Steve Browning

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1493904633' post='3291696'] Got drunk and snogged the intended bride on the dance floor. To be fair she instigated it but that was that. [/quote] Curse that being a bass player and the coolest guy in the room eh?

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1493829938' post='3291094'] Incidentally, it was the first and only time that I saw someone (Joel...) actually turn green in colour. A rough trip for all, but that poor lad really did suffer. [/quote] I was in a plane once and witnesed this. I had always thought it was just a saying but the guy was there and a definite shade of green.

Don't discount a Japanese Fender. The US derivations have alder bodies and US pickups. Probably less than the MIM and a bit cheaper too.

I played in a swing band, similar to Brian Setzer's band. I had been asked to join and questioned whether they really wanted a guy playing electric bass but they were perfectly happy. Me and the drummer clashed a little (he was an utter prat, to be fair) but the music was good and we were mainly playing arrangements. We had a band meeting at a pub one evening and I was told by the drummer that I was a great guy, awesome bass player, but he couldn't work with me. The rest of the band were a bit stunned and a great friend of mine (on keys) found himself binned because 'it was assumed he'd go as well'. What made it worse was the fact that I had arranged with the drummer to be the house band drummer at a blues weekend in 3 days time and he said he couldn't do it. I think it was his wife who had clashed with mine a couple of weeks earlier. Naturally enough, it turned out they had been rehearsing with an acoustic bass just prior to the meeting.

Go on, get one. Get two and become a fridge magnate.

Thank you for an excellent post Phil. As a non-techie, that makes perfect sense.

I guess we hear as much with our eyes as we eat with them.

I wonder what sort of packaging would be required to withstand the knock that did that to a piece of wood?

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1493035368' post='3284982'] That's a surprise Alex, since the cab he mentioned as 'how the hell do you cope' was one of yours! In saying you 'completely disagree' I assume you are telling everyone that a single Barefaced 12 isn't enough to keep up with the band for 80% of bassists. Is that what you are saying? [/quote] As Tommy Cooper would say "get out of that without moving".

Yes. My '66 bass was pretty much retired a few years ago but I dragged it out on Saturday, as I was doing a gig in memory of a very guitarist I last used it regularly with. The neck is just beautiful on it, worn in and with an almost non-existent action. I would use it more but my finger style playing has worn two grooves in it, over the years, that I don't want to get any worse.

Bought one of OBBM's magic speaker serialiser/somethingorotherisers from Lozz. Plenty of comms and immediate delivery. Can't ask for more in a deal. Recommended.

Good suggestions by Pete. I have a pair of those basses and the neck is very similar to my old B profile basses. Keep an eye on the Ishibashi site for a good used one.

I wonder if Alan Lancaster is lurking out there somewhere. Any ideas Alan?

A music shop in Portsmouth recently got a mint Laney stack from a recent widow who asked if they would give her £250. She was given the full market price (rather more) and the stack was sold to a collector in Canada. It can happen - and in Pompey!

Worth noting he's also an excellent guitarist and is quite a frequent visitor to local jams and takes a Blues Bay Session amp with him.

Let me know and I'll bring a chair and some popcorn. Stewart is very passionate about the unreliability etc of valves. They are the work of Beezlebub in his eyes and will gladly tell you why, at length! He's a lovely guy and super helpful but be warned, he's very evangelical.

Probably all sorted now but just discovered Alan Clark, who is based in Widley, just north of Portsmouth. He has been Des O'Connor's sound man for decades, which means he has a wealth of experience. I recently took him my wonderful old Bass 400 for him to 'un-mothball' and he was quick and very knowledgeable. Can't recommend him highly enough. I can supply his contact details if you wish. Stewart Ward (of Session amps) also is excellent. He is based in Basingstoke. He (as he says himself) is very busy with new Session products and he also makes excellent cables under the ClearTone brand name. Google Award Session for his details.

Rob. I have 3 spare Mesa 12ax7's. You are very welcome to one. Of course I could have just texted that to you but this way everyone can see what a great bloke I am. :-)

Not sure where you are in West Sussex but Stewart Ward (Mr Session) is in Basingstoke so not the longest drive. He will (as stated) give you excellent service but DO NOT ask him about valves - even as a joke!!

I'm not sure if this helps but the A/E Precision is prone to an imbalance between the passive pickup and active piezo. There is a buffer circuit you can install which levels them out. Best Google if that would deal with the problem you are trying to overcome. Must fit one to mine!!!!

Pure guess and no idea of cost but, if the bass is perfect in every other way, can you get a luthier to reshape the neck to B profile? It must be possible in theory and you should preserve everything you like about that instrument. One of those factors would be how compatible the neck and body are and replacing the neck is always something of a gamble, even if it fits perfectly.

Hi. I reckon you want a bass with a B profile. These were prominent in the late 60's and early 70's and is my favoured neck. Just a bit wider than a Jazz and less than a full blown Precision like yours.

Bought a valve pre-amp from Fionn. Sent out immediately and arrived superbly packaged. Great comms and great guy to deal with. Steve