Cat Burrito

The closest I got to a bass related Xmas present this year was some baddass shoes (debuting at my next gig) and I did impress my step daughter by playing along with her favourite Little Mix song.

I think my band run the risk of winning the fancy dress!

As much as I like to BassCHAT, I also like to BassPLAY... I barely have enough time for the one account!

Another recommendation for Reservoir / Chris. We cut what became the final Case Hardin album there. I only played upright bass on one track but Chris was easy to work with. Definitely more Americana than Rockabilly but it's all just different shades of the same colour.

I have to give a special mention to Hofner's Verythin long scale bass. EVERY time I play it, I get compliments. You get a lot of bass for the money and I took mine on two UK tours and a European tour earlier this year.

When I got divorced the judge said my ex-wife was entitled to 20% of my earnings from music. I replied "so how much will she owe me?"

Having previously fallen foul to the GAS attacks of owning several different colours of the same model, I now have a nice variety for what I do. Fender Jazz Fender Precision Gibson Thunderbird Rickenbacker 4003 Hofner Verythin Long scale Upright bass plus a couple of other basses for mucking about on but these 6 cover all I really need.

I have an Orange 4x10 cab and an Orange 1x15 cab so I would like to respectfully suggest everywhere that is outside of my kitchen!

Thank you, that's very cool. Who were you're old band?

I liked the idea of these but tried one in a shop in Bath a few years back. The neck was more matte than gloss which isn't my preference. Obviously a lot of people are the other way around but that was what put me off.

Oh, cool. Where was that?

My weight did go up in my 30s but having cancer made me look at my life and get myself back in shape. I weigh the same at nearly 47 as I did at 22.

A young(er)one circa '96

Ha! You just beat me by literally seconds!

On the 22nd December 1989, I narrowly scraped into the 80s with my first live performance. It was a less than impressive slot as the band that played the Sixth Form Pantomime in our school production of Cinderella... I'm not sure if she'd have wanted her shoe back after that racket! Fast forward through thirty years and I've definitely had a lot of fun sharing some great, and occasionally not so great stages, with some amazing friends, meeting many of my best mates and generally having a blast. Not sure if I have another thirty years in me but I guess the fun is in the finding out. And 2020 is already looking pretty good for the first few months. Rock on! *Fun fact but the top 3 photos were the same bass, a Fender Precision MIJ 57RI from 1989 that lasted until I went online and discovered GAS. The bottom right photo is a Fender Precision MIJ 57RI from 2016 that shows how life sometimes goes full circle!

I'm another one who did it myself. Twice. I used Nitro Mors to strip and then sanded it to finish. I was really happy with the results.

Just by way of an update, I sent Zilla a slightly curt message saying "if you just want me to go away, I will" - I got a very apologetic reply and this looks to be going ahead for early January. He was in the middle of an office move and I think I just fell fowl of that.

I'm sorry to hear that. It does sound like there were issues in the band anyway so you probably dodged a bullet longer term. I don't think anyone would criticise you for not playing that show. They fired you = a problem for them. Presumably they did that having considered every possible outcome so it's not an issue for you to not do it!?! 😼 If you stuck it out for 4 1/2yrs, you must have been doing something right.

My wife bought me one for Christmas a few years back. I always wear it and like it. Obviously if people can cut costs by doing it themselves, great.

1. Most memorable (for good reasons) gig played: Odal Rock Festival in Norway because we got treated like rock stars. 2. Most memorable (for bad reasons) gig played: First gig in my local pub after coming off a big European support tour. It was life telling me "Know your place!" It didn't help that the landlord was in a bad mood either. 3. Most memorable (for good reasons) gig attended: Michael Monroe in Bristol because I got to meet my hero, bassist Sami Yaffa. 4. Most memorable (for bad reasons) gig attended: Quireboys in Swindon but not for the band... my missus was drinking early & I wound up having to take her home just as the band hit the stage!

Oh & this early environmental song is great too. Harrison was in Chairmen of the Board (of Gimme Just a Little More Time fame). He had the weakest voice but made up for it by having the best hair!

I always liked Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction

I'll go with the mighty Fender Precision because it belongs to most of us! 😺

Absolutely. I practice more now after 31yrs of playing... just wish it hadn't taken so long to work this out! 😺