Major-Minor Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hi guys / girls This chat thing is new to me! I'm probably a bit too old for this but hey .....got to keep up with the times! I've been playing bass guitar since I was 18 (40 years ago), double bass since I was 14. So I should know a thing or two about them by now. Been pro all my life (BBC mostly - plus all sorts of other stuff). My first bass was a Hagstrom 8 string (in octaves) - but I removed the higher octave and just used it as a 4 string. Then in 1972 I bought a 1961 Fender Jazz for £150 - a lot of money in those days. My weekly wage in a Mecca dance hall (5 nights a week) was only £35. This bass must be worth a bob or 2 by now (any ideas ? - I'd love to know). In fact i got rather nervous about taking it on gigs (especially in dodgy pubs) so i recently bought a Yamaha TRB1005 (5 string) which I've grown to love. I had a Status 5 string for a while but never really felt comfortable with it - i think the neck was too small - 5 strings crammed into a 4 string space. Being a double bass player i suppose I like something chunky to get hold of. I also have an Aria Fretless which sadly is rather underused. Mostly the bandleaders I work for want DB or fretted bass guitar. I have tried all sorts of strings over the years but always go back to Rotosound Swing bass. I've had loads of different amps over the years - Marshall / Vox / Park / Carlsboro / Peterson / Custom / Ohm to name but a few. I now have 2 Galeon-Kreuger MB150's (one for the BG and one for DB - I often "double" on both instruments). What a great little amp - so easy to cart around and an amazing sound for such a small amp. On my wish list: Overwater 5 string - fretted and fretless. Tried a fretted one recently - fantastic!! Just wish I could afford them......... Best wishes to you all Bye for now Major F Minor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoe_BillySheehan Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hello Of course your not too old for this forum! we've got all ages on here Z x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='511363' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:16 PM']Hello Of course your not too old for this forum! we've got all ages on here Z x[/quote] Thanks for making me feel welcome ! The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoe_BillySheehan Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='Major-Minor' post='511383' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:30 PM']Thanks for making me feel welcome ! The Major[/quote] My pleasure and its what im known for! haha Z x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 You can only come in if you like Jazz. The rock and pop sections are full Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_b Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hey Major - welcome! I'm pretty new round here too - but it seems like a good crowd! If you get fed up with that old Jazz I expect someone round here will be willing to take it off you hands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='511390' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:32 PM']You can only come in if you like Jazz. The rock and pop sections are full [/quote] I love jazz - and I play as much jazz as I can fit in. No money in it tho! Purely for pleasure. And creativity.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='johnny_b' post='511391' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:33 PM']Hey Major - welcome! I'm pretty new round here too - but it seems like a good crowd! If you get fed up with that old Jazz I expect someone round here will be willing to take it off you hands... [/quote] But for how much ? Last quote I had (from a dealer) was £2000 but that was 20 years ago...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Welcome Major. Great name -"The Major". Like an Avengers villain or a porn star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='BigBeefChief' post='511437' date='Jun 11 2009, 05:15 PM']Welcome Major. Great name -"The Major". Like an Avengers villain or a porn star.[/quote] No comment..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='511390' date='Jun 11 2009, 04:32 PM']You can only come in if you like Jazz. The rock and pop sections are full [/quote] You can only come in if you like Jazz. The rock and pop sections are full That was an echo from the jazz section. Sorry. Welcome to Basschat MfM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Ahh welcome along sir, there's plenty of us slightly older chaps about, although at a positively youthful 44, I'm still hoping there's time to get rich and famous sometime soon. You're right to lust after an Overwater, I just sold my Progress 5 (WHY? Don't ask) and it was sublime, much to the joy of its new owner, so I'm now back to a couple of battered Fenders, and I'm happy with that....for now. Jazz, metal, funk, pop, reggae, country etc etc....all welcome here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Welcome and try not to think about age. There are a few of us pensioners here who are still gigging regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bass Doc Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hi there from another oldie (first paying gig 1964). I've got a 1962 Jazz but it's modified and probably not worth as much as yours - photograph would be interesting - it's our idea of porn on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='511975' date='Jun 12 2009, 11:40 AM']Hi there from another oldie (first paying gig 1964). I've got a 1962 Jazz but it's modified and probably not worth as much as yours - photograph would be interesting - it's our idea of porn on here.[/quote] Actually mine is not exactly in mint condition. When i bought it (1972) it was a horrid grey colour so I did what was quite the trend in those days and stripped it down to the bare wood and then stained it sort of teak colour and laquered it. Also early on i removed the pickup cover,bridge cover, and thumb rest. I think I might have them somewhere in the loft ! Not too sure. So presumably that will affect the value ? Not that I intend to sell it - just interested from an investment point of view. The money might come in handy when I finally have to give up playing - hopefully not for many years yet but you never know..... Not got a photo of it - will have to sort that out. Tally Ho The Major (Major F Minor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='obbm' post='511854' date='Jun 12 2009, 09:29 AM']Welcome and try not to think about age. There are a few of us pensioners here who are still gigging regularly.