Paul S

If anyone is looking for a short scale Precision it is worth seriously considering a Harley Benton PB Shorty. I bought one when they came out as a platform for modding in order to get a short scale P bass - and at the time I had change from £70. I expected to have to swap the tuners and the pickup but, as it happened, I was completely happy with it straight out of the box. OK I changed the pickguard 'cos I am not a fan of black with white pg. Vintage Precision bass tone immediately, with flats think Santana's 'Europa', the fit and finish were spot on. The corners of the nut were a little bit sharp but I don't spend much time feeling those The tuners are OK - you'd have to spend a lot of cash to fit better. It would be a great little short scale Precision bass if it were £300 or more. For £70 it is nothing short of a miracle. I've since swapped the pickup for a Tonerider (another budget bargain) because I wanted a bit more bite, but that is a choice thing. Don't let the low price put you off.

I'd never broken a string ever, right up to the point when I did. 😁

I have twice broken strings - once at a rehearsal, once at a sound check - and once had an input jack go shonky. I always take 2 basses and have the spare on a stand nearby, tuned up and ready. Even if we are just playing a short support slot. When I used to use a backline I always took a spare amp. I once blew up a valve in a Mesa Prodigy Four:88 amp on sound check so grabbed the back-up out of my boot. Now that was expensive as it took half the pcb with it!

Written by Nik Kershaw, a songsmith of the highest order.

My blues rock trio Toredown are playing at the Black Horse - oldest pub in Ipswich - our second gig there in as many months. Kick-off at 9pm, come and say hi or heckle.

Not to mention bio-hazards - I don't suppose rehearsal space carpets get cleaned that often outside of a desultory vacuum once a week - could end up with Lord Knows What attached to your socks.

I wonder of Phil Lynott did that? 'I am just a cowgoy, lonesong on the trail...'

Good idea. I have a spare one in the loft I had forgotten!

nah, anyone can do that. Produce it again from the guitarists left nostril? #magician

That is simple. Loosen the screws a weeny bit on the pickguard of your Fender bass and slip it underneath

I have been using the slim one that Stew mentions for a few years and it still has plenty of juice as we pack up - probably 3.5hrs from sound check. I don't use many pedals, though - Boss WL50, TC Polytune and Spectradrive. I like it because it is slim enbough to sit under the pedal board which means I can get away with a tiny set up.

Awesome gig, one to remember. Our regular 4th Friday of the month at The Shamrock in Ipswich. Holiday traffic on the A12 north was horrendous on the way out but then the evening just got better and better. Stephen 'Foz' Foster came long and introduced us, which was a nice touch. One of those gigs where everything felt good - we definiately had the electricity on last night! Not busy at first but packed out by the second set. At half time one of our regulars wandered over to say how good the bass was sounding. 3 encores, lots of new fans, CDs sold And only an hour to get home. Pic from Foz's Facebook

When I need such a thing I always head down to the charity shops and see what they have in the way of rucsack/lap top bags. Last time I was looking for a larger soft bag to keep all the XLR cables in and picked up a new Samsonite one for a fiver.

Short scale basses are having something of a renaissance and the choices really are bewildering these days. I believe you are a Fender man so are spoilt for choice. The JMJ Mustang has been mentioned and I think in your shoes that would be the first one I'd try. I find myself using a Gibson Les Paul Jnr DC or - in particular - a 1970s Eros EB-3 short scale these days as the tone fits my band perfectly.

Yup.

You can opt for a set neck for an extra £100. I went through the configurator and managed to spend over £2K. I Ilke Thunderbirds. Love the shape, a really beautiful bit of design. I had a Gibson for a while, the 3 point bridge was shocking, up on its pillars like a jetty at low tide. Replaced it with a Hipshot and a mahogany shim. Sold it, missed it, replaced with a rather nice white Epiphone Classic Pro. These have a set neck and Gibson pickups and tbh doesn't feel or sound a whole lot different to the Gibson I had but at 1/4 of the price. It was a rare lightweight one, too. You don't have to spend Marczucyzcjchycyczk money to get a decent Thunderbird.

I suspect it is something to do with legs, but could be wrong.

Yes, quite a bit different. I wonder what my ex-head started off life as?

Found the pics.

Not custom made, not sure what the donor combo was, but it fitted in a treat. I'm sure I can dig out some pics although, for you, it wouldn't be very helpful.

I had a TE combo head mounted in an ABS rack case which kept the weight down.

Yeah, great strap - a Maruszczczyickcz (I thinczk that's right) 12cm wide, padded, soft leather, suede underside.

I rarely smile so in the unusual event that I try my face muscles don't know what to do and I just grimace. Generally I stare at my hands or shut my eyes.