chris_b

That is what I thought, except Brazilian rosewood, which is permanently banned from crossing borders.

Lakland are fantastic instruments. This US 55-94D was my main bass for nearly 14 years. It wasn't the lightest bass I've owned, but in the end it had to go so I could save my shoulder and back. It was a very sad day when I boxed it up and handed it over to FedEx.

Ali MacKenzie has just passed. Sad news. During my schooldays I spent many evenings in his company. He was the singer in The Birds, and with Ronnie Wood, inspired me to imagine being a musician. The Birds were one of the great live acts of the time. Another part of my youth fades away! As I say, sad news.

More nerdy stuff. . . . . . also, I believe, SWR designed the Groove Tubes pre amp and James Demeter designed the first Eden amps.

Years ago before the smoking ban I found a cigarette smouldering away on the edge of my cab after someone (a friend!) had just finished his spot on the jam night! It hadn't burnt the cab, but since then I get up and check the gear after every jammer. Being expected to supply free gear hire is taking a liberty, and no one is going to replace anything that they break, or even contribute to the repair, so it just isn't worth it.

I've provided a backline for a jam night for many years and a couple of times I have had to get on stage to turn people down. While most players take care, some people, even friends, take no care at all when using the gear I've provided. Away from the jam night environment I never lend any gear at all.

Back in the 60's and 70's I saw Vox, HH, WEM and Carlsboro being used, but I never heard anyone get a good sound out of transistor amps. By the 80's MusicMan and Dynacord were sounding fantastic with their FET's

Didn't David Nordschow of Eden, design the first 410 for SWR? I know Mesa Boogie used Eden 10's in their cabs but but I think that was after the SWR.

My Vox Foundation was an 18". IMO 18's represent the old fashioned view, that a good bass tone was one that you felt rather than heard. I never liked the Foundation and it took me a year to save up for a replacement.

At this level "less expensive" isn't a negative description. These models are fantastic instruments in their own right and would be top of the range in many companies. Look at the Skylines as opposed to the US Laklands, the Metros vs the NYC Sadowsky's and the Pro's versus the US Xotic basses.

There is an Xotic XJPro in the classifieds

The sound is over budget as well. These basses redefine your expectations. I bought my Sadowsky Metro and with in 6 weeks had sold off 4 great basses.

So far I have never needed a spare bass on a gig. Never broken a string either. I still take both basses to each gig and have 2 sets of spare stings in the case.

The biggest difference/improvement happened in the 90's, when I bought my first digital tuner. Instant, accurate and silent tuning.

I'm not in the amp-less era and doubt I ever will be. I want to stand in front of my amp and feel my sound when I play.

. . . . and some band leaders may also put their 2p worth in!!! Then again a different set of rules apply if you join a tribute band.

We should realise that our basses only have an interest for us and no one else. Everyone else is only interested in what we play. I could get by with a £50 bass, but I don't have to. Instead I have bought 2 basses that are amongst the best I have played. None of my bands care a jot about that. They do appreciate the lightweight cabs though. I've been complimented on those many times at 1 am.

I am not very knowledgable in this area, but would the latest pedal of interest be the HPF? Is that an "effect"? HPF seems to be a subject in the spot light these days.

Primark's demographic probably doesn't adhere to closely to normal definitions of sense and judgement.

Better quality is not a perception, it's a real thing. Whether it matters is a personal decision. When making our daily choices, most of us regularly disregard the cheapest. Bass gear is no different.

I drove Vic mad one afternoon, playing 3 of their Foderas. All 3 were the best feeling and sounding basses I've held. One was my favourite, can't remember which model, but it was over £6000, which was a deal killer for me. IMO that bass was worth every penny. Playing it was a highlight moment in my bass life.

The single cuts have been around as NYC models for several years. Not my cup of tea but I bet they are a great bass all the same.

I've owned Sadowsky and Wal 5 string basses, each with a superb 34" low B. So 35" isn't always a prerequisite for a good B string.

We can all reel off names of our favourite players, but who were the guitarists who actually changed guitar playing, rather than just being very good. My list would include Les Paul, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Robert Johnson, Jimmy Page. Any more?

It's a crowded field, but I've vote for Peter Green. In the early days he could make time stand still.