Beedster

And whilst Clarky's basking in the afterglow you can half-inch his rather lovely bass collection

I now have it's sibling

That is the finish in my head

I agree to a point, but I'm amazed that the PR people in a multinational couldn't see the response coming. Perhaps they were in a wine bar* at the time *Wine bar. Previously a bank, selling over-priced Liebfraumilch, common in the 1980s and frequented by PR and media types allegedly

Not my usual taste in basses, but once brought to my attention by Andy and John, I couldn't resist, especially given that it - or an instrument very very similar to it - was responsible for the bass parts on my fave album of all time, parts that I have been learning for about 10 years! What do I love? The nut is close to 45mm, the board is pretty much flat, the PUPs are light years apart, and it's bloody light. What do I not like? The colour Should be strung through, so a Badass III is going on at the weekend. The board is going to receive a damn good oiling at the same time. At some point in the future the finish may come off also. But in the meantime, I'm going to Graceland

Rickenringer or Behrenbacker

Nicely put

I find that quite interesting if true. Lots of people criticise Rickenbacker for defending their copyright, but it seems that Behringer go a few steps further and (racially) abuse and ridicule people who are critical of the way they do business. Always thought they were a stinky poo company anyway, and would never would buy anything they made, but now I feel morally righteous as well. Thanks Behringer.

Probably why we gig so infrequently these days

I get your point, but what they think they can get out of you and what the act is worth are technically the same thing I think?

There's a pretty big difference between a luthier and a tech. This is a tech job really, needs to be done well, but doesn't require a whole lot of skill. Most luthiers I know wouldn't want to do the work you need done, it's just a distraction from the work that keeps them in business. I imagine there'll be someone near you in the 'Basschatters willing to fix a bass thread' who would do it for you for the price of a cup of tea?

Doesn't sound like a 'pro to me, re-drilling for a new bridge is easy, as is filling the old holes, as is fitting a new nut, probably an hours work. Frankly, I wouldn't be letting this guy adjust the truss rod

It's like First class tickets on a train, you don't get a better seat, but you get to sit among other people, who have also paid stupid money to sit near you. I'm an advocate of Groucho Marx on this one, never pay to be the member of a club that would have me as a member

Ha ha, you'll be fine with your view from the stage

I sincerely hope Phil respects the form here; if he plays in your town, you are the bass player

Agreed, Although I’d like the band to be a little less sterile also

If it makes you feel good, you should absolutely do it. It’s why people watch films they’ve seen 100 times, watch the same sports team they watched as a kid despite the fact it is now rubbish and in the minor league, go to the same place in holiday each year trying to recreate the magical summer of ‘88 etc. Sentiment is powerful

Our guitarist’s name is Beyonce Wainwright

Very true, but the reality of the business it’s that’s it just that, a business, they’re often charging more for tickets now than at any point in thief careers. I don’t blame him, I’m simply not impressed by his performance. I suspect financial rather than emotional motivation is more salient also

You don’t need to be able to walk to express emotion in your face or voice. He looks like he’s bored by himself. At least he and I agree on that.

Age isn’t an excuse these days. There’s a whole generation of lively rock n roll septuagenarians. Neil Young is more animated FFS

You must have thought it would be very bad, that was pretty awful. OK, his voice was passable, but the performance was sterile in every sense, from all concerned. And frankly, PC looked like he would rather be at home watching Eastenders

A guy I used to play with said that whilst he could immediately hear the difference between me playing a fretted Jazz or fretted Precision, he could never hear any difference when it came to fretless, suggesting that platting style made more difference than PUPs etc in the latter. That’s all really. Any thoughts?