Gift for my brother’s 40th

[AndyTravis]

So, in a few days my big brother turns 40.

 

We played in bands together for years, and him having guitars in the house was my gateway to playing bass.

 

Recently he’s expressed frustration that he’s not playing as much anymore and wants to get back into playing.

 

When we were kids, I had an old yamaha bb300 and he got a matsumoku Westone Spectrum ST.

 

Spoiled really - both of us playing really decent quality beginner instruments.

 

In an ill-advised (probably cider fuelled) bout of “I want to be Kurt Cobain” he started sanding paint off and cutting bits off the westone.

 

Eventally, the bits all ended up in a skip as he absolutely destroyed it.

 

That was about 1998.

 

I came across this at a lovely little shop (Marvel Guitars in Timperley, Altrincham)

 

And away we go…

 

 

[jimmyb625]

That's a great gift!

 

I've never been into that place, despite it being fairly local. What's it like?

[AndyTravis]

1 minute ago, jimmyb625 said:

That's a great gift!

 

I've never been into that place, despite it being fairly local. What's it like?

My mate Rick owns it.

 

It’s a brilliant little shop - he’s quite acoustic heavy, stock wise…but has the odd used Gem in.

 

He’s also better on string prices than a lot of places. I try to order/buy bits from him regularly - he’s got about 10/15 basses in - and occasionally some nice used bass gear.

[uk_lefty]

Superb gift. Well done!

[AndyTravis]

I suppose my point of this thread was - do you still have your first bass?

 

I hope it inspires him to “start again” - he really was a stunning guitarist, full of musicality - not a big soloist, but was a great textural player.

 

Always had great timing and feel.

[AndyTravis]

For context, haha…

 

love this guy. 
 

last time we played together was his wedding. That was 4 years ago.

[AndyTravis]

Just been to mum and dads. Found the pic!

[Daz39]

22 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

My mate Rick owns it.

 

It’s a brilliant little shop - he’s quite acoustic heavy, stock wise…but has the odd used Gem in.

 

He’s also better on string prices than a lot of places. I try to order/buy bits from him regularly - he’s got about 10/15 basses in - and occasionally some nice used bass gear.

Is that next to Timperley tram stop? I keep droving past to/from the in-laws.

[AndyTravis]

29 minutes ago, Daz39 said:

Is that next to Timperley tram stop? I keep droving past to/from the in-laws.

Yeah, window full of ukes and books

[pbasspecial]

Wasn’t Frank from Timperely?

[AndyTravis]

22 minutes ago, pbasspecial said:

Wasn’t Frank from Timperely?

Think so yes.

[pbasspecial]

Think they erected a statue in Timperely for Frank/Chris Sivey