3below

Effects - what are they, no not at all, not ever. As with some others, bass, cable, amp, cab and playing technique. Trying to use an effects pedal would make me even more likely to forget the chord sequences, and I have enough difficulty remembering them as it is.

Many years ago aged 15 I made myself a tele bass body to use with a Columbus bass neck. Looked the part. Neck heavy and dive were undersatements. Some lead or depleted uranium at the body strap end would help the balance. Depends if you like your basses heavy or slightly radioactive. also DU is hard to obtain.

Perceptions, perceptions, I once lent my G&L SB1 (before tribute era) to another player (only for an hour..) to have the comment "why do you have a copy bass". Enough said, he was quite happy with his Squire Jazz, me with with my G&L. Nowadays I do not bother about the labels, I just play them, does it sound good, will it fall apart is my test. There are some beautiful basses about (I always wanted a Wal, alembic, EB3, jayDee...), I would be heartbroken if I had one and it was damaged / stolen at a gig or otherwise. Currently we are spolt with Yamaha, Ibanez, vantage. Vintage, G&L tribute etc, etc.... quality at knock down prices. Can I replace my 85 G&L SB1 - unlikely, can I replace the aforementioned - easily. Play it, if it feels good and sounds good ignore the label, more so if it's dirt cheap. 21 years with the G&l and having done 58 EB2, 77 Precision, 81 John Birch and 78 Ric bass for me its the keeper. It was also the second cheapest (EB2 was only £85 or so in 1975)

Super build shots, I am starting on Omni 15 full range with the new plans after Xmas. Where & what PU glue did you source?

If I sang it would not be a good thing, not a good thing at all. Now add bass playing as well and we have a really bad situation. I have the greatest respect for those who can sing, and as for singing and playing bass - Phil Lynott rules. Those who can do both, I am most envious you lucky people.

All I get from school is free chalk and paperwork, some people have all the luck. Speak to your Design Technology team or technician nicely, ply them with wine or beer to taste. They may well patch the damage up with thin inlays + glue the fingerboard (or replacement) back on. Strip it back, stain darker, refinish. A fun knockabout DB for minimal cost. Result. Enjoy.

The headstock has been done with sufficient accuracy that the E has not got a straight pull - just like my 77 Precision was and my 85 G&L SB1 is. A real nice looking bass, just get the pickup of choice on (if needed) and save a fortune with GAS avoidance. (spelling edit)

Saw Wilko Johnson using HH combo, seemed to work rather well for him. I had an IC100 and HH 2x15. Seemed OK at the time (1980 ish) with 77 precision, but would not like to judge by today's standards. Celidh band I was in used HH pa amp for many years, light good sound & realiable. Had the offer of degree sandwich year at HH but did not take it up in the end. The good old days before the 80s recession.

Glad to hear Tokai is going well with VBA and 7400 cab. My back is better as well . Enjoy

Have seen the pic, know the quality. Nice bass, if you find you don't use it....... mail me

I use a Tour 700 with Barefaced Big One. Really rate the sound - most of the time I use it set flat. Tuner out is useful. Sub Octaver - what were they thinking of. Graphic can be switched out so it becomes a 5 knob amp, pre & post gain, bass, treble and contour. Contour is useful. I like having the graphic for double bass use and / or dealing with difficult rooms. Weight is ok even including Gator rack case. Not the loudest thing ever with the Barefaced cab, as it's only 500W at 8 Ohms. As ever try them and see.

Ah the late 70s, the days of grants at university, so I doubled my my money on a 1958 EB2 and bought a 77 precision new with some of my first grant cheque. Still owe my wife on some of that one when it caught up with me. It was a strange mixture, excellent quality parts but poorly assembled. I wrote to Fender UK, got a handbook / setup advice in return. Followed the instructions and voila an excellent bass. It had the best action I have ever had from a bass. Some of this may have been to do with the shop I bought from - no setup I guess, but I would have expected better for a premium instrument. I think Jazz basses were something like £25 extra at the time. Like all instruments there will be good ones and the rest. Current bass is a 1985 G&L SB1, for me it just does it all, and it magically stays in tune for weeks on end.. play it, put in case, bring back out & in still in tune, it is becoming a talking point in band. Have had it for 17 + years and no intention of changing.

No money, a few non paying charity gigs (through choice) but I have started playing again which is fun. Whether I (we) can ever get back to the 40+ per year sensible paying gigs per year of my youth remains to be seen. It's like being 18 again.. without the energy, drive and ego, but with a little more sense, experience, tolerance and ability. Sounds like see paint drying. For me the plus is playing again after a long period of not playing when life took over - job ?, ++ marks wife, ++marks daughter, --marks my stupidity. My wife's business (fashion, not music) has survived, less per person, more people buying fwiw. Moneys too tight to mention...