Marc S

I'm a fan of full scale 34" basses myself. But the older I get, weight, stretching and shoulder aches are becoming more of an issue. So I got myself a 30" Fender Jazz (not often seen in the UK) it's a nice bass, but it does feel a bit "odd" I can tend to overshoot or over-stretch a bit sometimes - but these are all things you can get used to... Perhaps I do this because I also play DB - so 30" scale seems small. I also have a MIJ Squier 32" medium scale, and that, I must say is far easier to adapt to - it almost feels like a 34" scale, but it's incredibly lightweight My recommendation would be to try some 32" scale basses too - if you can find any. Oddly my Medium scale is noticeably lighter than the 30" scale Jazz I also found that by using a decent soft leather strap, it made my heavier full scale basses seem a bit more comfortable on my shoulder - definitely consider this too I must say, I usually tended to just get a fairly cheap strap and think that was that.... a nice comfy strap can make quite a difference though My backup bass, and the one I tend to take to pub jams (along with my Roland Micro Cube battery bass amp) is the one pictured below. It's a Tanglewood Elfin, I think it's around 25" scale - it's crazy, because it's so tiny & light, yet sounds like a full size P bass! It's odd when switching to something quite so short scale, but I can do it as long as I don't start playing high up the neck - or else I'm really likely to over-shoot or over-stretch... mind you, the intonation isn't quite spot on higher up the neck anyway.... Yes, it looks a bit toy-like, but it's so small, light and handy, and oddly enough I get more comments about it than any of my more expensive bass guitars Sonically, I find that both the 32" and the 30" basses are quite different to any of my full scale basses

As another option; Although I've not heard one, Blackstar do a very small battery powered bass amp. It has the additional advantage of an extension cab being available too OK, you couldn't gig with it, but might be sufficient for bedroom use.... and small enough to tuck in a drawer somewhere.... 49 quid brand new - and you can pick up the extension cab later, when you're more flush / if you ever need to https://www.gak.co.uk/en/blackstar-fly-3-bass-battery-powered-practice-amp/130750?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgcyz6ra-2AIViQrTCh29Eg29EAQYASABEgKSWfD_BwE Not heard a Fender Rumble 30W either, but I know the 100W version is a cracking amp, and light as a feather - so I imagine the 30W version should be good

As others have said, a smaller combo is usually the best for playing in your lounge or bedroom. Giggable size amps tend to be a bit on the big size for putting under the bed.... I once had a Marshall MB30. Lovely neat little 30W amp that was actually quite loud. Nice range of tones & options... but it also had a headphone jack socket and input for MP3 player too.... In fact, I did rehearse it once or twice with a full band, in the drummers living room. If the rest of the band keep volumes relatively low, and the drummer doesn't go nuts - you could even rehearse with one of these Quite small, compact & lightweight too. Think I sold mine for about £70 Nowadays, I use a Roland Micro bass amp. It's even smaller, a great amp with nice tone & sound options. It can even be powered by AA batteries! I've used this in folk / acoustic pub jams - alongside a quiet drummer and guitarists & singers with Roland Street cube amps.... And it's loud enough! Mind you, these are now over £200 new, and generally fetch over £100 second-hand.... useful little beasts though You should get plenty of choice for under £100 second-hand. But I'd opt for something you only want to use at home or at acoustic type jams Make the gigging amp a separate choice IMO

Welcome back david, I had stopped playing too, and for much the same reasons as yourself Only difference - I stopped for nearly 25 years! Now I'm enjoying it more than ever though - so result @bazzbass - I'd never heard of that software either.... Looks rather tricky to see what's going on to me.... but that's probably just me lol EDIT: Mind you, at first I was watching it with the ad over part of the picture!

