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Kate & I in front of Convention Hall Asbury Park NJ

You should have gone the whole hog and faked a Scouse accent.

It's still hard to believe. Something about life I have learned the hard way is that far too often the worst things seem to happen to the best people. Mani always seemed like a very warm and friendly chap and his bass playing was so perfect for whatever music he was making. You can hear him progress as a player from the catchy riffs and grooves on the first album to The Second Coming. Songs like Love Spreads have got really busy bass parts with lots of hooks and turnarounds that drive the music along. Everything in life is a time and a place, and, at a certain time in a particular place, for a while the Stone Roses were the most important band in the world. Mani was a big part of that.

Those Freeway switches are fantastic too. Modern P neck, great looks, loads of switching/wiring options including traditional J options. I can’t believe I didn’t play it at a Bash! Too busy talking!

Sounds like I should keep quiet about loving D'Addario Pre Steels then... Tried a few different brands of Stainless Rounds, and the Pro Steels simply sound better on the bass than anything else I've tried.

Def different now, whilst they were sorting my new bass out they just said go & have a wander, so I did, unaccompanied, all over the shop. They’ve some great stuff there.

I've been tempted to do Piano lessons and grades to help have a target but worry I'd fall in to that 'I want to play, not do exams' mindset. Overall, do you think it has been worth it vs just having piano lessons? I did grade 1 when I was 10 years old and haven't had any lessons in the 35 years since then - but I have been playing a lot over the last couple of years (YouTube and 'simply piano' app lessons, lesson books, and the theory I've picked up from Bass) and I've started playing keys a bit with a band so reckon it is at least time I had some proper lessons, and perhaps do grades.

A really good setup. I bought a 75 reissue AV Fender Jazz Bass, from Bass Direct, and it was set up to perfection.

It is though. And they downgraded the tuners to keep the same cost while upgrading the electronics with a pickup switch and the associated extra labour.

Sounds close to a modern C Precision based on the '63 necks with the 1.625" nut width. They are very comfortable necks. Love that Korina Burst, too.

Seriously, some of those basses are so heavy (upwards of 12 pounds) they are painful to play even sitting down. They hurt your leg and cut off the circulation! The reissue Gibson did a few years ago was a bit of a travesty. The only thing it had in common with the original basses was the overall shape. Not surprising considering what a major undertaking it would be for Gibson to try recreate the Moog electronics ect.

At the moment next up for me is Deep Purple at Hammersmith Whatever It’s Name is That Day in November next year.

Just a bit of a shout out for Dawson's guitars as they gave fantastic service. Went there with a mate who wanted to get a Squier precision. Tried one in Dawson's then went over the road and tried the same model but we both agreed that the one in Dawson's just had a better feel to the neck. By the standards of the other instruments in the shop this was a cheap purchase (although a lot for my mate) but they were generous with their time and very helpful, even went to the effort of adjusting the action to suit. Amusingly, as they didn't have a suitable case we went over the road and one of the Dawson guys brought the bass so we could see it fitted. The bass guy in the other shop spotted us and asked why we didn't buy his one, to which we said the other one just felt better, to which he replied he said he would have adjusted the action but I said it wasn't that, it was just the neck felt better. As he wander off back to the basement (why are basses always in the basement?!) I could hear him mumbling in an annoyed voice 'i told them I would have adjusted it'. Quite awkward but also funny! Btw the Squier looks awesome in a flake gold finish and plays superbly. To my ears sounds good too but might benefit from a new pup at some stage.