Ander87

Also, I've noticed most bongo's bodies lose colour intensity compared to the neck... this one is still going strong, such good nick!

This is such a happy story! made in 2004.... Andy it may be the actual same eh? Brian you're a hero!

What do you do when you rehearse? If you stop and start again when rehearsing it is defensible that the same happens live.... We just don't stop for anybody over rehearsal - that is priceless to recover!

Bass with gigbag Strap, 2 cables, power lead and Eich T900 fits in the gigbag alongside picks and ear plugs HX Effects If I can/logistics I'll bring my Barefaced Big Baby 2. That is all I have not counting on my other bass! Very important for me to have 'only' what I need - that's how I afford to get the basses I like most, otherwise my budget is spread into too many things...! Ander.

You are probably more than "good enough" to gig! This sounds like 99% of bands out there doing pub gigs, and I do not mean that as a disparaging comment at all, just that we all make mistakes. Two of my old bandmates came to watch my new band last week, I made TONS of mistakes, guitarist did too, they said the only way they knew was from the apologetic looks we were all giving each other across the stage. Just because a band is gigging doesn't mean they're a highly polished and well rehearsed unit. Mistakes do happen - you're bound to - I play in a punk rock band and I nearly ALWAYS make a bum note mistake or two, through the set. Long as you recover or is just that, a blip, you're good. Also, the audience will not notice - even if you tell them where... Live performance is not about perfection but about engagement and having a good time, and putting in the work to make sure you recover from those minor blips if they happen, swiftly!

Having said above that music is just for oneself etc etc.... it is really nice when someone recognises you from a videoclip or gives you the nod or thanks for the music whilst loading out....!!! My little heart...

Hm, this is interesting. Some 6-7 years ago I told my wife, passing through New Cross Inn blasting music, 'I'd like to play there some day' - I had no idea of the scene and had never been in a band. I know it's a small joint (part of the international circuit tho) in London, but that goal got ticked last Monday, and did my proudest performance. I've been too familiar with forming bands, looking for bandmates, creating songs, frustrations from others personalities and egos, the band coasting.... semi-dissolving, getting rid of a band member.... seeing that the rest don't push to do what we've got to do... and simply, I am TIRED of leading a band - I've realised it's a role that makes me feel like I've a 2nd job. Having said that, whilst NOT looking for a band at all, the desperation of this band to find a bass player led to me learning a setlist and being a permanent band member in 2 weeks. I felt very positively challenged to learn the songs and get on to stage again.... and I was in love with the silly gigs jokes and drives to, like you said, play in front of 20 drunk folk. I have performed in a sold out Scala show (1200 people) and felt the same rush. I think that music is an egotistic exercise in many ways - what I'm saying is that I play for myself and to enjoy myself, and have finally found a band where I am a contributor rather than the only leading person. Very few of us get to live from this and have a whole nother life besides this - just make sure you enjoy the ride. Ander.

If anyone is into specific trades.... Withdrawn - What was I thinking!!!??? There's not better (for me) than these Specials - I'll pop cobalt rounds on the coppery, flatwound cobalts on the starboi I will treat myself to a couple pickguards, B/W/B matte for the sparkle, White pearl for the Copper.

I played around with the pickguards today. Ended up reverting to the original ones. You’ve seen before the matt black… The copper with black pickguard really works, but I prefer it on the sparkle, even better than the black matt… may venture with a pearloid pickguard at some point for the dropped copper.

much obliged 🤣 I’ll try hold onto them for a while, since I had the SR5 some 3 years ago I can say I’ve not tried better than these stingray specials… Glad I recycled some bits and pieces and sized down to these!

Ah! I was debating whether to get a 5 string again, but in reality I would only have it for home use and felt unjustified. So, you may ask, what’s better than one Stingray Special? TWO! This one is yet lighter at 3.75kg (what amazing times we’re living in to have rays under 4kg!). A tad brighter on the treble side so this one will be out on gigs more often, the sparkle boy most rehearsals/videos/studio… I was for a moment thinking I better get a HH version but in fairness I find myself not needing more than one pickup, the preamp is super flexible…! Ander.

If only they were under 9lbs more often… that 1979 with graphite neck is looking at me but again, weight and whatnot likely will throw me off.

Aha! Noticed the other 1/2 in the UK and I’m tempted. Plastics on and all…. Aaaah… how do you compare it to a stingray? Guess similar to a current day 4HH…?

Hey Andy, I have come across this - how do you find it? impressions, weight, sounds etc? now that the honeymoon face has likely worn out, I'd like to know your thoughts!

I had a a stingray Special 5 of the first run as my second bass (a treat after years of guitars and acknowledging bass is where my heart is)… back then I wasn’t playing as much in bands, only a project, and whilst saving for house, wedding and other misfortunes, a SR5 Special felt a bit too much bass for me - sadly I had to let it go...: Drop dead gorgeous in Cruz Teal…! Some 20 basses later I still miss a Special and now I play in 2 bands, my 35th bday is approaching and got a new job/promotion so it all lined up for this beauty to happen 2nd hand from Kev in this forum: I am so excited about this - it’s jumped right up my #1 bass, feels like meeting with an old friend again, as you can see it is in perfect nick! I’m struggling to play any of my other 2 basses to be honest…! Having said that each will take the stage for the dingy gigs hehe Surprisingly the Stingray can do a great P sound with the bass maxed out and the treble zeroed… This Last preamp is super versatile, of course jazzy and slap/pop sounds are pretty easy to pull but most times I keep it all flat with minor changes. The whole family: