Cat Burrito

Hello All - I thought I'd not forget my manners and say hi. I'm returning to bass after a few years away. Bass was always my main instrument but I had a spell playing some of the other instruments for a while. It was interesting to work with other bassists - and I found without exeception that the bass players tended to be the cool ones of the band! Perhaps I was biased? I've owned a few basses over the years but always seem to come back to the Fender P-bass. I have 2 basses right now & both are P-basses (a 57RI and a 51RI). The 57RI is 20yrs old and the 51RI is new. I've owned a fretless, a Jazz and a bunch of Gibson type basses (usually Epiphone). My ambition is to get a double bass & this might come to be realised later this year if I can juggle things. If I could have one bass back it would be my Jazz. Amp wise I have a Roland DB700 which seems to do the trick. Music wise I like Americana and my influences range beyond Country to include Soul, Rockabilly & some traditional music. I admire players as diverse as James Jamerson through to Lee Rocker whilst managing to sound like neither. My favourite bass player is probably Chris Hillman. I'm here for advice, tips and to look at pretty pictures. If I can return any of those then that's a bonus! BB

Parents initially then pretty much most musicians I've played with. Oh & a few friends... it always amazes me when people limit their influence list to just a group of musicians / bands that they admire / think are cool.

Personally I'm not bothered by what's on the headstock. Play them both & decide if the Fender is worth the extra cash. I do like the MIM Classic series but hear good things on the Squires these days (like they were in the 80s)

The Boss TU-2 is a good popular choice & is used my most musicians I know

For me you can't beat a Fender. Ideally a P-bass but that's just my tastes

My 57RI is MIJ (1990) & I got a brown tort pickguard for mine back in the 90s no problem. I reckon you'll be alright on EBay

I've just bought one having admired them from afar for years. I'll be putting a thumb rest on mine & depending on the stock sound when I get it to rehearsal upgrading for a SD Antiquity pick up

I used a longhorn about 10yrs ago & was blown away. I wouldn't recommend one as a main bass as they are cheap & cheerful but really good fun. Not sure if the quality has dipped now though

I had an old 75 RI from 1999 that was stunning. It was a reluctant sale a couple of years ago