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Four hour(!) rehearsal for a dep today. Lots of songs in non-standard keys. Despite aircon, I drank three cans of 7up and fourth on the way home. Must have gone ok as the dep gig this weekend is now two gigs. Turns out that the singer is Dave Edmunds' cousin.

Black Sabbath, Hammersmith Odeon around 1977 IIRC. Gut wrenchingly loud ( and also the worst rabble I’ve ever heard - sorry Ozzy ). We lasted about 3 ‘songs’ before leaving. My hearing was still affected for a couple of weeks afterwards. The Count Bishops at Dingwalls in London, late 70’s. Large banks of stacked Bose 802 cabinets for PA, and again my ears were assaulted by the harshness as well as volume. Moved to the back of the room, just as bad so had to leave.

Not exactly new, it's a 2014 bass and I've had it a month or so now, but with one thing or another I haven't got round to posting anything, so I'll explain. The current Mrs C and I retired together on 26th June, and during the countdown - whilst planning our new lease of life - had decided on a retirement present each. Hers would be another (third) dog......she's obsessed with Scottish Terriers 🙄......mine would be something I could pass on to our daughter at some point. I've had an itch for a semi hollow bass for some time and had been getting back into the Byrds and the Grateful Dead, then I saw this little beauty for sale, and it fitted the bill perfectly. The only problem was that we were about to go on holiday and I didn't want to miss out on it, so we went from Plymouth to Southampton, via Manchester (on the day Oasis were starting their home gigs🥴) and it came with us on a cruise round the Mediterranean, where it celebrated it's 14th birthday🍰. It's in mint condition, has all the case candy with it, stating it's number 25 of something like 75 I think, but I'm not sure that this makes it particularly collectable or valuable. If Ruby can prise it out of my hands when I'm a bit older and weaker, I think she'll like it, it feels quite compact and the string spacing is a bit narrow for my big hands, but it will suit her fine and she's working on a suitable looking customised painted suede strap for it already. I don't know how close it is to an original vintage one, I should think it's more of an homage to Chris Hillman's '67 single pickup Starfire bass, but it's a lovely thing and I can't put it down at the moment. Its got roundwounds on it presently and I should think some flatwounds would be better suited, it's a bit bright and I'm hankering for some more whump! I might even consider adding a neck pickup? it's alright this retirement malarkey!

Sweltering afternoon, SSG's! I've just got @Silky999's Nitro Jazz Bass back from my Tech, who's very kindly replaced the Wilkinson pickups with a set of Fender Pure Vintage 66s (from the current American Vintage II), as well as an upgrade to the tone capacitor from 0.022uF to a more standard genuine Fender 0.050uF. So here's the challenge - I've made two recordings on the same iPhone, playing the same piece with two Jazz basses (hopefully with some consistency!) Both into the same rig, with the same string set (Elixir 40-95). The contenders are; Fender Road Worn Flea '61 Jazz Bass (with standard OEM Fender Pure Vintage 64 pickups.) Our very own @Silky999's "Mr.Grey's" Daphne Blue Nitro Jazz Bass (with Fender Pure Vintage 66 pickups.) Can you tell which is which..? Jazz Bass 1 Jazz Bass 1 (copy).m4a Jazz Bass 2 Jazz Bass 2.m4a

The only name band* I walked out on was Black Star Riders. What's the point of bringing back Ricky Warwick if the sound's too loud and so bad that what he's playing is indecipherable. I don't count Cornershop in their ramdom feedback era.

Delivery #2.

