Cat Burrito

I read that this morning, also battling with MS. Their single "I Touch Myself" was always always a great tune that I was reminded of when Austen Powers came out.

Also worth checking out Lee Fields if people like Charles Bradley

We played in Lewes as part of Record Store Day so we did an acoustic gig in a record shop and then rocked out more with a full band amplified at the after show party. Both sets were well received and it was a great day

Funny guy! I used to organise everything in my previous bands but it is seriously fun sapping. I do co-run the websites but it's hardly a chore

My experiences are with these 4 excellent pickups; [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]£89 Fender original pickup - Good but I don't think modern Fender pickups are the best on the market[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]£130 Seymour Duncan Antiquity II - by far & away the best. Expensive but amazing tone[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]£52 Seymour Duncan Vintage SPB-1 - superior upgrade to Fender stock & classic vintage vibe[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]£55 Wizard Trad - raved about on here but I preferred the SD range. Woody thump but less pure / classic[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I play rosewood necked P-basses with flats too & definitely favour old school tones[/font][/color]

[quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1365679600' post='2042713'] I’m interested in learning this technique after watching the Lee Rocker DVD [/quote] Is the DVD useful at all? I've been looking at it. I love Lee's playing and hugely admire anyone who does that double slap technique but I could never find a teacher who played that style. Huge rockabilly fan but I don't play that style myself

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1365404929' post='2038963'] I would advise phoning Wizard and discussing your pup needs. It's what I've done a couple of times in the past, he was very helpful and got me sorted on both occasions. [/quote] Plus one to this - he (Andy, I believe) was really helpful when I spoke to him

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1365266699' post='2037450'] You are getting me all wrong on this [/quote] No offence taken but it just seems that the times people can comment on here about Fenders and 70s Fenders especially without someone piping up to say they aren't the best works out about 99% of the time. I play with Rotosound strings too so I effectively get 2 bites of that cherry! I think I got both your comment and your intent but saying people buy Fender "just for the logo" is bound to ruffle a few feathers which masks what was actually a pretty fair point. It's not a big deal and I don't intend to comment any further.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1365264799' post='2037417']But if you want something that says Fender on it then buy a Fender , by all means . [/quote] I don't think people only buy Fenders for the logo & comments like this could be seen to be just a little antagonistic. Just as one point Fenders hold their market value much better and having sold on really nice instruments by makes like Hofner & Epiphone they just don't get so much back. Granted there are other makes out there every bit as good as a nice Fender but if people want to buy a Fender, let them. There are plenty of wonderful nice basses in all shapes and sizes to suit all tastes

£1500 for a '76 is ok depending on condition. With the recession in full swing remember it's a buyers market. I wouldn't worry too much about good years or years to avoid - typically people criticise late 70s Fenders but I have 2 really good examples. Just try before you buy & ask on here if you are not sure. If you want a museum piece be prepared to spend more (typically sold with pictures showing the original wiring & original hard case) where as a heavily gigged bass with replacement parts sees the price drop right down.

I have a framed picture of a bassist from Chile or Mexico or actually I'm not sure where he is.... but he's cycling along with an uncased upright bass. I guess it depends on how much you trust the UK roads and fancy your chances!

I think people get too carried away with what they see as the perfect number; if you have 15 basses and they make you happy, fine. Equally some find 2 too many. I had a Rickenbacker that wasn't my main bass and I felt guilty that £1500 was just shut away in a case. I sold it and went on holiday. It kickstarted the end of my GAS but I'd never knock another musician for how they spend their money (I currently sit at 2 electric basses but once had 30 instruments in my house)

Another one here who grew up on punk & glam so I haven't copied the book of stage move (sic) by Bill Wyman My current band is on the alt.country scene and my last comment from an audience member was I was like watching Paul Simonon which has to be the best compliment ever. My Facebook highlight on a band photo was "he thinks he is country but still holds it like he is in the Quireboys!"

They look great but as I was scrolling through the pics I wondered why the Jazz had no covers. I love that Antiqua finish and I am aware it isn't to all tastes. Personally I only have a Jazz & a Precision left these days and BOTH have covers. I love the F logo on the Jazz bridge cover although it was harder to get used to playing with it on. I've had covers on my Fenders for 15yrs so it would now be weird to play them naked, as it were

Or a brand new Hofner Icon from Thomann with the same case in the deal cheaper http://www.thomann.de/gb/hoefner_ignition_beatles_bass_v_bundle.htm

I must be in a minority here but I don't like shops like Argos selling basses. They are so often unplayable as they weren't set up properly and I'd much rather people bought from local music stores. Just my personal opinion.

I enjoyed Peter Criss' book (Ex-Kiss drummer) purely because he is such an idiot and doesn't realise it. The same with ex-Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley except he is an idiot who totally realises it. Gene Simmons was just boring. Duff McKagan's book had a decent uplifting tragedy to success story that I liked. Bobby Womack's book (available on Kindle) is a total car crash as is soul legend Bettye Lavette's which starts from her being dangled out a building by her ankles by per pimp before picking UP the pace - essential stuff! Makes those bad boy rockers look like The Waltons!

[attachment=130620:humour bass.jpg] Nashville won't know what hit them!

I must confess I've been surprised that in 7 pages this hasn't turned into a big old bun fight. We're all different and want different things from bands. Seems pretty straight forward to me. Personally in 25yrs my bands have almost always been original bands but then I've been fortunate to work with some very gifted writers. I'd rather play covers I like then work with a bad writer. Not really experienced these arrogant musicians everyone is going on about, they tend not to get past audition (if that far!) on the rare occasions I've stumbled upon them. I'd never knock or claim to not understand someone wanting to do covers. I can see strengths in all types of bands as well as disadvantages.

Just to redress the balance 3 of the 4 Fender basses I had from this era were lighter than average. There are some heavier examples but this is certainly not always the case

From 1979 to 1981 they used the S9 serial numbers so you'll need to ensure you have your birth year and not be a year out. I have a 78-79 and regularly enjoy reading some of the criticisms of old Fenders - some people having tried one 30yrs ago and others who haven't actually (I suspect) actually played one but seem quite happy to dive right in with an opinion. My limited experience in late 70s / early 80s Fenders has been entirely positive.

Surely it all depends on the bass? I've seen black basses look terrible but also look really cool. It also ultimately comes down to personal preference too. So I'm afraid I fall somewhere in the middle

I've even used mine live (!!!!) and for recording. Stonkingly good little amps. *I wouldn't advise using them live normally but the fact remains these are great fun

Two out of three isn't bad; I only have one head / cab AND I pretty much just use one bass (I've only got the two anyway) so it's good to be back to where it always used to be. The bit in the middle of my playing history probably has me as one of the worst GAS casualties on this site but I grew out of that 2 or 3 years ago

I emailed [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Carol Kaye once & she sent me her autograph and some plectrums. If I play with a pick I always use the Carol Kaye ones, except I mostly play fingerstyle.[/color][/font] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]EDIT - This is Carol Kaye and those are my fingers you are using too![/font][/color]