prowla

I keep thinking about connecting my Sony Walkman Pro to my system; I think it needs a service though.

13 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

I am finding it a bit bonkers that people are spending Paul McCartney's kids inheritance to save this (failing) business.

 

As far as I know, he bought his Hofner basses in the '60s and despite the free publicity they've had for the last 60 years, I don't believe he's been offered, or they've made, a signature model.  Now we've got people suggesting he bail the business out.  Why on earth would, or should, McCartney do this?  This would like Chris Squire bailing out Rickenbacker or @cetera rescuing Spector.

 

 

TBH, I think @cetera is propping up the Spector business!

4 hours ago, ajkula66 said:

I'm well-aware of most of these basses being used by her, but whenever I think of TW I picture her with a Hofner for some reason, possibly because that's what she was playing when I saw them in '82 (I think ?) as well...

2 hours ago, scrumpymike said:

Funny that, I always think of her as playing a Gibson Les Paul Triumph but that's probably because I gigged a pair of '70s Triumphs for years  in the late '80s-early '90s. Mind you it was like having a tree-trunk hanging round your neck. Which is why that mere slip of a lass Tina changed to something lighter. The Hofners would certainly fit the bill weight-wise.

...whereas I think of her as playing a Mustang.

3 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

The Hofner Verithin was quite common in the 60/70s and my first electric 6-string guitar was a Hofner red solid body with one pickup. It played really well BUT it did not look like a Fender or a Gibson, in those days I was a little more fickle than I am now. The Hofner Jack bass really was a fine instrument IMHO, except for having the name and lots of writing on the body. 

3 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

Except it was made by HOHNER, not Höfner.

Mine...

16 minutes ago, RichT said:

 

 

Curt Smith has played them for best part of 20 years I believe, a lot longer than he was a 'pop star' in the 80's. Johanna from First Aid Kit switched to playing bass live around 2017 and consistently alternates between a Mustang and Hofner for specific songs.

 

Tame Impala primarily uses a 500/1 for recording, it's all over multiple albums of his. Air have used them on a couple of albums, but most importantly all through Moon Safari for classic basslines such as La Femme D'Argent - which is the reason I wanted one...

 

They've all used Hofners extensively for live work and/or recording. I'll let you off with Weller, although I've seen multiple photos of him playing both Clubs and 500/1 😉 

 

OK - just not really ubiquitous though and I've not heard (of) a couple of those bands anyway.

Is Tame Impala a person or a band?

As per my previous comment, I'm not saying they're bad instruments, but the numbers starkly say they're not inspirational must-have choices.

8 hours ago, RichT said:

Oh look, successful musicians playing Hofners and none of them pretending to be in the Beatles...

 

Curt Smith of Tears For Fears

 

Kevin Parker of Tame Impala

 

Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads

 

Nicolas Godin of Air

 

Johanna Soderbergh of First Aid Kit

 

Robbie Shakespeare of Sly & Robbie

 

Paul Weller of... you know

Well, there are people there who have played Hofners at some point, but I don't associate them with those instruments.

Of course, they're not bad instruments; I've played one and was surprised at how good it was (but I didn't buy it).

7 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Except for John Stirratt, Chris Wood, Tame Impala, Tina Weymouth, Robbie Shakespeare, Flabba Holt, Dale Davis, JMJ, Max Oleartchik of Big Thief... Need more?

I've heard of Tina Weymouth, but I thought she played a Mustang.

Well, I guess you can only sell so many Beatles basses.

I have done it before, but it didn't make any improvement.

So, I watched the 1st episode (I think there are a couple more?).

It was from Hooky's perspective, which was someone who started in the mid-70s and thought punk was great musicianship.

Love Will Tear Us Apart is of it's time; if only Jumpin' Jack Flash hadn't stolen the bass line.

Poopy.

On 29/11/2025 at 13:17, Wolverinebass said:

In the diary! So, for those of you who wanted it quieter next year... unlucky.

We're getting a separate room for you!

24 minutes ago, NikNik said:

Who? John Hall?

 

Let's hope his son,Ben is not as litigious and aggressive as he was.

 

Speaking of HW, he seems to have upset a couple of the 'waffen who inhabit Talkbass. Long may it continue. 

I stopped going to TalkBass after they trashed their UI.

I occasionally check out a post, but I don't think I've ever managed to watch one all the way through.

2 hours ago, visog said:

And what an awful flappy tone it was... A mystery as Wal's can sound absolutely great, and Geddy can sound great, c.f. Moving Pictures bass tones on Rick and Fender but Ged + Wal + 80s production = flap! 

Yep - the Wal doesn't sound so great.

3 hours ago, Kev said:

Just seen, £2k?!

 

#triptochichestercancelled

2 hours ago, Steve Browning said:

Was it 2K? Blimey. Not sure where I'd got the different impression. Sorry if I raised hopes there.

I really like dropping in there and having a chat, but his asking prices are typically about double what I'd consider top-end.

On 25/11/2025 at 09:32, Steve Browning said:

A shop in Chichester currently has one of his Rik-a-like basses. Looks normal but for 6 controls instead of 4.

I posted a pic of it in the FB Rickenfakers group back in August; it wasn't cheap.

4 hours ago, Woodinblack said:

Yeh, impressed but with the comment that you wouldn't want it as your only bass. For 3k. And he isn't sure who it is for, but it is certainly for someone.

...and that someone is certainly not me! 🙂

What are you upgrading to?

Well, if you buy off Aliexpress you do have to keep your wits about you and I certainly don't believe the branded products for sale there are genuine.

However, with eBay you pay a buyer's premium (sorry, "Protection Fee"); I'd raise a dispute, citing them bein fake/not as described.

Similarly, if you buy something on Amazon and a fake turns up then there's recourse by contacting their CS via chat/callback.

As for Hercules wall hangers, I think there were issues with them a while back and I wouldn't have them anyway.

That said, they are often used in shops.

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Are they though? Ian isn't on the spector featured artists lists (I notice that guy pratt is, and I have only seen him once play a spector, its normally his pink fender). Scott has a signature overwater. Also both of them are already working for his company and it is quite clear they are working for that.

I’ve seen Guy Pratt with his Spector. 
And his pink Fender. 

3 hours ago, SteveXFR said:

 

You mean like every to Scott Devine picks up a Fender or his mate, Ian with a Spector?

But he said that the Rickenbacker is the best bass. 

15 hours ago, binky_bass said:

If you remove one letter from each word you'd have 'Anus Asses'. There, it's been said. 

So, is relicing one equivalent to scratching your ass?

1 hour ago, SteveXFR said:

Celebrities who are famous for being famous and nothing else. Ive had the misfortune of meeting a few and my daughter met several when she worked in a posh restaurant. What a bunch of entitled butt holes. They expect everyone to know them and worship their talentless, cosmeticaly enhanced air headed wonder.

Sounds perfectly rational to me.

Oh, and bloody "influencers"!

5 hours ago, roger said:

the phrase: 'if you know you know'

 

3 hours ago, rushbo said:

I'm not a man with violent tendencies, but there is something about that ghastly phrase that makes me grateful that my wife has hidden all the sharp objects in our house. 

I sometimes respond with "I don't know, so I'll just sod off then!".