Paul S

I think these are absolutely beautiful but for me too heavy and neck too fat. Doesn't stop me looking, though.

Thanks for the heads up. I have the mini tuner and think it is great. So this is only going to be greaterer.

The manual doesn't seem to mention using the USB as a power source at the early bit when it tells you how to switch it on, only at the very end 'specs' bit in passing. Nothing ventured... I just tried mine and, although the unit powered up, it made a god-awful noise when I plugged it all in. I am guessing it provides enough power to update the software etc but little else.

If you stick 'sciatic stretch' into YouTube you will actually get a number of fairly useful stretch exercises to do that help alleviate it. I think the worst thing about sciatica is not actually knowing how long it is going to last. First time I had it I couldn't walk *at all* for 3 days but it gradually got better and better. I found making myself walk seemed to speed up recovery, even though my foot was completely numb and I was walking weirdly. After 3 weeks it was almost back to normal, although I have been left with residually numb toes on that side. Usually it cures itself - the bit of the nerve that is poking out of the protective cage of the spine and getting nipped will get sealed off from the main nerve and then gradually be absorbed and disappear.

If it were mine I would mod the existing bass. It is possible to buy stuff on here secondhand cheaply enough and you will end up with a bass that not only feels right and comfy but, after a bit of trial and error, will be exactly what you want. Stuff that doesn't do what you want, and/or when and if the times comes for moving the bass on, just return it to stock and sell all the bits at negligible loss. The huge bonus is that you will have all that modding experience in the bank and probably even bond with the instrument a little more, having rummaged about in its insides.

Yikes. Know exactly how you feel. Diclofenac is your friend here. Or whatever anti-inflammatories you can get down you. Hot and cold if can manage it.

Out of curiosity - anyone know - do the B2A fretless have fret lines or are they smooth? I know there is a de-fretted on eBay at the moment but that isn't the same.

Actually, it is not so funny when your life is ruled by a lumber problem, I can assure you. I used to have a great Trace Elliot rig - last of the pre-Gibson stuff - 300W head, 15" and 2x10" cabs. I forget the model numbers but it was all good stuff. Plus one of the older amps, plus also an 18" cab - all mix and match according to my whims. I loved it - for the tone I wanted all I had to do was set the pre-shape and I was in business. Local firm to me, I bought into the whole groovilium thing and identified strongly with the brand. Then, bang, an occasional and infrequent lower back problem suddenly became a chronic and everyday issue. Most aspects of my way of life had to change. And lugging best part of 100kg worth of bass rig in and out of my car was one of the first things to go. Now a TC Electronics Classic 450 through a Barefaced Compact and Midget gives me the sound I want and I can still carry out routine tasks the next day without pain or needing to visit the osteopath.

This was bought, and returned, by someone on the Westone forum. He added the negative feedback. Thread, plus some damning pictures, here: [url="http://forum.westoneguitars.net/t4551-westone-thunder-iii-bass"]http://forum.westone...hunder-iii-bass[/url]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1374685283' post='2151888'] - any requests from/snip/ various Bass Collections [/quote] Pete, can you please bring your 'best' Bass Collection along? Not seen one of the better models in the flesh. And could I please repeat my request for a multi-effect pedal programming workshop? - my Zoom MS60B is gathering dust and frustrating the hell out of me - don't seem to be able to get my head around it at all.

Another vote for the Hohner B2A. If you fancy a drop tuner there is the B2AD. Nicely made, lightweight, huge output and a decent range of tones. There is a 'sweet spot' for me that sounds like a woody P-Bass - I've gigged mine many times and often take it as back-up as it is so small. And you can pick up a perfectly good one for £250 - well under budget.

Don't know if it is an original idea but I thought of a Karaoke band playing U2 backing tracks called You, too. Maybe a bit niche...

Blasphemous as it is, The Beatles for me. Never much of a fan but PMs bass lines are incredible.

I saw them a half-dozen times in the early '70s - first time at a great little venue called the Queen's Club in the basement of the Queens Hotel in Westcliff in 1972 when they were promoting the album 'Piledriver'. They had made a couple of tentative RnB records with Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon and Dog Of Two Head, but for me 'Piledriver' was the best album they ever made. The tracks 'Don't Waste My Time' and 'Big Fat Mama' are just classics and to my ears not been bettered. Back then they were fresh, energetic, totally on top of their game and one of the best live acts going. Having seen them during that era when they were so very, very good it has kind of spoilt all the subsequent stuff which, for my taste, varies between hackneyed and downright vaudeville. But I have immense affection for the band, despite them being largely responsible for my hearing loss.

