ezbass

Tony Levin - make it so @devinebass. 🙏

Nah!

One of the few companies to do a fretless P type, let alone a fiver. Shame that the pictures on the Anderton’s site are fretted basses, despite the description. Doesn’t fill you with confidence. However, I can’t answer your question as I’ve never played one, although I’ve come very close to buying one of those P types on a number of occasions.

No, it’s a bona fide pedal, the lesser known @martthebass banana boost, starts driven and tapers away to clean or vice versa, dependent on the ‘bend’ control.

All four of those are great calls, especially JMJ. When you think of the eclectic host of artists he’s played with, much like Guy Pratt, there has to be some great stories and, again much like Guy, he has a well regarded signature bass.

I’ve read GP’s book, seen him live and know the stories, but I still found that entertaining. String change challenge is a bit of good fun.

My first gig with a new band and my first gig since an outdoor, Covid restricted, livestream gig in the summer of 2020. It was at a social club and was OK. Not as tight as I'm used to, but it was a bit of a rush as I only joined the band mid last month and we had to add more numbers at short notice. A new genre for me too, a Mod band. Given that I'm not a massive fan of '60s music (despite growing up at that time) and positively dislike a lot of that ilk, this was an odd choice for me. However, it's the first opportunity I've had to get back into a band, so I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Played my first gig on a short scale and it was a lot of fun, my JMJ Mustang certainly rising to the occasion and being bang on sonically and visually. Another gig at a Mod bash next month, part of a 4 band line up. We'll see how that goes. Great to out playing again.

Please let us know how you find them.

Duh, this is BC.

That looks like a solid result, Si. Good work.

I’m currently out of love with fretless, after it being my go to for decades. Even with that state of mind, I still say do it. You’re used to a 5, so stick with that if possible (1 less variable). It depends on what your definition of cheap is and I’d be wary of acquiring something cheap for cheap’s sake as this may put you off if it’s not much good (I’m not casting aspersions on the HB BTW). If you can find an Ibanez GWB35 2nd hand, I definitely recommend one of those.

That is arcane knowledge, Ricky. I applaud you 👏👏👏

Can’t hurt.

Although you don’t attack the strings, perhaps also try lowering the pickup/s just in case they’re being driven at all. I remember when I had a bass with Nordy Big Singles, it’s sounded sweet and lush at home, but when I was playing a gig, I was aware of some grind that I’d not heard before. It seems that playing live increased my attack just enough to drive the pickups that bit more. I didn’t make any changes, as I liked the sound.

Basschat is such a decent community, for the most part. You don't see this kind of thing much outside of these pages. Well done, Sir 👏👏👏

Compressor for more focus and less flub perhaps?

Surely, that’s the crux of it, it’s a preference/opinion, yours included. There was another thread where the thumb position was part of the argument and there were plenty of photos of the great and the good wrapping their thumbs over the top. If a slim or narrow neck helps folk to play better, the way they prefer to play, then it’s all good, as it’s surely the music that is produced that is important. The same applies to the skinny stringed thing. Modern electric bass and electric guitar are certainly an evolved versions of the DB and classical guitar, but technique evolves too, although it’s not necessarily a prerequisite. Telling people they should just go and practise could be regarded as somewhat arrogant and not considerate of other’s needs or physicality. If you think skinny/fast necks are a marketing ploy, you’re entitled to that opinion and you don’t have to use them, but don’t be surprised if others disagree and keep buying slim, skinny necks (FWIW, I prefer a bigger handful, but that’s me).

Rocking Robin - MJ

I’m fast coming around to the opinion that a fretless P (or any pickup in that position) is probably the tone for me. After years of playing either MM or J type fretless basses, I’ve gone right off of the tone. Given my current short scale affections, I’m wondering if a fretless Mustang might be the fretless grail for my ears and fingers.

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk 3

Wow! The coincidence of that beggars belief. Is BD trawling the pages of BC to make website corrections, based on product interest?

Cocaine - JJ Cale/EC

Bloody clever that is.