Dear FinnDave.... What on earth is "alcohol induced lack of sense"? Great that you got it for less than a classic 50's though... nice! It'll be interesting to hear your thoughts on both, once you've had chance to compare them, played through a decent amp... I'm surprised that the frets are a bit rough. I must say, the rolled edges on my RWP and RWJ felt lovely, with nice finishing on the frets Is there a noticeable difference in the weight between the two, or are they similar? I've got a Limelight incoming next week.... and I have to sell something too Also hate selling anything Fender

I read somewhere that the Roadworn is made from better materials, i.e.select woods Mine is certainly very light weight, and as others have said, feels "worn in" - as though it has had many years of playing I used to have a RW Jazz too (which I now regret parting with) and that was the lightest weight Jazz I've owned.... and the best Jazz I've played I'd also read that the Roadworn series are finished in the US. Whether that is true or not, I couldn't say for sure (as with the matter of "superior materials") But every Roadworn P or J I've picked up has been a superb instrument..... I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. The necks really are something else - so comfortable to play, and with a feel of sheer quality and superb finish. I've owned & played quite a number of US, MIM, MIJ basses and for me, the roadworns are the best If you're thinking of getting a brand new Classic 50's - then may be a second-hand RW is a similar price.....

That looks like a nice, sturdy stand. Looks like it would be fairly unobtrusive / unobstructive, when playing too

Hello and welcome nobby I think those Hondo's from that era were actually pretty good A tad heavy, if my memory serves me, but pretty good quality / construction Nice loft find anyhow - hope nothing's warped

Interesting design basses there - not quite my taste, but interesting nonetheless... And yes, there is a difference between plywood and laminated wood construction Many very fine double basses (and I'm sure Cellos) are laminated construction Also, quite a number of 70's & 80's Japan basses were laminated, and far from being cheaply constructed are great quality I had a lovely 70's Japan P copy (sadly, the name / brand had been removed long before I got it) it was a damn fine body too Beautifully resonant, added to that, the pickups sounded wonderful - wish I'd kept them... and possibly should have kept the bass I got it quite cheap, and it was lovely - sold it for a small profit... but perhaps shouldn't have....

Yes, I was thinking it's weird too. My old SR had knurled black metal knobs & they were fine I would have thought something similar on this one would be a good choice.....

Quality workmanship here Jabba

I've had a dabble on the newer Affinity series, and they're not bad. In fact, they're a damn sight better quality than much of the cheaper end of the market when I started playing (anyone remember the Kay's catalogue brand? eugh!!!) The Affinity would be a good starting point, and they do a P/J which is quite commonplace, I believe. There is a VM series P/J - I know, cos I had one. That's less commonly available, but not "rare" exactly.... For me, better value for money would be the 2nd hand option. And the VM series are definitely a notch up from the affinity. But perhaps, if you saved just a tad more, you could go for a Classic Vibe series (or a Matt Freeman, which are made in the same factory) The CV series are another notch up again from the VM's - but they are starting to go for more money second-hand, as they are now (mostly) discontinued. That said, I've seen a few going for relatively low money on eBay - so keep your eyes open.... There is a CV 70's P bass in the marketplace on here, and I can't recall the asking price - but I think it's around or just over £300. I know, I know - you can go on wanting to add just a bit more money - but in a CV you get great quality. As others have said though, also look at some Ibanez basses. I've seen a Ibanez SDGR (Soundgear) SR500 go for not much over £200, and that's amazing value, given the high quality construction and the superb Bartolini pickups & active electrics it's fitted with. Most important of all though - try as many as you can, and go for the one that feels most comfortable to you.... Sometimes, you just feel a "bond" with an instrument - it may be several factors, it may be down to your hands feeling more comfortable on the neck, it may even be that you can't quite put your finger on exactly why you feel more comfortable with that model.... but I think it's essential to try as many as you can.... Pop into your local shop (s) are there any BC members who live near you, who don't mind you having a try of their bass? (most BC'ers are very friendly and open to this). Is there a tutor near you? Tutors often know a pupil who is looking to upgrade... Best of luck in your search EDIT: If you try a Squier Affinity and like it - remember, it's a good entry level instrument anyway, and if it's the most comfortable you feel playing, then get that one

