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Well I discovered rock music through seeing guns n roses on MTV around 91 - I would have been 10-11 years old. I got one of those ‘everything you need’ electric guitar sets from Argos for Christmas that year, and I became a very mediocre rhythm guitarist over the years that followed. I wanted desperately to be a widdly, flashy lead player but lacked the willpower to consistently practice. I was a good enough rhythm player to join a metal band at 15-16 writing our own material and playing locally. At 17 we weee established on the local scene and our mates band’s bass player left. I got on well with them and they asked if I could stand in on bass until they found a replacement. I’d never played bass before but figured it’d be ok if I stuck to root notes and learned as I went along. It was a total revelation, and I never really went back to guitar. I vowed never to play covers because that was an admission of giving up on the dream. Except a couple of years later I received a great job offer which meant I had to quit playing live (shift work and regular rehearsals don’t match) After 17 years climbing the ranks, the shifts ended as I moved into management and the first thing I wanted to do was start playing live again - and at 42 (at the time) playing covers in pubs sounded a lot of fun - and guess what?! It is! What I enjoy about playing covers, is that it’s made me a better player. I used to write basslines for my own ability - so I progressed very little as I was never challenged. Learning ‘professional’ basslines has made me better at what I do - so now I’m just marginally above ‘barely competent’

This is a great pick sound and playing too. Check track 5. Flats?

If only more people were as self aware in this case. Well played, Sir. 👏👏👏

Good midweek gig at The Gryphon last night. After a late night two nights in a row (and the usual 5:45 alarm 😭) I'm knackered today! Too much headbanging as well, my neck is giving me some jip this morning. There were a few issues, the first band took a while getting off stage, which meant we were rushed and our guitarist couldn't work out why his amp was quiet. Turns out it had been switched to half power mode. Still, it went very well and there were lots of positive comments and we even sold a t-shirt. Very hot up in the small gig room there though. I think capacity is about 50 and we were almost at that, plus no air condidioning. My new digital only fuzz was working a treat tonight too. On my GX-100, I'm running a transparent overdrive into a bass fuzz and then a parallel signal with bass overdrive into the fuzz face model, both fuzzes with a bit of clean blend, boosting the lows on the fuzz face, reducing them on the bass fuzz. It has that high end chaotic movement to the sound that most digital fuzzes don't quite get. My rig was Dingwall Combustion -> GX-100 -> Laney Digbeth 500 -> Fender 610. WhatsApp Video 2025-08-21 at 09.36.02.mp4

I felt the same way when I initially started to learn to drive at 17, and as a result didn't learn properly until I was in my early 30s, although the fact that before then I wasn't in a position to afford to buy or run a car anyway may have had a lot to do with it. I quickly realised even though I did pass my test on the third attempt, I am actually a terrible driver with no road sense and therefore I don't drive and the roads are a much safer place as a result. I'm also a terrible bass player (and guitarist and synth player) but the difference is that no one is going to die as a result of my poor instrumental technique. And, even if I say so myself, I think I'm a decent composer and therefore I have no hesitation about getting up on stage and playing, no matter how badly I might be doing it, because the songs will still shine through.

Thanks, ive just discovered Google lens and yes it looks practically identical to the Woodo bass in the results.

Well I'm still looking and generally becoming disheartened that I'll find anything. The only time I had success was when me and a mate started a covers group and that got as far as one rehearsal with duo guitars, singer and drummer before the drummer backed out after one session. I'm using joinmyband to find an opportunity but it's just not working out so can anyone please recommend a different more successful approach to tacking this?

I would be most grateful if you'd kindly watch my lil ONE MINUTE video. Please, like, share, add a nice positive comment ON THE VIDEO and sub to my little channel - that sadly gets lost in all of the "pick me influencer" videos that make up 14 pages of rants on Basschat 🤣.

I think tastes naturally evolve. They also tend to come full circle, sometimes a few times over. I think age is a factor too. In my youth, I used to look longingly at the Ampeg ads. The dream became a reality as an adult. Then my back decided they weren't such a great idea. Good whilst it lasted though. I think I hold the view, never say never.

Cut Here - The Cure

None of the 5-string basses I currently use are within the OP's budget.

In my case the "feel" of my playing style with fingers is completely different to that with a pick. So I have picks that are close enough to sound of finger style and I have picks that give me a completely different sound.

I wouldn't stay changed, more refined. I have a definite list of no-nos (mostly based around Jazz basses and short scales). I've always deliberately steered clear of regular Fender Precisions (apart from early on I put together a bitsa Squier P), mostly because I think they're boring. Even when I do stray into the territory, I can't help but do it differently - a G&L Tribute LB-100 here, a Cabronita Precision there. The one thing I have strayed away from is Gibson USA - they haven't done anything worth looking at in bass for years now, and I got tired of waiting. For years I was their biggest apologist, but I'm done now. The prices on the older, interesting stuff have gone through the roof, which I find hypocritical in the extreme considering the amount of dog's abuse they used to get. I've been priced clean out of it. TL:DR - If I like the looks of it, and it isn't a Jazz bass or short scale, I might buy it.

Dorothy C Lamour?

General Incompetence, probably!

Do we know how many badges are available and what criteria you need? I have Hero and Great Content, which you get after getting 100 TLRTs