oldslapper

First post school paypacket in 1977, bought a mates first attempt at building a bass and his vox 60 watt head into a matching 1x18 cab....gigged it through the first year or two in various punk bands...traded the lot for a leather jacket. Currently play whatever I've bought that week...through whatever I traded the week before ..

Smoooooth transaction with the groove bass. Thanks Benedict, top man.

[quote name='AndyMartin' post='740602' date='Feb 10 2010, 08:16 AM']If I recall correctly the string through models came out in about 1996[/quote] Thanks Andy. John

Anyone know if post 1990 US Fender Jazz models have always had string through bodies, or when did they start to have string through bodies as standard? Or did they do some with just bridge stringing. Thanks. John

[quote name='Apex' post='737635' date='Feb 6 2010, 09:15 PM']I kept quiet on the oriiginal suggestion until I discovered where 'South West' actually was. Coming back to the thread I now understand that it's Bridgewater, or perhaps Bristol, or maybe Shaftsbury or Salisbury. Have we been infiltrated by Guitarists?? Serious suggestion: why don't we have spring bash in the summerzet area to offer something to more southern members, and an autumn one in the Brizzle areal for those who are keen enough to come twice and to cater for more northern and Welsh bretheren. I don't know enough about it to take the lead on the Brizzle event but I'm certainly up for helping out... ....just don't tell Mrs A!!! [/quote] Really not worried where a get together is. I only suggested shaftesbury as I can get a free venue, with parking, coffee bar, rooms for "jamming" with a drummer, luthier set up master class, quiet room for chat/dvd, large hall for showing off yer gear, local retailers with stands and local amenities. The thread has been going for a long time, but haven't seen anyone actually able to offer anything in the way of a venue or taking responsibility for organising it. These events don't just "happen", and if no one else can come up with a working alternative, then all I'm saying is I'm prepared to organise a get together. It can be called the mid-east-southwest bass bash if it helps?? I might just go ahead chuck some dates out, and see if anyone can make it anyway, if not then at least I'll stand a good chance of winning the raffle!

[quote name='farmer61' post='735780' date='Feb 5 2010, 07:50 AM']Shaftsbury ok for me depending on gig dates, btw Mr Pedant here isn't Shaftsbury West of Salisbury and East from Yeovil and the like???? Unless I have the wrong one.... Btw would we be able to get someone along who can do a hands on master class in set ups (action and inntonation) - that would make it worthwhile in itself for me.[/quote] Yes defo get a luthier up for a session. Sorry probably didn't type it k'recly. .....it should read that Shaftesbury is accessible from the east & west via A30 & A303 and north & south via A350. But, it looks like Shaftesbury is a bit far for a few folk from somerset,cornwall & devon, so looking for suggestions further west. It is a very large geographical area I guess so quite ambitious to cover south west. Maybe it should be a Dorset/Wilts/Hampshire bash if held in shaftesbury?? Just a suggestion.

[quote name='elom' post='735591' date='Feb 4 2010, 10:22 PM']It's a big trek from Devon but I'd give it a try. Interestingly only round the corner from my preferred luthier in Henstridge![/quote] oooh!! who's that then? If he's nearby, could invite him to do a "set up" masterclass if the bash is nearby, and drum up some more business for him/her??

Not bothered about looks. Ideal bass: Jazz body, status groove flat neck profile, Warwick wenge/ovankol neck & fingerboard woods, G&L humbuckers & preamp.....as I said not interested in a looker!! This would give me comfort, reliability and some diversity of tone control, but ultimately it's me fingers and fumb that is more important to me in getting what I want at. I don't use FX, I'm confused enough as it is. Didn't reply to the above posts coz I don't understand what you're on about.

[quote name='Master blaster' post='733754' date='Feb 3 2010, 09:08 AM']to far to me . does shaftesbury count as south west? Somewhere more central like taunton or tiverton would be a hell of alot easier for those that live further west[/quote] Sure, really it's not my call. Taunton's straight forward for me to get to, and it's on M5 so easy to get to from Bristol and Devon/Cornwall. Happy to go anywhere and help out if needed, just be nice to have a get together. Know of any good venues that way?

