Frank Blank

They had a smaller shop in Colchester briefly but before that they had a small shop at the Braintree Craft Centre.

I suppose this is a bit niche really but then BC should be a resource/reference for all things bass so... I am extremely lucky to own two basses (with a third on the way) built by our very own highly talented bass luthier @Jabba_the_gut. He very kindly supplies his basses in Fender gigbags, which, whilst being perfectly adequate and well fitting, don't give you a feeling of real security. After all these are handbuilt, unique instruments (as well as being, imho, works of art) so they need looking after. I have a fretted and a fretless, both 32" scale and very peculiarly shaped. I thought it was about time to get them some decent cases. What I really needed to do was try several out. I am lucky enough to live an hours drive away from Peach Guitars, the perfect place because you can book an appointment, expressing your needs beforehand, and when you go over they are set up for you, not only that but they have a big range of cases, both guitar and bass, which was cool because I did wonder if the Jabba basses might fit in a guitar case... So I called, explained my needs, and the assistant said, no need to book, just come along. I should explain that although the shop is 'open', since covid you have to either book an appointment or phone beforehand, you can't just arrive and look around, which is kind of odd but then I can see how it might suit some folks. I arrived, there's plenty of parking, rang the customer doorbell and in I went. It's a kind of cavernous space... ...that's done up with this faux wild west vibe, it's kind of odd and, I have to say, a little forlorn without the buzz of a least a few customers milling about, you know what it feels like when you go into a big church and you are the only person in there? Very odd. Anyway there are all sorts of rooms off this big space to try out stuff, I walked past a room that was dedicated to pedals and one with a wall of amps and I think a room dedicated to acoustics, mad. Sorry, I'm waffling. So the chap had a few cases to try out, most of which were a bit weedy, but he did have a Reunion Blues RBX Double Electric Bass Gig Bag for me to try. The basses fitted, there was a little wriggle room between the top of the headstock and the top zip of the case, otherwise they were really extremely good, but not perfect. I don't suppose you have a Mono dual case? I asked, knowing they had a few showing as in stock. The assistant vanished into the equally cavernous catacombs of the warehouse. I kept looking at the basses sitting (almost) perfectly snuggly and wondered if, in fact the Reunion case might not, in fact, be the one. I zipped it up and threw it about a bit, the basses didn't appear to move. Satisfied I leaned against one of those columns you can see in the pic above, my shoulder bumped into something other than column, I looked around to see a lovely pink guitar falling off the column, thankfully I caught it and managed to hang it back up without anyone seeing. I looked at the price tag and felt the colour drain out of my face, phew. The assistant returned, Try this he suggested. He handed me a Mono Classic Dual Acoustic/Electric Guitar Case, well, suffice to say this one was/is perfect... Front compartment with gratuitous shot of Jabba Fretted bass... Rear compartment... Front pouch Top front pouch ...so, just in case you end up with two basses built by @Jabba_the_gut, or you just want a dual case that fits awkward 32" scale basses (I would imagine single Mono Electric or acoustic guitar gig bags should fit if this case fits 32"? Let's say almost certainly, don't hold me to it. Anyway, a great solution for two great basses from a great shop with great service. A big fat yay all round.

Yes. Let us never speak of this again... I live a ten minute drive away from StringsDirect, they are a great resource to have on the doorstep! I've had nothing but excellent customer service from them over the years.

Oh yes..!

Chainsaw disco...

Five notes played by a genius though...

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1981? An unspecified pub in London, I was much refreshed when I got in the van, so I have no idea where I got out, Peckham came to mind so I'll go with that. Arrived to find we were the third band to play on a bill of three so I had time for more snakebite. I remember lots of people arriving who had come to see us from my home town, by gig time the place was rammed. I sat down behind my drums (yes, I was drumming in this band), counted the first song in with drumstick clicks and, on the third click, I vomited profusely over my entire kit. When I say vomited, I mean gushing geyser-type, dam busting style, a proper outpouring tinged pink from the blackcurrant in the snakebite. I managed, somehow, to complete the count in and begin the song which was mostly a floor tom/snare pattern and, as both drum heads were just lakes of pink sick, this first song was very splashy indeed. The throwing up cleared my head a bit and I got through the song, some kind soul took pity on me and brought me over a pint of what I thought was water which I downed before song two, it was actually lemonade and, half way through song two, the fizzing lemonade decided it didn't like my insides so it flew out spectacularly all over the back of the singer. Still, managed to finish the gig somehow, can't remember getting home nor how my kit got back but it did. We were finding little dried lumps of pink puke everywhere for weeks. Luckily for me everyone, including the singer and the people from home, seemed to find the whole thing hilarious so I counted myself lucky and did another years worth of gigs with them. I still have the t-shirt I was wearing that night that which I obviously used to wipe down the drums with, it is streaked like it's been bleached. Excellent.

Just sold a HX Stomp to Alex. Great comms, swift problem-free payment, top man. Naturally I have no hesitation in awarding the Frank Blank Seal of Approval...

Right, first addendum to this post. Grace design used to do case for the Felix and Alix but they are discontinued. I have just discovered that the Alix fits perfectly in the Protection Racket Line6 HX Stomp Proline Soft Case (HXS-P002-00).

Look what the nice DPD man delivered right on time... Oddly packaged as in no GD box but securely packaged nonetheless. There was a memory stick in the box which apparently has the latest manual/paperwork. Unsurprisingly the build is superb, it just oozes quality, it has that pleasing weight of something beautifully built. Anyway, now I just need a compressor that can match it and I'm away. I'll report back with a review (of sorts, I'm the least technical man you can imagine).

Of all the purples, Spaking Purple was always my favourite.

Let's face it, most wouldn't notice the difference if you were playing a euphonium made of cheese that was on fire.

Yeah, same here, then again I will insist on gigging in budgie smugglers, I suppose it's a risk that comes with the territory.

One of the things you don't realise when you join BC is just how many motorway services you are going to become familiar with. Fleet Northbound M3 today for a halfway meet to sell @knicknack my Nordstrand Acinonyx. Great comms, prompt payment, an excellent deal all round with a top notch Bass Chatter. Naturally I will be awarding the Frank Blank Seal of Approval...

He'll be along in minute to tell you he is the recipient.

I think this is it. I have finally realised (or perhaps admitted to myself) that the buying and selling of basses has (for me) become something that I'm doing because I'm enjoying it, which is fine, but I'm thinking about it more than I am about my actual musical needs which are wholly and completely satisfied by the two basses I already have.