spongebob

Cool story! I wasn't so lucky with my Ricky. The previous owner, (professional in the 80s) had used the bass on TV, singles, and even a Peel session. With the bass being a commission sale, I asked the vendor to contact said bassist to get more of his own personal history with the instrument - maybe even it's life before him. I also wanted to show him the restoration if he was interested. Answer came back, a big fat no. He said he was married and had a career, and that he wanted nothing to do with the bass ever again. Very sad. In fact, the vendor did tell me that the guy didn't want to part with it, and that he felt that he in denial. Once it's gone and all that. I did try!

I experimented with an SG bass (the Gibson not the Epiphone). Nice enough, but I found the shorty thing a little cramped, and the neck kept diving to the floor! It sounded nice enough, but I didn't find the elusive Fraser/Bruce thing - I have since read a fair bit where quite a few players have said the 'modern' SG bass sounds very little like the EB3. I can't compare as I've not played both, but I found the SG a bit polite and non-descript. However, YMMV.....!

Ricky 4001. I'm currently in the market for another bass, as I'm down to 1! ....and I don't like dragging my 4001 around the pubs for rarity reasons....

Chuck Berry was my first gig, I was taken to see him in 1983 at the Margate Winter Gardens!

Two pages of Sting-stuff, and nobody's mentioned his Tantric bonking yet! What's happened to Basschat??!!

In the market for a set, so that's sorted! Appreciated!

I quite like his new single.....never thought I'd say that!

Looks like the reductions are pretty 'standard' then..... .....*hides in shame*

GuitarGuitar are having a price slash on the American Standard series. Not bad savings - £1000 for the Jag bass, P's and J's about £1100, so a couple of hundred off. Maybe they'll go down further......I might wait for that!

I've been GAS'ing for a sunburst Jazz, so am looking at this thread with interest. Very nice pair, Wilco! £350 new, compared to £1340 for a new US Jazz....sunburst, rosewood. Obviously it's not a US bass, but is it more MIM, or Classic Vibe? Gives me an idea as I've played both! I do like the passive option, as I'm not really an active player. For what I'd be using it for, these look seriously tempting.

I'll bang on all day about how good the Fender flats are. After years of D'addario nickels (and various steels and other flats) these really are my number one on any bass.

There have been some great performances - Jesus And Mary Chain, At The Drive In, Ruby....3 that stick out in my mind. Shame they were all in the 90s..the show is definitely coasting in the 00s. I did enjoy Madness in this series, though!

I don't know how true it is, but a fellow bass player told me a while back that record companies buy 'packages' of PR - which might include a slot here, a performance there, and that was how bands got on to 'Later', simply by buying their way on. As I say, I can't validate this, but it makes sense as to the amount of rubbish they put on!

I started on SS, went Nickel, went flat....back to SS again - and hated them! Found a great balance in the Fender flat. It's got enough zing, but loads of bottom and they feel great from the off. Since I started on these, I've never looked back.

I'm down to 1 bass again - my old '74 Ricky. As such, it gets played and gigged regularly. It's had some resto work, so it's not some pristine antique. I always think that if you own it, use it. If anything happens, then that's the way it goes. I drive to gig in a car worth far more than the bass, and I don't think about that every time I drive out!

UPS or DPD always. Preferred as 'other' companies were never as reliable!

Just saw this on the NME site. Shocking. His songwriting talent was simply stellar - aside from Heatwave/Jacko, he penned so many greats for so many artists. He also wrote the majority of the 'Give Me The Night' album for George Benson. What an amazing run.

I've been called 'busy' - in the sense that I play way too many notes!

Finally out, 'Machine Gun', the release of the first of the Band of Gypsys shows. I'm a Google Play subscriber, and like most things, it's on there on the day of release. That's me sorted for later! Very excited. I'm a massive JH fan, and I really love the BOG (terrible abbreviation!) era. A real high point that I wish had lasted much longer. What a trio. Let's not forget Billy Cox, either. Great player and very much still with us! 46 years since his death, Jimi's music still inspires.

Strange that have discontinued one of their most iconic basses (the EB3/SG) as well. It's like Fender stopping the P-bass. Very strange days indeed.

Proper '70s Rickenbacker 4001. Got one, and it's all I use!

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1474999593' post='3142206'] I'd love to have been a fly on the wall while you were thinking that one up! [/quote] [quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1475002873' post='3142251'] I'm thunderstruck anyone noticed. Let's get it up front, I had some hard times with that pun. [/quote] I'm guessing that on the ticket prices that 'Moneytalks'!

I'll definitely give that a listen. I remember a colleague of mine a while back, when replying to my answer of what instrument I play, said 'I don't like bass, it doesn't really do anything'! TBH, I couldn't summon the energy to reply, or even attempt to change his mind.....

I wouldn't. My Ricky has a little bit of 'prestige' - it was owned and played by the bassist of an early 80's indie band, the bass appeared on their 2 singles, Peel Session, and also was on 'The Tube'! It doesn't add to the value (obviously), but it's a nice story to tell. He certainly hadn't looked after it - and after a bit of work, I make sure it sees regular live action.

Did it once. Got stung massively by customs and courier charges, way over what was quoted/expected. Never again!