Paul S

Yup. I need to convince that part of my head that sees new shiny things (actually normally old battered things) and can't resist.

Good luck Nik.

I wouldn't use the term 'Dream Bass' but when I get an idea in my head about a particular bass I get GAS something rotten, the only cure for which is to get one - however long it takes. The worst example for me are Westone Pantera Deluxe X790. Bought it from the Netherlands and I picked it up. As beautiful as it was, it was a shade too heavy and I didn't like the nasal tone. Yamaha BB5000. Bought from Japan. Just didn't bond with it - too heavy, too. Gibson Thunderbird - didn't look right, neck seemed very long. I fear the latest victim is going to be the Guild B-301 that I drve half way up the country to collect. Absolutely beautiful bass that sounds awesome but I don't find it comfortable to play. Still unsure about selling it but at the moment it looks on the cards. My basic problem is that none of the above are Precision basses. I love Precision basses. I love the tone, I love the look, I love the way they feel.

Gig tonight. Taking both these old Antorias but probably use the Precision. A previous owner had fitted it with a '75 Fender pickup and, basically, it rocks

First gig since September tomorrow for my blues rock trio. The Pickerel Inn, Stowmarket. In a barn outside, good space to set up. 8pm start to avoid being too loud too late. Really looking forward to it.

very much this. I'd conspicuously add Free and Cream to the list too and also say that live albums are the ones to listen to as there are none of the overdubs you can often hear on studio albums. ZZ Top are shockers for this but they still sound great live. Free, in particular, have so much space in their live work you can drive a bus through it - a model of restraint.

I don't see this as being quite the same thing. I don't spend time looking for new music either (also 63) but I find I am more tolerant of other genres when I hear them rather than just the heavy rock I grew up listening to. For me, anyway, it isn't so much an active choice but more of a passive acceptance.

I think being more tolerant and open to a wider rage of music genres is just part of growing up and getting older. When we are teens we are particularly 'tribal' with that gang-type mentality but I think the phase passes (edit - except for football, as above, and some other sports!). I cut my teeth in early 70s on heavy rock like Deep Purple, Led Zep and Black Sabbath and would tolerate little else. Nowdays I can find something to listen to in most genres/most artists.

The strat, in that case.

The guitarist in my blues/rock trio plays all manner of guitars. His main one is an 80s Fender Strat but he always swaps for a Gibson for some songs - historically a Les Paul or 335 but he recently bought a Flying V. Then a cheapo Les Paul copy tuned to an open chord for slide. To be fair, whatever he plays he absolutely smokes it

A mate is in the Faux Fighters. Like that name. I recall some others that have made me grin. AB/CD was one. AC/Dshe was a female version. Dire Fakes. Small Fakers. There was talk once of a Carsick Nigel Don't know if that ever happened.

'Snowboy' is a local jazz percussionist whose name is Mark Cotgrove. When he plays here his mum usually attends and can be heard shouting 'Come on, Mark!'

One of my fave Eagles Tunes. Doesn't get a lot of airplay and is a bit different to most of their stuff Be pleased to see some less known CCR recommendations.

Love a bit of Eagles, me. Their O2 'History' gig (2014! How did that happen?) remains one of the best gigs I have ever seen. Not so keen on CCR but still like a few of their chunes.

Sue Rider Precisions came in and out of vogue with equal haste.

My wife used the expression 'slim pickings' this morning which made me think it would be a great name for a country guitar player

There is that expression 'people listen with their eyes'.

Question. Did you get the SG with a hard case? If so, which one and does the DC fit in it? I can tell you that a Gator Gator GW-LPS Deluxe Guitar Case is an 'exact' fit for a DC, despite beig for a Les Paul single cut guitar. When I say exact, I mean it could have been tailor made for it. But my Antoria SG is a squeeze into this same case - the upper body width is a little more and it distorts the case a bit.

Takes the Gorillaz tribute a bit far.

I have an Antoria EB-3 replica and I definitely won't be putting a Fender decal on it, that's for sure.

At 2:13 in this one.

I've had a couple of rehearsals with my blues trio as we have a mahoosive old barn we use. I've been trying my 'Lockdown Purchase' basses to see which is the best fit. So far I've used a brace of old cheap Japanese basses and I have to say I love them. First up was a 1972 Antoria EB-3 into which I fitted Artec pickups and sits under the mix quite beautifully without being prominent. At the moment I'd say I prefer the tone of the neck mudbucker in isolation - mixing in the bridge gives some bite but also dilutes the expansive woody character. But it does a passable Jack Bruce when driven. Big surprise is the mid 70s Antoria Precision that, it turns out, had a genuine 1975 Fender pickup fitted at some point. It is lightweight at 8lbs and has the most amazingly comfy neck. Massive aggressive tone from that pickup that has definition and bite and a very different experience to the EB-3 (or my other Precisions, come to that). The guys reckon it sounds better than any other bass I have used with the band. Next week I will take my Guild B-301 to see how it sits compared to the Precision. As I recall the tone is slightly glassier but it is equally rude. Iality I expect I'll use them all in rotation.

I was very curious about them but they aren't really cheap enough to try 'on a whim' so I had always simply ignored them. But when I chanced upon an early 70s faker for very little money I couldn't resist - a very accurate copy. I thought it was totally fabulous in terms of how it played and sounded. Absolutely loved it. The neck was everything I thought I didn't like but, actually, I foud it really comfy. But it was simply too heavy - even with a duo strap it caused me a lot of back pain after wearing it. With much sadness I passed it on to @silverfoxnik to whom I had lent it short term while I wasn't using it. But have to say, should by some magic a lightweight 'real' one come along I would be very tempted. Yes, they do the aggressive clank but also so very much more, playing with just the neck pickup and tone brought out some very sweet and mellow combinations, especially around the 5th-7th fret area. I'd say 'get one' and see.

I put a DiMarzio Model 1 in an Epiphone EB-0 years back and recently put an Artec Mudbucker in my Antoria EB-3 and would say the Artec gives a better 'Gibson' EB-0 tone. The fact that it is a quarter of the price is quite astonishing.