Burns-bass

So, I’ve started 2023 with the dedication to DB I’ve never had before. I am lucky enough to have an hour of practice time at least 5 days a week (I work for myself, and work in a room with my basses in). I also enjoy the kind of stuff people don’t enjoy (playing with a metronome, doing the same exercises etc). My aim is to get out and gig as I used to, so I’m working on intonation mostly. I’m hoping to engage a tutor again, but I’d be interested in how best to structure my practice. Any experienced DBers care to offer any suggestions?

Yeah, it's good! Some older basses and guitars aren't on there. Someone on another forum asked them about it, and it's still work in progress.

I think British humour may not translate. Nobody here is judging someone, or would be critical about their choice. We’re just making silly points. If it works for you, have the confidence to ignore us idiotic Brits. Personally, I just couldn’t see this bridge sat on top of the hand carved Bryant bass I have. It just wouldn’t look *right*. But I’m definitely interested in how it would work on an aluminium bass. Can you share some pictures of your set up?

My gig for the evening got cancelled at 1pm in the afternoon. Lost £100 but didn’t have to go through the crap of loading in and out so that’s something at least.

People who operate businesses know all this. My wife recently bought an ex-display radiator that didn’t work. The guy tried the old “sold as seen” rubbish, which is nonsense. The business has to sell goods that are fit for purpose and if they’re not, I can demand a refund. I explained I’d charge the money back from my credit card and spend the next hour on every review site I could and emailing the local newspaper about their poor treatment of my wife. The law actually offers loads of protection, it just took me a while to realise that some companies will do everything they can to avoid their responsibilities - including writing misleading Ts and Cs:

This is bullsh*t. Any company selling online is covered by distance selling regulations. They can’t refuse a refund or charge a restocking fee. These these are legally unenforceable and are written by people who don’t know what they’re doing. It’s the same as people writing “sold as seen” or “ex demo” and assume that means anything (it doesn’t). The approval thing is different, as you’re going to unpack the guitar, play it and so on. In this case I can see that they’re not able to resell and item as new and that there may be grounds they can charge you for it or refuse a return, but that’s fair enough.

Totally agree. Very lyrical and beautifully played.

Yep, my brother is a professional record dealer and he says the same.

That's why I love this place.

This is fascinating. I assume the Stanley Clark operates as a HPF to avoid nasty feedback and so on?

Fantastic, thanks for the response. I've actually got a few powered cabs to try it with, some very expensive and very competent ones. (I store the PA for the group, thankfully I don't do any of the knob twiddling.) If I have a good week I'll see if I can afford one.

Quick question on this preamp... I have settled backline for electric bass, but I'm being asked to do some upright gigs soon, which may require amplification. I have a few powered PA speakers. CouId I use this preamp and a powered PA speaker (or is that a silly idea) Any advice appreciated. I've never amplified a DB (or played a gig with one, but that's another story).

This is true. There was a lovely chap on here who had an incredible collection (Rick, I think) of mint condition vintage instruments. While I'm sure the value was incredible, I could never really get why you'd want something so pristine. My old 60s jazz bass I used to carry in a soft case on the bus, and gig all over. Nowadays it's too expensive to do all that, and it's a shame.

If it hasn't been played, why the hell would someone sand the neck pocket? I saw this and was somewhat skeptical about this. I have no reason to doubt Mr Baxter, but if I were buying I'd certainly ask for an explanation as to why this had happened as I'm scratching my head a little bit. Perhaps a shim was fitted at some point? We may question his prices, but there's a lovely looking Fender Precision fretless on there which is very rare indeed, for what's a good reasonable price.

These are super fragile items. I’d not go for the cheapest but the best!

My point about McCartney is wrong too. Especially as the Beatles considered them to be competition with Brian Wilson. These headlines and polls and ratings things are trash and exist only to generate dissent which creates clicks.

That’s where I saw them last (and caught Covid)

That’s tragic. I’ve seen RS numerous times and I love them.

Given Paul wrote half of the songs, he'd be better calling him one of the world's best popular music composers. That's sort of what Rick is saying (his example comes sitting at a piano, not with a bass around his neck) that would be more accurate. Anyway, music isn't a competition and he also wrote the Frog Chorus, which illustrates there are limits even to genius.

This bass is all original, apart from changed pickups or scratch late, or tuners, or bridge. How many times do I see this? I messaged a seller and he said “it’s all original, apart from a refinish”, which would inevitably (if done properly) necessitate the removal of the pickups and wiring. Its a small thing, but language matters! Apologies for the rant, but the cat didn’t know what I was talking about.

Man that’s a fugly thing. I can see it working on a aluminium bass but on a conventional one, I’m not so sure!