Burns-bass

And hopefully not his legendary temper!

No idea. I think he's just mad. The problem is that it artificially inflates vintage values, making previously affordable instruments crazy prices. One guitar dealer I spoke to said he never bothers to mention previous artist ownership in listings as it's not really much of a factor unless it's a defining instrument (Gary Moore's Les Paul, etc.). These people probably played and owned thousands of guitars.

Stability is a big one for me. I also like the fact that it's fixed, so I don't need to waste time when I do a gig or play at home. It's just done. Slippage is also an issue as the screw in metal end pins doesn't always catch that well. Soundwise, I have noticed an improvement. Finally, it makes you play about 130% faster, better and with precise intonation.* * This may be a lie.

He’s a quirky character. I enquired about a jazz bass and he said “I’ll have one for sale soon.” I replied that I’d like to buy it and when he then emailed back he told me it had been sold. Bit off, but it happens.

There's absolutely no coherence to it, which I like in some ways. It's less didactic than some books and perhaps a little more fun. Quirky, I'd say!

Here's "How to play the electric bass". carol-kaye-how-to-play-the-electric-bass_compress.pdf

I've had one and it was really well built and looked fantastic. In the end, I preferred a genuine vintage insturment to a replica, but it was good for what it was. The only issue is that selling them on can be challenging. Technically they're considered counterfeits and some people have a very dim view of them. I don't personally care, but on some forums there are some people who really take it personally. You may find ebay and Reverb listings are pulled.

This looks like a lovely place!

Hardly the crime of the century. When I was on a walking holiday in Flanders we met a chap who, after a lot of very delicious beer, showed us what he was carrying back to Britain. It was a WW2 dagger owned by a member of the SS. Reckon that would probably get you stopped at customs! Was an odd chap. Was very interested when I told him my great uncle was a member of the SS during the war. Not the normal response you get.

Looks like a standard ply double bass. Not rare, but good quality, durable and a reasonably good sound. The name stamped on the bridge is usually the luthier who has shaped it or the company who manufactured it. If you want more info on your bass shine a light inside the sound holes.

The best advice. Basses can vary from a few hundreds pounds so several hundreds of thousands. The likelihood is that this isn’t a rate or particularly valuable bass. If it sounds good and plays well, then take it to the gig!

Yeah I’m happy. I don’t think they’ll continue with live music which is a shame. They would make more money with a DJ and I’m sure it would suit the venue better (but I’m not going to tell the guy that!)

We had an evening gig booked in a swanky cocktail bar. In the space of an hour four lovely Welsh women drank £150 worth of booze, danced, trod on the guitarists foot and then three of them passed out. Bar owner closed early and still paid us full fee. Very, very weird.

Solid advice. Play the instruments you like to make the music you love.

Scale length, weight, string spacing, design, aesthetics. And the fact that you’ll look like an 80s sideman. I’ve tried playing them and it’s just not needed (for me). 5-string basses are like Land Rovers in that 90% if users will never need the extra capabilities.

I had some lessons with the incredible Greg Cordez and an hour of his time for a few weeks transformed how I played. Would love to go back but I just can’t find the time at the moment.