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='733749' date='Feb 3 2010, 08:59 AM']I'd be interested subject to availability. I do repairs for a shop in Westbury, they'd probably be up for doing some sort of trade stand, would you be interested?[/quote] Hey Dom, yes I think that'd be good. maybe they'd like to donate something bassy for a raffle? Proceeds to a good cause. Looks like this needs to be "pinned" to grab a bit more attention and see how many are up for a get together and who's up for sharing the organising.

Sug bought my mini cabs. Nice guy to deal with, great comms all the way through. Cheers, John

Couldn't find You tube link to original of "Florida Room" from Donald Fagan's Kamakiriad album. But check it out on spotify, or WHY. Understated beautiful groove. It's my fav album for driving. Not one for those who like lots of notes, but listen to it and let your neck do the rest.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='731527' date='Feb 1 2010, 12:02 PM']. Hell, what do I know. I'm a Probation Officer.[/quote] Is that the local CARAT team you're holding then?

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='731462' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:02 AM']Its got to be the music. Without that, the basses are just planks of wood with wires attached. I have long thought that some people are so into the gear and messing about with it that they forget to get good at playing it. I acknowledge it is important to invest time and effort in ensuring that your gear is of appropriate professional quality but, after that, its hair splittin' . One of my twitches comes when people say things like 'I like the sound of a Jazz ovber a Precision'. I have no idea what the difference is. Or a graphite nut over a wooden one. Or pick-up configurations. Or woods. I pick up a bass and see if it sounds subjectively 'good' and play on. If it doesn't, I look for another one. But I have only played around 10 basses in my life and all but two were perfectly satisfactory. I guess that's why noone has heard of me :lol:[/quote] Kind of with you on most of that. I don't really understand most of what is discussed about the gear talked about. I just (only just) know how to play and get a decent enough tone that people ask me to play for them....still don't quite know why sometimes. Prior to joining the forum in Sept last year, I seemed quite content with a couple of £400 basses and an old Yorkville rig. 2 years earlier I had the good fortune to have enough local work to go full time. Everything was fine, I loved playing, recording, practising, rehearsing and working with other musicians. It was definately solely about the playing. Then I discovered the "for sale" section, realised what others were playing and had a massive bout of insecurity, comparing my gear to others. And so began the frantic GAS! I've had 5 months of constant swapping/buying/selling to try and.....well I don't know what 've been trying to do really. Anyway, I've gone back to my 2 basses that work, an amp that is reliable and concentrate on being a decent enough player that I can pay the bills whilst doing a job that I absoloutely love. Maybe if I had a windfall, I'd look at a "Woodfoderapentafellow", but I'm not sure if I'd notice the difference, wouldn't make me a better player, or am I missing the point?

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='731362' date='Feb 1 2010, 09:01 AM']Shaftesbury is fine by me, I'm just up the road in Bruton. I've got a lot on my plate but I'm happy to help as time allows.[/quote] Cheers Dom. I teach in Bruton once a week, do you ever go to the acoustic nights? I used to.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='730939' date='Jan 31 2010, 06:42 PM']Put me down as a possible definite. Where and when were you thinking of doing this?[/quote] Don't know yet. I'm in Shaftesbury which is fairly central A30 (M3), A303, A350. So is accessible for Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Bournemouth, Poole, etc. But looks like a lot to organise, but am happy to do whatever I can. I get jealous when I see all these other bash's going on and thought it would be good to get the west country one resurected, there seems to be a couple of people who were happy to organise last time. Have to see what the reaction is to this thread. Cheers, John

Woohooo!!!...it's a boy!!!!!!!! Seriously well done, fantastic stuff.....look at you with yer "giving yer phone number out".....brilliant And the sheer relief for us all...

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='730719' date='Jan 31 2010, 04:12 PM']Great gig, too many beers afterwards, sleeping in? Bad gig, too many beers afterwards, behind bars? [/quote] Or..great gig, too many beers afterwards, behind bars??

I'm done with pacing up and down the hall, I've gone through 40 fags waiting......someone WAKE HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!

I'd like to make Pete blush a bit more...he's just walked out my front door with a spector 5 string and is a thoroughly nice chap, even ziggy the dog approved, and that is the highest recommendation known to man. I would also like to add that he gave me some money too, before walking out.........which is always a bonus. Thanks Pete, enjoy! John