scrumpymike

[b][i][u]2018 BASH NEWS - HALL BOOKED FOR SUNDAY APRIL 8th[/u][/i][/b][u]!![/u] OK, so it WAS hard work - but it was just TOO MUCH FUN We'll be working on making next year's event even better, so watch this space! Stephen Chown has just posted on this forum to announce that, following his acquisition of Scott Whitley's SWB-1 a while back, Retrovibe basses are now part of the Chownybass range. He told me after the Bash that the deal was done at our event!

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1491502253' post='3273608'] Hang on a sec thought this was Basschat not a dating site lol [/quote]

Hi Ellie, what a coincidence! Your name is the same as my daughter's and it's also the name I've given to my new custom s-s Maruszczyk Elwood pictured below!! Oh, and I play an SWB-1 too among other things. Just saying...

Thanks Jabba - much appreciated!

Yes, some mugs left too Norm - didn't mention as the message on them is not 'event-specific' and so they'll keep til next year (!?) whereas the remaining 2017 shirts obviously have a shelf-life. £5 ea + postage (tba) - pm me.

Me and Mrs. Scrumpy have just done the sums for the bash and found that we're £36 out of pocket Given all the hours we put in, this hardly seems fair! We would therefore be grateful if those of you who regret not buying a commemorative T-shirt on the day (or bought one and want more) now pm me to buy the few we've got left. Available sizes (actual as measured) are: M = 40"; L = 43"; XL = 45"; 2XL = 50"; 3XL = 50". Price is £12 inc. p&p. I'll donate anything over the £36 to this wonderful forum. In addition to the pic's already posted, we've got lots of nice shots of individuals that I'll be sending them by pm over the next few days (they may wish to post them on here afterwards). In the meantime, here's 'official' photographer Scrumpy Janey's favourite - which happens to be westwood playing a Gillett electro-acoustic (although I'm not sure that he'll be wanting to share this with the members of his band!?):

...and some more! MoJoKe brought lots of lovely Mark Bas kit. This lovely little red Retrovibe Zygote floated my boat - suggested a short-scale version for me and David K's having a think about it. The Mark Bass stuff coming in during set-up time. Watch this space for more images!

Next lot: MoJoKe is the first raffle-prize winner and grabs the bottle of Scotch! Tea-break time for Rich, TheRev & MoJoKe

OK, here's the first set of pic's giving a flavour of the day. Loads more to follow! Woody & Dom performing open-heart surgery David Koenig of Retrovibe looks on while Zummerbass tries one of hos basses and Westwood enjoys a Gillett unplugged moment. L-R: TheRev and BassBod try out Gillett electro-acoustic basses in the Quiet Room yorks5stringer tries a Chowny SWB-1 while I tell him how much I like mine. Jabba and his beautiful basses.

OK so it's 10 to 8 and me and Mrs. Scrumpy are just about done returning the house from 'bash HQ' to its normal homely state. This was a truly wonderful day enjoyed by 35 Basschatters, sponsors and even the helpers - none of whom are bass fanatics but still swear they had a good time! I must say I had an absolute blast! Highlights for me were meeting everybody, playing Michael Gillett's wonderful basses, ditto a really nice Retrovibe Zygote, and trying (and liking) Charlie's TC Electronics RH450 thru my Barefaced stack. THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL STUFF!! Mrs. Scrumpy thanks all those who went out of their way to say they enjoyed the catering. Scrumpy Janey took hundreds of photos (literally!) so watch this space - but not tonight! Thanks to everybody for attending the inaugural Taunton bash.

Thanks Norm and MoJoKe - see you tomorrow! Btw not sure whether I ever posted my mobile no. in case of need - it's 07770 946135.

[i][b][u]The last (pre-bash) post[/u][/b][/i] Just a few last-minute thoughts: Could anyone who's bringing amps also if possible bring - a mains-cable extension to run from the dozen or so outlets we'll have in the middle of the hall. Could anyone who's bringing basses also if possible bring - straps; stands; and suitable monitoring equipment with cans if you plan to try basses out in the 'quiet room' (I'm putting a small mute-switchable amp/cab in there for general use but I'd be grateful if anyone else with similar kit could bring it along). I'm also told by Basschatters with previous 'bash' experience that those with acute hearing or of a nervous disposition should bring some kind of hearing protection (although event management will intervene if the decibels are too many for too long). I'll bring some of the disposable ear plugs I use on the bike just in case. See you tomorrow

Pinball, Dom in Somerset and therasonic450 - thanks for the updates and look forward to seeing you (hopefully) all. Mike

