Paul S

I would check the small print. Parcel Force insurance doesn't cover musical instruments or something silly like that. Interparcel has always been ok and, if you check out my feedback, you'll see an indecent amount of to-ing and fro-ing - I have used them a fair bit! Packaging - if you can, get a bass box from a music shop. Some are pleased to get shot of them. If not, lots of other old cardboard taped together works ok. Yes, lots of bubblewrap.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1395849967' post='2407135'] did go to o2 Dublin a few weeks back and was BLOWN AWAY by Zac Brown... [/quote] Amen. o2 London, c2c, the weekend before last. Zac Brown Band put on as good a live performance as I have ever seen by anyone, anywhere. Deep Purple in '74, Humble Pie in '74, Thin Lizzy in '78, Dire Straights in '85 - it was up there with those.

Actually, I have just bought a Westone Thunder 1A fretless. For no discernable reason I just haven't 'bonded' with my latest Squier VM Jazz fretless but, straight out of the packaging and plugged in, I can tell this is for me. Weight has always been my only reservation with the Thunder 1A basses but this is actually not heavy, much to my surprise - around 8.5lbs. Cost me £150. Anyone want to buy a sunburst Squier VM Fretless with an East Preamp?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1395845067' post='2407038'] I wouldn't want to give up going to gigs, even at my age. [/quote] I suspect I may be older, but seeing live music at any size venue is, for me, one of Life's great pleasures. Well, I don't so standing in a field, but sitting down I don't care how big the place is. Been to the o2 a couple of times recently and really enjoyed it. Been to the Riga Bar in Westcliff and enjoyed it. Anywhere in between. To be honest it is the thought of not being able to see the sort of live music that I want to that keeps me living in this country. If I didn't go to gigs, I'd move to a Canary island to make a proper garden and never get cold again

Westones for sure. I have a majorly modded Thunder Jet bass and it is great fun.

There is a Silver Series Squier Jazz in the classifieds at the moment. These have a great neck. Wider than usual Jazz - 40mm at the nut. These final MIJ Squiers are very good - I've had Silver Series Jazz and Precision, both exceedingly good. The Precision, particularly.

I read that as a slightly garbled way of saying the neck was removed to reveal the hand written date, which would make more sense. Anyway, no matter how many times I check in my loft and or the back of my cupboards, I still haven't found any valuable basses there.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1395685028' post='2405098'] The past is another country where they do things differently. [/quote] 'And there rests the case for the defence, m'lud' said DLT's barrister.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1395671830' post='2404866'] Most people know a lot more Petty material than they think they do too! [/quote] I think that is absolutely right. I certainly would never have put myself down as a fan but, when chasing YouTube links one afternoon, surprised myself as to how many I knew and enjoyed. Once you start getting into all the duets/collaborations, the guy is everywhere! I absolutely love this one with Stevie Nicks: http://youtu.be/6UD0c58nNCQ I thought the name 'Tin Potty and the Windbreakers' might work as a tribute act....

My favourite of his, from the first album, You Don't See Me. http://youtu.be/rMMp7a7G80c Great bass.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1395530224' post='2403512'] Not Jap, might or might not be crap - but definitely not the 1981 Matsumoku he'd like to think. Late 80s onward Korean Pointyhead. J. [/quote] Ah. It's a minefield out there!

Well, I thought that, but then I was reading this page [url="http://www.westone.info/thunder2fretlessbass.html"]http://www.westone.info/thunder2fretlessbass.html[/url] and at the end it says version III was passive. Still a good price.... be interesting to see how much it ends up at.

Jap not-so-crap? A nice pointy headstock 80s Aria Pro [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-Pro-2-Active-Bass-Guitar-SLB-Series-1981-/161256645925?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258ba52525"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-Pro-2-Active-Bass-Guitar-SLB-Series-1981-/161256645925?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258ba52525[/url] Could go cheap. Any good? I imagine so, though not for me.

I do 'Break Down' in one band and it is a joy to play. Just get in the groove and enjoy!

I was having a look at this but decided to leave it. Might regret that... it doesn't say in the listing but it is an active model. I think the toggle gives it away but wasn't sure so I asked.

Spot on. Glad to see Wilko looking so well, too. Thanks for that.

I like slap bass when it is used for a reason, same as any other sound or technique. I wish I could do it better. Two of my favourite slapping songs, but for different reasons. Chicago Song, David Sanborn - powerful and percussive http://youtu.be/JGuO_noj4zM Go West, What You Won't Do For Love - subtle and effective. Love the bass on this in particular. Anyone know who it is? http://youtu.be/Jj9ORgevBAM

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1395051130' post='2397984'] This! > [media]http://youtu.be/G1KhY2FDBzs[/media] [/quote] That was nice, not heard it before!

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1395082742' post='2398475'] My next project may be a 51-bitsa with a Jazz width neck and Tele-type headstock. Mr Jazz headstock ... meet Mr Router. [/quote] If that were mine it would be '... meet Mr Slatterly'... I hope you are as handy with wood as you are with words, sir. Good luck!

That is gorgeous.

[quote name='Hank Scorpio' timestamp='1395080443' post='2398436'] I've been tempted to get a Jazz bass, sell the neck & a maple-board Precision neck because I feel more comfortable with the slightly wider nut width. So I'd imagine comfort is a major factor, as well as changing the fingerboard type (I'd like a maple board, as most of mine are rosewood, for example). [/quote] For me it is the opposite - I like Precision basses but prefer Jazz width necks. I have a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on my MIJ P body and it is really nice.

Bought some strings from Andy - arrived next working day, good price, good comms, wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again! Cheers Paul

Interesting! She/you must be doing well to get a slot in the first place. Which spot and at what time? I didn't see any of the acts with girl singers. Well, apart from the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride in the main arena. What was it like from a performers point of view? I assume you don't get paid for this?

Another Essex chap here from Benfleet down at the Delta - welcome aboard. Obligatory Essex girl joke - best advice is don't get the heels of your white stilettos caught up in the handle of your handbag when playing. Right, that's got that out of the way... SE Essex bass bash more like. Wasn't there one on Canvey a while back?

I went to the c2c festival yesterday, which is a country music weekend at the o2. [url="http://www.c2c-countrytocountry.com/"]http://www.c2c-countrytocountry.com/[/url] 4 bands on the main arena from late afternoon until the evening, with small sets from 'up and coming' country bands on pop up stages dotted around the venue. Yesterday and today, although I only had tickets for yesterday. What a great day! Headliners were the Zac Brown Band, who were a phenomenon. I expected them to be good, but they blew me away. I have watched a lot of bands over the last 40-odd years and they are as good as anyone I have ever seen live. Amazing. 8 piece band tight as anything, 4 piece vocal harmony, all top musos. Alll underpinned by the fact that Zac Brown is one heck of a song writer - superb melodies with poignant lyrics. And a Metallica cover They don't come here often, sadly, but I will seek them out if possible. Some of the small bands in the pop-up sets were really good. A couple of Scottish bands - of note Dirty Beggars, great country band writing honest country-style music. And particularly good - Stevie Agnew. Rather special, I'd say - he has a great voice and a great band. Bass player was really very good indeed with great touch and feel. I though he looked familiar - I just looked him up and I was right - someone on here a while back posted a couple of tongue-in-cheek videos ' I slap My Bass and Doing the Meerkat - same guy, Chris Agnew. Brother of singer Stevie and son of Pete Agnew, the 70s rock band Nazareth's bass player. Still going, i think? If you get a chance to catch the band they are superb and bass playing a masterclass.