JimmySims

Phil just bought my 1979 Gibson Ripper. Easy transaction, great communication, thoroughly nice bloke. Deal with full confidence. Jimmy Sims

Hi Guys and Girls, My wife is working for a charity called the Sunflower jam. They put on a concert at the albert hall every year in aid of funding research into non toxic cancer treatments. This year they're focusing on pancreatic cancer after John Lord (who was heavily involved) sadly died of that last year. You can read more about the charity and their work at www.thesunflowerjam.com They're auctioning off a 13 inch drum head that has been signed by lots of the stars that were involved in the concert last year. These include Alice Cooper, Brian May, John Paul Jones, Iain Paice and Bruce Dickinson. If you're interested in having a look and potentially bidding, click the link here [url="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=471953112865356&set=a.174540122606658.46189.148198275240843&type=1&theater"]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=471953112865356&set=a.174540122606658.46189.148198275240843&type=1&theater[/url] Thanks Jimmy Sims

HI there, I've got a Stagg acoustic bass case that I'm no longer in need of. its the ABS model ilustrated here [url="http://www.2sellmusic.com/stagg-abs-acoustic-bass-case.html"]http://www.2sellmusi...-bass-case.html[/url] Its been well used but still will work perfectly. Free to anyone that wants to come and get it. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ONE OF THE LATCHES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CASE IS MISSING, but it doesn't really affect its use. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I've used it to fit a Washburn AB10. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm in North West London; Willesden Green to be precise. Ideally I don't want to bother with shipping cos its so large etc. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jimmy Sims[/font][/color]

I've just bought his TU3 via bank transfer and post. Very good experience. A very friendly and swift transaction. Many thanks, Jimmy Sims

Speaking as someone who used to work in a bass shop, I've experienced both sides of trying basses out in shops. Yes, it can be intimidating while you're in there, but don't think that the staff will be listening out for every note you play and judging you. Generally when people played in the shop that I worked in, it just went in one ear and out of the other. That is of course with a few exceptions. Those who try to show off; whether you can play machine gun triplets or you just think you can, all its going to do is serve to annoy the staff and fellow customers. Imagine someone going into a clothes shop, trying on some trousers and then running around screaming "LOOK AT ME!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW GOOD I LOOK!??! I BET YOU WOULDN'T LOOK THIS GOOD IN THESE TROUSERS!!!" ... It's never going to go down well. That said, if that's how you play, then you should check that the instrument is good for that sort of thing, but just keep it to a minimum. I'm reminded of something that (I think) John Entwhistle said (I'm paraphrasing) "Jazz Fusion is like the smell of your own farts; it's alright alone in your bedroom, but you shouldn't enforce it on anyone else", I think that applies for slap/tap/solos in guitar shops too. Those who bring their girlfriend/boyfriend into the shop and try to show off to them. This happened a lot more than you might believe. You may not be able to avoid bringing your partner into the shop, but personally, I'd check with them first whether they're actually interested. There's nothing more bile inducing than witnessing an impromptu bass serenade, nothing more funny than when the partner yawns and looks away, nothing more sad than witnessing someone realising that they no longer want to be in that relationship set to a bad version of "Dune Tune". Also, NEVER sing along with yourself. Talking of singing along, there was a short trend for people to start scatting along with themselves. Just. Don't. Staff may mistake you for having a seizure. I agree with people that have said "Just play what you'd normally play", take a deep breath and start playing some notes. Any shop staff that are worth their salt are not going to lose patience with you for just playing some simple bass lines and most staff won't bat an eyelid. Personally, I don't think playing the instrument unplugged has that much merit unless that's how you're used to playing that way. I've noticed with my own playing, that if I can't hear myself very well then I start playing harder and harder, which has given me pretty bad wrist tweeks in the past. Plug in, but turn to a level that you're comfortable with, don't be afraid to turn the volume down on the amp, no one will complain about that. Also, when they plug you in, make sure you use a similar amp to the one you have at home. Now, staff might get the arse about having to plug something else in, but f**k 'em, they're there to work. I always fall foul of the amazing old Portaflex they have at Vintage and Rare in Denmark Street, It's just soooo lovely! Also, asking the staff to play the instrument for you is a great idea if you want to get a demo of the controls and maybe some sounds that you can get from the bass, but remember that a lot of the sound of the bass comes from your fingers, so it's going to sound very different when you start playing it yourself. This then brings me to another point. Just because they work in a guitar shop, doesn't actually mean they're any good. I've known a lot of shop staff in the 5 years I worked there, and I can name probably 2 that were really that good at playing, and many more that couldn't play at all (I'm leaving myself out of that little story, I'm not always sure whether I can play or not). I think it's important to remember that sort of questioning philosophy when trying out basses too, just because it's a USA bass, doesn't mean its good, just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good, and just because it's vintage, doesn't mean it's good. Even if you're dead set on getting the one that you've seen, try some other stuff too. You may love the other things, but more importantly it may demonstrate just how lovely the one you've fallen in love with is. Apologies if this is a bit of a rant. Jimmy Sims