Shaggy

No mention of the fabulous Rutles yet?

+1 one of those songs that should probably not be covered, especially by PY

Had a Van Damme cable off Bas via the "Recycling" sub-forum Great guy to talk to, and he bunged it straight in the post so it was here the next day. Definately one of the good guys on BC who help make it the great place it is - thanks fella!

I know Joe Cockers version is generally regarded as a classic, but I absolutely cannot listen to his pained, mannered over-singing - original every time for me with Ringo's understated and endearingly slightly off-key vocals. this is a cover I always liked, but can't think of a "worst" version -

Will, you've said it above - I haven't found one to touch the Nordstrand Bigman for tone and versatility. Particularly lends itself to single coil (becomes a "big single") / parallel / series coil switching.

PM'd

Tried to get down to 1 fretted and 1 fretless a while back Currently at 17 basses

Agreed - I own and gig 5 vintage Gibsons and just 1 vintage Fender largely for that reason. I'd meant it's strange bearing in mind current relative values for a '64 EB-2 vs a pre-CBS '64 Fender P.

Agreed - these seem to be frequently strung with flats which with the naturally warm tone can make them muddy / thuddy (which some love.....), but with modern lightweight roundwounds they can be surprisingly articulate, especially the later twin pickup "D" models. Strange to think that in 1964 this would have set you back more than a Fender Precision!

Looks like a good 'un to me - I have a '58 (pre-baritone) and a '69 (EB-2DC). As you say, original push-button baritone switch has been changed for a toggle switch, finish looks to be original, and it has the pickguard which often go AWOL. Usual top notch Gibson tone woods of the era; eg Brazilian rosewood board. Bit of a one trick pony - a bass/mids heavy blues-rock tone, but does that trick so well (listen to "Stand Up" album Jethro Tull), and fast neck with the short scale length. Used to be deeply unfashionable, but all old Gibsons seem to be appreciating - Andy Baxter would be selling that around the £2.5K mark. Original case would be a big plus. Edit: see http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/EB2.php for more info

Never seen a pine-bodied semi acoustic Hayman before - if that is the original body then it must be a rare version. Very cool bass, but definitely a dodgy refin and in a pretty rough state altogether; way overpriced. IMHO.

As said - very subjective, but having built a shedload of P bitsas over last 30 years, best I've found (currently available) are the Jason Lollars and the Fender '62's

Good year for the roses - Elvis Costello Kiss from a Rose - Seal Any Wurzles song (I got a brand new combine harvester etc....) If you're going to San Franciso - Scott McKenzie (."...be sure to wear a flower in your hair....") Garden of England - Gerry Rafferty (not much of a wedding song though!) (& for those of a certain age: "I'm Bayleaf I'm the gardener" from "The Herbs") Edit: "English Rose" - The Jam - fab wedding song! Seem to be a lot of "Rose" songs (eg every rose has its thorn)

This. I've never taken a bass to a luthier in 40 years except to have a fretless fingerboard fitted, and doing it yourself you can get it exactly how you want it. All the guidance needed is on this forum / Talkbass etc

Blimey, it's even "collection only".......

Great song, great Trevor Horn production, probably the worst bass miming ever! Missed Lemmy (distracted by the lady) - I'll have to watch it again...... He did pop up everywhere in those days mind, usually on Tiswas

That is the biggest pain, right there. I generally "accidentally" tw@t them with the corner of a cab......

Thanks for the OP Hobbayne, I don't think I've heard that for 40 years! The Stranglers were always rooted in 60's psychedelia. I saw them live on the "Black & White" tour (Cambridge Corn Exchange) - like many other BC-ers I'm sure, it was JJB who totally inspired me to take up bass. Apart from the stand-out "Hanging around" this one was always my favourite from the "Rattus" album:

I'd beat that with a violin made in the 1790's.......(NB: cooincidentally also happen to have a '57 P bass!) in terms of the OP criteria; the oldest I have is a beat-up Victorian concertina I bought on Cambridge market for 50p when I was about 10 - never learned to play it, but it inspired me musically and started a life-long interest in musical instruments as beautiful and fascinating things. Oldest thing I actually still use is a hand-tooled leather guitar strap I bought in 1979.

OK......don't have a cow, man this is the cream of BC punning

Wonder if he's got any udder basses like that.........