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Failed at violin lessons. Chucked out of the choir audition. Found school music lessons grim. Discovered TOTP. Got into ELO and part of that was the realisation that each instrument and voice had a different rhythm and melody. Used to listen to those albums over and over focusing on different parts - so I was aware of bass. I had a 'classical' guitar I fitted bronze strings to... then a Kay 'sg copy' (I still have it) and made a couple of deadly amps from old valve record players. Went to uni and got better - used to vamp chords along to a copy of "The Beatles Compleat" as folks sang along. Got a gorgeous mid-70s Epiphone Jumbo and became moderately competent as a rhythm player on it. My best mate had a Precision that fascinated me - I had to play it whenever I saw it. In the end he leant it to me for a month on the condition I learned one finger per fret. Ended up buying a new Hohner Jazz and getting into a cover band at my second audition. then my brother gave me a B2. Then I got a Maya fretless P, followed by almost accidentally getting a Fender Performer. Two originals bands brought me to 1996 - I lived for music and mountain biking. <over 20 years of non-musicalness due to work but mostly a tough marriage> Towards the end of this I was self-employed and started playing bass to break up the monotony of working on my own - discovered I was good at playing by ear to the radio. Then I started finding my own way again (divorce incoming). Did a weekend warrior event and led to a band, Ialso did some random stuff with a local singer songwriter. Starter buying basses... Then covid... Once vaxed, moved out to look after my dad. As soon as I could, joined two bands. Met my new partner through gigging. One band never gigged so left and started another. Started going to jams and open mics, got confidence and did some depping. Got asked to join two more bands. So now I have too many basses, four bands and I do the odd dep and have an incredibly supportive partner who lives for live music. Yes I'm burning the candle at both ends but I have a lot to catch up on. And it's f£%@ing awesome to rediscover myself.

Yet another painless transaction - trusted Basschatter, deal with confidence!

On this day in 1949 Phil Lynott came into the world....the rest is history..

With two sugars?

I had a combo which had a speaker capable of taking more power, so I took it to a gig to use as a second speaker connected to the head and main speaker. Connecting them up in a hurry on a dark stage, I managed to connect the main amp output to the combo amp output. The bigger amp fried the smaller one, and I ended up playing through another bassist's rig because I could not work out where the burning electronics smell was coming from. David

Mine came with the light and are shaped to fit just that light. You can buy acrylic sheet cut to size but I've no idea if this would be suitable https://www.cutmy.co.uk/plastic/acrylic-perspex-sheets/frosted/translucent/3mm/L1020-W80/

More of the standard ones and one of the limited edition example too

Ahead of the Nick Smith Memorial Charity Gig on Septermber 7th (Where you have the opportunity to WIN this incredible bass designed by Nick and @Grainger guitars,) Darren and Gavin arranged to bring the bass over to me to put it through its paces. It was quite a surreal experience and not without its emotional moments off camera as I was sat playing the bass Nick would never get to play. Thank you to Darren and Gavin for the opportunity to show it and at the same time, for me to give something to our community in remembrance of our fallen hero, friend, brother and loved one. I put together this video for the Charity Raffle, but don't worry, there's a full in-depth video review coming up later too. I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to watch the video, like, share, subscribe to my channel and follow, as well as giving the video a positive comment for Nick's family to see please.

Lovely to meet @Nim today’s. Went to try a Stunning Vigier , I had plenty of time to try the bass , and it was all very nice and decided to purchase it , I’m extremely pleased. Thanks Jm

So first thing first, the string for such a crystal clear are mandatory, and only the La Bella Super Steps with their exposed core, then the pickups and here forget the Bartolini pickups that sound really muddy, then if you want an easy to use really transparent preamp use a Richter BassXX preamp, coupled to Delano pickups, it will be an excellent choice, but maybe a bit too sterile for your needs, do maybe dome Aero pickups would better suit your needs or Benedetti pickups. Then comes the instrument in itself, a bolt on ash neck with a Macassar ebony fingerboard will give you the fastest attack and clarity. For the body swamp ash would be best. With this configuration you'll have what you describe, but check full carbon basses too.

Behringer owns Midas, which gives it access to some excellent mixer designs and explains why their stuff is decent.

If you can miles try one of the necks with the B width nut, you might be pleasantly surprised, my 71 precision and all the early ones I’ve had have ( like most from 67/68) a 40mm nut but they are very comfortable , I’ve played mainly jazzes for years and I can pick up my P and not really notice a difference , the mid to late 70s ones can come up a bit chunkier, but not the earlier ones

You guys are awesome thanks for all the input it’s given me so much to think about

It's a big bad world out there. Let the buyer beware.

Sadowsky basses ( both USA and Metroline) have an excellent low B if you prefer a 34 inch scale. So do EBMM, if you can also cope with tighter spacing and the G string being very close to the edge of the fretboard.

Unfortunately time is something I don’t have as I work full time and gig most weekends

Fixed.

Started out playing the fiddle. When I got into my teens and wanted to play music with friends in the late 1960s/early 1970s, a fiddle was not cool or desirable. Everyone wanted to play guitar, so I figured playing bass was more likely to get me into bands, which proved to be right. I'd always had a decent ear and was able to pick out bass parts. I loved Motown/Stax and soul, so that was my homework in early days and got me off to a good start. I kept up the fiddle and later learned to play mandolin and guitar, but the bass has stayed with me and is virtually all I play these days. I've even had brief periods of playing it for a (sort of) living.

UPDATE: We’ve finally wrapped up the warehouse move! The new pre-owned showroom is now open too, so if you’re in the area swing by, grab a coffee/tea/beer, and check out some lovely basses. Always happy to talk gear and hang out.

A Day In The Life - The Beatles

I find that a good quality low B IS crystal clear and that’s what I want not something that’s muddy and inaudible