FinnDave

I played a couple of six string basses for a year or so, and played nothing else during that time. For some reason, I decided to get a four string out and play it on the morning of a gig, played the entire set at home and took a six and four with me to the gig that evening. The six stayed in its case and I never played either of the sixes again. Both were sold over a year ago and I haven't missed them once. For a year a I was addicted to six strings, then broke the habit in a day. I don't think sixes are better than fours, or vice versa, but the four is more natural to me as I have played them for 45 years. I always had to think where I was on the six string fretboard, whereas on the four it is automatic. I suspect that my year on the sixes improved my four string playing, though.

I have never heard of the application of oil to the fingerboard as 'moisturising' before. I've only heard that word applied to the expensive placebos my wife buys! As I said, I wipe some lemon oil onto the fretboard (sparingly) when I change strings, so not very often. I do it primarily to clean the wood.

The picture with the first post shows a maple fretboard, which being lacquered would receive no benefit from oiling other than to make a mess. I always use lemon oil to condition my (various) dark wood unvarnished fingerboards when I change strings and have not been aware of any negative consequences of doing so.

Collection of coastal foghorns sounds interesting - got a link?

I find I'm going the other way - the older I get, the less I feel I can waste time listening to anything I don't or may not like. Not criticising you in any way but interesting how differently people see things.

Don't forget Here & Now and the Planet Gong connection. I played a festival a couple of years ago and we were on after Here & Now - I was a bit nervous as Keith was a major influence on my playing back in the 70s - saw them at Stonehenge and various other places. As soon as they started I was back there, as was our drummer. Keith came up to me after our set and told me I was OK. Best night of my life!

That's true, but it makes them a right pain in the bum to work with. As a broad generalisation, bass players are probably the members of most bands with the least ego.

I listen to a wide range of music - country, folk, blues, psychedelic - but all from a band that plays them all, the Grateful Dead. I very occasionally listen to 1974 and earlier Gong and a little Kevin Ayers, but that's it. I never listen to streamed or radio music, so am completely (and happily) unaware of recent music. I haven't a clue about brain biochemistry, so unfortunately cannot help with that part of the question.

Ask Andertons to send you a spare hole - but make sure it is the right size before using it on your new bass.

Probably what my daughter has to do once or twice a week - she's a primary school teacher. She just told me the has to take a test every week or so. I haven't been employed (nor on benefits) since 2012, so well out of touch.

Test for covid? I am so far out of the loop!

I used to play with a former name singer, and can clearly remember her sitting in my car with arms folded saying she 'doesn't carry equipment, she's a diva'. I don't think she ever contributed to any of the equipment costs and expected a (clean) microphone and stand to be provided. She was a great singer, but in the end, the diva behaviour outweighed the advantages.

Sorry for being out of touch, but WTF is an LFT?

Yes, but not for the last 50 years or so

I have only ever listened to a narrow spectrum of music, so my tastes haven't changed much in the last 50 years or so. Right now, I am having my first listen to the latest CD release from the Grateful Dead archives. It is a live recording from 1973. Sounds wonderful to my ears. I can't imagine listening to something I don't already know.

The gigs I've got lined up for July are outdoors, in the pub gardens.

I've cleaned and changed strings on two basses this week, feels like coming out of hibernation. Definitely light at the end of the tunnel, just hope no one switches it off!

Our semi-acoustic six piece Grateful Dead covers band (a fairly niche market, you'd think!) has got two pub gigs in one week in Oxfordshire, and a couple of others including Cropredy fringe. Be interesting to see what they make of our lengthy Dark Star & Playing in the Band interpretations!

Back in the days when I only had one bass (first half of the 80s) it was a Fender Precision which would mysteriously loose output mid gig from time to time. Therefore, I always have a spare bass with me, just in case. If it's safe to do so, I leave it in the car, otherwise it's at the side of the stage. I have never deliberately swapped basses for a different sound or to impress anybody, but at one memorable gig near Swindon a few years ago my bass fell off its stand during the mid set break and was damaged, but I was able to play the second set with my back-up bass. By a strange co-incidence, I was using a brand new amp at the same gig, delivered to me by PMT (member of staff, not a courier) shortly before I left for the gig. The amp failed a few minutes into the first number, but the show was saved by my back-up amp which was swapped over in a couple of minutes. Any real gig (rather than an open jam or similar) I always have a spare bass and a spare amp. These days, my spare amp is a Trace Elliot Elf, so it doesn't need much effort to carry!