spongebob

Picked up a brand new US P a couple of weeks ago. Love it! Hate the stock strings, so fitted some GHS flats. Truss Rod needed a couple of quarter turns to get it right. Couple of gigs later, found the GHS's too dark. Got a set of D'addario nickels on the shelf, so fitted those. Just a small adjutment needed, maybe 1/8 to get it right. Problem is, I haven't used them for a while for a reason! I've ordered a set of Chrome, happy medium. I'm guessing that I'll need to tweak the rod again, given the extra tension. I was a bit worried about causing any damage, not an expert here. Are these too many changes in a short space of time? How many turns can a Truss Rod take? Please - hopefully - put my mind at rest!!

I've played a good few various Fenders, and always come back to the MIA's. Maybe I'm a bass snob, but they've always felt and played much better in my hands. The cheaper stuff can be quite okay and adequate, but lack the overall package of a MIA. .....and you can pick up a used MIA for not masses more than a new MIM, and it'll always maintain a fair value.

I love the GHS Precision Flats - really nice sounding strings.

Top advice guys - looks like a Hercules Mini will be winging it's way to Spongebob towers shorty!

Thanks chaps - interesting opinions!

Maybe getting some new cables in the coming months. Like the look of the Fender Custom Shop range, with the tweed-style covering. Notice they make Speakon cables too. Anyone use the Fender stuff? Opinions?

I've just bought a bag for all my cables and bits, previously having always forced them into my hardcase! Looking at sticking a mini stand in there too. Been dragging my Hercules long one around for years now, but wouldn't mind one to put in the bag - less to think about! Our guitarist always uses them - don't know if they're solid enough for bass? Considering something like this - http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/hercules-hercules-gs200b-ez-pack-guitar-stand-p8272 Thoughts?

I used GG last week, and they were excellent. DPD are brilliant around here - the previously mentioned 1 hour delivery slot, and the name of the driver!

Amazon have got a good selection of nice tool bags. Just ordered a Draper one for a tenner - sorted!

I've got nothing against sig basses - had a couple of Geddy's - so as long as it's a nice bass, that's fine. However, I think that any sig bass should be an iconic instrument that one identifies with the player - Ged's played that black Jazz for over 30 years, so no problems there. Don't see how AC playing a Jazz on a U2 album some years ago puts him in that club! Just think that Fender should cut their sig range by about 3/4!

We had a good one - no dressing up for us, but all the staff were decked out in their Halloween finery!

I can't find a decent priced item either to carry my stuff in! You'd think a brand like Fender would have jumped on something like this. Please keep the ideas coming, I've looked everywhere!

Very sad news. Amazing bassist who has left an enduring legacy, a huge influence on many of us here no doubt.

My pleasure, Mr. Friday!

Think the bassist in Rival Sons was playing a Honey Blonde one on Fridays' 'Later'?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/American-Fender-precision-bass-Dad-sed-made-in-60s-70s-4-strings-right-handed-/221578697300?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33971e9a54

Simon Rogers, who played with The Fall for a while, played with a white glove to protect his digits!

+1 on the above. Too much variety in the ranges. Saying that, when I buy another Fender, it would be a MIA for sure. Have tried the cheaper stuff, but it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe it's subliminal! I'm sure they'll carry on. But they do need a re-jig - can't see them dumping half of the range, though. More importantly, I'll never understand why they don't make a decent MIA '51-style Precision in the MIA range. I'd buy one today!

I've had one of these - really nice basses. I found the neck to be really comfy!

Just had the pleasure of selling Nick the excellent Steve Hanley autobiography. Excellent and seamless transaction - deal with 100% confidence. Nick's a bass player and Fall fan - how much cooler can you get? Thanks Nick!

Love that album. I always imagine how it would have changed had Donny not sadly departed. BTA is a total classic. I've heard some stories about his latter years, and it's very sad indeed.

Great artist - love his work. College room-mate with Donny Hathaway as well!

+1! I finished it in 4 days - all 400 pages. It's an awesome read, but quite depressing at it approaches the end. Don't wait until Christmas - it's brilliant! I was lucky enough to catch the band in November 1997 (with SH and KB), not long before the US bust up. Rates as one of the best, if oddest, gigs I've ever seen. The tension on that stage was, to quote MES, a powder-keg! It was like the whole band was going to explode right in front of me - what happened a few months later was no surprise. They played the riff to 'Masquerade' for about 5+ minutes before MES appeared - it looked like he wasn't coming on...and from their worried glances, they didn't think he was either! Seen them twice since then - but nowhere near as good. The difference made by SH - and without a doubt KB - is immense. No coincidence that for me, the albums made since '97 aren't a patch on those days. If I pick up a Fall LP, it's got to have our man Steve on the bottom end.

Great stuff. +1 on up to (and including) 'Drama'. Although Squire's bass does seem to get a bit tamer in the mixes after 'Close To The Edge'. Maybe I just need to get out more....

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/01/the-big-midweek-life-inside-the-fall-review-mark-e-smith-steve-hanley Out now, just ordered my copy from Amazon. Looks like a great read - big influence on my style. Very underrated player IMHO.....For me, The Fall have never recovered from his departure. Steve and Karl Burns (amazing drummer) were a formidable team. An autobiography from a bass player....what's not to like!