I was going to mention Hayman basses, first cousin to Shergold, but they aren't new... but a tidy link to a chap on the Shergold discussion forum who goes by the user name of Grubersagerhaben. He makes guitars from scratch - makes his pickups, tools the other bits, so no doubts you are buying British here. Largely Shergold replicas, especially double necks, but his workmanship and attention to detail is stunning. I had a play on one of the doublenecks he made and it was top class. http://www.grubersaberhagen.co.uk

Or give serious consideration to the Peavey Fury that is in the classifieds here. It has P.Bass sounds and looks but with an ultra skinny neck.

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1373880466' post='2142449'] P bass, J neck. [/quote] Does it for me! MIJ Fender Precision body, Mighty Mite Jazz neck. Add P-retro and a Hipshot bridge = bass heaven.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1373571146' post='2139226'] Anyone is welcome to play any of my basses. I will bring my Burns Sonic, VOX Bassmaster, VOX Clubman, WEM Sapphire & Shergold Marathon. [/quote] Sure fire way to kill or cure my GAS for a Marathon. Brilliant stuff.

I hope to make it this year - these are great events! Nige - do you have a guitar amp? I can bring that little fender G30 along again for the jam room. And can I suggest a workshop - no idea of it is a good idea but can someone explain how the actual Flip a multi-effect pedal can be programmed? I just got a one of those Zoom MS-608s and am clueless. 1. Hamster - Tea, coffee & biscuits 2. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Schecter Diamond P5, Levinson Blade B15, amp & cab tbc 3. Happy Jack - Matamp GT120 with Barefaced stack 4. Bluejay - something left-handed 5. OBBM - Bergantino CN212, Aguilar TH500, A couple of old Fenders, perhaps a Sadowsky UV70. 6. chris_b 7. Clarky 8. Russ - Sei 5-string, Spector 5-string, Markbass 6x10"/Ampeg SVT-7 9. Irvined - Retrovide RV4 and home brew bass pedals 10. xilddx - 1983 USA Fender Jazz / 2010 USA Fender Stratocaster Deluxe V-Neck / POD X3 LIVE 11. Sibob 12. Tayste_2000 - Rickenbacker 4003, Overwater 5 string, [1970s Ampeg B-15, Custom Matamp GT200 MK2, Matamp 8x10], the pedalboard 13.Barneyg42-Status S2 Classic five, Ibanez BTB 6-string fretess,TC BH500, TC BC 2x10, Barefaced Compact and various pedalage! 14. Walman - the usual culprits - [i]though it rather depends on where if anywhere gets booked for the long hols as that is the last Sat of those so I may have to bale[/i] 15.Paul S - some stuff. BF rig, maybe a Westone Pantera X790 in case anyone wants a look? 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

I was sacked last year by a band I was a founder member of after 4 years together - one of two bands I was in at the time. But rather than being upset or angry I found it to be quite a relief when it happened as I had been getting increasingly pissed off with the singer, who over the 4 years had gradually become a complete prima donna. I'd had a gutful and was contemplating leaving but when do you decide to jump ship? Difficult call but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands when we had a rather silly finger wagging barney just before a gig (As I recall I threatened to chuck him off the fire escape) after which he said 'him or me'. The other guys chose him, as he is a rather good front man and I am 'just the bass player'. They haven't found anyone to replace me yet, which gives me a small amount of satisfaction. I have moved on and am back to being in two bands, with a third in the offing. Things work out in the end.

In the dark world of Shadows appreciation groups there a number of decent names. Two local ones are the Five O'clock Shadows and Rich Clifford and the Saddoes.

I had a Jaguar bass for a while - it has the same neck dimensions as the Geddy Lee Jazz, should you fancy a different body shape option. Also the Precision Lyte has a similarly shallow and narrow neck. Both are smaller than a standard Jazz neck. A good many Peaveys have very shallow and slim necks, some I believe are top quality instruments. If you can find one, a Peavey Fury has a similarly shallow and slim neck, but with a P-Bass configuration. I tracked one down courtesy of Flat Eric and it is lovely. Inexpensive to buy but really nice quality instrument