chris_b

My gear has to do 3 things: it has to make me sound good, has to make me play better and, these days, has to be light. I prefer if it looks right but that's an optional requirement.

I saw the Stones at the O2 about 20 years ago and didn't hear Darryl Jones either.

I put flats on my PJ5 because I had heard them on another Mike Lull bass and they sounded like a million dollars. They brought an extra level of authority and that just hit the spot. They were my first flats since 1970. I have added a lump of foam under the strings to maximize the thump. On the other hand I have the zingiest rounds on my Jazz and a new Ibanez. You can get a great sound out of most basses, and there are many ways we get there.

Marcus Miller uses 4, 5 and 6 string basses, plus fretless. There are pictures of Jaco playing a 5 string bass. The number of strings that should or shouldn't be on a bass is a very pointless discussion.

For me, being 18 meant unlimited opportunities and possibilities. Unfortunately I wasn't very focussed, was too easily distracted and didn't reach anywhere near my potential. I'd do much better if I had another time around.

If I could advise my 18 year old (shortly to turn pro) self, I'd tell me to focus on my singing, carry on playing double bass and get better at being a front man. All things I didn't do and have held me back over the decades.

I change the stupidly heavy cabs that irreparably damaged my back.

At the moment I only have one thing on my shopping list. . . . a bass that weighs 2lbs. I guess I'm going to wait a long time for that! So far I've bought 2 7lb basses and an 8lb bass. All excellent instruments but I'm still looking. . . . . . so if anyone wants to sell a very, very light Sandberg, call me.

I own 3 amps and 5 cabs and take 2 of each to every gig. Depending on the sound check and band I can use either. IMO it makes absolute sense to have a backup, but makes no sense to have a backup that is very different. I use either a 500 watt or 700 watt amp. A 200 watt "backup" amp wouldn't be any use to me.

You can rehearse until you are blue in the face, but the best way to get better, you and the band, is to gig as much as you can. You will hear all the bad notes and the audience will hear all the good notes. Just make a mental list for the next rehearsal and enjoy the gig.

Sadly my favourite bass is way too heavy for me to gig these days.

You learn piano on a regular sized instrument. All 88 notes. You learn to play drums on a full kit. You don't start with the bass drum then add the others at a later date. You need to lean on a 4 string bass? Nonsense!

The OP.

Are you drunk??

I used to get DR from strings direct, string busters or the bass gallery.

Excellent playing. The best musicians are not copyists. They interpret and make their own statements.

Really???

Same here. I'm surprised and grateful that my basic "Duck Dunn" style has worked for several thousand gigs over the last 50 years, and still nails it in all the different bands I play with today.

How did it go?

Get a Rob Allen bass and have the same sound in a manageable package.

IMO playing music is better than listening to it and I'll play anything. I'd join any band that would have me. The exceptions depends on the people.

I have no idea who Nicky Bomba is, or what kind of music he plays, if I was asked I'd say yes.

Clapton leaving John Mayall. . . . and Peter Green and John McVie.

IMO It's not an either/or situation. Jazz and Precision basses are two sides of the same coin. In some bands the Precision works best and in others the Jazz does. Sometimes I'll play them both on the same gig.