Sean

Yamaha is a benchmark for me. I’ve got three Japanese ones here. They’re all top tier tools for the job they’re designed for. The black BB2024x I‘ve had since new is very special, it’s one of those instruments that just has “that magic”. I must say I was disappointed when Michael Anthony ran off to Schecter.

The Hamer got gigged last night. Two songs. It’s a 3-piece (guitar, 12-string bass, drums) and was unrehearsed, we’d never played with the drummer before but he learned the songs for the night (Budokan versions, obvs 🤓) . The guitarist is a friend I’ve played with for years but this was the first time we’d been on a stage together for a long time. This was also the first time I’ve played without a rig. I used my HX Stomp with bi-amping patches DI’d to FoH and we just had sound through the fold-backs on stage. Not once did it feel weird, in fact I didn’t even think about it, which was a revelation. The guitar is going through the big Hotone Ampero II Stage modelling unit with DI to FoH too. This has to be my favourite bass ever, it’s an absolute weapon of a thing. I Want You to Want Me - [email protected] Surrender - [email protected]

Can you show us a pic of the neck to see the inlays please?

Hmmm. Interesting. That's lovely flame. I'll measure my E5LX tomorrow. This dimension that directly affects the geometery and playability of a bass is something rarely discussed (if ever).

PM sent.

Brilliant, thank you Paul. I was getting the 1979 LE mixed up with a JJ config. It’s the 2JA-R that I’m fancying.

Macca had a BB1200 IIRC.

That would be brilliant. Thanks.

I took too much gear to the SW Bash. I agree with the keep it concise advice. If @neepheid is taking just 6, that's 3 for me. I won't be taking any amps or cabs either. The big valve heads are way too loud when they sound good through the cabs and stop any conversation dead. @stevie will be taking the cabs I use anyway.

My 6 are all PJ + HAZ. The other 5 I've had were all PJ too. I'm thinking to change it up for the next one.

But what about the two together? How Jazz does that get? What's that limited edition of 79 one?

JJ Config - Euros, NS (USA) Hello Spectorettes, What do we think of EMG JJ config basses? Do they sound like a sort of Spector version of a J bass? What's the spacing? Does Neck Through take it too far from what a J bass is about? What's that limited edition Euro '79 JJ one? Any views? Anyone selling?

Tis the cold corporate way.

The good news is that Spector basses are very consistent, even if many different variants exist. I “lost” an NS5-XL (natural, oiled finish, stunning thing) years ago and then when I found it, it had been completely refinished (clear gloss) and just wasn’t what I had loved. I then went on to find another one that I love just as much. There might be one out there for you, keep looking. But make sure you play one standing up on a strap.

We have a preferred contact for helping with purchases from Digimart. I'll happily pass on the details. I've done it twice this year.

Only one ever.

I understand Fender wanting the Leo stuff but is there any valuable physical IP that will end up on Fender products in the future? MFD pickups is one, I suppose, a good product but hardly a game changer for Fender. The bridge is nice but it's not really different to what I have on my Spectors. The MFD single coil "P90-alike" pickups on the ASAT guitars are amazing but like most G&L things, very niche.

No, I'm not. There are only 3 left before the band folds. 1 is the one where I was told to stand down, then there's the other one and then there's the big final bash with the ex-bassists. It is being billed as "a night with some of the bassists we sacked and some of our favourites." The final gig has been arranged where all previous bassists have been invited to play and 5 or 6 of them have agreed. I was recently told on arrival at a venue that my tone is too "trebley". I said that I can dial in whatever's needed at sound check only to be met with being told that we don't have time for things like that. I also get "told off" if I turn up early. I then get made to feel like I'm in the way. I'm always at least 10 minutes early with everything, I plan ahead, build in contingency and am very rarely late to anything. I was second car to arrive at the SW Bash as an example. I'd rather sit outside on BassChat for 15 minutes than be stressed and rushing to be on time. All of this stuff is like mental abuse and puts you in the wrong state of mind, and it isn't conducive to playing your best. You spend the whole gig wondering/worrying about things you shouldn't be instead of focusing on entertaining punters and enjoying your passion. I'm off. Edit: for context and those that don't know me, I've been in all sorts of bands for 40 years.

The 4-piece covers band I'm playing in is finishing up in December and we have 3 gigs left to play. I've never really been a proper member. I'm excluded from any discussions, am part of a band WhatsApp group that is called "Here we go again..." referring to the large number of bassists they've had but there's little other than logistics in that group. When we turn up to gigs, I'm allocated a spot, rather than defaulting to high hat side of the drummer. It's essentially wherever the guitarist doesn't want to go. This week I received a message from the guitarist, through whom I get all the important comms, saying that I was required to stand down for the next gig as they were using a previous bassist because he needed a gig to cheer him up after having a hard time (bereavement). No discussion, straight out of the blue. I've not been happy for a while, so I responded saying, OK but get him to play the other remaining gigs, and I'm out. He's probably not available for the next ones because he's got commitments with his own band! This isn't normal behaviour within any bands I’ve ever been in before. It was never made clear that I was a "permadep" and it was never agreed that recently the stage "bants" was targeting me with some pretty vile comments, thinly masked as "jokes". I also can't do anything right when it comes to packing up and helping. There's tons of other things I've not been happy with, mostly related to comms (conversations, feedback, ignoring my messages) and being kept out of the loop. The gigs have been good and it's been a learning experience but I'm bailing and with good reason. I would never treat anyone the way I've been treated. Anyway, I'm starting with a new (to me) band and it's all a very different vibe.

A lot of it is sliced off. I can't see it all.

This really chimed with me. This came up last weekend, where I was told that the part I've played in one of the songs needs to be changed. I've played it the same way, as per the record about a dozen or more times, but they've never liked it. We don't rehearse and no one is able to articulate what they'd like me to play instead. This is the sort of thing that could be worked out at rehearsal. Sadly it's not going to happen and I'll be in a different band very soon.