TrevorR

Radio alarm clock flicked on this morning to Radio 2 and Sounds of the Sixties with Tony Blackburn playing The Marvelettes and Please Mr Postman. Not the worst thing likely to happen this year, I suspect!

The way prices have gone recently you probably don’t want to know! Especially as you’ll not be able to keep the thought “…and these were the budget models…” out of your head! Always fancied one of these passive Pro reissue Wals. Still kick myself I never snapped up the one I saw in Langley Guitar Centre back in the 90s…

All the dancing in th streets may be premature… read the announcement again… “…stop making music AS A BAND…” Five words for you… “Four ex-Coldplay members’ solo careers”!

I won’t be queuing to with tenners clenched in my hand to buy one but at least it’s based around a guitar he owns and designed around a shape which is unique to him. The one that got me was when Martin issued the George Martin signature acoustic guitar… yes THAT George Martin the famous finger picker from The Beatles… hmmm…

If you want Paul from Wal’s view there are some thoughts in here… http://walbasshistory.blogspot.com/2016/10/wal-woods-part-2-bodies.html He does ascribe some tonal differences with different woods but also a warning to be realistic, “The standard bodies all have a central Mahogany core and the facings add character to the overall tone. So regardless of facing choice there is a consistency running through by using the same core timber. As a general rule, the harder facings such as wenge/padauk (wenge being slightly harder) tend to be slightly brighter and punchier giving more attack and reflection - often selected for fretted basses. At the other end of the scale are the softer/less dense timbers like American Walnut, which is favourite for fretless instruments and players who prefer a rounder less aggressive sound." "Yes, in general, but to counter the theory we’ve had some great sounding hard faced (like wenge) fretless basses through here – more aggressive sounding though. Also, you mustn’t forget that the density and grain structure can vary even from one end of a single board to the other. There can be a lot of variables even on two basses with exactly the same spec."

I think, reading various online references to this topic across a load of forums, that folks often forget that we didn't play big heavy cabs and amps because they were somehow "better" than lightweight gear. We played them because that was all that the amp and cab manufacturing companies actually made!!!!!! Personally I liked my original heavy old rough and ready Laney 1x15 combo, I loved my backbreaking old Trace Elliott gear that followed it before my amp got dropped and died (had it not done so I would probably still be playing it). Now I love my MarkBass lightweight gear.

Right down to copying the bridges… Looks like he’ll make you a Fakenfacker too!

Fascinating project, watching with interest!

You know the worship’s great but I reckon [it could be even better/we could take it to the next level] if… As with so much, context is everything!

Well, since this thread is back from the dead I’ll throw this in here… My bass collection as at 1 Jan 2021, and 1 Jan 2020, and 2019, and 2018, and 2017 and 2016… got the Faith acoustic bass in 2015.

That’s the fella… close up of Toshi’s in action…

You’re well covered for the funky side so I’ll throw in a few of my fave bass lines…

Oooooh, lovely flame on that shedua!

Remarkable condition for basses with that many miles on the clock! Enjoy! Though, I guess that goes without saying!

I use one of these with an iPad… very good and easy to use. AirTurn BT200S https://www.dawsons.co.uk/240877/airturn-bt200s-2-foot-switch-controller-atbt200s2?istCompanyId=f16c2387-744c-456f-941a-ef6c2f7c5239&istFeedId=55d15576-631e-4559-aefa-7460513112a8&istItemId=ialrwrlwx&istBid=t&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ouKBhC5ARIsAHXNMI8JtPgLD5PrBxUiKUGDqGYKHyQY7HRHA_TMnFcS-CA_r6Z478_k8gYaArb9EALw_wcB

Got mine over a decade ago when the UK/US exchange rate was ridiculously good. Ordered it straight from Audere and they sent it over. Don’t know if they still ship internationally. However, I think Bass Direct do them.

Big big fan of the Audere preamps. Got one in my Frankenjazz. Really well voiced with a distinct lack of unmusical settings. Definitely one to put on your shortlist. Mine is the three band Z series which allows you to load the pickups differently for different core tones with a little toggle switch. Mine came mounted on a plate with solderless connectors. So simple to install.

Well, let's see... I bought this bass back in 1992 for 500 quid... ...and it's been my No 1 bass ever since. So I guess that my answer to the original question would be a pretty definitive, "NO!!!" That said, I have played a load of really, really nice basses but none that's likely to supplant this one in my affections.

What happened to my first bass - a 1982 Aria SB700? Well, I can pop upstairs and check… still got it and using it after all these years. Lovely little bass it is too! Recording one of those “record it on your phone and stitch it together later” videos in lockdown last year…

Yikes! Keep up fighting the good fight.

An opportunity to mentor them and help them improve perchance?

I really wish I didn’t agree but sadly I do. I’m also double jabbed but with underlying medical issues, an elderly family member we’re supporting through cancer treatment, the almost certain need to head back onto a commuter train in September/October and a kid with special needs… this autumn still somehow feels too soon. Doubly so with the transmissibility of the current variants. I would also have voted for next year. And @silverfoxnik, @Hamster, @cetera happy to help out when it does come around to pulling it together (as part of the North Surrey massive).

Hasn’t it been on display there for a few years now?

Has more that three chords… OF COURSE it’s a cover! 😉😛🤣

These are two of my fave songs. Never realised they were covers for years… And then there’s also this… sorta… …one of my fave ELO songs but it’s Jeff covering a tune he wrote and recorded 7 years earlier with The Move (and covered by Todd Rundgren)