Costas Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Hi everybody. I have been playing bass on and off for about 35 years now. That sounds a lot but the off periods have been quite long. I started with cheapo Spannish guitar for Christmas as a kid so had some idea of what a fretboard was. At Uni in the late 70’s/early 80’s, a pal had a spare bass, a Columbus J copy. He also had a Ricky 4001 and fretless P-bass. I borrowed the J to get started. No tabs or internet in those days so it was listen to the record and figure out what was being played. I managed to buy a tiny practice amp on Totty Court Road not far from Denmark Street to annoy my roommate with. Five years or so working mainly overseas saw little time for bass. Yes I kept the Columbus and lent it to another mate about 10 years later. He still has it but that is another story. I kept going with the J-bass on and off for ages then but no band experience or lessons or real musical know how. Kids came along and music in general got side lined. After a while, with 2 kids and a bigger house I got back to it again and bought an OLP copy of the MM Stingray. This just to see if I would enjoy bass after so long. I did and finally got some lessons in Aberdeen, UK. I had a bit more cash now and quickly added the real thing, a 3 Eq model, the only MM in the shop. I also got a cheapo Fender J from an online auction. More lessons and another guitar later, this time a Ricky 4001 from Vintage and Rare. This was due to my envy of my Uni mate who had that lovely Ricky back in the day. Anyway, it was back overseas again. No teacher, band, musical pals etc. I’m now in Athens and have a bit more time to play. My elder son is a natural muso and he and I played together in the house and had a few “gig” nights for friends. Just drums, bass and guitar. The lad plays pretty much everything. I always hankered after a decent P-bass and most lately bought a Lakland P. I will post some pictures in the relevant “porn” threads. I have just started lessons again. Great to reignite the hobby. I also signed up for some online lessons over the years but this is not the same as face to face with a teacher. My teacher is about my age and we are now talking about getting a small band together for some local gigs. This is still on my bucket list. Musically, I had a keen interest in Motown as a nipper but did not realise the legend, Mr Jamerson, was backing these tracks. So I have mastered a few over the years. I think most folks are influenced most by the music when they are growing up. Late 70’s was punk, New Wave etc which were fairly bass heavy, Jam, Clash, Joe Jackson. This was good as you could actually hear the bass and try to work it out. I still listen to this stuff but most kinds of guitar bands too. RHCP were a favourite. Add in some classics, the Stones, Hendricks etc and that’s mostly my stuff. I play through an Ashdown ABM500 head and 4x12 cab. This was bought with gigging in mind years ago but never quite managed it. So I guess I am still a bed room bass player after 35 years. I look forward to contributing to this forum and finding out how to repair my Ricky and a few other tweaks. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldwinbass Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Easter greetings, and welcome to Basschat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Hey Costas Welcome to the Forum...another Greek on the list - they don't realise we're doing a Trojan Horse on 'em...we'll take over in a couple of years and they wouldn't have even seen it coming.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costas Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Hey, The Greek, I'm from Burnley mate. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saved Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Mom..i see greek people.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Hey Dave, Welcome to Basschat, from sunny Sofia, Bugaria. I'm from Hertfordshire. Cheers Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Welcome. 4x12 cab for bedroom playing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saved Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 All the balkanian people here.. Well,it looks like is the best place for me to be here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 [quote name='Costas' timestamp='1492195975' post='3278679'] Hey, The Greek, I'm from Burnley mate. Dave [/quote] Hey Dave Like Grangur, I'm from Herts...growing up there were only 3x Greek families where I grew up so the label stuck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Welcome to BC. Like you i started with a Columbus J bass and my mate still has it too. Its been defretted and then fretted over the years buts still looks and sounds good. I have a few Greek relatives thru wife's side of the family that live in Xanthi area. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costas Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Hey all and thanks for the welcome. I seems I have accidentally created some confusion here. My nickname is Costas as I adopted it join in the local tradition here of name days. I am simply living and working here. Moved here some 5 years ago from Dubai. I am not Greek, not Emirati but a Lancashire lad. Hopefully this is all clear now. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Shall we start again, Dave from Lancashire? Welcome to BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costas Posted April 16, 2017 Author Share Posted April 16, 2017 Grangur, spot on. We got there in the end. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Welcome Dave Not a Greek from Lancashire via Dubai. Jings i'm confused with all that You do still play bass and its not a front for being guitard by any chance Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbiigg Kev Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Hi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.