Cat Burrito

They seem to be the current hate figure on Basschat. I think if you want one, get one, if you don't, they probably aren't for you. I love mine but it is part of a varied collection. I'm using it on a New Wave-esque project but it probably wouldn't suit some of my other ventures.

My first ever bass was a Fender 57 reissue Precision bass, back in the 80s. It was made in Japan. Since then I have owned several P-basses (all Fender or Squier, from USA to Mexican) and they've all delivered. Standouts for me included, a 51 reissue, an all original 1978 and a 70s bitsa. However, they came and went. A couple of years ago I bought a new 57 reissue, also Japanese. It reminds me of my first bass. As others have said I've tried, owned and enjoyed several basses from Gibsons to Rickenbackers to Danelectros and beyond. There is something about the P-bass that means it will always be part of my life, even if I happen to be doing a gig on a Jazz or an upright. Anyhow, here's mine pictured just this afternoon.

I suppose I've done a lot of recording over the last 30 years and I know stories of other players who have had their parts replaced when they have left the studio. To the best of my knowledge this has not happened to me. It's important to me that the recording reflects the band so I want it to be my playing. Simple as that really.

Strengths: I get both the instrument & my role in any band Weaknesses: Not great at harmonies & keep buying kit!

Last night I was thinking that the 60yr old drunk woman dancing right in front of my mic was really drunk. And I kept repeating the phrase "avoid eye contact, avoid eye contact!"

My father was a professional drummer in the 60s. He favoured jazz but as a session player did everything from TV commercials to playing with Dudley Moore and even depped with The Wurzels. He got disillusioned and gave it up to go to teacher training college. I can't complain, it's where he met my Mum. Dad showed me 12 bar blues and also at 15 showed me how cool drum brushes sounded against bass strings.

The Harder They Come was one of my favourite albums in my late teens and I love all the classics from Vietnam to Hard Road to Travel to You Can Get it If You Really Want etc.

I'm in 4 bands and have found time to dep on a couple of occasions too. None of the bands are regular function bands so it is quite easy to juggle. I'm always as busy as I want to be. If a band isn't fun and isn't your livelihood, I would ask anyone, "Why stay?". if it's still giving some enjoyment then you can juggle but don't juggle just out of some misguided loyalty. If you want the gigs, personally I'd be straight with them and stay as long as it took to find a replacement.

Even when I was young I tended to listen to older acts from the 50s - 70s (I grew up in the 80s and 90s). However, the last album I got was by a new band "The Interrupters". Not my usual thing but I just thought it was good. When I go through my collection (I don't stream, I like to own) there are plenty of brand new rockabilly bands from Europe who feature heavily and plenty of acts who are current and tour - so new bands with an older format. I wouldn't claim to be "down wiv da kids" but I like to keep an open mind. That said when people say "this lot are great, they sound like *names band*" I do kinda think, why not just listen to the original?

The very first run of the PF500 heads weren't great but the problem was quickly addressed. It didn't affect any other model. It still often gets mentioned but it was a short run problem years ago.

I LOVE my Ampeg Portaflex PF-50T. All tube goodness and not too heavy. The PF500 & PF800 are great too. I always wanted an Ampeg as a young player & they don't disappoint now I'm older.

I flit between the two during sets and it's less of an issue these days so I think the answers around practicing certainly have a lot of validity. I used to use the controls on my amp initially or just slightly roll back the volume on my bass but these days I don't do anything so I reckon my technique must have improved. Either that or my drummer secretly hates me!

Coming down a division or two, I was at ex-Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley's new band Frehley's Comet 1988 show at the Hammy Odeon which made it into DVD and later YouTube. I mentioned this on a forum on Facebook and got a like from bassman John Regan which I was pleased about. It was my first show and I loved it.

Same day as Elvis. A bad day for icons of music.

I recall back in the 80s reading interviews where the Stones were asked if they were too old to continue because they were 40. Rock 'n' Roll was a new thing in the 50s and it stands to reason we all got older. It was no longer something for the teen-age (sic). I think across rock, blues, country, soul, folk, jazz etc, age is no issue. If you were trying to be in a boy band, I'm sure there is an age limit but personally speaking, at 45 I'm a better player, having more fun and less stress than the 22yr old version of me.

For me he is the blueprint of bass cool. I was but a young child when punk broke but through the older kids of my parent's friends I discovered punk in the early 80s and although I haven't played in a "punk" band for many, many years, the ethos and attitude is still there for me. My greatest compliment as a player was when an audience member remarked that I was "like watching Paul Simonon playing in a country band". I'd question whether I play in "country" but the influence is obviously still ingrained in me all these years later, irrespective of the genre I happen to be playing.

I recently picked up the Squier VM P-bass which is stunning. It's lined which I'm on the fence about but the build quality is exceptional. I owned a couple of high end Squiers in the past, which were my only basses for about 3yrs and this one is equally brilliant. Tonally, feel, weight etc - I can't fault it.

Have you got another one where you aren't blinking?

We're all beautiful in someone's eyes.

You do not need do anything. I've edited the original post but just to confirm we have no intention of pinching people's pictures!

Many of you may well be aware that we have our own Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/basschatuk/ Just an idea but we're always looking for cool pictures of basses / amps / kit that can be shared. Only a couple of the moderators have an input on this page and I am painfully aware of inflicting my tastes on everyone. So this thread is designed for you guys to post any pictures that you'd be happy for us to share (bass related, obviously). Rather than getting inundated with private messages, if you want to submit a photo for consideration, please post it within this thread. Obviously if we get one reply the chances are higher that we'll post it. If we get a load of replies, we'll just pick the ones that we think will do well. Thanks in advance.... I think!?! Nobody need opt out, we won't share without permission! This is simply a thread for you to post pictures, if you wish.

I own two Eastwood basses and rate them highly. I can't help but feel a Beatle bass is a fairly well trodden route so I wonder if it will have the same impact as some of Eastwood's bigger sellers but I am sure they know what they are doing.

A Fender 50s RI Precision bass in two colour sunburst. 1989 Japan model. The neck wound up getting sold on EBay when I decided I wanted a 62 look. That got sold back in 2011 due to a, ahem, change in family circumstances, and I still have the pickup mounted on the pickguard with the knobs. It's not doing anything but I just kinda like the fact that I still have it. That bass played the Marquee Club, appeared on TV and was on all my early recordings so I'm happy to be as sentimental as I can for someone who no longer owns at least 85% of it!

Indeed, I got that - I typed that thinking "I hope he doesn't think I've taken this the wrong way!" 😺