Doctor J

"I know it's just a p bass copy" Wrong perspective. In my experience, there is no "just" as many of the copies are better than the real thing. To be honest, I don't think there is a real thing anymore, just some brands which have changed ownership enough, over the years, to have lost all real connection to the original other than owning some copyrights. Everything is a copy, these days. I've got three superb Jazz basses, not one Fender, though. I've a 335 and it's a Japanese Tokai. Stop worrying about the logo on the headstock and focus on the instrument in your hands. If that bass is telling you it's the right bass for you, well, discard your prejudices and listen to it.

Incredible to watch, but nothing I could listen to for more than a few seconds. Fretted bass is a pretty crap solo instrument to listen to, to my ears. Tapping metal bass strings onto metal frets, in particular, sounds quite rubbish as a vehicle for musical expression. As above, that he's doing this on an instrument not really musically suitable is the hook here. It's a feast for the eyes as I can appreciate the level of coordination what he's doing requires, and the imagination to get to that level, but just doesn't stimulate me as music to my ears. And, yes, I've no doubt he's a great musician and could play circles around me playing "normal" bass stuff, too. This kind of stuff, as music, just bores me, though I am not his target audience in the same way a lot of contemporary music also says nothing to me about my life. Just personal taste.

Not my cup o' tae, musically, but they certainly can play.

Actually, it might be a S.D. Curlee, it looks like it has a large backplate down the middle of the body and two P pickups.

Viliette Citron?

I'm getting old and prefer support from below, these days.

But you only turn the amps up so you can hear yourselves over their bloody radio!

Ssshhhhhhh.... the thread doesn't need another stampede of people who simply must tell us again how false a god he is.

Suddenly, I'm glad I have a cowbell.

Perhaps putting the same products into the market for 70 years has finally filled it to the point that almost everyone who wants one has one and there are enough used ones to satisfy the rest?

In the age of ergonomic enlightenment, is there really such a great demand for anchors like Rippers and Grabbers damaging shoulders? They're niche, at best, novelty at worst. They won't bring bonuses to stressed executives.

I remember when all this was just rock 'n' roll.

Sax, Shirley?

Thanks a lot, gents, and thanks to all who participated and voted. @upside downer, please, the floor is yours, pic on!

Well done, she has a nice voice. Real drums, too? Now that you're up and running, you should give one of these a spin some month, good practice if nothing else 🙂 https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/466374-july-composition-challenge/?do=getNewComment

Just like Fender are wetting themselves laughing at the plebs who spend big money on something a Harley Benton or SX can do for less than a tenth of the price?

It should be hosted by Joe Dart, wearing a t-shirt with Tony Levin's face on it.

Don't ever change, Gibson 😂

Why must it be one bassist vs another? Can't they both be appreciated?

Exactly. Refer to the line about being clever and inventive 😉

He gets an undue amount people taking shots at him. He should call himself Joe Dartboard. FWIW, he's almost flavour of the decade, at this stage. I became aware of them through a thread here in 2014, been a fan ever since, and they had been going quite a while by then. They've worked hard at what they do and worked hard to get to where they are. Fair play to them. They have made an impact in an industry where new artists are no longer supported. They've been clever and inventive to make things happen for them. If you don't like their music, fine, but everything they have achieved, they have done the hard way - including taking the financial risk on the signature basses which seem to irk so many. Perhaps Tony could do that too and he could have one?

House music, surely?

Ironically enough, did Plaice not choke on some water?