Marc S

Shame you had to let that P bass go - it looked great. Sorry to hear of your arthritic hand issues too. I've got a MIM Mustang, and it's short scale, and the neck is fairly slender. I really like it, and if I have to sell my Precision - the PJ Mustang would become my go-to gigging bass. I've also got a short scale headless ibanez. The neck is very slim on that, and it's really light! I'm just planning ahead, in case of shoulder issues too. Every now & then, I seem to get aches & pains here & there.... gladly, not enough to have to sell my fave basses yet. Before getting my Mex Mustang, I gave a Squier CV Mustang a try, and it was rather nice. Good luck in your Mustang quest 😀

Very nice. I have a TC 208 amp too. I keep it at a mates, where we rehearse. I have gigged it, on acoustic sessions, and with a quiet (ish) drummer, and it always amazes me how loud & clear it is, given its' diminutive size. I also acquired a Stanley Clarke acoustic preamp recently. Did some recording, using it with my BSX upright and I was really pleased with the sound. The HPF and the mid-shift on the pedal really helped me get the sound I was after.

I was happy enough with my flexible rig - a few different cabs for different bands / venues, with a MarkBass EVO1 dual channel head. Then I opted to get a small, lightweight head, for when I didn't need 2 channels (and to try something different) So I opted for a Peavey MiniMax 600 head - OMG! It sounds superb, but it has really made a difference to the low end frequencies. They just seem more clear and punchy, and moreover, I can get a decent upright sound with the head too. I bought it just before the prices went up, and I think it was a bargain. I still like the MarkBass head, especially as the 2 separate channels allow for 2 very different EQ settings, but I now prefer the Peavey head wherever, and with which ever band I'm playing with, Upright or BG. EDIT - and with whichever cab or cab combination I use it with.

Definitely not. I'm only a hobbyist too - but my range of listening tastes is quite wide and varied. I'm also in several bands, each of which (apart from one) is quite different to each other - so I'm playing several genres too, and with quite different musicians. I also play upright as well as bass guitar - and that requires quite different discipline and approach, let alone the different styles of upright playing I need to do.... The downside if all this, is that I'm busy learning songs, but don't get enough time to truly "learn" as much as I'd like, because I've got a rehearsal with band A, followed by a rehearsal with band B, for a gig with each this weekend, while I need to learn some stuff sent to me by band C for a gig next week..... and I'd really like to nail those songs, and perhaps work on what I could play that's a bit "different", and work on some theory & technique. Of course, I also need to work in the meantime etc etc But I wouldn't change it, it's my hobby and I enjoy it all EDIT: I meant to add / underline that it's time, and not taste that limits my playing, or at least my ability to improve

Yes indeed - rather naff, and a bit tacky .... so why do I now desperately want one? lol

And I have to admit.... I've drunk a bit too much of your Bourbon! 😉

Hello Simon, Are you sometimes struggling with hitting the right notes because of "stretching issues" with your fretting hand? Have you tried a short scale bass? Would that possibly help. As others have mentioned, I can sometimes lose a bit of accuracy when doing BV's - so I simplify playing when singing sometimes. It depends on the song though - sometimes I'm fine on bass while doing BV's... Just the other week, I went to see one of my fave bands. The Undertones- Derry's finest. They always bring the 19 year old in me back out. Don't know if you're based anywhere near them? But if you get the chance to see them... go for it. Great bunch of NI lads, and the nicest guys. Welcome to BC, from South Wales 😀

Hi @Homatron That midi controller build sounds ambitious, adventurous and interesting! Nice basses you have there - great to hear your wife bought one of them for you too... that gives the bass something extra special. You describe yourself as a "mediocre bassist", but if you're enjoying yourself, there's no such thing as mediocre. Welcome to BC. Hope to hear more from you. 😀

Hello - shw mae from Wales... a long way off from you... but great to hear from fellow bass players, anywhere 😀

OMG - I recall this going out on TV at the time, but had forgotten about it until now. I remember watching Swap Shop all too well.... and thinking it was the best thing since Double Deckers! Lol. Also, used to quite fancy Maggie Philbin - all too predictably

Hanging on the telephone - Blondie

Go buddy go - the stranglers