Steve Browning

Devon!! I did correct myself as I thought, for some reason, you were near Swindon!!!

Yes indeed. I remember than thread very well. It all got quite surreal in the end. I know what you mean. I had the Bass Doc make a total of 3 tort plates for me. I seem to recall he used a WD 4-ply material that looks identical to the 70's real thing on other basses I own. Infinitely better than the awful tort plates on Fender's own reissues and even on the JV Squiers. Here's the thread.

Were either you or your brother ever in The Distants (or Distance maybe)?

No insulting Simon Mayo. He's my twin - we were both born on 21st September 1958!!

I would think Philip Green has more to worry about!!

Blimey, that's some resurrection!!

Ah, so you to understand why the first name of the band is 'Experimental' - we all play the wrong song at different times! There is some recording and I think Simon is trying to wrestle it into some form of coherent shape so it'll probably never be seen again! I'll post something when it surfaces. So pleased with the basses. The Lindy Fralin pickups are a revelation.

GM was using Stramp amplifiers at the time. A German make I believe. Rory's amp looks as though it may also be a Stramp. Seemingly our Ange has a thing for curly hair!

I had one. The rear door was opened using the same type of key that train guards carried to open doors on a train (funnily enough). Used mine with an HH 2x15 and then an old Ampeg 2x15. I didn't have it for too long but I remember it performing well without any issue. I don't remember it too well and suspect it was a little under-powered. I have a feeling it made way for an Acoustic 220.

Certainly recently Brendan (O'Neill) has been making notes with a view to a book himself. I hope that sees the light of day.

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That's right, the Beehive. The band is Simon and myself and two Beehive stalwarts in Rob Beckinsale (Gtr, Keys, Vox) and Dave Kitching (drums).

Hi. Hope the bass is giving good service? I'm actually there on Friday. The guy who built the basses (Simon) is in that band too so he'll hear them in anger for the first time too.

Rory Gallagher's Live IN Europe '71 is a wonderful example of a live album. You're almost sweating yourself by the end!

Really nice JV Precision in the For Sale. Superb instruments and likely to appreciate too!!

Actually, he's miles from you. For some reason I always think you're in Swindon!!

If you are a Jazz player I would be looking for a B profile neck (between a Jazz and a standard Precision). These necks were prevalent between 1966 to 1973. A 66 would be well outside the budget but a later one could sneak in under your limit. These basses are seriously good value in that they are nice and light (later 70's basses are famous for weighing a ton) and have proper tort plates. If I were you, I'd be looking for a Fender Japan 70s reissue or I would go down the Limelight route. I have dealt with Mark and he's a great guy and he's not so far from you. Maple is certainly brighter than rosewood so a B profile maple neck/board would be my recommendation.

I will have to work on that. Possible gig being recorded on Friday.

They had their first outing on Saturday night and I was just blown away by them. The closest I can get is to say it was almost as though I been playing with the handbrake on up until now. The pickups are amazing, loads of clarity and punch right across the frequencies, thunderous lows and wonderfully articulate highs. These things are just awesome basses.

How about a small mixer and feed both basses out of that into the single amp. At bedroom volume you only want to recognise the notes I would imagine. Negates the need for the expense of the second amp at all.

I suspect they will. Having to wait for Saturday to play them in anger but the first impressions are very good indeed.

Probably whichever I pick up first. One is a gnat's heavier than the other but neither weight very much. Very much on a par with the '66 on which they're based. In theory I wanted them to be identical. Goes all the way back to seeing Queen on their early tours and John Deacon with his pair of sunburst Precisions (as they were then).

Thank you. They really are fantastic basses. I'm thrilled with them in every way.

Thanks. Slightly lighter than true 70's mocha but I actually prefer this colour. Simon did some very slight ageing rather than any kind of full on relicing. I wouldn't want a relic personally.