The passing of a Basschat legend (sad news inside)

[ped]

Yesterday we were contacted by the family of Martin Berry, who you may know better as MB1, and informed of his passing on the weekend at the age of only 59.

 

Martin was a moderator on Basschat for as long as I can remember. Like all of us, he was here because he had a passion for music. His family are well aware of the extent of his 'wheeling and dealing' and how much he enjoyed being a part of this community which he helped us create. As a moderator, his style was forgiving, and always combined with a sense of humour so left-field that it often left me scratching my head.

 

Now and then, when he could remember his login, Martin would get a taste of blood and go on a 'moderation bender' and moderate the hell out of BC for a few days before resuming his buying and selling habit. All the time, his interest was in keeping the forum fair and fun, and everyone he dealt with was on the receiving end of his sharp wit and kind nature.

 

His family have promised to share information about his funeral in due course. I will update the thread with details for anyone able to attend, or perhaps set some time aside at the time to contemplate how short life can be, and how we should all take a leaf out of Martin's book and enjoy it whilst we can.

 

Please raise a glass for MB1, rest in peace mate and remember, even valve amps are weightless in heaven

 

On behalf of the Basschat team

 

 

Martin Berry playing an Alembic Epic he probably bought and sold on Basschat 

[King Tut]

That's really sad. RIP MB1

[franzbassist]

Sad news, and way too young.  MB1 was one of the good guys.

[Old Horse Murphy]

So sad. Martin was a lovely guy and the lifeblood of Basschat. The forum will be a colder place without him. 
 

I had many dealings with Martin over the years and he was always an absolute pleasure and naturally very funny. I really used to enjoy receiving pm's from him as they always made me laugh. 
 

My thoughts are with his family and friends. 

Edited August 20, 2021 by Old Horse Murphy

[Groove Harder]

Oh no, that's real sad news! 59 is no age. RIP MB1 😢

[howdenspur]

Very sorry to hear that, sad news indeed. RIP MB1.

[AndyTravis]

FFS!

 

Martin and I go back about 10 years!!

 

We bought and sold each other so much gear it was a borderline joke.

 

When we had our youngest in hospital (Martin was a hospital Porter), he was there - and brought his left field humour to keep us going - he checked in with Jen and I as well as saying hello to family and the kids.

 

“I’m yer dads mate…I buy all the bass stuff he regrets” 😂

 

What a bloody awful shame.

 

gutted.

[warwickhunt]

No more MB1... 

 

Thoughts are with his family and friends.  RIP

[KiOgon]

That's shocking, no age at all, my condolences to his family and friends.

 

I only knew Martin through his 'wheeling and dealing' here, always a pleasure to deal with.

 

RIP MB1

[wateroftyne]

Terrible news. What a lovely chap. He'll be a huge miss.

[Doctor J]

Very sad to hear this

[pete.young]

Very sad news. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Martin.

[Rich]

So sad to think that I'm never going to see another post that begins with

 

MB1 😎

 

again. As others have said, 59 is no age at all. RIP brother, my deepest condolences to your family.

Edited August 20, 2021 by Rich

[lowdown]

Sad to hear this and really no age.

 

R.I.P MB1

Edited August 20, 2021 by lowdown

[bigthumb]

Gutted, truly am. Met him once when delivering a bass to his house in Manchester. A lovely and funny guy and I would have loved to stay a bit longer chewing the fat. 

 

MB1 😎

 

RIP and you'll be very much missed. 

[cetera]

Terribly sad news. RIP Martin....

[Merton]

Gutted to read this, he has been a stalwart on here and been a pleasure to talk to in the past  RIP Martin

[three]

Utterly devastating news - a mad and beautiful force of nature

[Hellzero]

Sad and terrible news. Will be missing the MB1 and the comment following. May he rest in peace.

[Linus27]

Very sad news, R.I.P MB1.

[BlueMoon]

Very sad news........and so young!

 

May he rest in peace.

 

[Geddys nose]

Lovely guy I spent many a hour chewing the fat on all things Bass and life, I considered him a friend really.

 

RIP Martin gone but never forgotten.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

Ugh, that’s just awful news. Condolences to Martin’s family. RIP.

[paul_5]

Martin was one of only a handful of BCers I met in real life- true to form he was giving away a practice amp.

 

I remember having a brew and a natter about tons of different stuff (Warwick Buzzards in particular) and remember thinking that he was a really lovely guy. 
 

RIP Martin.

[Beedster]

Damn, a truly wonderful guy, one of the few humans with whom I was able to communicate telepathically

 

Beedster: Hey Martin.......

MB1: You want me to reopen one of your For Sale threads don't you?

Beedster: Thanks Martin

 

He bought a rig from me a while back and there were complications involving, you guessed it, a courier, and we had a chat on the phone. What a bloody lovely guy, bloody lovely. Great sense of humour and a great attitude. Every time we PM'd since I could hear his voice and his accent as I read his words.

 

Up there in the great gig (and even better gear forum) in the sky now mate. I'll raise a glass or two to you this evening, as will a lot of musicians in the UK and beyond who you touched with passion and humour. 

 

Sincere condolences to those you've left behind

 

Chris