tegs07

Tony Bennet? He is awesome but strays into outright fromage on occasion Bob Weir. Paul McCartney Carlos Santana The list is (contentious) and endless. Finally to upset the stoner rock fans Monster Magnet. Loved “Dopes to infinity”. Live I thought they were pure fondue.

I have that album. There’s no doubt “cheesy Bob” is a credible musician!

I just find him a bit middle of the road and slightly naff .. yet love just about everything he does regardless.

I have always found Robert Cray to be simultaneously cheesy and magnificent.

I have a Vintera P which I bought used and cheap as I love those cheesy 50’s surf colours. I wanted a split screen VW bus but settled on the bass …. anyhow digressing, the point is it has a 50’s contour neck but with modern roasted maple. The neck is so light compared to the P neck on my US bitsa which has a 90’s Rosewood neck, but is so much denser (wood + whatever truss rod and frets are made of) So P necks with different profiles can vary dramatically depending on materials used. The Vintera has less “thunder” but suspect that is because it has pickups that aren’t as hot as the active ones in the Bitsa!

They may as well say that no P basses are correct since 1957 as the neck profile has varied a lot since then. I am of the opinion that all factors, wood, nut, neck profile etc make a small difference but the pickups influence the sound above all else. Stick Precision pickups on a Jazz and the overwhelming sound is a P bass. That said I agree with @Beedster I love meddling with Bitsa builds and it is interesting how the various combinations of neck and body can make a subtle but important difference to how a bass sounds. I have been on the lookout for an early Duff Mckagan bass for years and there’s no issue with that J neck P body combo!

Indeed.. I never liked any of the massive 80’s bands. I just found Wham, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran etc to be ridiculous. A slightly podgy bloke and his mates from Essex or whatever dressed up like a wardrobe malfunction on the set of Dynasty WTF was that all about? Yet they certainly had a winning formula and some catchy songs that are still loved today so what do I know.

The one and only:

Simon Gallup

My 2ps worth. If you recruited for and will be promoting yourself as an 80’s band then play just 80’s music. That’s what people coming to see you will want to hear. I also think if you stick to a simple formula and do it well then the band has a good chance of being successful. I agree with the previous comments there is nothing more tragic than a random covers band trying to master every genre and era. On a personal note I would rather hear a band playing music I loathe very well than the odd song I like played badly.

I think we’re about the same age with similar experiences of trying to find budget instruments in the ‘80s. Not only were the instruments cheap and nasty but the outlets to buy them were severely limited. No internet and a small selection of second hand shops that stocked instruments alongside other brick-a-brac made finding a decent cheap bass tricky. I don’t think I have played anything in recent years that a couple of hours worth of setup wouldn’t sort out to be playable if not loveable. Nowadays it would boil down to a bit of brand snobbery, aesthetics as well knowing that for a little more cash there is a better quality instrument that can be bought quickly and researched from the comfort of your home (online reviews, you tube demos etc), It’s the same with cars. There are loads of cheap models out there now that are more reliable than top makes back in the 80’s but feel cheap and nasty and are utterly bland to drive. Why bother unless you have to?

Seeing as there are a fair few Clapton nominations should really include JJ Cale and Freddie King.

Thanks all got it sorted…

Cheers had a search but didn’t find anything- lots of jack cassidy bass threads though

I have nearly completed a new project but am having issues with the output jack. I get sound from the pickups but only when the lead is partially inserted into the jack. The body of the bass is an ‘83 Fender Elite and has a hole that will accommodate a barrel type jack usually seen on semi-acoustic instruments. Can anyone confirm how to identify the R, T and S on these barrel type jacks as I can only think I have soldered incorrectly? Stereo jack with EMG active Pickups. Note the EMG Pickup wires to jack have been soldered (clip removed). Cheers

EMG PX as described with good communication throughout. Cheers

Currently I have Kelly Joe Phelps playing in the background and thinking these articles should really be titled “Who is the most well known electric lead guitarist of all time”

The first time Clapton heard Hendrix play Killing Floor Blues he was so awestruck he had to leave the stage... but I know what you mean.

Sadly never saw them live but did get to see The Mission and Fields of the Nephilim several times..

I had a Sterling Ray34 that I really liked and having recently tried a Lakland PJ am very tempted..(bit over my budget to date though).

The only Yamaha’s I have played have been a little modern in their styling for my tastes ( nice to play though) apart from an Attitude which I really liked but suspect was a couple of grand!

Many of the nicest basses I have played have been around £500 second hand and Indonesian made.

Terminator?

Then I would have to drive it ..