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I'm not going to be able to make it, alas. Too much going on around here to be able to take off (literally) for a weekend back in Blighty. Maybe next year.

i stopped playing for a few year about 20 years back and when i resumed i found i was more able to identify and drop bad habits that i had previously gotten used to

Thanks so much for the offer, I think we've sorted it now mate 🙏

I’ve played Bach’s cello suites on guitar, baroque lute, and tenor banjo. Playing them in 5ths tuning was a revelation. I’ve never been convinced they work well in standard bass tuning. Now I’m dreaming of playing them on a fretless bass in 5ths tuning. Anyone done this? What strings to use to get the tuning? Original keys are not something Bach was too concerned with, as he changed the 5th suite from Cm to Gm when arranging it for lute. So the bass would not have to be tuned to the cello tuning of CGDA (bass to treble), as long as they are in 5ths. Any ideas?

Wilcock and Serek are the premium SS companies IMO, with Sandberg not far behind. Maruszczyk do SS a Jake (P basses).

Well, our very own @Kiwi is doing his graphite neck thing, there's Klos, who are making Modulus-esque basses and replacement necks, Modulus and Zon are still going in the US, and the Germans like Bogart and Clover are still offering graphite necks on their instruments. Supposedly Mike from Zoot will soon be joining the graphite club. In terms of using alternative materials, there's also Aristides out of the Netherlands, who make guitars and basses out of something they call Arium. No idea what's in it, it's some kind of reinforced resin.

Oh wow that’s cool. I think I played a Westone thunder 1A round about the same time then (when was it? 1988/9 or so?)

The FI VIP screen is very bright in real life. It doesn't film well. No problem on stage unless you're under bright red light I guess

A quick search on here didn't seem to throw this particular instrument up, I am wondering if anyone has any experience of them ? Looks like a lot to like, but of course the maybe usual Fender PJ downside too, but for the money looks a pretty attractive option, rolled Rosewood fingerboard - or maple if you prefer and some pretty colours; not quite a JMJ but they are silly money now (seemed expensive when they came out but almost doubled in price since and if you have an old one you can sell now for more than you paid for it it seems) - just a shame it's the only way to get that actual pickup but doesn't justify the price imho and I really don't like the formulaic relic job. so wondering....

I've been playing for almost 25 years now, and gigging regularly for 15 of those, largely in covers bands with a few originals. Five years ago I qualified as a teacher and have been full time for two, all the while doing gigs on the side. This last August I did my last wedding (sort of... I booked one next June because it was 20 minutes from my house and I finish at 9pm!) because its too much working full time, gigging most weekends and being married. Income was the main reason I played, both gigs and practice, but with a full time and very reliable job (feeling very grateful amongst all these layoffs), I've felt at a bit of a loss as to why I play. So, in discussion with my wife I decided to take a month off playing to reset and see what happens at the other side. I've not burned any bridges. I still have 3 bands on the go (one is gigging at the end of the month), but I want to see what kind of motivation is left with now money isn't one of them. Anyone else taken time out from playing? Did it change how you felt about playing or why you played?

Checked over the transcription with the help of my bass teacher and revised it. Thank you @Kirky for the feedback Lipstick Vogue.pdf

Plus we’ve all overlooked Motown/UMG’s Christmas payday song… Santa Claus is Coming to Town… the bass line is great on it and shows a lot of restraint while driving the groove.

I recently rediscovered the Ben Folds Five Live at West 54th set, which is a great snapshot of them as a super-effective power trio. With Cake, apparently that style of "whole band" arrangement was something they always insisted on, much to the annoyance of various producers. John McCrea likes for each instrument to be playing something distinct, and for it to be possible for a listener to hear each part in isolation. As an aside, I was fascinated to discover (when I first got into them about a decade ago) just how completely the contemporary music press hated Cake.

Depends on your budget but if Serek is on the list then ACG absolutely should be too.

The Fool on the Hill - Teh Beetles

I've yet to play an instrument with fanned frets , I think I understand it's principle but asthetically it's difficult to like