Cat Burrito

I lucked out when I bought my mandolin some 15+ years ago. A mid range model that happened to be particularly well made. I've played the same model when others have had one and this one just lucked out when they selected the wood - all solid wood and a tone to die for. I was playing country type stuff on it with my fairly basic playing (theory being that as a bass player, I could manage the transition to an instrument that has 4 string tunings too). Over lockdown I started mucking about with my old mate from Sixth Form playing 80s Alternative / Goth stuff on old folk instruments. My mandolin playing suddenly skyrocketed the second I stopped trying to play country style! I upgraded the tuners first. Then I flipped the knobs to wooden ones, changed the bridge cover to all black and it grew from there. I had some mandolin grommets shipped over from Nashville to deaden the sound of the strings behind the bridge and further worsened it's environmental footprint by getting an arm rest from India. Finally I got @TimAl to design a fantastic custom pickguard for me and a unique goth rock take on old folk! I think it has turned out pretty well and I look forward to taking it out locally across a few shows over the summer. I appreciate it's a bit niche for most of you but if you like looking at pretty instruments, fill your boots... (& yes the hard case further demonstrates my attention to the pose!)

Playing live is a massive part of who I am. I like performing and I also think music is about making a connection. I like rehearsal, I like studio and I am happy playing along with stuff at home but for me there is nothing like connecting onstage with friends and a crowd out front. It started in a school hall, and over the years it's taken me all over the UK and into Europe. I've made friendships through live stuff and had some unforgettable experiences. I guess that's why I haven't commented in the I hate gigging thread! I do accept it isn't for everyone though and I also accept that people can get burnt out from it. Hopefully I have plenty of life in me yet.

Looks genuine to me. I owned a few 80s MIJ and 90s CIJ / MIJ basses over the years - all EXCELLENT! As a point of interest, the serial number and Made / Crafted references moved around a bit over the years (sometimes on the neck heel, sometimes on the headstock etc).

Done

It's the Nephilim headlining the Whitby Goth festival this year so I am looking forward to seeing them. I saw the Mission support Alice Cooper a few years back and they suffered from a terrible sound (plus our seats were practically in the car park!) so looking forward to seeing them properly.

Mine changes. At the moment it is probably black but I guess it depends on the bass.

I'm seeing the Mission this month and going to Whitby's Goth festival later this year. Hey Siri, show me a midlife crisis?!

I was born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s. It was the decade I started making my own musical choices, outside of the cooler aspects of my parents record collection and the decade that saw me first get an instrument and then join a band. I suppose I flitted between alternative and rock bands, hating much of the mainstream. I spent much of the 90s and 00s reacting to the 80s in a very negative way. Maybe I have mellowed with age but digging out those old records again, there is a lot to love. I don't know if it is those days seeming so long ago now, the passing of family etc but I really connected with a lot of it over the lockdowns. Right now I seem to be back into it with a passion. Funny how life goes full circle.

I noticed the same with my Burns

From flying 1300 miles to Ibiza at the start of the week to playing my closest gig to a homecoming ever, an open mic on the very road I grew up on, last night saw my school friend and I in our revived 80s alternative band playing covers by The Cure and the Mission on my mandolin. On many levels I enjoyed it as much as playing Ibiza!

Interesting. I didn't know that this existed. I have a Burns version. Again cheaper than the Squier. I bought it for some Glen Campbell style melodies in an original recording band but have actually wound up using mine a lot in an 80s goth duo. Love mine.

Just the entry level MM Stingray. I had an Olp a few years ago and liked it a lot.

I flew out to Ibiza to play the opening night of HRH Road Trip. The show was great, although I took my cheap Musicman copy as I didn't trust Ryanair with an expensive bass. The Ashdown rig sounded decent and the show was really well attended. My first trip over to mainland Europe since Covid. Ibiza was surprisingly not Chav!

Wider padded straps certainly lighten the load. My shoulder is definitely playing up 35yrs of playing Paul Simonon / Peter Hook style (tried raising it but ultimately I am an old dog and this was too much of a new trick). I couldn't use the strap in the original post as it contains leather but I have a Couch padded wide strap that really helps. I now sit down for parts of longer rehearsals and generally try to avoid the heavier basses when buying. As someone who turns 50 in 12 months I would always say looking after your bass health is important if you still want to be doing this in a few years time.

The answer is purely financial for me. If money is a worry and buying a bass is going to cause issues, don't buy it. I scaled right back when I got divorced many years ago and then played catch up when I came out the other side. I think with the cost of living right now I am playing things very cautiously but my finances will change again in a few years so I can relax then.

I grew up in a small rural town and was (& remain) an avid consumer of music. My journey went something like; The cooler elements of my parents record collection Through friends at junior school / Top of the Pops Being stuck at the parties of my parents' friends with their older cooler kids introducing me to their tastes Discovering stuff through the Rock / Alternative charts on mainstream shows like The Chart Show Reading the music press and learning which journalists I liked and taking chances.

Quite literally a case of "No good for metal" then 😸

Just seen this thread. I never used effects before but over lockdown I got into an 80a alternative duo and have been using the EHX pedals with that. I quite like the Big Muff but I use it sparingly and in combination with other effects. Reading this makes me wonder if I should have tried other brands but as I liked the EHX stuff I just stayed with the brand and the sound is great, for my needs. We have jangly 12 string guitar and drum machine / programmed keys so perhaps it would be a little more lost in a regular band set up.

Great thread! Onstage at The Marquee in the early 90s. That Jazz was also used on a Total Guitar session that was included in Issue 10. Same band maxing out our "leaning against a wall skills" (second left) The Ex-Boyfriends backstage at Caeser's Palace in Luton - I've discovered the early Manic Street Preachers! (second left again) Insert from a German punk CD released in the 90s.

Didn't he borrow a T-bird for one tour circa 1975? If that ain't worthy of a tribute model, I don't know what is!

Paddy bought a pickguard from me. Prompt payment and easy comms - all in the spirit of an effortless Basschat transaction.

It's 2022. I'm genre fluid. 😺

Slightly smaller crowd than the one from Nash's post but at the weekend the 80s alternative duo from the ashes of my old Sixth Form Goth band played the local village open mic. Loving this minimalist set up with acoustic folk instruments and drum machines / synths. Plus it's nice just to hang out with one of my oldest friends. I love that we can do a Cult cover and bring the house down, only to follow it with a bit of Bauhaus and clear the pub!

We did a very rocking set at the Finsbury in London. Lots of comments on my bass - it's literally just some bits! 😸

I have a couple of band mates who were known in the 80s / 90s and apart from the odd story about touring with bigger bands, these days it means nothing (to them) as we're all at the same level now. Both are very pro and very down to earth to work with.