Cat Burrito

Jesse Malin "Sunset Kids" on LP record (vinyl, if you are a hipster). Superb Lucinda Williams production 😼

I'm afraid as my playing came from the generation before i.e. Guns N Roses / Quireboys etc, this was the death of my era so I took an unnatural aversion to all of this. With hindsight I probably closed my mind and ears to a lot of new music but I wasn't ready to see the back of the current crop.... even though I'd be first to admit that the record industry had seriously diluted the talent pool with the likes of Warrant / Winger and those awful newer bands (at the time).

One careful owner. May benefit from new strings and a setup

I went through an Epiphone phase about 15yrs ago and wound up owning most of the range. The Jack Cassady bass stood out as my personal favourite, followed closely by the Thunderbird... in fact I might flip that order. The EB-3 had neck dive (which didn't bother me) and mine was actually really light. The reason it didn't go the distance was that the pickups were so weak and feeble. I toyed with the idea of doing it up but the decent pickups were the same value as the bass so I cut my losses. I'm assuming the pickups have been upgraded since then. The Flying V also had the same problems (despite being short scale), in case anyone wondered.

I had a practice bass amp by them and it was great. I preferred the tone to some of the name brands I have used! Equally my 3 piece have used their PA and no worries at all. I know there is better kit out there but it is all perfectly serviceable.

I like a light bass and heavy fingers

I have no problem with it as long as they capture the spirit of the band. What some people forget is often an original member might be a fan favourite but the replacement isn't going to be a rubbish player. To audition and get in a name band you have to at least be of a certain standard so usually, from my experience, you wind up watching a decent show.

I tried these a few years ago and they were really good for the money. May have to pick up another set, not that I ever change flats

I always liked the Seymour Duncan Antiquity range for classic P bass tones but I agree you can get a good tone from good technique, whatever the pickup.

It's all the same to me. I'm okay with bass man or low ender too, when the reviewer is trying to look all fancy

It certainly looks to me like one of the 70s Japanese copies. Some were quite good (I had a great 1971 Jazz) but the neck sounds like it has had it. I'd either pass or if you are super keen, get a cheap neck for it. Certainly no real value in that condition. Even the decent ones are worth significantly less than you'd think. It always used to be the budget way to own a vintage bass.

Out of interest, who won?

I had two of the Japanese reissues and it's the one model I regret selling. I loved the pickup and everything about the bass. I guess if you dodge a few salads you might miss the cutaway but it wasn't a problem for me. Would love to get one again once funds allow.

Sisters of Mercy seem to do a small handful every year and also never record anymore.

I've done it a few times and it doesn't phase me. I think I'm usually in a place where I acknowledge all aspects of what has happened (& why) so just go and enjoy it. I can't think of an occasion where I haven't enjoyed the performance. A different story seeing my old Sixth Form band after I got kicked out. We're all older and wiser now :)

I don't mind a bit of bad boy behaviour from the stars but every time I've seen a guitarist so much as whip a shirt off down the Green Dragon, mid set halfway through that Stereophonics cover everybody seems to do, I've tended to think *(insert whatever words our spam filters would change right here)*

Knock off H's to go with the David Bowie LPs?

Thanks for sharing this. In a bizarre twist, my wife wants to watch it with me later 😎

I probably am now I'm older but I did wobble on occasions right up until my early 30s. Shout out to the many fine drummers who are bang on the money for showing up, learning the parts & being thoroughly decent.

There are plenty of musicians who do show up on time, do practice, do pay their way and occasionally, just occasionally, even get a round in! Sounds to me like you @OP, have been unlucky.... and we've all been there.

I was up to 5 bands earlier this year and it wasn't actually the conflict that people might think. Upon reflection, it had potential to get difficult but I think with a bit of juggling three is perfectly manageable, depending upon home life, work etc. If you are straight with people, I don't see a problem. Plus it's easier to forget that playing with other people actually makes you a better player.

From our last UK tour , taken last night. Awesome Orange rig delivered EVERY night.

Get a Powerball to build up strength (Amazon do them fairly cheaply). Little and often is how to practice initially. YouTube is good and use some fret markers in the early days. It's a different instrument so don't treat it like a bass guitar. The Johnny Cash basslines are pretty simple, as are a lot of old rock 'n' roll classics so a great place to start.