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Current install...

Well, As I was dropping off a pick up for rewinding, I decided to jazz up my Jaguar bass with a new scratchplate. Looking through the material, I could not decide so I bought 3! They were cut to size using some sort of scanner as the short scale Jags are a different size. I fitted the darker tort in the end but thought id send out images for anyone interested in changing the standard black one. I might swap as I see fit 🙂 In the images they still have the protective layer to pull off.

The one after that: "Why You Shouldn't Buy a Boutique Bass!"

The issue with replicating the sound you hear on records is that you don't have access to extensive, high quality eq and production tools that were used in the studio when the recording was made. There is also a big difference between achieving a particular sound at moderate volume in a domestic environment and doing so at high volume in a live situation. As others point out, Andy Fraser used valve heads and 4x12 cabs. Even then, what you heard when he played live would be from the PA (I'm old enough to have seen Free play several times), not direct from his rig. If you want that sound live without it dirtying up too much (you mention you have issues getting it clean enough), you need a lot of amplification and cabs to shift enough air without running into too much distortion. A single 12 isn't going to cut it at anything higher than moderate volume, I'm afraid. You mention that the 4x10 at your rehearsal room is better. That isn't to do with the driver size, but because it can shift more air without struggling too much. The only option, unless you are running the bass through the PA and can keep the level low on stage, is a bigger rig. Modern lightweight stuff will ease the load on your back, but it will still be bulky. I'd also suggest the Orange Terror isn't the best amp to achieve what you're looking for. It has a strong baked-in sound - very punchy and in your face and perfect for some things, but not for what you want. Something like a Tone Hammer would be more like it, but look at the 700w version so you can keep it clean at higher volume. As always, don't take our word for it. Go shopping and try stuff.

Welcome If you're using a BF BigBaby cab I would suspect it's more down to the amp than the cab

Bass number 5 will SHOCK you.

Scott's Bass Lessons next vid: "Why Boutique Basses Crush Everything!"

does it include the 10 most difficult bass lines ever on a boutique bass and come with an AI photo of a lady in a very tiny bikini?

Here are ten reasons why it's the end for boutique basses. Number six will shock you.

Not sure if brands like Sandberg count as boutique, but if they do I can’t see them fading out.

Thanks guys for your comments. I've seen one on ebay and another on Fb Market place but currently too many miles away (>100), plus some I know will have horrible little roads. I will keep my eyes open then. Thanks too for the "active only" comment, I did wonder.

Evil Woman - ELO

Rehearsal last night with the latest band that I've been recruited to. We're doing a one hour set at a beer festival tonight and we have a fairly sketchy grasp of the songs, so that should be fun. It's a very odd set list, which sadly includes All Right Now but there's a lot of unusual and unknown (at least by me) songs that should ensure that no follow-on bookings ever happen.

@bassist_lewis I wonder if this thread is dead? Could you please say a couple of words about the new Jive? Best regards Kristian

Boutique instruments have been around for hundreds of years, Steinway (from 1853), Stradivarius (from late 1600's) etc. Boutique basses will always be in production.

Hi If you look on youtube there are lots of isolated drum tracks available eg https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=isolated+drums

I doubt that custom or boutique instruments will ever go away given that they have been in mainstream usage for over 50 years now. And you should be glad that they exist, because the alternative would be people like me hacking vintage instruments apart to get them to do what we want.