Funkfingers is right here. Apart from the quality of pickups and electrics, bridge and nut - the woods used by the manufacturer of the "higher end" bass should be of higher quality, be subject to a high degree of selection / quality control, and better seasoned. Add to that, the finish in the higher end instrument will / should be of a higher standard. An example from my own personal experiences here, is the quality & finish of the Mexican built Roadworn series (Yes, I know I bang on about them! lol) - leaving the relicing / roadworn finish aside, I've owned 2 Roadworns (a J and a P) and played several models of their more standard MIM counterparts. Apart from being lighter in weight, the quality of the woods used just seemed / felt another level higher again, plus, the finish on aspects like the rolled edges on the necks, and the edges / smoothness on the frets was what set them apart, along with the quality of the (aged) varnish on the neck.... You could take a Harley Benton, and put top end components in it - it may sound much better, but I suspect the finish and comfort of aspects like fretboard and fret edges would also need attention. Then of course, would you need to re-sand the neck and re-apply a higher quality of varnish / finish? By the time you have done all this and costed your time (even at sub minimum wage) you'll have spent more on the cheaper bass. Of course, I think everyone should try some upgrades and / or repairs to an old bass anyway... it's a valuable experience and can teach you a lot about how instruments are put together. Aside from all this, there's then the question of resaleability (is there such a word?) You can spend lots of money on a cheaper brand bass, buying pickups, electrics, bridge, brass nut etc etc - but when it comes to a resale, you rarely get that money back... that is, unless you part the bass out and flog all the components separately. Having said all this, I'm really tempted to one day have a go at doing an early Fender P bass, using the HB 50's P clone - like Discreet and several others have done such a smashing job of... Of course, if you're doing it to teach yourself some useful skills, or you just want a model of bass you can't afford the genuine version of, and you are willing to write the costs of the components off (or simply, you aint ever going to sell it) - then to my way of thinking, these are the best reasons for upgrading an inexpensive bass

Only just caught up with this thread, and I'm in complete agreement What a kind offer iKay But can you please tell me - what's this "time on my hands stuff"? eh? Never heard of it

Yep, I have one of these too, also bought second-hand for just under £100 It's great for keeping under the coffee table or in the corner, plus it's damn handy for carting to guitarists (other musicians are available!) houses for a jam I take it along to acoustic pub jams too. It's really handy, as it will run on AA batteries. Fab little thing, and louder than you might think

To the OP - though I'm not quite your age..... I stopped playing for nearly 25 years! So yes, I know what it's like to be starting again, later on in life.... But heck, I'm so glad I did start playing again - I'm less "competitive" in my approach to playing now, and I'm enjoying it more than ever Get yourself some lighter weight gear. Maybe try a short, or perhaps medium scale (32") bass And there's plenty of light weight amp gear around too, like Markbass , Epifani, or TC Electronics Plus, don't under-estimate the value of a half decent bass strap. I was still buying those cheap guitar straps until I found a nice wide-ish soft leather strap and couldn't believe how much more balanced and comfortable it felt Most of all, persist with it, enjoy it, get back in a band...... once a bass player, always a bass player - just relax + have fun

"Je Suis descendant de Charlemagne...." - we could go on quoting, eh Bass Fumbler? Now I have that catchy bass line to "Euroman" rattling through my brain! lol I'd forgotten that Brian James and Lew Lewis were on this album...

Sweet gig indeed! Yes, it sounds great as others have said. Also, as you say "it's a gamble to how its gonna turn-out when its a live broadcast mix" But your sound is also cutting through and sitting well in the mix, after the whole thing has been compressed / converted for viewing on YouTube Sounds nice through my headphones, but also sounds pretty good through the tiny little (under-sized) speakers in my monitor.... Well played too matey

Freddie Laker, show them what to do!

Yes, I think they are the ones. As I say, they came already on the bass - so I didn't see the packaging You may also wish to consider the Innovation Honeys though.... these have a synthetic core, but unlike their other strings, they have a metal outer / winding.... These strings work with magnetic type pickups, as the other types won't - being non-metallic. I'm not sure what the pickups on the NS are like? I found the honeys to be higher tension than the other Innovation strings, but not as high tension as other metal wound strings..... All depends on what you prefer, and in the case of magnetic pickups - what will and won't work with your pickups.. To learn to play Slap style DB, I fitted a set of Weedwackers - they helped start me off with slap stlye, but they're awful strings - so they weren't on my bass long

Yes indeed. The intro to "princess of the streets" is great too And I always liked the bass to "Hanging Around" not the most complex bass ever - it's mainly octaves, but it's just brilliantly done and an integral part of the song "Peaches" was the 1st bassline I ever learned to play along with the record. Not a bad bass line on the whole album, or a track where you could "lose" the bass to, without losing a major part of the song EDIT: "Down In The Sewer" is another great bass line...... Old fashioned P bass sound, but it suited the rest of the band mix superbly IMO