Marc S

Though I'm a fan of TI flats (on the right bass, of course) I found TI rounds even lower tension, and I just couldn't get on with them at all For my playing, there was little or no "resistance" and "recovery" of normal string position was off-putting - at least for my playing So I've a set going, if anyone wants to try them.... I tried them on a couple of basses, but just didn't gel with them at all Not sure what the quietest rounds I've played are, but I seem to remember playing some strings (which may have been "Elites") which were quiet - but I've a feeling they were not nickel, and may have been chrome?

Looking really good. Great quality, neat work @Jabba_the_gut

Hi @Lako, I started out with a short scale, years ago (it was an utterly awful Kay rick copy bass) My next, and much much better bass was a Fender Musicmaster (also a Short Scale) Neither put me off playing a long scale, or detracted from playing a long scale in later life. If your daughter really is struggling with stretches, then it might be best for her to try a short scale. Perhaps keep the long scale, for use in a year or two - and maybe even an occasional "noodle" to see if she is stretching better, after some time? The Hofner violin bass is a nice light instrument, but it can feel a little "awkward" to play. Although the body is so small, as @Frank Blank points out - the position of the strap connection point can make it feel like the headstock and first couple of frets are a long way away. It can feel quite a stretch, depending on how long your daughters arms are... so try one, but bear this in mind., and try other basses to compare. As others have said - let your daughter try as many as possible. But my first thought was like many others - try a Squier - either the Bronco, or my own option would be to try the Jaguar - as it has two pickups, in a P/J arrangement, so she can get more varied sounds / tones from it. BUT - be sure to get the Short Scale (SS) version - as they also do a long scale version. You can pick these up 2nd hand for around £150 plus, and they're quite nice basses. I met an experienced player a while back, who bought one for a young relative - the kid lost interest, but the chap tried it himself & liked it - so he swapped the pickups for something better and it's now his gigging bass, having deposed much more expensive, upmarket instruments Good luck with the search!

The dreaded "add to basket" button! So easy to push.... so hard to resist

I've already got too many basses, I'm already in the process of selling a couple (perhaps 3 now) And I do not need another bass, I do not need another bass, I do not need another bass.... But I want one of these......

Great to hear such a "good news" story @julietgreen. I've been along to quite a few open mic nights & jams (not many Jazz ones, admittedly) They can be pretty awful at times - BUT, they can also be good fun, and they can help you meet / network with other musicians Yes, some of the attendees / other musicians can be complete @****'s -but there are also good folk at such events too You never quite know who or what you're going to get - so it's worth trying an open mic / jam or two now & then - especially if & when a band or project has folded.... Don't ever worry about "winging it" or "Fooling some of the people, some of the time" - it's all a learning process - even if the lesson has taught you not to do it again! Nice story, and it's nice to know that other musicians enjoyed your playing too. Best of luck with it

Looks nice too - though not as nice as the Pink version

It has just returned for me too! Even though I already have way too many basses, and I've already got two great Jazzes (one fretted, one fretless) This one is still giving me GAS.... Why? Because it looks stunning! Can't see any further info on these basses online either

Hi @Fuzztube Welcome to BC. I'm a Fender fan myself.... and that's having not been one for a long time I also like a good P/J bass, as I think it's a great, versatile pickup arrangement. Good luck with your search for a new amp. Aguilar certainly have some fans among those on this forum I'm a Markbass user myself. recently got myself and EVO1 head, which is dual channel and suits me down to the ground (apart from the lack of illuminated control knobs.... and there are many of them! lol)

Hi @Linus27 As others have said, we all lose a bit of that old "fire in the belly" from time to time. Others have also suggested taking a little break from bass duties for a while. I think that may be a useful approach. Perhaps just mention this to the rest of the band. Tell them you have other things that need your attention... Maybe even help them find a dep player for the meantime? I'm slightly older than you, and I'm more fired up than ever - mainly because I realise I don't have too many years of active gigging left, and mostly because I had a near 25 year break from playing - so when I came back to bass playing and to gigging, I had more lust for it than I ever did as a young 'un. Also, I have a day job that is very very different from music, and one that can be stressful - so music is my outlet. That said, there are sometimes other band members who wind me up a bit, and I feel like moving on..... Fortunately, I'm involved with several bands and duos / trios etc - so I wouldn't have time to miss any particular one of them. I sometimes wonder how I find time to fit all the gigs, learning + rehearsals in - but I realise now, I wouldn't want to be without my music ever again. Of course, when music is our hobby, it's a different thing to it being our main income source, and that may have a part to play in the way you're feeling? Either way, a short break may be a good thing - give you time to think, and to step back from it all. Another way, may be to join another band / duo or trio - just for "fun" and occasional jamming / noodling? Just wondering whether playing for a different reason, and playing different genres might help you feel in less of a "rut". Don't sell your gear just yet in any case. most of all - best of luck with whatever you decide. And lastly, I'm sure you're aware that you won't be alone in feeling the way you are.

Ah silly me - of course that's what he means... doh! Oddly enough though, none of my MIJ / CIJ Fenders have had those EDIT: Though I once had a non Fender MIJ bass which included one

Wow, just Wow! Gorgeous colour & grain, lovely matching red hue to the scratchplate too I'm a big fan of MIJ Fenders. None of mine ever had a plastic shim in the pocket (that includes 80's and early 90's models) But that doesn't mean none of them did..... If it plays well with the shim in place, then leave it. If you can improve set-up after removing it, then do that But if it aint broke.... leave it alone. Let us know how you get on with it

@Mickyk I used to have an Ibanez SR500. Cracking bass, especially for the sort of money you can pick them up for second-hand As others have said, it's not so easy to get a good vintage sound from this bass. I joined a couple of bands where I needed a more vintage sound, and that Ibanez just didn't give me what I needed, so I know where you're coming from. My next step was to get myself a Jazz (Fender Roadworn, as it happens) and that immediately gave me more of the vintage sound I was after at that time. Even though I also play upright, I wasn't a fan of flatwounds on a bass guitar - I just found that whatever type I tried, they were just too high tension for my liking.... So it took quite a bit of experimentation. I've now settled on Thomastik Infeldt Jazz Flats, as they're low tension. So low in fact, they took a bit of getting used to, and I still don't like them on my fretless. On that, I tried a few brands, and finally settled on Adagio flats. They're not as high tension as some I've tried, but a tad more than the Thomastiks. Thomastik Infelds aren't cheap btw - so finding the "right" strings for you can be an expensive experiment. The Adagio's were about £12 on eBay, and I'd recommend at least giving them a shot, as they're relatively inexpensive. You should be able to get a decent vintage tone from one of your other basses. I've heard great reports about Sires - so I think I'd try flats before buying any new basses. Good luck with your search, and thanks for sharing that video of "Streetlife" - I think I hadn't listened to it so carefully before - it's a cracking song and great bass line

Looks a good bass. Just wonder what it will eventually sell for..... Every now & then, a real bargain seems to pop up on eBay - not usually for me though.