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Mmm, that’s never stopped me 🙂

It's just if that number changes cos someone leaves you're knackered. Band email, website and socials are all definitely, obvs Agree on gloss lam. The soft touch Matt lam is a no-no too imo

Lightweight would be a sellable USP across all models from lefties to custom shapes 👍

You are very welcome. I am using a 1987 Fender Japan 62RI Jazz Bass with Bartolini pickups and fretless Ebony board. I bought it new and it is the best sounding bass I have owned. It just sings and it beautiful to play. It is very beaten up as it has done thousands of gigs but has so much mojo. Its the one bass that will never leave me As for the Warwick head, I'll check tonight and let you know. Its not something I've noticed and its the one head that has blown me away and I've stuck with. I've even considered replacing the Little Mark IV with the V2 of the 600w head, thats how impressed I've been with it but the Little Mark does do a really good job.

Wouldn't the phone number already be on the card? We print 1000's of laminated cards every week. In fact ive never printed one without contact details on it. Still, if it's unlamented you could, as you say, still write on it. Agree about the stock though. 400gsm is perfect. Hate gloss lam with a passion. Looks cheap.

I've tried lots of string brands over the years. Here are some of my experiences off the top of my head, if they are of any use to any one. I didn't include stuff I don't remember any more or are discontinued. Also to note, unlike a lot of flat players I change string sets when they wear out. In no particular order: Sadowsky - best strings over all in both sound and how long they last, but expensive Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Nickel - the most comfortable to play and sound great, long lasting but when they die they really die La Bella Deep Talkin' - sounded great on the hollow bodies but a bit muddy on the solid body, but I replaced them with... Pyramid Gold - my hollow/semi-hollows are strung with these, very long-lasting but also expensive Rotosound Jazz 77 - the closest flat I've found to a round wound twang and treble, stiffest tension but worth it if you want the sound without the grinding and fret noise Rotosound Tru Bass - tapewound but sound like flats, surprisingly bouncy sound on a P-bass D'Addario Chromes - deep bouncy sound but wear out too quickly GHS Brite Flats - nothing special

I think that this is the best starting point, so as to test the idea in Real Time, without too much initial risk. There's quite a few folk here on this forum, willing, I'm sure, to support your first steps in the venture. As to a 'speciality' : may I suggest that we see a lot of folk disappointed that 'such and such' a model is not available in 'lefty' format. Maybe it could be an option to 'clone' a 'righty' bass into a lefty version, if a lefty player said what he/she would be interested in..? Just an idea. For my part, I like semi-acoustic instruments, but that's maybe a whole different ball-park (and Our Eldest would be my first port of call; he made his own guitars, and has made (from scratch...) a few for friends or folk that know us..). It can be done, but it's really a Labour of Love, rather than a revenue stream, to be honest. Another thought... How about offering especially light-weight 'fender-ish' basses, by chambering (drilling holes..?), lightening a bought-in body..? As long as it doesn't induce the dreaded neck-dive, it's a way of filling a gap in the Market, no..?

Thanks everyone- really useful. @Linus27: beautiful track and lovely playing. At the risk of derailing my own thread, what bass are you using there? The Gnomes look like amazing value for money, but heard they can also have hissing issues? (Plus they only have jack speaker sockets and my LFSys is speakon.) @Dan Dare absolutely get it with shifting definitions of hiring. In terms of testing kit out, in the end until I get it home and live with it for a week I find it really hard to tell. Thomann’s 30 day return policy helps a lot here (as it did with Gear4Music with the PJB head, but they have a very limited range of bass heads). And thanks @Hellzero for literally spilling the guts about what really goes on inside these things! And totally agree about the transparency thing.

Fair point. I guess my business is over the threshold, so registering for VAT is a no brainer. For a kitchen table business like this, you're probably right (although Quickbooks makes it simple enough to do a VAT return). Either way, I can't see the sums for this stacking up!

Its from men I trust, and from info he has posted, when recording he goes straight into the desk without an amp.

Obviously, check with your doctor, and test it out before the big day if taking this route. In my case, it was the first time I'd played slide live. As it was a "Road to Hell" alike solo at the start, I didn't want my hands shaking.

The V3 Rumble 100 is great for practice and small gigs. For larger club gigs I'd go straight to the 800 though. It has an output power attenuation switch for low or full power, according to your performance situation, aiding with a solid tone at all levels. Part of the reason the V3's sound so good is they took on some of the tech they acquired when Fender purchases (and sadly disposed of) the fab Genz Benz company.

I have never ever seen one of these in the flesh and I can't imagine you'd get one for less than £2k... but wow. I mean... WOW! I have drooled over these for years https://reverb.com/p/ernie-ball-music-man-caprice-bass

Solopress and Helloprint are both excellent I'd advise single sided on 400gsm silk art board so you can write stuff like your mobile number on the back. Don't be tempted by gloss or matt lamination as you won't be able to write on 'em proper 😊

Such a ubiquitous tone....You feel like you've heard it for ever, guess in some ways we have. Lovely.

I'd get one of these....... (I have one ). Active/passive so best of both worlds.... https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Fender-FSR-Deluxe-PJ-Bass-Sea-Foam-Pearl/6FEB