Cat Burrito

I was in a band with two brothers. Lots of arguing. Both old enough to know better. 32yrs of playing and I am still actively avoiding being in a band with a married couple!

I have an occasional band that does a CCR tribute. I learnt the 6 albums note for note and we did a few gigs over a 3 or 4 year period. Our drummer left and when we auditioned a replacement (who is excellent) it all sounded wrong. He too had learnt everything as per the recordings but we (the band) had naturally evolved and moved away from the recordings over that period without really realising. Generally I tend to go for a feel otherwise, unless I am required to learn it perfectly.

I think the bronze strings pump out the volume but compromise on tone with an acoustic bass. Personally I prefer flats on an electro acoustic bass as the tone is more to my taste... but of course the volume is compromised.

I've owned several and rate them highly. I moved to Orange a while ago but Ampeg was always solid & reliable. The Portaflex cabs were great. Medium weight but sturdy. I had a 4x10 (the heaviest), a 2x10 and a 1x15. The heavy ones have side handles so easier to carry and all have super cool retro stylings. My personal favourites & I loved flipping the lid with the head underneath. I also had the SVT ones which were older. These looked good, sounded great but were heavier. I always ran mine with Ampeg heads but did have a phase of using an old 1978 alll valve Fender Bassman head (brilliant sound, heaviest rig ever) and an Orange Terror head - again sounded great. New(er) more lightweight cabs exist now but I think the Ampeg stuff is so classic & iconic that most owners don't mind the weight as they sound great and are no heavier than the stuff players had in days gone by.

Was that your model? I picked it up from Classic & Cool guitars. 2012 serial number but it looks brand new.

I've been listening to a lot of old 60s records recently & then went on to some post punk. An occasional instrument that kept cropping up was the baritone bass. Co-incidentally I am in the studio this week and a track has a melody in it that would really suit a baritone, so I picked this up new for £299. A definite shot in the dark as there are NO YouTube videos and no references that I could find on Basschat's search setting. I was initially taken by the baby blue finish and the retro vibe. There's the whole "is it a bass or is it a guitar" angle and to be fair with the 6 strings and tremolo, I could understand people (who probably haven't heard it) arguing for the later. However, the lower register is definitely the domain of the bass player (& I am not letting my guitarist play the melody line - other than ghosting my part, if he behaves and asks nicely!). Some of the frets feel a little rough but I can sort that (it's a £299 bass so I don't want to belittle some poor quality control) and it needs a set up. The NBD was actually yesterday but I must confess I can't stop playing it. I guess I would sum it up as the bass for the bassist that already has "too many" basses. No case or trimmings at that price but I think once I get a clear go at tidying it up, it'll be great. Looking forward to getting it down in the studio.

It was a new feature when the site moved to a new server. It was intended as a bit of fun, an add on. It's not been massively used but some seem to like it.

On the strength of his short lived rap career, I'd be inclined to agree!

I'd feel a fraud posting this in recording as I am basically miming on a uke bass inside a toy car but here's a clever little video we did on a budget of £27. Trying to be creative during these difficult times. The band is getting a bit of interest in Spain now and it's frustrating that we can't get out there at the moment. Anyhow, hopefully this'll make a couple of you smile for a minute or so

You can lightly scuff up the bit you hold with a brillo pad if you want to get a bit more grip on a new one.

I put mine in standby mode first but it ranges 30 seconds to several minutes, if I get distracted. I think Orange gear is pretty robust and if we look after it, generally it lasts.

Always liked these but my good lady didn't like the look... until we watched a YouTube bass video and she had to admit it had the best sound of all the basses!

I spent the day shouting TWO METRES!!!!!

I nearly Googled it but didn't want to appear too keen!

Craig Adams left and re-joined the Mission. I can't remember his name but the original bassist is back with Ratt... problematic in that I am now the one who has publicly raised this!

New video coming soon. Here's the trailer...

I'm another one with Orange. They sent out some free bulbs when the light went on a new amp. I've contacted them a couple of times and they were exceptional. The only bad is I wish they'd give me an endorsement deal!

I saw that Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx nominated himself for this the other week

I don't think I have ever posted a motivational meme before but I guess this explains the other side of things pretty well.

Yeah, absolutely. I'm sure that's a huge part of it.

I think there is a wider issue with our interest around celebrity death. When I heard about Eddie Van Halen, I went on Basschat and a notification came up on the 2020 deaths thread, as I had posted before. When I went on it there must have been 20-30 users viewing that thread. I'm not personally a fan of Van Halen but my social media would suggest all my friends were, not that I remember many of them mentioning it. I guess it us acknowledges a part of our childhoods that has now gone. Personally I have no issue with people posting playing tributes. if I am not interested, I won't click. I thought for years that these public displays started with Diana but Lennon & Elvis show that the public response is generally, um, public.

Very nice colour combination. That's exactly what I'd go for if I went for a MM.

I try not to be intimidated by the musicianship of others, as said earlier by @chris_b. It's an opportunity to develop and learn, plus I would hope I bring something to every band I have been in. The closest I come to this predictament is the guitarist in my current main band is generally regarded as the best musician for miles and he started as a bass player. He has an incredible musical ear and has worked full time as a musician for over 35yrs. However I find his bass playing just a little bit too full on ALL THE TIME. He knows how to play but maybe not how NOT to play. Musically far superior to me but the singer / songwriter said to me just recently during a mix, "you tell him, he seems to respect you the most". In my humble opinion, the best musicians are those that can find value in even the most novice of players. Music isn't competitive! It's best when we are able to bring out the best in each other.

I like the simplicity of the vintage white which I can liven up with a funky pickguard.