martthebass

Perhaps now there's a call for Barrista degrees? Modules on bean roasting and 'froth art'?

Yes, had an 'armchair' bassist address me on stage the other night with 'why are you playing a girls bass?' (referring to my MIJ comp stripe 'stang). I proceeded to play the crap out of it, making the growliest sound come out of a small package.......he left before the end of the first spot.

Unfortunately, in general 45 years ago the percentage of graduands achieving a 1st or 2:1 was somewhat less than now. As I recall, the people I knew who achieved 1sts in my cohort (Uni of B'ham - 1984) was 4 out of 70 and they were 'special' people...... Supply and demand and all that.....

Good to hear it Andy

In the words of the song 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for.....' I guess the closest I've got is my /now departed' Status Streamline but still not perfect or 'the best'. Still the quest is fun....

So many variables Ped. Some gigs I play a very nice Ray which I think sounds great on stage and off, whereas other gigs I play a Mustang which is far less distinct and wooly to my ears. The drummer's partner, who comes to most gigs much prefers the Mustang - so she can tell the difference but disagrees with the assessment of the player. The venue is also a massive factor - different pub, different sound.....and can't always be fixed by the soundman or the bass/amp combination.

Ebony is the future Dan

As our lass would say...’keep digging, keep digging’

Ditto, was never a big fan of Hemispheres - loved one side not the other, guess it was a game of 2 halves I'm with you on FTK - definitely my favourite Rush album.

BTW Pete, I was at a local Jam in Rotherham last night with Mike Harris the drummer - asked me to pass on his best.

I can still remember visiting a shop in Doncaster (that shall remain nameless) in the late eighties looking for a new US Jazz. The guy in the shop was absolutely desperate to sell me one of the, must have been 10-15, 'roadworn' 1970s Jazz or P basses. I tried each and every one of them and all were, to put it kindly, thrown together by gibbons in a dark room using bear skins and stone knives. It still amazes me how much some of these sad examples (I totally accept that some examples however are sublime and would love the cash for Gary Mac's example which is currently on sale) now fetch but I suspect it's the image rather than the sound/construction that appeals in many of these cases.

With a band as good as you indicate I think a frank band discussion to set some boundaries/ground rules would be my first port of call. It sounds like the singer needs to be reminded that he isn't the band and you guys are not there purely to service him (ooer). Peoples expectations and commitment/availability change over time, has this been factored into the new dynamic - is the singer firing on 'all thrusters' and wanting to push the band beyond the original remit and the rest of you can't keep up......just playing devils advocate?

I had one of those moments a few weeks back at an outdoor jobbie running through a big PA. DI'd into the desk from my MarkBass LM3 - no signal at the desk, lots of frantic changing of leads and checking connections, noticed I had the DI out level on zero.......Doh!

Is that Wroot near Finningly? Let me know when you're next local, if it's not a gig night I'll try and catch you guys.

If I looked rationally at my bass collection I'd sell the 2MMs and the Rick and pocket say £4K or so. My gigging needs are serviced by 2 Mustangs with a combined value of say £750 - £1000? As long as I get some pleasure from playing the mid-range stuff at home/Jams then I'll keep them and somewhere down the line, when I hang up my wigs and stage gear, sell them and use the cash for something in my dotage. At the minute Ricks and MMs are probably doing better than my crappy ISA!

Your mileage may vary Al...... What if Andy sells his amp for £1000 today and decides to buy the replacement new amp in one years time for £1200? If I'd sold a EBMM Ray 3 years ago I would have got about £6-700 to buy a used one now would cost me about £1000, a new one around £2000.

I think we've all been here at one time or another Andy. I took a break during the formative years of my family life and when I was jetting all over the world with my job. Got back into it when time became more available and when I felt more focussed to get back into music. My old adage has always been 'if it ain't fun and you don't need to do it, then don't do it'. Nothing wrong with taking a break, do something else, become a man in lycra on a Sunday morning - whatever floats your boat. Keep some gear back so that you're not starting from scratch because the BC stats show that most come back to it at some point and start (back)up costs outweigh what you'll make on selling. This place will still be here when you decide to come back, enjoy your break Andy.

Big thank you to Chris at Smooth Hound - sent me a new plastic back cover for my transmitter unit when mine broke. No questions asked and within a couple of days - great service.

Oooooh good to know. I'm about due for a new one for my Mikey Way Sig Mustang. Could you let me know by pm on pricing Tim. BWB and Pearloid White are my 2 preferences.

I'll send mine back then as it's straight lol

Lazy response from RIC. I must have got lucky, mine was nice and straight and the bezel went on without problem.