Cato

I've got a fretless 4 string V7 in transit from Thomman at this very moment. I'm expecting it to be a bit of a boat anchor, but I'll try to remember to let you know the weight when it turns up.

Ooof... To state the obvious, that is stunning.

They do have their own unique sound, even when plugged in, kind of like a zingy but boomy thing going on - almost exactly not like a double bass. Although a lot of that is probably coming from the phosphor bronze strings most of them have fitted. I've been tempted a couple of times and I'm sure that they're great fun for home practice but ultimately I've always resisted.

No idea what you're referring to to, but I'm sure the apology will be accepted in the spirit it was intended.

Missed out again dammit. Always the bridesmaid...

Seymour Duncan charge extra for that 'authentic aged patina' on their antiquity range.

Another recommendation for @KiOgon if you lack soldering skills. Ki0gons solderless looms are more or less idiot proof. I have the technical skills of a drunk koala and managed to install mine in about 10 minutes.

When I bought my Babicz new from Bass Direct it didn't come with any instructions either, just a note telling me to watch that youtube vid.

Ignore the the installation part, the video moves on to set up once he's bolted it to the bass. It's dead straightforwards and probably fractionally quicker than a conventional bridge in that there's only one height adjustment screw per saddle.

Best live album ever.

This would have been a good night in New York. If you stayed for another month you could also have caught an early Blondie gig at the same legendary venue.

Check your cupboards.

I think the Teisco bass came before the Gibson. I think Spectormg is suggesting it's where Gibson got their inspiration. Pretty sure that's a 60s/70s model.

I agree with the posters above. A bit of space between the bass and the guitar is a beautiful thing, it lets the listener hear what's going on.

I wouldn't say that any lyrics have changed my world but I've always been very impressed with Billy Bragg's skills. In the modern era Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys is head and shoulders above his peers. Honorable mention for Maximo Park.

If I wasn't getting myself a fretless for Christmas, I suspect my first fiver would be on it's way. This has to be one of the bargains of the year.

Another great one just popped up in Off Topic. Inguinal Hernia.

If you get some work done by Kev between now and January he'll put your name in the hat for the Christmas raffle. 3rd Prize: Set of strings. 2nd Prize: Free fret dress. 1st Prize: One night in Kevin.

There's a better place down the road, south of Kevin.

Apparently the shop is slightly raised above the rest of the street. There are three steps to Kevin.

I saw Tool at Glastonbury in 1994. My overriding memory is that Maynard moved like he had one foot nailed to the stage. He'd take a big step forwards or backwards with his right leg, but the left foot seemingly never shifted from the spot. Great gig though.

This quite a nice parody of the UK Grime genre. If you find it nonsensical and riduculous then you're getting the joke. Though I quite like it in it's own right.

There are sometimes bargains to found after the NAMM music show in late January. NAMM tends to be when the big manufacturers unveil their new models and at the same time announce which lines are being replaced and upgraded. A couple of years ago the Fender USA Deluxe line was replaced by the Americal Elite line, immediately after that Deluxes were being sold at £500 discounts. This year it was the Yamaha BBs, although that was announced at Summer NAMM in June. The 424/5s and 1024/5s were discontinued and the old stock was on sale for approaching half price.

My local guy charges £100 for a full set up. For that you get the works, action, intonation, truss rod, frets filed and levelled if it needs it. If you want the strings changed you have to provide him with the new set yourself and he'll adjust the set up for those strings. I've only ever used his services a couple of times, both times with new (to me) basses that I though could benefit from the full treatment. Both times I considered it money well spent.

It may not be that Les Paul style guitars are 'bad' for funk, rather that telecasters are perfect for it.