and ready to go. Keeping your ears open, going the extra mile if required, keeping your gear in top condition and carry spares for everything. BVs are an added bonus, lead vox even more so. Be the dep you would want to hire. Happy to discuss privately by PM if you want to go in depth.