Cat Burrito

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='983540' date='Oct 10 2010, 05:38 PM']It's not age, it's experience. [/quote] Beat me to it, I was just taking an age to type my response

I think I moved from a pick playing hand rested on the bridge to a finger playing thumb on the thumbrest (located between the pup and the neck) when I was 26 / 27yrs old. It's not age, it's just developing your style.

But it does have a rosewood thumbrest!?!

I was out too & couldn't even get in via google. I had to forego the chat & just play bass instead!

Mainly Rotosound Flats 50-110. Flats because all my favourite records seem to have that sound, heavy gauge because having used 40-100 for years I'm finally a convert to that thicker sound and Rotosound because my local store stocks that brand & I'm a big believer in buying strings from your local shop. I don't mind Fender strings and they are on a couple of my basses and I've bought LaBella Flats before but the difference in price and convenience doesn't justify the additional expense for me

Hey Jon - You're never too old to start. Welcome to the forum

Welcome to Basschat Lewis

Welcome to the forum. There are a few of us with late 70s Fenders on here

Hi Webby, Welcome to the forum

I'm the other way around, I wouldn't ever want to have clean strings! The older the better for me

These were £500 a while back so that's a good deal. I love the look of these but it's the headstock that makes me stop short of a sale.

I started on a Squier & I'd always recommend them. I had friends buy embarrassing shaped 80s instruments at the time which went on to have no resale value when they didn't stick at it. For your needs probably a Jazz bass but I would usually recommend a P-bass. Not that it matters really. They are both classic designs which fit every genre

From a music point of view I'd love to have been involved in Stephen Stills Manassas but from longevity I'd like to go beyond the 2 records they made. So I'll go for The Byrds as they transcended so many genres. In fact I could just cut out the middle man and have Chris Hillman's bass playing life - that way I have all the bases (& indeed basses!) covered

Just as a point of interest, the bass in this post was eventually owned by me for a while & I off loaded it back on the 'Bay last month for £250. A percentage of that money went to Cancer Research but I mention it as it shows that the OP had a bargain & the new owner is happy as anyone with his new bass... he is using it in a Jimi Hendrix tribute band

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='981514' date='Oct 8 2010, 12:58 PM']It's still an Antoria, even if Noel Redding owned it. Based on my experience of Antoria's, there are generally much better instruments to play out there (unless it's practically given away). Unless you've been looking for a bass owned by the player from Smokie ....... Mind you, according to another thread around here, other people have had good experiences with Antorias. Perhaps I only found the duffers. T[/quote] I had a 71 / 72 Antoria Jazz that was quite well made & good fun. It's from the same factory that's now Fender Japan so I am sure Essexbasscat has just been a bit unlucky. Give them a good clean up, proper set up etc and they are usually good to go. Cheap as chips too

Always nice to see an old thread get a bit of new life... I owned one at the height of my GAS around 2005. Nice bass, a bit too tricked out with all the settings (mad dog or snarling dog or whatever it was called was my favourite). Mine was the white Bison with the hardware. Good fun & it certainly had that vintage vibe.

I once bought a tie because it looked like my bass

Avoid a lot of rockabilly! Wow, those guys can play! I'm at the Johnny Cash level. I find just playing the simple lines from your bass guitar starts you off on working on your intonation

I couldn't name any Level 42's songs & didn't know they were playing or even still together. I have no views on them, just say what I say because it is the truth. I do know Mark King is the bass player though & I believe he sings the songs. I must be on the wrong forum!

With hardware, get a small plastic bag & half fill it with water. Shake it like mad for ages and leave the parts overnight. Then dry them off & leave them for a week. They should be a bit more pitted & vintage. Incidentally for anyone googling this thread, you can use a dry brillo pad to age plastic parts like a thumb rest or pickup covers.

Cool, you'll have to review it for us

We played The Troubadour last night in Earls Court. It was great to play a venue that has hosted Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon & Jimi Hendrix in the past. Aside the fact we played well, my night was made by my guitarist describing me as "playing a blinder" & "the best thing on that stage". A really good night

Welcome to Basschat

Hi Rob. Welcome to Basschat

I love hearing stuff like this. I stopped playing at 27 as I thought I was too old ( :blush: ) and started again when I was 31 / 32 as I realised stopping was silly. I've seen bass players in their 70s since and I plan on just keeping going. Enjoy the gig & fair play to you!