[/quote] I'm not quite a pensioner yet - not far off tho' But hi there - and thanks for making me feel welcome. Tally Ho The Major (Major F Minor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='Major-Minor' post='512005' date='Jun 12 2009, 12:01 PM']I'm not quite a pensioner yet - not far off tho'[/quote] Ooops! Sorry! Got a bit carried away. Played my first paid gig in about 1962 before The Beatles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='Major-Minor' post='511431' date='Jun 11 2009, 05:12 PM']But for how much ? Last quote I had (from a dealer) was £2000 but that was 20 years ago......[/quote] Oh go on then..... I'll give you 2 grand for it...... then you won't have to stress about taking it out the house anymore!!! ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 You're never too old to natter with like-minded people about stuff you really enjoy Although a lot of technology-based stuff is always perceived as being the domain of the young you'd be amazed at the average age profile of a lot of web sites. Forums like BC & places like Facebook and, previously, Friends Reunited have been brilliant at allowing people to just natter away with each other (albeit a little remotely at times!). You'll be amazed at how quickly you can strike up new friendships here You should definitely get some pics of the Jazz & don't even think about selling it in the current market! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Welcome, from another gigging (almost) pensioner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 £35 a week was a good wage in 1972 - I was a shop assistant on £12 a week then. I bought my first bass in 72 and I remember choosing between 2 - one in Barretts and one in A1 Manchester. Barretts was full of new Fenders and the only one I could afford was a music master for £35, but it was at the top of my budget and I went for an old Hofner for £25 from A1 instead. It took weeks to pay for at £3.00 a time when I could afford it, (I had to give my mum £3.50 a week for board). I immediately stripped all the paint off and varnished it, then I swapped it for a motorbike which I never got running! Fast forward to 1979 and I bought a customised 1963 Fender jazz for £150, I still have that one and it's been my only bass ever since. It was built buy Lee Osborne in Bolton out of parts and I don't know how much of it is original, but it's one of a kind and feels like another limb. I was perfectly happy with it until joining this forum and now I'm thinking of buying a new bass, possibly a precision! It's interesting to look back and realise that things are much cheaper relatively nowadays and we have so much more choice (too much IMO). Anyway Major, welcome to the forum from a fellow Manc and remember you're only as old as you feel.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='crez5150' post='512014' date='Jun 12 2009, 12:07 PM']Oh go on then..... I'll give you 2 grand for it...... then you won't have to stress about taking it out the house anymore!!! ;o)[/quote] Maybe I'm looking for a little more than 2K ! In any case i don't intend to sell it yet - not until I've grown too old to play.... and hopefully thats a few years off yet. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='Telebass' post='512108' date='Jun 12 2009, 01:49 PM']Welcome, from another gigging (almost) pensioner![/quote] Cheers Telebass - thanks for the welcome. the Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='molan' post='512081' date='Jun 12 2009, 01:17 PM']You're never too old to natter with like-minded people about stuff you really enjoy Although a lot of technology-based stuff is always perceived as being the domain of the young you'd be amazed at the average age profile of a lot of web sites. Forums like BC & places like Facebook and, previously, Friends Reunited have been brilliant at allowing people to just natter away with each other (albeit a little remotely at times!). You'll be amazed at how quickly you can strike up new friendships here You should definitely get some pics of the Jazz & don't even think about selling it in the current market![/quote] Molan my dear boy - you are right - everybody is so very friendly ! How jolly nice. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 [quote name='redstriper' post='512429' date='Jun 12 2009, 08:51 PM']£35 a week was a good wage in 1972 - I was a shop assistant on £12 a week then. I bought my first bass in 72 and I remember choosing between 2 - one in Barretts and one in A1 Manchester. Barretts was full of new Fenders and the only one I could afford was a music master for £35, but it was at the top of my budget and I went for an old Hofner for £25 from A1 instead. It took weeks to pay for at £3.00 a time when I could afford it, (I had to give my mum £3.50 a week for board). I immediately stripped all the paint off and varnished it, then I swapped it for a motorbike which I never got running! Fast forward to 1979 and I bought a customised 1963 Fender jazz for £150, I still have that one and it's been my only bass ever since. It was built buy Lee Osborne in Bolton out of parts and I don't know how much of it is original, but it's one of a kind and feels like another limb. I was perfectly happy with it until joining this forum and now I'm thinking of buying a new bass, possibly a precision! It's interesting to look back and realise that things are much cheaper relatively nowadays and we have so much more choice (too much IMO). Anyway Major, welcome to the forum from a fellow Manc and remember you're only as old as you feel..............[/quote] That brings back memories - mention of A1 Repairs that is. I used to go into Ann and Grahame's shop regularly in the mid to late 60s. The band i was in could not afford gear from Barratts although we used to go in there and drool over the nice shiny new stuff. A1 was mostly second hand gear. Do you remember when you had to go down through a trap door to view all the stuff in the basement ? The ground floor shop was tiny and packed tightly with gear and there was a musty damp smell down there. I remember buying our first PA system there - Vox I think - and later we upgraded to a WEM. Good ole days! Of course they expanded hugely over the years. And then they sold out to one of the big chains (can't remember who) and up until recently when it shut down, it was a Sound Control store. As you so rightly say, gear has never been cheaper than now. Having said that, if you want real quality you still have to pay top dollar. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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