EssentialTension

Thought so, thanks.

Did Mr Serek used to work at Lakland?

Again as I recall, the body was thinner than a P bass but thicker than a Gibson EB. And without any forearm chamfer or belly-cut. But if you're worried about neck dive, then try before you buy, as they say.

I don't remember any 'neck heavy problem' with the one I had.

No comment.

As is usual.

Over close to fifty years of gigging, I have played probably thirty different basses at gigs. Even the cheap ones worked fine.

I used the Hal Leonard books many years ago and learned loads. The newer editions are updated by Ed Friedland whose other books I also found useful.

I had a cherryburst 4040 for which I paid £115 with a hard case in 1974. That would have been the best part of a month's wages.

And , let's face it, if you can stick to the octave and a sixth available across the first five frets and always sound good, then you're a badass.

Fret one M, fret two O, fret three N, fret four E, fret five Y - stick to that and you're hired. Fret six and above, noodling away, and you're fired.

Considering they are the devil's daughters, that was a bit of a how's your father.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Birch_(luthier)

I've had three Indonesian instruments and all were very fine , expecially the Lakland. I've also had Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, German, Italian, and British instruments, as well as the USA ones. All were fine.

I was recently watching some old videos of gigs. Quite often I had no memory at all of playing the songs, never mind which notes I actually played.

Won't that make intonation difficult?

34" or I would still have it.

I had a car that was Cappuccino Beige Metallic.

Original of Money was Barrett Strong on Motown label in 1959. Many covers besides the Beatles. Another UK hit version was Bern Elliot and the Fenmen.

... and Chas Hodges on bass, Mick Burt on drums ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSL73EupKHQ

I like that colour despite the name.

I had one in antique ivory first time around. Loaded it with Ernie Ball cobalt flats and it sounded massive.

A guitarist I played with in the mid-1970s had a black Shaftesbury Les Paul just like that one. He had it set up with a highish action for playing slide. I recall it sounding pretty good. His other guitar was a John Birch Flying V. By the late-1970s I was in a different band with a different slide guitarist who had the very same black Shaftesbury Les Paul. His other guitar was a Fender Telecaster. That I can recall these events from 40 or 50 years ago means I know I am gettign old.