FinnDave

I had to use a pick for several years after a motorcycle accident damaged a tendon in my right hand. I had been exclusively a finger player for about 40 years until that. It didn't feel the same, but I got used to it. When I listen to recordings of my playing from my 'pick years' I have to check the date to see if I was using pick or fingers, as I can't tell the difference.

Who's the deadhead guitarist?

They always have a few quid if you shake em hard enough

I recommend keeping a few handy to sell to desperate guitarists at a substantial profit.

Nonsense - anyone who doesn't use a pick is too much of a wimp to nick one from the guitarist.

Strange how differently we can experience things - I can't on with the feel of flats, I like the grip of rounds. Flats feel strange and dead to my fingers. I guess we're lucky to have so much choice so we can find strings to suit us all.

There you go then, I'm just playing my part in a long lasting tradition. It'll be your turn soon! I started playing bass in my teens, getting on for 50 years now. I think the first bass I played (some kind of semi-acoustic) had flats or tape wounds, but everything after that came with rounds on, I honestly can't remember anyone mentioning flats or seeing them for sale in music shops. I only became aware of them with the rise of the internet and a wider range of opinions becoming available. I tried flats on a Precision about 15 years ago, but found them wooly sounding compared to the rounds I'd been using, and disliked the feel of them. I've usually kept one bass strung with flats 'in case I need it', but in practice, that bass remains unused for a year or two until I decide to bring it out of retirement and restring with rounds. Truth is that pre-internet, I don't think I knew any other bass players, certainly not to chat about strings with. The internet has opened us all up to to a wider range of opinions, some useful, others less so, but it is very difficult to tell one from the other.

Sounds you had some good gigs - and a band van - one band I am in rely on a bicycle and trailer for most of the gear, but playing in Oxford usually means there is a PA at the venue, and sometimes backline amps. Of course, the bass player has an SUV so can pick up the gear when he has to…. The Gibson T Bird is long gone - good bass, but I inevitably go back to my Fenders, currently using a couple of modern reissues of 60s Jazz basses and a 2012 Precision. Many the Jazzes, though. Up far too early this morning as we are having a new shower fitted, the guy is coming before 08.00. At least the rest of the day will be free when he's done.

I know they were around long before round wounds, but in my experience it is only in the last few years that they have become the object of so much discussion among bassists.

It's a fashion thing. I quite like the sound of flats on some basses, but I hate the feel of them, too slippery and smooth. I like to feel the rough round wounds, gives me something to grip. I have flats on my only Precision, but it hasn't left its case for several months now. I quite like flats on a Jazz if I play with a pick, but find it much easier to use fingers (since I got the use of them back) so have reverted to round wounds. If they sound too toppy, I roll off the treble on the bass. I also find flats more tiring to play than rounds, probably because they are stiffer. Basically, I use rounds because I prefer them, and flats reluctantly if the music really needs them - which is rare.

Doing OK, thanks, Blue. Had a couple of eye operations that stopped me from driving for a while, but there were no gigs to miss. Managed to get lifts from other band members (or my wife for local ones). Had a pretty decent summer, some good gigs - played 2 12 hours of Grateful Dead in a country pub garden and was asked to come back a month later and do it again! Also played in the grounds of an Oxford College for a professor's birthday and got paid well for that. Will resume gigging with the Wirebirds once we've got a new drummer - the previous one has moved back to St Helena (island in the middle of the South Atlantic). Glad you're getting back into action, miss your posts about gigging in the States.

Regarding my earlier post about my gig this afternoon - I couldn't have been more wrong! Found a parking space a couple of minutes walk from the venue, the venue itself was a proper set up above a pub, with a proper stage, lights & house PA with a resident sound man who did his job very well, with the minimum of fuss. As a result, the playing was a pleasure, everything was clear as a bell on stage and we had a great time. The centre of Oxford was one big traffic jam according to the others who came through it, but I live miles out of town and just sailed through both going there and coming home. I was also given my share of the money we'd been paid for the last gig we did (three months ago) as I hadn't seen any of them since. It was a worthwhile sum. so I have absolutely nothing left to complain about - damn!

Glad to hear you're OK. I'm 64 in a couple of weeks and three weeks ago had my second operation on my right eye. Still on a mixture of eye drops every two hours. First gig since beginning of September with the Grateful Dead tribute in Oxford tomorrow. Already had venue changed, time changed, availability of nearby parking unknown - and all for a unpaid gig for a completely useless promotor who has dragged us to play and then kept us waiting before. The rest of band are all part of the 'Oxford scene' which, quite frankly, sucks. I'll show up, but if we haven't started playing within an hour, I'll leave. If I can't park within a distance I can carry my gear in from, I'll simply drive home. Those are my priorities at this age - I'm not prepared to be messed about by a bunch of people who couldn't organise their way out of a paper bag. Revised a couple of days later - I was completely wrong! The drive in was easy, parked on a back street a minutes walk from the venue - which turned out to be a proper music venue with stage, PA, lights & sound man who knew his stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have always used a single cable direct from bass to amp, no effects. I've been doing it this way for the last 45 years or more.

We tried it with the Wirebirds, but the harmonica player could only manage the first 20 seconds before raising the infernal instrument to his lips. To be fair, it took several weeks of rehearsal to get him that far.

Only signature bass I have owned was an Epiphone Jack Casady. Not because it was 'his' bass, but simply because it is a decent semi-acoustic and not available in 'non signature' form. Buying a bass which replicates someone's personal instrument seems a bit strange to me, rather like dressing up like them. I suppose it satisfies some desire to be like your heroes, but I find it a bit weird.

Got me on that one - but never been in a band that plays it.

Can't agree with that. I've played in several covers bands without ever having heard the originals of their songs. I just play to the chords. In some cases, I might hear a song on a pub jukebox and think it sounds vaguely familiar and realise it is the original of something I've played, but as I never listen to any 'pop' music, it is new to me. Doesn't change how I play the song. It is years since I've sat down and listened to music - even my shelf of treasured Grateful Dead CDs is looking rather dusty.

I'm down to two non-keepers now - a US Special Jazz I got in a swap for an Ibanez back in the summer and the Sandberg Panther special I bought on a whim. Keeping the two MiM Jazz basses (Classic 60s cellulose finish & a recent Vintera 60s - essential the same bass) and the US Precision I've had since 2013. And that's it…….I hope!

I've sold three in the last few weeks, haven't regretted any of them going (yet). None of them were ones I'd had for years, though. Still trying to get two more out as well.

They were great basses, wish I still had one.