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I'm torn between a Yamaha BB234 and Sire P5 as my first ever "P Style" bass. Does anyone have any recommendations for which I should be going for?

Last night was at Bridgeness Bowling Club in Boness with BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam covers band. Played it last year and the organiser booked us that night but last night wasn't so busy. Apparently there was an all day beer festival on in the town but still busy enough to have a decent audience. We had scattered dancers up from early on but the floor fillers didn't happen until the drink kicked in. We even had a group of "young ladies" celebrating a 21st birthday party so that helped the party move along. First gig in 5wks and i expected us to be a bit rusty but all went really well. My usual gear :- Sandberg VM4 MarloweDK (back up bass) Shure wireless Keeley Comp. Handbox WB-100 BF 212 cab Jamman for sound effects samples thru a GK MB200 as a pre-amp direct to PA Last night i was mainly wearing the blue outfit for first set and purple for 2nd set with my trusty old platform boots. Using our new PA guy last night again as we hope to use him every gig next year to save us a lot of work. Next gig end of Oct. These long breaks are a nuisance as my plucking fingers are a tad aching this morning. Dave

I’m glad in a way that don’t prefer the wider neck on the early 60s precisions or I would be in a bit of trouble 😁, although I do have a bit of a liking for a few 66s I’ve seen at the moment

I think the BBX is the non export BB1600. 🤔

I'm Going To Spain - Steve Bent

I also agree with Tony that the older ones sound different. I've had various modern Fenders, standard, AVRI, CS, MIJ. My favourite "modern" one was a MIJ PB62-RI from 1987, it was exceptional. But none of them played, felt or sounded like my vintage ones. My current favourite squeeze is my latest '73 Precision, it's just sublime, but I'm still in the honeymoon period, and the others are feeling a little neglected, but I do still love them all. When I get on stage with one of my vintage basses, it just feels right for me, I'm not working hard to find the tone in my head, it's right there, every time. Rob

Imo the 60s and early 70s basses do sound different, I’ve got 6 precisions and 8 jazzes and nothing plays and feels like a good vintage fender , to me they also have a history and certain nostalgia, I’ve also never had a so called dog, I guess there are some bad ones out there and some are better made than others just like they are now but I think a lot of that is just bad publicity from the fender haters who’ve probably never even played one , they are crazy prices now and I wouldn’t drop 18k on one unless it was love at first sight 😁which hasn’t happened yet, I don’t think the prices will go down either so still investable

Horse McDonald at Birnam Arts Centre. Just a three piece with Horse, keys and bass. Horse was magnificent, what a voice! Fabulous, amusing story telling between tunes and this to a just small audience of about 60 or so. However, the star of the show for me was Lorna Thomas on bass. I have the unfortunate habit of critiquing live acts and the bass player obviously comes in for extra scrutiny. No negative critique from me last night, just brava, brava, brava! Playing a 5 string Sandberg California of some description, straight into FOH, via her pedalboard, Lorna’s tone, note choice and groove (no percussion remember) were exceptional. I could hear Levin and Palladino in her lines (particularly the former) delivered as if those bass heavyweights were in the room. She was funny too. Thoroughly recommended.

Having played both, I'd say that they both feel of similar quality. My more recent experience is with the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz and a nice example Firemist Gold Vintera Jazz that was for sale in a branch of PMT. The biggest difference you're going to find is in the pickups and the wood choices. The Squier pickups were the usual Duncan Designed ones which are, in isolation, pretty good. But the Vintera actually sounds like an alder 60's Jazz bass, much like my American Original with its Pure Vintage 64 pickups. You also get the tall and thin vintage reverse tuners on the Vintera. If you can find a nice one, a used Vintera 1 would be a great buy. The neck profile of the Squier is a pretty standard modern C-shape, but the Vintera is a little narrower and thicker (fingers to thumb), again, like a 60s Jazz.

That's an odd one Daryl, over here that would've been very well attended like all HD events even in the sun and heat of the afternoon. The only downside is that most people would be more interested in looking at the bikes than the band. Normally when we have HD events at dealerships its supported by the local HD Chapter so their members always turn up and make it busy. Would love to have been at that. Warm sunny day, Harley Davidsons and a great band. What's not to like about that. That's an ideal day for me. Dave

As a bystander, with no agenda. My band had similar situation with our singer, a large robust man. He said, the equivalent of "..I’ve got a lot going on and I’m not in a good place." I was shocked, this was unexpected, however I knew not to press the matter, rather I stood back, so to give him "space". I stayed in the background. I see this as a stress reaction: "I’m off on holiday tomorrow... because this isn’t going to hang over my holiday" - ya need a holiday dood! 🤗 A part of that process is forcing the brain to switch off regarding domestic matters. It's not easy if the brain has been overworked for a long time. *holiday mission statement* I must ignore events at home... pass the sun cream, this sun is hot..😎 I'd like an ice cream.🍦 And this is a pressure relief valve, when the stress gets too much, or a person has lost interest in the band, will issue this stock reply: "..several dates and times, but the singer couldn’t make any of them." Stress is a monster. I think the singer needs time and no pressure. Maybe just a "we're here" type of message. Keep the door open. Prepare for the fall out, if the singer has to leave or perhaps they just need a few months off. Venting frustration with sharp actions tends to be counter productive. As mentioned, turn the phone off and tune into... BTW: I like "Hanlon's razor" not heard that before.

Running everything through a single socket means you have a single earth for all your gear, which might help. Unless you are using incandescent lights you won’t overload a 13A socket. As has been said in other recent threads use a plug in mains tester to check the socket first. I used to check every time but now only check if there is a problem. If the socket is faulty you shouldn’t use it and you need to report it to the venue. You should be able to isolate the channel or channels which are causing the problem. Mute them all and open one at a time. It might be just one bit of gear that is picking up the hum or even just one of your cables that has a fault, Hum can’t be transmitted at wireless frequencies from a noisy, poorly screened nearby appliance. If so you could just move the amp or whatever away from the source. If one piece of your kit is causing the problem at several venues then get a tech to look at it. A lot of vintage amps can be poorly screened and single coil pickups are great radio receivers

All done!

Tough one. Using the rule , ‘if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all’, I’d probably keep out of it. However, if asked outright I’d probably start with, ‘I think you could do better’, and see where the conversation goes. He might possibly agree given the opportunity to be frank. Although, if he/they don’t realise things are amiss from the audience reaction, well, they might be beyond help! Good luck.

Just sold Dunc a Barefaced One10 I traded from him earlier this year. As ever, the transaction was a delight from start to finish. Dunc’s a great BCer, a credit to the forum.

Holidays in the Sun - Sex Pistols

The Kinky

Been there, seen that. If you are an authority to them, you could steer them to the right direction: what's good, where they need support. If they already know you well, the project may be hopeless. I have seen a few bands that have made a very good progress in short time with few supporting lines and suggestions: 1) Simple: Pink Floyd is a fine band, but Dark side on a wedding gig? 2) Slightly complicated: What's the meaning of the singer if the g-word (among others!) doesn't support the story etc. 3) Complex: Can you play hard, but not loud? If you think they could and can do better, take your time with them. Most likely no one will remember or thank you in any way, but their playing may become better. If they want to. By the way, I have never tried to play anything to those that I have given comments to. They have to find the idea by themselves.

School's Out - Alice Cooper

I watched a music video of theres and was immediately looking at the G&L website - I’m not even a guitarist but if you’re not getting your I stuments out there with current players what are you doing?