Paul S

A drunk punter came up to me once at the end of a gig and siad 'you've got a great moustache'. In the absence of anything else, I'll take that

There are some basses - Fender Precision Lyte immediately springs to mind - that have a grub screw in the neck plate that gives an adjustable tilt angle feature built in. Always struck me as a nice idea. Certainly with my clumsy hands, agricultural playing style and knackered ears I have never noticed any issues with shimmed necks, and I've had a few.

I had one, great thing. AFAIAA they are part of the same family as the Jack and the B2 brigade - with or without headstock/body, electrics varied, some had the drop tuner but overalll they were pretty much the same beast and all of a decent quality.

That is just so beautiful, Andy.

^^This. listen to as many power trios as possible but live versions. Many, such as Free, ZZ Top etc, overdub for studio work. For example Dusty Hill's bass tone, live, is immense. Gritty, grainy, driven and saturated. Nothing like how he sounds on studio recordings.

I like this, too. Do I need help?

Yup. Stick all the surplus wooden instruments in a pile and set fire to them. That'll do it. Edit, I feel I need to add that I said that for comic effect and don't believe anyone suggested it seriousy, even if they did, which they didn't but might have.

I would disagree with that. I find the sound I get from my basses (esp. Precisions) with TI Flats can't be replicated with old strings and attenuating the treble - heaven knows I've tried, and with all sorts of roundwound strings, but I have always ended up putting TIs on. Costs me a fortune It is very much it's own thing.

Brain fart moment there. Changed the entire context.

I use the TC Spectradrive. That gives you a DI, EQ, compressor and a choice of downloadable drive patches. I have mine set on 'Clean Boost' which is exactly that - not distorted, just a gentle boost, and is now my default 'on all the time'. it is also very small

Totally this. Secondhand is the way. If you are happy with how the Stagg felt and played I would suggest getting out a ruler and measuring the width of the neck and the string spacing at the bridge so that you can find a similar bass to move on to. For me, at least, these dimensions make the difference between a 5er feeling comfy to play or not. And with that said, if the specs and weight are to your liking, I would heartily recommend any of the Yamaha 5ers as being fabulous value for money. Even the cheap models have good string B strings.

What a great expression! Not heard that before but it is so perfect. From what you have said it seems most unlikely he will listen to reasoned arguments, especially with his brother there to prop him up, so if it were me I'd quit. As has been mentioned already, if you don't do it to earn a living but for fun then as soon as the fun stops its time to move on - you're left with nothing but angst otherwise.

One thing to note is that not all rounds flats are equal. Some are high tension, some low. Some are dull, some are bright. If you choose the wrong set you may be put off unnecessarily. I am a massive fan of Thomastik TI Flats and put them on all my basses. They are low tension - not to everyone's liking! - and sound nice and bright, not just a dull thud. I play in a blues rock band and they sit just nicely in the mix. For me and the tone I have in my head for my basses, they are just right. Plus they feel nice to the touch - fans of round wounds will disagree, of course.

And similarly at the Kursaal in Southend. It was an old dance hall with a sprung floor and if you didn't actively jump up and down you were passively bounced. They were a damned fine band back then. And a damned fine venue - saw so many great bands there in the 70s.

Yup, that's what I thought. 🤣 Worst bout of GAS I've had for years when I clapped eyes on it!

It is actually with a mate of mine at the moment. But it is one of these, I had it without a scatchplate fitted.

At ten (plus an acoustic, an EUB and a Telecaster guitar - but they don't really count, do they ) I have too many instruments, far more than I need, but I don't care. None is especially valuable. Six of those ten are Precision bass flavoured one way or another. I like Precision basses Best and favourite is my Squier JV Precision. Simply the nicest Precision bass I have handled - gorgeous and everything I want from a bass. Next up would be the Antoria P bass with a '75 Fender pickup - not quite as nice as the JV but the neck is a whisker more comfy. If I sat myself down and had a serious talk with myself I probably wouldn't need any of the others at all - just these two. New kid on the block, I bought one of those new 50s style short scale Precisions from Retrovibe with the scaled down slab body and telecaster headstock, that has gone straight up the chart to number 3. I thought my GAS was a thing of the past but David went and posted pictures of it on the forum and I was helpless 😍. It has a really great tone - with just the gentlest of pushes it has a gnarly, gritty, saturated sound that is a great fit with my blues rock band - and is light as a feather. Slim neck. The other three Ps - Peavey Fury, Hondo/Encore 32" scale hybrid bitsa, Harley Benton PB Shorty. All have their place, all get used. 2 are Gibson flavoured. I love the idea of short scale Gibsons. I have one of those fab Les Paul Jnr DC re-issues that really is a lovely thing. I also have an Antoria EB-3 short scale with Artec Pickups that is different but also fab. But sadly their one and only crime is that they aren't Precisions and so mostly sit it out on the bench. The Gibson, in particular, is in imminent danger of being moved on. Then one 5 string (Peavey Foundation 5) and a modded Hondo Alien for those confined space, back-up moments. [/ramble]

Another happy previous Jake customer - I had a passive 5er configured to my liking and it was marvellous. Sold now, of course.

What is the back story here - such an intriguing picture!

Near enough! Cool.

Where was this, please?