Burns-bass

He did, but I think it was double tracked as a synth part too. I'm talking more about it live - I've seen some terrible versions that don't nail it unless it's double tracked.

Let’s Dance by Bowie is an awesome synth bass line that really isn’t replicated as well by a bass player.

Reading music is just a convenient and effective shorthand for conveying ideas. The belief that it inhibits creativity is just ignorant. Plus, it’s really quite simple to teach yourself.

He’s an incredible player. Deep, rich and with a tone to die for. And an absolute monster when he needs to be too, but it’s all about the groove. Anyone who was booked by Steely Dan must have been a fantastic technician and a superlative sightreader. Oh, and he’s the author of one of the best instructional books for bass.

I’ve had this discussion with someone at work and while I’ve been a huge lover of vintage basses (and the owner of some beauties) I’d get a bass hand made to my specs.

Absolutely. I’m a Ltd company so I can’t do it, but agreed it’s simple enough if you’re self employed to have a go.

A good accountant is absolutely vital when running a business. Mine is always available, happy to sort out problems and we always meet to chat in the pub. Hes careful to always give advice and then we discuss options so I understand what’s happening. It helps that he was a friend before we worked together I guess.

That would have been a hell of a gig!

It’s lovely. Given the presence of the Rickenbacker it’s worth ensuring you have image rights for reproduction if it’s commercially for sale.

I think the transfer of production to the Far East has transformed the guitar industry. One of my first basses was an Aria Pro II The Cat Bass - and that thing still plays well to this day. It cost me £95 I think, and is a fantastic working and playing bass.

The font is ok, quite cool. It’s proper retro and so will actually work for a younger audience (no offence Steve!). when I work on video scripts and project ta you have to grab the audiences attention within a second or two - that’s no exaggeration. If it’s a music video then definitely start with some music! If it’s an instructional video then start with some cool licks. I’m not really a YouTube user for this sort of thing, so I can’t comment on the content really, but given the competition (and the production values of some of the other competitors) it’s worth trying to identify a niche where you offer value beyond those already out there and focus on that. Good luck with it!

The damage to the neck looks like either an existing imperfection in the wood or an over tightened bolt when being fitted. It would be difficult if not impossible to cause this damage by simply removing the neck. Regardless, there’s nothing in the warranty that sugggests you can’t remove the neck. http://www2.ibanez.com/support/warrantyterms

Brilliant book, really fascinating.

Err...

The point I’m making is that the instrument is there to make music. My 1966 for example isn’t all original, it’s had a new jack socket to ensure it’s playable. It’s been toured all across the U.K. and Europe, used for recording and even lent to friends. It sounds divine and plays that way too, but if it stopped being functional (truss rod break, needed a refret etc.) I’d get it done.

I think there’s a difference between appreciating vintage instruments and fetishising then. Take your typical Strad violin, and the original baroque neck will have been replaced on almost all of them, yet they’re still recognised as the pinnacle of the musical instrument world.

Thanks for the kind words. Authenticity isn’t subjective, it either is or isn’t authentic. I’ll wait and see what other people have to say, and hope they’re as constructive as we have all been.

It’s a loaded question and sure to stoke a lively debate. As someone who has owned literally hundreds of instruments - including some of the rare vintage Fenders you’re talking about - some of them (but not all) are genuinely beautiful instruments. As a result of scarcity, all original examples are very much in demand. It’s a search for authenticity I guess, and a vintage tone and feel. Personally I’ve never played a better instrument than the 1966 Jazz Bass I have. I couldn’t imagine anyone, including bespoke builders, able to create something like it, and I’ve owned or played many of the best. For example, I can’t understand why anyone would bother to collect first editions of books, but there’s a lovey market out there for it.

Appreciate the advice everyone. Now I just need to find a quiet half an hour to actually play the bloody thing.

These are exceptional instruments for the price, and something you can obviously upgrade without ruining any guilt or problems. I had a fretted 5 string which I have sold, and replaced with a fretless one. You need your tools to get a great set up from it, but once dialled in it’s a lovely bass, that’s very versatile for the price.

I’m still not entirely sure what to go for, but I figure I use Spirocores on all my uprights, so I’m going for them...

That’s great. I was thinking LaBella, but the Sire is string through body which they suggest doesn’t suit these strings as the bridge angle is too extreme. Hmm.