Marc S

Update re my Squier Classic Vibe P bass in fiesta Red; I've gigged it a few times now - it's ideal for those venues I'd rather not take a more expensive bass I'm a really big fan of the PJ pickup arrangement. I can still make it sound just like a proper P. But the ability to dial in a bit of Jazz "burble" or make is sound more like a Jazz by rolling off a bit of the P pickup is fantastic. A blend of both pickups is superb, and it's emminently tweakable, to suit the song or the sound in the venue - I can always get it to cut through the mix Those Entwistle pickups might be cheap, but they're brilliant for the money. I've since had my Fender Roadworn P made into a PJ, with Entwistle JBXN pickup in bridge position. I'm going to put a better P pickup in now too. Comparing the 2 PJ basses - the Entwistle pickup is much better than the Fender, honestly Still loving my Squier Classic Vibe P

The 1st bass I owned was a truly awful short scale Rick copy, branded as a "Kay" - the catalogue company, not the instrument manufacturer. It was shockingly bad, with a twisted neck (I didn't know this when I bought it) but the electrics and sound were awful too. It was terrible to play, and I'm surprised it didn't put me off altogether. No, gladly I don't still own it. I've played one since, and it confirmed my thoughts on the quality, or lack of, of these instruments My first "proper" bass was a Fender Musicmaster bass, from the late 60's or early 70's - it wasn't so easy to find out exactly when, back in the days I owned this bass. I don't still have it, I sold it many years back. It changed hands again, and oddly enough, I was in the same place as the guy who now owns it. I don't know him terribly well, but it crossed my mind to swap phone numbers, and ask him if I could have a whirl.... I didn't because I thought I might be tempted to buy it back! Hmmm, I've since regretted that too....

I tend to not like too chunky. My old 70's P bass was so chunky, after a while it hurt my hand - and this was when I was young! lol It was also very heavy, but that is maybe another thread. It's generally accepted wisdom that Jazz necks are slimmer. But I'm always amazed at how much necks can differ - I've owned 3 Fender Jazzes, and each neck was quite different. My 70's RI had a very slim and narrow neck, which felt OK, but somehow a bit too thin. My 90's US Jazz was chunkier than the RI, but not as chunky as an older P bass. The J neck I find ideal is the one on my Roadworn Jazz. It's slimmer than that old P, but not too thin, and not too deep (Sorry, I haven't measured it) Regarding P necks, I shied away from P basses purely because of the neck on that old 70's P of mine. On playing a more modern P bass, I find the neck is wide enough, but not too deep front to back. Similar to my RW Jazz, but slightly more shallow, and eminently (IMO) very playable and comfortable. I owned a MM Stingray,and though I liked the build quality & sound, the neck was too much like that old P. I didn't get on with the Warwick I had - the neck was quite a narrow width, but front to back, the depth was very deep. Nice bass, but I just didn't get on with the neck. These days, I find comfort so important. Yes, I can play or get used to any neck dimension, but if you're gigging for several hours, and you're out playing or rehearsing most nights - it's best to get the most comfortable neck to suit your playing. So it's modern C shaped P necks for me, and J necks which are not too slim..... EDIT: I'd also say that just trying a bass out in a shop isn't a long enough time to know how well you're going to get on with it. Perhaps you'll know instantly whether it's immediately comfortable or not, but sometimes I feel you need to really play a bass a while

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1460797939' post='3028782'] Agreed on the previous posts, however having a cheap-ish bitsa as a backup to take along to gigs is worth doing. Saves having to take two expensive basses out when gigging. I wouldn`t be without mine. [/quote] I agree with all the comments about resale value. But generally, we don't put a bitsa together in order to make money It's usually put together to build your own custom shop, or as a cheaper alternative to buying a factory made expensive bass I've put a couple together, the first of which was because I'd picked up a really cheap Japan built 70's / 80's P copy, with a broken neck I enjoyed putting a new neck on it, and having a play about with the bits. It taught me quite a bit, and I got a nice bass from an unusable instrument. I'd recommend having a go at putting a bass together, to anyone who hasn't yet tried - just don't expect to make any money.~ As Lozz points out above - you can end up with a bass that plays & sounds good, but is a great backup, or even main bass which you don't mind taking to "certain venues" EDIT: Nice looking bitsa's on here. And nothing wrong with the plate on that Jazz IMO DarkHeart - nice bass

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1459283426' post='3015181'] Wow, man! It's like the light just falls right into it! Cool bass. Will henceforth think of you as "Hotblack". [/quote] Ah, Mr Beeblebrox Nice looking bass!

