BetaFunk

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1377635323' post='2189795'] i think the best thing about them is that they came from a country that wasnt really known for its funk, but it turned out, they were arguably the best funk band ever. the power of the american influence [/quote] AWB were a fantastic band and up their with the best but the best funk band ever? Better than the JB's, the Meters, Ohio Players, T-Connection, Funkadelic? Really? Let's just say they were great.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1377633530' post='2189764'] One of my faves from back in the 70's. I remember seeing them a Bibas a hip store, I think on Kensington High Street. It was all Art Deco ( he used to play with Paul Simon). They had a roof restaurant and the gig was up there. [/quote] Yes, that was the old Derry & Toms store that Biba took over in 1974. Although the building has changed a bit over the years the Kensington Roof Gardens are still there.

"Dusty In Memphis' is one of the great albums and one of my favourites. Often other albums by her are overlooked. 'A Brand New Me' was released in the U.S. in early 1970 (It was titled 'From Dusty With Love' in the U.K.) and produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia. The quality of the material might not be as good as 'Dusty In Memphis' but it's still worth checking out for some fabulous Philly arrangements and musicianship. The bass player was Ronnie Baker who appeared on many Gamble & Huff productions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmVOXvOi9Qk

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1377627688' post='2189661'] Bollocks. The said master-craftsman has crossed so many lines that he is now [b]deeply[/b] within the zone of justifiable ridicule (have you seen his work? or read his descriptions?!). This is banter and a bit of harmless pi$$ taking. You know, like when you corrected a spelling error I made on one of my posts the other day? [/quote] ..and peace, love and understanding to you too.

Atelier Z?

They were great. I remember seeing them many times, often at the Greyhound in Fulham Palace Road before they had a record contract and also at the Marquee and various pubs in London. An amazingly tight band even in those early days. Maybe not as polished as the ones that followed but i still like the first album 'Show Your Hand'. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b43Xa-1QQ5U[/media]

[quote name='Subbeh' timestamp='1377614375' post='2189404'] I can see where you're coming from but the man in question is making money by conniing budding musicians into believing the tat and butchery he pedals is worth their money and for that he deserves all the sh*t that can be reasonably thrown his way. [/quote] If people freely buy his stuff and are happy with it how is that 'conning' anyone?

My 1960s Japanese guitars plus my 1970s Guyatone which has a built-in drum machine. From L to R, Teisco Del Rey EV2T, Kent Polaris 1, Kawai Raver, Guyatone LG23R

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1377501613' post='2188095'] ebay is also adding on charges within the postage cost and various handling fees within the import charges.Nice! [/quote] There are a lot of negative posts on the ebay community forums about this. It seems that you end up paying more in the long run.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1377466630' post='2187950'] London is a big place. Whereabouts are you going? [/quote][quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1377466984' post='2187953'] London is huge. Whereabouts are you going? [/quote] Blimey, we must be tele...tele... think alike.

[quote name='Lew-Bass' timestamp='1377465559' post='2187930'] Going to the capital for the day with my girlfriend, so naturally, I'm going to want to find a good bass store! I'll only get away with one store before she starts to moan so which would be the best one for me to go to? [/quote] London is a big place. Whereabouts are you going?

I saw Brand X many years ago and was so mesmerised by Percy Jones i don't think i took much notice of PC. On saying that i've always thought he was a decent drummer, just not up there with the greats but certainly no shame in that. With Kenwood Dennard also playing with Brand X there may be some that don't think that PC was even the best drummer in Brand X.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1377433434' post='2187405'] Not really sure about this. What if you didn't want the bass shipped outside the USA? I'd love to know how HMRC get their pound of flesh from the USA end. [/quote] Do you mean the 'Global Postage Programme'? If you do then do an internet search for that phrase and all will be revealed.

[quote name='jacs_' timestamp='1377446624' post='2187624'] Where can I find his profile or whatnot to message him?:-) [/quote] +1 The Bass Doc. Click on 'members' and then search 'The Bass Doc'.

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1377443111' post='2187563'] Thanks BF. Will get around to the AJ albums and maybe 'Procession' next time! [/quote] Bunny Brunel is also always worth checking out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVX5de9nZU

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1377262021' post='2185481'] Lovely guitars there BetaFunk. [/quote] Thanks ShergoldSnickers. The Marathon is really nice and even has it's original bridge cover. I'm going to sell the Masquerader as i don't play guitar. It's had a fair bit of use but is slightly unusual to many as most with that shape headstock have string trees and mine doesn't.

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1377432256' post='2187382'] Doing some Weather Report-related digging, and found mention of a few solo albums AJ cut in the 70s. Long out of CD print, you can still get a couple on iTunes/Amazon download. Any opinions on these? Thinking about treating myself to one today - maybe alongside WR's 'Procession', my first foray into the post-Jaco years. Thoughts? [/quote] His early solo records are the usual smooth jazz funk of that era with plenty of Fender Rhodes going on. They are still worth a listen but very different from his Weather Report days. I still listen to those old Alphonso Johnson LPs simply because he is such a great bass player.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1377414357' post='2187154'] Yep, exactly as in the title. [/quote] ....and often mentioned on this very forum. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207058-custom-made-solid-pine-bodied-sht-o-caster/page__hl__toilet__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url] http://basschat.co.uk/topic/210261-the-bongo-finally-shows-its-true-colours/page__p__2116105__hl__toilet__fromsearch__1#entry2116105

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1377372140' post='2186890'] And there it goes....... [/quote] I'm amazed that it lasted that long.

Here's a (not very good) pic of my 1979 Marathon bass & 1976 Masquerader guitar.

I recently bought a pickguard and pickup for an old 60s Teisco from the U.S. for $27 and got stung a whopping £14 when it landed in the UK!!!

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1377069159' post='2182806'] pleasure - the heavy breathing bit is very benny hill!! [/quote] That's just reminded me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twJohGfOIz0

Ibanez VWB1 'Verdine White Signature' bass They must have made a good few of these but i haven't seen many in the UK.

[quote name='bassatnight' timestamp='1376931030' post='2181093'] Def Scam, I mentioned to him that he had posted x2 pictures of different Aria SB's, he then posted a third version into the bargain. Sales now pulled - can't think why!! ;o) [/quote] It's back!

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1376932026' post='2181118'] Nah, it's still up ... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-SB1000/141037567469?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D16581%26meid%3D682470702607343522%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D7839%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141037568961%26#ht_137wt_1172"]http://www.ebay.co.u...6#ht_137wt_1172[/url] [/quote] It had gone but that must have been while he was revising it but you're right it is back.