Cat Burrito

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!" 😺

I guess it depends how much semi pro or amateurs play though, as well as what priorities they have in their lives? Personally speaking, bass isn't my main occupation but I play in 4 different bands who all play slightly different styles plus I occasionally dep / do sessions so my 10 for me is *high end acceptable*. And they are all slightly different too - golfers don't have one club and painters don't have one brush.

One of my bands has just cut a few songs in the studio and we're looking to self release. We'd like to do a vinyl release but appreciating that most punters would probably opt for a CD, we figured our best option would be to release a CD that looks like a mini record. It's a 50s style band so it would link in with the whole image of things. I was happy with an all card cover (like the freebie ones that come with newspapers) but he wants to spend extra so it has a paper inner sleeve as well. I've googled around a bit, found a couple of companies but wondered if any of you had any direct recommendations? I'm not looking for any other formats i.e. digipack etc as I don't want to go back to the band and wind up having a long talk shop. Any links much appreciated. ta.

D'Addario strings now do recyclable packaging which I think is more relevant. Instruments get recycled in that they are sold on so I think that there are better ways that Hofner could look at how their products impact on the environment.

The collection is now more of an army with added fretless, Flying V & Uke basses;

There's also a Flying V, a Fretless and a Uke that have been bought since I took this... so 10, apparently. At least they are all different.

Sneaky Pete is something of a pussycat really (er, um!?!) but he won't hear a bad word said about my Rickenbacker and as he lost an eye in a fight once, I'd advice everybody to pick any battles carefully!

I love my Ric. I'm actually in the process of using it on a new recording project I am doing at the moment & it's the first time I have recorded on just one bass for a whole album. I bought secondhand as I didn't fancy the full on expense but I've really bonded with this one. The expensive bit is the furry security guard I have to employ because of all the haters!

I use the Ampeg PF-50t which if the retro stylings are to your tastes is great for a not too heavy and more controllable volume setting. I've had bigger in the past, I've used Class D stuff but this really ticks the boxes for me. I find it puzzling that it isn't a more popular head. I guess a few people are put off by the look.