I have to say, when using a 1x15 a short while back, I had to be a bit careful of the venue size etc Sometimes, I just found the lower end was quite "boomy" and not as well defined as I'd have liked EDIT: This was more apparent when playing DB Why not try a 2x10 or 2x12? Markbass 210's are the hound's essentials IMO Lots of power and volume for such a small, lightweight cab - easier on the back than a 410 as well Heard some good reports on TC 210's too. Heard one recently, and the bass sounded fab, although that may have at least partly been the house PA Good luck with your search

From what I've heard, and of course it's only hearsay The newer Tokai instruments are not as good as the 1980's equivalents But then, I've heard of a few people who like their relatively "new" guitars too

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1458644222' post='3009282'] you are only too old when you are dead....... [/quote] This Message to the OP - I know the feeling. I've been through this myself If anyone thinks that age is that important, forget them anyway They are just too young to realise that the odds of "making it" are so incredibly stacked against bands.... And too foolish and immature to realise they are being incredibly short sighted As others have said - it could be a problem with sites like join my band I once answered an ad that cited influences like; The Rolling Stones, Beatles, Kinks The ad went on to say "Age not important, but commitment essential" Ideal! I thought. I emailed them, and straight away, they asked about whether I had a car, what gear I had, and how old I was So I answered the other questions, but not the age one. The guy gave me his mobile number and asked me to phone him, and again asked my age "Your ad says it's not important" - I told him "Yeah but we don't want no 15 year old" he told me, "and we don't want no grandad either" "our age range is between 22 and 23 and a half" My retort was "Your influences are the stones, Kinks, Beatles, and if Paul MacCartney or Bill Wyman turned up for audition, you'd tell them to f### off, would you?" and slammed the phone down. Ignore that stuff - go along to open mic nights and music clubs, meet other musos who don't care about age And most of all... good luck

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1458477045' post='3007848'] Next time somebody says that ask them if they smile constantly when they are doing their job. [/quote] yes I have the same problem as the OP, in that I never seem to smile when playing I've never had anyone walk up to me and tell me at, or after a gig though I've just noticed it myself, looking at pics of me playing And since I started to play the DB, where online lessons tell you to start practicing DB in front of a mirror Mrs S has also commented, and said I just look like I'm concentrating. I've tried to smile more, but because I'm actively [i]trying [/i]to smile, I think it looks forced and I'm also putting myself off lol What's the answer? I don't know. But I think if punters were telling me I looked miserable, or like I was going to jump offstage & punch someone....... I think I'd be more worried....... Maybe practice at home, in front of a mirror, and try an assortment of expressions?

Happy NBD to you. Glad you're pleased with it Nice to have a classic vintage bass too

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1458205735' post='3005496'] I like Ritters but that's pretty awful.... [/quote] "Pretty awful"? - It's absolutely hideous. Possibly the most horrible looking bass I have ever seen

Hello, I'm in South Wales, nowhere near, nowhere near Oxford I used to visit Oxford a lot though, really like the place Welcome to BC

Hi there all, As the title suggests. I'm wondering if this is a scam? I advertised this double bass a David Gage "Czech Ease" on the marketplace here a while back. As it hadn't sold, I also advertised it elsewhere, using the same pics. Helpful BC member Azumi messaged me to say he'd seen the bass for sale in Spain. I assure you, it's currently withdrawn from sale, and this morning was still in my house, in Cardiff! I have emailed the website, and I think, messaged the "seller". The site is in German, so I had to email in English, as my German is not good. Could this just be someone in Spain, selling a similar bass? who has just decided to "borrow" my photos? I'm not too bothered by them infringing copyright on this occasion. I would hate to think though, that someone is about to part with over £2K, for a bass the seller doesn't have! Any advice fellow BC'ers? Does it look like a scam? - certainly does to me Do any fellow BC'ers speak German? Could you also email them, to find out details? [url="http://www.geba-online.de/12-13185-David-Gage-Czech-Ease-Double-bass"]http://www.geba-onli...ase-Double-bass[/url] Cheers all EDIT: Is there any more I can do, other than email the website to alert them?