Paul S

the opening bars of an LP that started a musical revolution...

I was in this situation, too, with a classic rock covers band. Despite everyone being clear to start with regarding availability a year down the line, just as we were getting some good gigs locally, the singer/ rhythm guitarist started getting in everyones' faces about 'lack of commitment' and effectively split the band apart. I migrated with the guitarist to another band a few months later which has now morphed into a Bon Jovi tribute band. Although we are struggling to gain any momentum.

Tuesday had a night of country rock at O2 Forum Kentish Town. Brothers Osborne and Cadillac Three. I had heard and liked a couple of tracks from each but wasn't overly familiar with either band. Brothers Osborne were fantastic - quality band with great singer and guitarist (the eponymous brothers) who had some good and interesting chops. Good, well crafted country rock tunes. Cadillac Three were the headliners and, although good, I thought they were rather one dimensional. Think 'Country Beastie Boys' and after a few tracks everything sounded the same to me. I thought the strutting front man was cool to start with but he just irritated me by the end. Journey there was not so good due to a points failure on the overground so we had to back track and recalculate. Balanced by a superb wood-fired sour dough pizza at Franco Manca produced in double quick time 3 mins from the venue.

I would recommend keeping a look out for the Squier VM Mustang. They are very good indeed. One on eBay somewhere at the moment in sunburst.

Trouble I had with a curly lead was it was just so damned heavy. Plugged one into the class D amp I had at the time and it nigh on dragged it straight onto the floor.

If you wanted to test the water rather than jump in I would pitch in the idea of a Westone Thunder 1A fretless. Fabulous tone and a cool unlined board. IMO they are a class above most others at the price point and if you don't like it or want to move on you'll get your money back.

I had a Squier Silver Series Precision that was fabulous. Lightweight and THE most incredible organic tone. Moved it on when I went through a phase of active basses. Now I've got a brace of JVs that have a better fit and finish but the tone on that Silver Series was something special. Hey ho. And, to be fair, it would only be sitting in the case like my other 4 strings.

OBBM for me too. There was a brief period when I laboured under the mistaken belief that I could successfully solder my own but thankfully that soon passed. As did the mysterious buzzing noises

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1509904574' post='3402505'] You've all missed the point. Those aren't control knobs, each represents one note in a scale and you play them by tapping the knobs with your right hand while tapping (in a slightly different way) the strings with your left hand. What appears to be a pickup selector is actually a rotary knob which allows you to choose which key the 'knobs' play in. [/quote] Ah, I see - so a bass accordion? Surprised no-one has thought of it before.

Danelectro Longhorn could be considered for your short list, too. Certainly lightweight! The quirky look isn't for everyone, I know, but they play nicely and sound fantastic. I've had a few shortscale Fendery things and the Squier VM Mustang was my pick - to my ears it sounded 'exactly' like the proper vintage Mustang. Although the neck is Jazz width - 38mm at the nut - so maybe too skinny?

[url="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unique-one-off-Bass-Guitar/132387219889?hash=item1ed2e4a9b1:g:1tIAAOSwCcZZ~iiG"]https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unique-one-off-Bass-Guitar/132387219889?hash=item1ed2e4a9b1:g:1tIAAOSwCcZZ~iiG[/url] As a one off, I assume there wouldn't be a cereal number?....

4+1 No mention of more exotic tone tubers like yam, yakon, eddoe and the like. I'm disappointed.

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1509799236' post='3401724'] I can't be the only one who's been hankering for a bass with an integrated barometer, can I? [/quote] Only under pressure.

TGI Extreme are exceptional for the money. [url="https://www.normans.co.uk/product/tgi-extreme-series-electric-bass-guitar-gigbag"]https://www.normans.co.uk/product/tgi-extreme-series-electric-bass-guitar-gigbag[/url]

I was at O2, too - in fact I had tickets for every night. Have to agree, Steely Dan and Doobie Bros were amazing from the first bar to the last of the evening. Highlight for me was Babylon Sister but that is a tough choice from what was a superlative night of music. Would disagree about Chic - they Jive-bunnied the stuff too much for my liking. Singers are a bit weak, too. My main issue is that the bass player isn't Bernard - which isn't his fault - and he massively overplayed - which was. Chaka Khan was incredible. She has surely found a time machine from somewhere as she looked and sounded like she did back in the 80s. Saturday was mixed. Chris Isaak was fantastic - seen him before but he was better this time. Wicked Game was so atmospheric, crystal clear and you could have heard a pin drop. One of the best things I have ever heard anyone perform live. Hall and Oates were MASSIVELY disappointing and for so many reasons. I saw them 20 years ago and they were as good as a band can be, what a shame. Bluesfest is going to be 4 nights next year - I wonder who is going to be on?

I found my perfect bass but now never use it. A low mileage, extremely lightweight Squier JV Precision bass in black with a maple neck that has some almost holographic-type figuring to it. I changed the pickguard to BWB, the bridge to a Schaller 3D and the tuners to lightweight ones. Then I moved to playing 5 strings In 10 weeks +/- I should be taking delivery of a Ma-roos-chick Jake 5 that I spec'ed out to be the 5 string brother of this - hopefully it won't disappoint.

I would talk with [u]all[/u] the band - new chap included - and explain your feelings as you have to us. There must be a way forward that keeps you all happy.

MIJs are consistently good, Fender and Squiers. I have a JV Squier in that livery (well, white faded to cream pickguard) that is exceptional.

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1508791692' post='3394510'] K&M here. They do one with a telescopic mini boom arm, great for tight spaces. [/quote] This is what I bought. I looked at which stands two rehearsal studios I go to used which were in good nick. It surprised me to see a couple of Hercules stands had broken, the K&M werefine. Most others I could detect a name on were awful.

I never usually measure it, just adjust until it feels right for me - but having just checked a few it seems I have them set somewhere around 3-3.5mm at 17th fret.

Quilter Bass Block 800 would get my vote. Very small, weighs next to nothing, easy to use, extremely loud if required. I use if for rehearsals and my 'get out of jail free' at gigs in case the main amp packs up. Which happened earlier in the year and the QBB800 did admirably.

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1508691461' post='3393831'] I've tried lots of Precision replacement pickups and these are my favourite. If you want a true vintage Precision sound... Here it is. [url="https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/bass-pickups/fender-precision-bass-original-vintage-design-pickups?gclid=Cj0KCQjwg7HPBRDUARIsAMeR_0jbAfzQiYNpNcLbvOUVFG_3gZqLPpWnFVC1rSWfsYVgAoqISMUXY8waAmFtEALw_wcB"]https://www.bax-shop...8waAmFtEALw_wcB[/url] [/quote] With the demise of Wizard Trad, these Fender Originals were my favourites also for vintage type tone, with the caveat that I haven't tried the '62 Custom Shop one. But certainly the Fender Original is close to the tone of the JVs I have. Maybe a little smoother.

The heaviest bass I have owned was a Washburn Scavenger which was just a whisker over 5kg. I have a massive soft spot for them - something about the symmetry of the body gelled, I liked the fact that it was a Precision sound without looking like a Precision, plus my one was in absolute museum condition. Still miss it, really, and on the rare occasions I have seen them on eBay I almost always stick them on my watch list while considering whether to go for it again. However common sense always prevails as there is no way could I wear one for more than 30 mins without paying for it next day. Plus I don't want any more 4 string basses.

How on earth did the bass get left unattended there?