All Activity

I got into classical music with my school orchestra playing double (contra)bass. The school music teacher was a closet jazz fan who encouraged me to explore improvisation techniques. This was great for my musical development, but didn’t help my street cred one bit. Most of my mates at school were into rock music………and I wanted to be in a band. So, I acquired a beaten up Burns Jazz bass and began playing it in various local rock bands. Most weren't that good and folded through common adolescent hot headedness. Feeling a bit disillusioned, I auditioned for a cruise ship touring big band on double bass. Dang me if I didn’t get the role and then scared myself xxitless when I realised what journey I was on (literally and metaphorically). I have to say that playing three sets a day and reading the dots was a great leveller for a naïve gap year student. Interestingly, my dear parents were diametrically opposed to my activity at the time. I was pursuing a dream, playing bass with serious musicians. I guess that I quickly learned that living the dream was hard work and not all I had imagined. Went back to serious studies (not music), family, and life in general with little time for bass. I never lost the passion for performance based music and began again playing bass in my 50’s. I had kept a 70’s P bass and thrashed that in various cover bands over the years. I still get a huge buzz from playing bass, especially gigs, festivals etc. My musical tastes have certainly evolved, and being able to sight-read has certainly helped me explore different types of styles. I am still poor at slap though….and proud of it. As far as basses, I’ve been through a passive-active-passive journey and up a 4-5-6-4 string cul-de-sac. The first serious electric bass was the Burns; the latest was a Yamaha BB1200. I guess there have been about a hundred instruments in between. Some are still with me………as well as the passion.

Well spotted lol 😜

Unfortunately the slant is so slight that I can’t really make that argument 😂 it did cross my mind though

Hi there. Sorry I completely forgot about this. Here's the voltage selector, looks to be on 120/240 for mine.

This journey, into bass playing? What made you pick up that first bass at the start of this long and winding road? There seemed to be a lot of bass driven music around, growing up in the late '70's and early '80's, no matter the genre, though thanks to an older brother, I heard a lot of hard rock & metal, Sabbath, Hawkwind, Purple, etc. Hawkwind's "Space Ritual" stands out as the "wow" moment, then discovering Rush and others. Tried convincing my parents i needed a bass, but it wasn't til I was 16 that I got a Kay P bass and dodgy amp from a bloke that worked with my Dad... Do you still have the same fire and enthusiasm? Do you still love it? Fits and starts. Still love to play when I get around to it, but getting around to it takes a bit more these days, as I'm not in a band at the moment. What has changed along the way? Your taste in music, taste in basses? Taste in music has waxed & waned, visiting numerous rabbit holes, but still mainly hard rock & metal. What was the first bass? And what’s the latest? First: Kay P bass. Current: 4003 Always lusted after a Rich, took me 20 years before I finally bought one, but it was like coming home. Love them.

But Liszt was also a good looking man who knew how to dress stylishly. Something I'm not detecting in any of the "bass virtuosos" being discussed here.

If you’re going to this level of mods, I’d get the frets levelled by a top luthier to make it play like butter. That and the nut will make the biggest difference.

The Mexican Fender plant at Ensenada is putting out some lovely quality instruments these days. Obviously, try before you buy still applies to all Fenders if you can. As for the Player/Player PJ Mustang, it's a nice bass overall. But... Don't expect it to sound like a Mustang. It sounds like countless other full-scale PJ equipped Precisions. Basically, like a much larger, more generic bass. In order to get the true Mustang sound, you need the smaller Japanese split coil pickup used in the Mexican Vintera II Mustang and the American Performer Mustang. So back to that Player II PJ Mustang... Yes, it's a nice bass, but that big split coil makes it sound like a full size Precision. If that's what you want, then go for it. There's a nice satin Surf Green American Performer for sale in the BC classifieds, and a friend of mine has an Aubergine American Performer, a Competition Burgundy Vintera II & a Cherry Burst Player PJ for sale, two of which I previously owned for a short time. Hope that helps!

Think I’m the same but the strings are starting to suffer and GAS has struck for an amp in the classifieds I find myself trying to justify…..

Not wonky just slanted for warmer D and G 🤣

I use this brand too, but the 5mm variant. Also purchased from a UK eBay seller. Mark

Not me Guv. Honest.

YET

What made you pick up that first bass at the start of this long and winding road? A bunch of mates decided to form a band in 4th year at school. Usual collection of folk - some had no instruments; someone a broken-down drumkit, etc. Mucho racket later, those who were only there for the 'pose factor' dropped out or were kicked out. I had bought an Avon EB0 copy, was paying it up at the time, so was determined I'd learn to play the damned thing. Do you still have the same fire and enthusiasm? Do you still love it? Definitely not - never really 'loved' being in a band and to this day, hate gigging. Enjoy buying and trading bass gear though. Few believe me when I say I don't like live music, but it's true. Don't go to concerts and most likely never will. What has changed along the way? Your taste in music, taste in basses? My taste in music is eclectic but certain styles I refuse to have anything to do with are hippity-hoppity, metal, punk, heavy rock and disco. I've always enjoyed jazz to listen to, not play; some country, and blues if not featuring Bonamassa, Walter Trout and other racket-makers. Taste in basses is also varied, but if pushed, I'd pick a fiver over a four. Like Gibsons and Ricks and Overwaters. Also a fan of Fender, MM and G&L. What was the first bass? And what’s the latest? First was the Avon and the latest, a Precision 4 American Vintage, as recommended by @Stub Mandrel (cheers Stubs - a fine call on your part). OP @Rayman asked for honesty here, so although some comments made by me may seem 'odd', all are my true reactions to the set questions.

Hi I have owned a couple of Fender PJ Mustang basses in the past but foolishly moved them on due to gas making me want newer, shinier but not necessarily better things, I remember them being really solid basses, not sure what series of Mustang they were but were easy before the player 2 series. Anyway I am at the point where I would like another bass and want something a little nicer than the cheap £200 basses that I tend to end up buying (and then moving on a few months later), anyone here own a player 2 series Mustang bass? How are they? I really liked the Mustangs I played in the past and hoping these are as good Thanks

Genuinely not bought a string, plectrum, or bass. Nothing, nada!

Personally, I'd be looking for a cheap used Yamaha over either of those choices, consistent quality and great playability at any price point. 👌

I have a question... Did anyone here actually put their money where their mouth is and actually buy a Pino Signature Stingray yet? (Just curious!) 🤔 Btw, don't look at me - I already bought a couple of eye-wateringly expensive instruments earlier this year. I was considering ordering a new bog standard Stingray Special in 'Brulee', but I think I'd be hard pressed to better my '95 Aguilar equipped 2eq Stingray which sounds amazing.