Brook_fan

I didn’t even cotton on to the fact it was a different shape 😮

Found some build photos of my old Brook bass that I had to sell. Thought some people might like to take a look. I had forgotten about them. First up, here she is fresh from the workshop, about 18 months ago. Engelman spruce top, bubinga back and sides, walnut neck. The tuners were rubbish so these Schaller da Vinci’s, which broke after a few weeks were replaced with black hipshot ultralights. I loved the trim on this beauty- red purfling and rosette. It was really classy. And they did a lovely Celtic knot inlay for me as a surprise- Celtic music being my thing Here are so tuners again- they looked great, but the distributor said that Schertler had had major problems with them and had to redesign them. Basically the whole mechanism inside fell apart!! In the end I settled on La Bella tape wound bronze strings, they worked extremely well, giving a nice usable balance between having the twang of an acoustic bass, but also having the low end thump of a double bass. I love in hope that one day I will get the bass back. I sold it for a fraction of the price that it cost me. The person who bought it still hasn’t even played it, which I find heart breaking. There is one other Brook bass I played before I got my own, and that was once owned by Wal Bassist member here. It was a 5 string, but a smaller body. The body of the one above is actually Gibson J200 size, so a big old beast. Anyway, hope you enjoyed having a look. Robboe

Serial number suggests it was it was built in 1992 or 1993. It’s certainly been well used, and was in dire need of a set up. I tweaked the truss rod to get the relief correct, then sorted out the string height and intonation. Pickup height needed a tweak as well. But boy does it sound great- it’s got a real growl to it. Never played a Jazz bass before- my first bass was an American precision delux with the humbucker, but this bass is great. one question though- it’s got four bolts in the neck, but also another hole. Is this for another bolt that is missing?

Seth Lakeman- released a couple of fantastic of folk albums, them got signed to Sony and disappeared up his own derrière. To be fare, I think it was a case of Sony trying to turn Seth into the next Mumford and Sons. Robbie

Yep, that’s the one. Southern Ukulele store are good to deal with, The Anuenue is extremely well made. Robbie

I think a good compromise at the moment are those very short scale acoustic basses along the lines of the Taylor. There are versions now by Anuenue (a ukulele manufacturer) and Guild. I have tried both, and both are very nice. As others have said , ukulele basses can suffer from poor intonation, and the very short scale necks, shorter than many acoustic guitars, actually make them tricky to play for people like me with large hands. These new generation of short basses though use strings that have nylon cores and feel nicer, and not as “bendy” as silicone use strings. Just to make it absolutely clear, I love playing acoustic basses, and weighing up the pros and cons, overall I am a big fan. Many of the things I said I didn’t like are actually not that big a deal. For instance, I just play them sat down rather than on a strap. And having recently played a very cheap Sigma recently that I thoroughly enjoyed, as well as the Fender I am currently borrowing, there are some very good instruments out there for a reasonable price. And yes, I think you have to accept them as acoustic bass guitars, rather than substitutes for double bass or electric bass. Robbie

Ray, very much so! Thank you. Looking long term, when you get yours back, I am wondering whether to try and get myself another acoustic bass, or to go down the solid route. Have found a very nice 1992 Fender Jazz Bass (American) in need of some love and a good setup, so been working on that. Got the neck straightened and the intonation sorted, just need to get the pickups at the right night. But yeh, still loving playing acoustic. Robbie p.s meant to say found it at school, so not mine!

First of all why I like them: they sound right for the music I play (acoustic, folk) you don’t need an amp to practice and play quietly with other musicians They have a sound all of their own the sheer size of them (ie depth) puts my right hand in the traditional “fingerpicking” position, and so easier for an acoustic guitarist like me to adapt Now- why I don’t like them finding strings is difficult+ phosphor bronze just don’t work for me they feedback at volume you still need to amplify them (though not really to much of an issue) difficult to find a good one without spending loads of money awkward to carry very awkward to wear on a strap they come close, but still don’t sound like a double bass Anybody else love or hate them? Robbie

Reading the articale it would be easy to come to the conclusion that the guy is some sort of genius, in the way he has manipulated everything in order to get publicity (and presumably he’s now made a pretty penny from YouTube). However, just remember that the musicians he hired for this have come out of it with nothing, and are probably considerably out of pocket. Personally I feel the idiot has had plenty of time now to weave a story that makes him look less like an loser, and more like some evil genius. I think his brother probably calls it right- trust nothing he says. Robbie

Brexit scrapped, and rejoin the EU and start standing up for ourselves within the EU Trump impeached One of those lovely new Musicman String rays in sparkly black and with the double Humbuckers A nice amp to play the above through Oh, and a permanent job! Robbie

I know Phil very well, and his banjos are amazing. Some of the uk’s finest players use them. He’s an awesome banjo player as well. As for the case, if it’s a Carlton case, then yes, it will be worth about £400mon their own, as they have stopped making them. Robbie p.s I would NOT recommend selling at hobgoblin- they do not look after their instruments well, and most of their shops have the appearance of a jumble sale! You could also place an advert through the Blugrass association magazine. I am friends with the Carrivick sisters, who are fine bluegrass banjo players,and they may be interested.

I really really wish I could have my Brook acoustic bass back 😢 Failing that is like the first volume of the Kate Bush boxed sets. Robbie

Whoops ! I seriously can’t type on an iPad. I meant “did” not “didn’t”. Phew, glad we cleared that up!

Yeh, Soig’s albums are very difficult to get hold of, but he is a great influence on me as a guitarist 😊 Robbie

I used one of these for years https://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/edb-2/ It is an exceptional product. Two channels as well, if you ever get to adding a microphone as well. Robbie

Do you really need a feedback buster? Why not get a nice preamp, such as one of the Headway ones- comes with phase switch and notch filter, which are great tools in the fight for feedback. But I know what you mean- those controls do get in the way. I don’t like any electronics in an acoustic instrument, preferring to do everything outside via a preamp, and without having to cut holes in the body. I did love that Guild though 😊 Robbie

Do you really need a feedback buster? Why not get a nice preamp, such as one of the Headway ones- comes with phase switch and notch filter, which are great tools in the fight for feedback. But I know what you mean- those controls do get in the way. I don’t like any electronics in an acoustic instrument, preferring to do everything outside via a preamp, and without having to cut holes in the body. I didn’t love that Guild though 😊 Robbie

Thanks Dad! If anyone would like to add a bass part, I have one written. I thought a fretless bass would sound awesome on this (the original track uses one). Robbie

I know this doesn’t have any bass on (yet!) but this is my new arrangement of a fantastic tune called “kishor’s tune by a Breton guitarist called Soig Siberil. I’ve wanted to play this tune for years, but it’s always been just beyond me. Well, finally did my own version. Rough, one take recording just using ipad Robbie

It was from Strings Direct. Basically if you put two sets of EXPs into your basket you will only pay for one. No special code or anything.

I got sent an email, about two weeks ago. It’s only on EXPs though. Rob

Of course, I’m not wishing to blacken their name, I was just interested if anyone had used the option. To be honest they worked really hard to try and make it work. In the end they said they would put back the strings for me until next week when I get paid and still honour the bog off offer. That is superb service in my book. Rob

Some great replies here, especially from Gael. As well as being dyslexic my boy is also dyspraxia, though probably not as severe as some children. However, like the new character in Dr Who, he does have problems riding a bike! Not good at catching a ball either. With regard to the coloured paper, many dyslexics now wear glasses with special tinted lenses, like my son, Many opticians now can help greatly with dyslexics, so it might be worth suggesting to students they talk to an optitician. Rob