Frank Blank

No, well, just about to spend the afternoon catching up, but love Klezmer.

Just purchased a Warwick from @Osiris, excellent comms, smooth transaction, top Basschater and all round good egg. Can I just also take this opportunity to announce the birth of out second child, Eugene, a melon shaped amphibious boy made entirely from tungsten.

Welcome @Bassosaku

Sure, subjectivity. Next.

Sounding great! Two of my favourite albums to play along with are Forces of Victory and Bass Culture by Linton Kwesi Johnson. I remember (years ago now) listening to them and thinking it would be easy to play... duh, so wrong. I love the bass playing on both albums, really gets you into the reggae mindset. Family Man Barrett is a truly great bass player, along with his brother one of the best rhythm sections ever! Anyway... ...and, just because @Reggaebass and I will use any excuse to post a bit of Samasara (great bass)...

I've been considering a Hofner, it's next on my list to try so thanks for the idea.

I’ve played a Shuker Artist, lovely basses, butI prefer the RAs. I would have the same problem as they are expensive basses. I love the MB-2 but same issue really. I had a Godin Ultra A4 but it was heavier than Saturn and ridiculously long (34” scale but the bridge was quite far forward so overall just a long bass). Because of that experience I’ve never really considered the earlier version, I’ll have to look into it, try one out. Was it a fretless?

I suppose under 1k then I wouldn’t worry too much. I made an exception with the Rob Allen basses because they are just perfect for me and the only basses I reach for when I’m writing.

I’d never really considered it before. Replacing them would take aeons anyway because RA doesn’t make instruments to order anymore so I’d just have to wait until he made one to my liking.

Smoke quantity 😉

Morning. I’m just mulling over the thought that a lot of you have basses you play at home and other basses you use live, I hadn’t really thought about this until relatively recently. I have two Rob Allen basses, one was purchased during lockdown but the original one has been out to gig with me on many occasions. Both have been modified and I’m just thinking if someone sat on one or nicked it I’d be in schtook, to replace one (and modify it) would cost around £2300. So I’m thinking of getting a couple of cheap(er) basses to use live and keep the RA basses at home for writing/rehearsing, mind you it will be difficult to find anything similar, short scale, light, piezo. There’s a few full scale options but would rather short, anyone have any suggestions?

Sphere not, its a common experience with 'pop' music.

See, I knew it would be a set up for demonstration purposes, you are a supremely sensible man.

Obviously I have reported this knee/drill potential injuryfest to H&S who will be in contact forthwith.

Welcome @plaaty

Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball From Soho down to Brighton, I must've played 'em all But I ain't seen nothin' like him in any amusement hall That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure doesn’t understand the complexities of possible multiple visas or work permits when travelling and performing in Europe which some industry experts say will be expensive and potentially prohibitive - especially for musicians at the start of their careers.

Actually I think the first signal is to Blunt’s pilot Andre asking him to start the helicopter (3:01) before he reveals his murderous final intentions by making the internationally recognised off with his head gesture (3:02) to Brian May. At this point Blunt’s evil sidekick Bruno was supposed to run in with a machete and decapitate the lanky Queen guitarist for still having an effin’ perm. Anyway Bruno was round the back having a ciggie with Roger Taylor so the whole endeavour was up the creek from the outset.

Welcome @Sam L

Not many I hope! I used to sign whatever name popped into my head. One woman in Iowa had Frank Muir autographed across her left boob, I don’t suppose there’s much demand for reruns of Call My Bluff in the Midwest.

This is actual genius.

I’ve signed autographs on various parts of fans bodies on various tours, especially in the US. I did genuinely explain each time that I was the drum and/or bass tech but it never made any difference, my awkwardness soon evaporated.

The very video that convinced me to get a Rob Allen, love the whole thing.

Elcome @jeanluc545