Cat Burrito

Paid practice room but as two of the band aren't local we don't let them pay as they pay more in petrol... mildly annoying as I've played in a couple of bands 50+ miles away where the other band members still wanted my fifth! It's a nice idea though and I'll adopt that practice in future. We also have access to a local community hall for free acoustic rehearsals but we don't use that one so much

[quote name='BigRedX' post='940266' date='Aug 30 2010, 07:45 PM']Or you could buy the [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=1129&type=Bass%20Guitar"]Bruce Johnson[/url] that's in the Bass Gallery. A superior instrument in every way - the only thing it's lacking is the "Ampeg" name.[/quote] But that's even more expensive! I can't afford the £600 Eastwood copy right now

Nice one, thumbs up from me

I assume you mean from a playing point of view? I'm a huge fan of other bassists playing them but I don't personally get on with Fender Jazz basses. I find the necks too narrow. Also Thunderbirds & Gibson basses in general. Love them all, just not on me.

Not sure on this price in that condition but I'd love it [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMPEG-AEB-1-1967-/160474858741?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMPEG-AEB-1-1967-/16...ents_Guitars_CV[/url]

EBay too. 70s shirts and coats etc are easily sourced there. I bought a 70s jacket yesterday from a random word search using the words "Gene Hunt"! I have a few bit from the charity shops but living in a small town online seems to be better. I like the idea of bands looking cool and looking like they are in bands, even if sometimes your image revolves around pretending you didn't make much effort.

At a gig back in Bristol in 1994 we had a support band pull out on us. We were quite new and didn't have enough material to do an extra set so we cobbled together an acoustic set and supported ourselves. The respect we had from the crowd was excellent (I think the acoustic set blew away the electric set!) and one audience member confirmed himself as a fan for life - my next band played his wedding and the one after that he helped finance a CD. Happy days. Good luck with the drummer!

[quote name='nick' post='939939' date='Aug 30 2010, 01:06 PM']Sorry to be boring, but I have to say; I honestly don't judge a band by their gear,age, look or image etc..prior to actually hearing them.[/quote] +1 I hate snobbery (& I know this thread is a bit of fun so not a pop at the OP). I worked with a rhythm guitarist once who genuinely coughed to judging bands on whether they used hard cases or gig bags. Hard cases meant you were serious musicians in case anyone wondered! At least let them get it out the case!!! I've heard some amazing players regularly gigging Squiers and I've seen some pretty mediocre to poor guitarists on Gibsons. Go figure. I've done so many gigs over the years I can't say there is a stereotype that seems to work. I've seen people with really OTT rock 'n' roll images be great players too and I've seen the office boy look also prove worthy of good playing. I've said it before but I respect anyone who gets out there and has a go. BUT all that said, we have played with some absolute howling awful bands. One funny story from a gig back in Luton in the mid 90s that I'll never forget. This one band showed up with all the attitude, all the gear and the swagger. The singer was giving it the big star trip before his very middle class mother came running back into the venue and shouted "Felix, Felix, you've forgotten your lucozade!" We dined out for weeks on that one. Couldn't tell you what the band were like though.

The cheaper the bass though can mean the bigger horror under the paint job. It might not be a nice two piece body, I've heard of 11 bits of wood stuck together under some Squiers before - and one horror story with a Fender Custom Shop believe it or not. That said I stripped back a 70s Fender body & it's now my main player. I'll be doing the same with a 1979 body in September. I used Nitro Mors & it took ages but was totally worth it.

Music is vast & you can usually find examples to prove any point. Sometimes the limitations of technology at the time can be to the musics advantage. I agree with the new technology theory on the 80s. A bit like a budding young guuitarist faced with his first effects rack!

I didn't see it & wasn't a fan of the 80s at the time (or now!) musically BUT I think any decade can easily find 100 great moments. I keep finding 80s moments that were better than I'd initially given them credit.

JB62/VSP I would assume means Jazz Bass 62 (as in 1962 reissue) Vintage Special. And the vintage reissue CIJ / MIJ stuff is very good indeed

About £100 0ver the going rate [url="http://www.rattleanddrum.com/product/3606/fender-usa-vintage-57-precision-maple-white-blonde"]http://www.rattleanddrum.com/product/3606/...le-white-blonde[/url]

It's Musicground though & they are not the cheapest

I agree with CK that basses get picked up if a famous band is linked with them. I think the stuff that is more selective (boutique basses) is going to have a more limited appeal [b]but[/b] is going to be rarer too so the prices may be higher. The Rickenbackers and Gibsons tend to rival Fender in the vintage mojo stakes and go for good money. I think it's more than just 50s and 60s basses as bumnote suggests that will hold their value. I'd actually go the other way and suggest that 20th century basses will be collectable in a few years. The 20th Century is the birth of rock music and as the older stuff gets rarer my guess is that people will want to buy into that. I also think people like to buy into their own nostalgia. I'm not massively interested in owning any 50s or 60s basses - in part because I wouldn't spend that much - but being born in the early 70s has helped me develop a massive interest in 70s Fender. And from the ones I have played I do wonder if the rubbish ones aren't around anymore because most of the 70s stuff I've tried has been great fun.

The Fender 51RI is very varnished FYI.

[quote name='lanark' post='939009' date='Aug 28 2010, 08:20 PM']I use flats on everything - I just couldn't go back to rounds now.[/quote] I took over 10yrs thinking about it & wish I'd done it sooner. Plus one

I mark mine with stencils & silver paint pen. You don't have to go nuts & scrawl all over, just a fl (for fretless) on one would do it. Or mark one fretted & one fretless - etc, you get the idea! If you don't like it or sell it on, one wipe with a cloth dipped in white spirit & it's gone.

And I spend 10 minutes typing that as the cat was balanced on my shoulder so it's interesting that my point isn't a million miles away from basshead56 who's reply I hadn't seen whilst I was typing mine!

1976 was a transitional year for Fender with the serial numbers being moved so they are a bit more collectable, arguably. The pickguard being non original is going affect his price though. I bought a 1978 with original receipt, strings, no mods & that was £1500. Some of the mid 70s stuff is now £2000 BUT it depends on condition, history & being original. You really need to post some pictures but I guess without the original pickguard you'd be looking at no more than £1500 at the top end and £1200 as a starting price if the paintwork is originally & it doesn't need or has had a refret

Go with the flow; some people want to meet for a pint / chat & others just want to meet in the rehearsal studio. I've met dozens of band mates online & I tend to just ask them how they want to proceed. Best of luck

Welcome to Basschat Shahriar

Welcome to Basschat

Hi Mike, welcome to Basschat