[b][i][u]BASH UPDATE[/u][/i][/b] OK everybody, you've got the venue details in the OP, now here's the most direct route from the motorway for those without satnav: Exit M5 at Junction 25 and follow signs for Taunton; this eventually takes you onto the Toneway dual carriageway; after crossing the major traffic-lighted junction with the A38 (landmark is brick-built Creech Castle diagonally opposite on your RHS) you'll pass the big Audi dealer (up the grassy bank on your RHS) and come to a major roundabout; town centre is left but you TURN RIGHT at the roundabout, which takes you up over the Obridge viaduct; you now drop down to another, smaller roundabout (landmark - the Obridge pub on the left-hand corner). This is where it gets a bit nadgery! Go straight over the roundabout onto the small road that runs thru Priorswood residential area (this narrow road is traffic-calmed with a series of tight bends); at the top of the hill turn left at the mini roundabout (landmark - Priorswood small shopping precinct on your RHS); keep straight on to the T-junction and turn right onto Cheddon Road - this heads out into the countryside and you're virtually home and dry now; you'll drop down the hill into Rowford hamlet, pass the school on your left - and see the entrance to the Memorial Hall facing you at the first road junction. NOTE The building shown in the pic is a private residence - for the hall, go thru the big gates and along the driveway. (The right turn at this junction takes you into Cheddon Village, which is just 100 dwellings and a nice church.)

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1490716645' post='3267342'] Both Chowny and Gillett Basses are reviewed in this months BGM, hopefully we will see them both at close quarters? [/quote] Stephen mentioned that - shame that the mag's they've given him for the bash will be the previous edition.

[quote name='grogg' timestamp='1488653885' post='3250856'] Thinking of investing in an acoustic bass guitar as I play in a band with 2 acoustic guitars, accordion and Cajon. Feel like I'm not quite keeping up appearances. The ones I've tried in the past seemed tonally weak. Any recommendations? Don't want to spend a lot. [/quote] I was in the same situation a while back when playing with a folky singer/songwriter. Ended up using a nice Ibanez Artcore electro-acoustic with flats thru a small practice amp. Sounded great and looked a bit less intimidating to the woolly-pully brigade. If I win the lottery though, it will be one of these - they're made just up the road in Bristol and Mike Gillett is bringing a couple to this Sunday's S-W Bass Bash. [url="http://www.gillettguitars.co.uk/video"]http://www.gillettguitars.co.uk/video[/url]

[quote name='Risk101' timestamp='1490680089' post='3266899'] Just arrived - beautiful piece of craftsmanship - looking forward to hooking it up to my rig. The action was so low that even open strings buzzed - the neck relief seems ok so I've lifted the saddles a little The woods used are outstanding! [/quote] I specified the same set-up on both of mine - ultra-low action and 045-105" strings. My Cazpar (early autumn delivery) was perfect but the Elwood (arrived 5 weeks ago) was just a bit too buzzy. I think with a marginal setup the temperature swings you can get in winter/early spring - especially in a factory in Poland - could well be a factor.

[quote name='Chownybass' timestamp='1490625646' post='3266571'] That's a shame. I was looking forward to checking them out. They look great. [/quote] Same here!

[b][u]Bash update: Zilla Cabs[/u][/b] I've just done a last round of phone calls to our event sponsors, basically to say "Thanks again for your support and see you Sunday." Anyone hoping to sample the wares of Bristol cab manufacturer Zilla (me for example) will unfortunately be disappointed! Despite agreeing to attend and multiple contacts from me by e-mail and telephone, boss-man Paul now tells me that he's not available next weekend - go figure!?

[quote name='GazWills' timestamp='1490043346' post='3261756'] Hi - I've only just seen this thread, and I think I can make it too. If any interest I can bring my 1970's fender bassman 135 head, though unable to transport my cab down, so I'll need to borrow a cab if anybody wants to try the amp. Lots of pedals, plus a 1989 stingray and a 2003 AV62 P bass, depending on what I can fit in my car! [/quote] Sorry, only just added you to the list - look forward to seeing you mate!

I totally understand T-Bay and Thunderbird's point of view - and I'd probably feel the same if I didn't already own one of these basses. But I do (2 in fact) and, like mcnach, this wouldn't stop me buying from them again.

[quote name='Chownybass' timestamp='1490462898' post='3265324'] Scott is doing a gig in Hong Kong unfortunately. He did want to come down though. [/quote] Gig in HK versus The Big Fat South-West Bass Bash? Tough choice that; I'm guessing Scott tossed a coin and we lost