Got an 83' blondie. My other bass is a 65' Hofner Club, been playing since 74' Started with a Rick 4001, which was exchanged for a cinder block from the back of my 77' hatchback, bought a 74' Precision, which was also stolen from mt car and then got my used blonde Stingray in 88. Have never looked back on wanting anything else. Between the 2, I've got my basses covered and never leave them in my cars anymore:)

The Kelly shape really is quite cool - like you said it's like an even cooler Explorer. The curves make it look oddly kinda classy too as well as extra pointy. Those Kellybirds always looked a bit naff to me, almost like a "worst of both worlds" half hearted attempt. I always lusted after a Kelly bass and never ever saw one for sale so just assumed they never made them outside the custom shop, until this one popped up! Now I can prance around on stage pretending I have half as much talent as Marty Friedman lol. That Jackson Thunderbird looking thing is very very slick though, it's like a smarter looking version of this Fernandes Nikki Sixx signature: Much nicer headstock on the Jackson though!

Just made my last visit to Nobles. Bought some leads and a footswitch, bade him farewell and thanks. Nice to see someone retire rather than go bust.

The bloke who makes this particular logo is in the US, and won’t post to the UK (bit odd, I asked and he still said he wouldn’t) - do we have a good UK source for transfers? Prefer this like the one on the original neck as opposed to the later design.

I have only tested their customer service re a faulty item once, but it was dealt with immediately and without any quibble. Whether true or not, it always feels like you're dealing with a local store, even though they are online. The shop isn't far from me. Must visit the basement (bassment?) again soon.

The Exploited , when they headlined F*CK Reading in 1996. It was so loud pitch was indistinguishable. And I was wearing earplugs. We left after the first 2 noise assaults.

If you like the feel of Sunbeams, Fat-Beams are a good way to try stainless without going too harsh, they’ve still got that round core warmth, but with more top-end bite. On a P-Bass they’ll cut a bit more in the mix while keeping some of that round low end. The main trade-off is you’ll notice more finger/fret noise at first

Bushings! Sorry, I couldn't contain myself. Heckling? Seriously though, I'm following with interest.

My terrible sound guy story (well one of them), I saw Little Feat, Craig Fuller era, at Shepherds Bush. The first few numbers were great, just like listening to the record. We stood at the back next to the sound guy, and I was surprised to see him constantly twiddling all the controls from the word go. By half way the sound was a distorted mess. I couldn't hear any instruments clearly, there were no audible vocals and my ears were ringing for days. That was all down to the sound guy. I don't know what he'd been taking but he single handedly destroyed what could have been a great evening.

Either/or, I guess. If I (for some reason) suddenly didn't have any of the ridiculous number & variety of basses I currently have & was plonked in a shop & told to pick something from a typical not particularly exciting selection of basses, there would probably be a J or two I'd get on with. But yeah, the neck proportions & pickups on a different-looking bass work equally well - I have a Yam SBV & a Kawai Sleekline which are both just funny shaped Jazz basses.

Currently on Facebook : ***So……. If the thieves that stole our gear thinks it’ll all blow over if they keep quiet then think again. There are a lot of people out there looking to get our gear back. All of the second hand shops head offices have been notified so you wont be selling it there either. It can all be identified as it has been marked. Your market is very small as it is all specialist equipment. We have worked hard for our gear. Your choice. Do the right thing and give back the tools of our trade*** Afterlife Rock Covers Band UK band gear stolen; 2 x Mackie 16fx mk 3 mixing desks 1 purpose built rack to power the Pa 2 x Electrovoice EKX 12p 2000w tops 4 x Alto 10” 2000w professional monitors 4x Shure Beta Microphones 12 x 5m extension leads Various moving head lights 2 Beamz smoke machines. All gear is identifiable, if you are offered or see this for sale contact the police. I’ve attached images for reference if anybody in the industry is offered this equipment please contact me/ and HertforAfterlife Rock Covers Band UK05082025-0272 Total cost of gear stolen around £9,000 Afterlife Rock Covers Band UK

Ah, ferrules, tuners, holes, and the great mystery of just how f***ing difficult it can be to get all three to match. Best of luck 😂

Blackberry way - The Move

Thanks. Yes I wanted to use the word ‘ferrules’ but wasn’t sure if I’d dreamt it. Ok - one to stuck in the maybe pile. The tuners on the Mustang neck are probably functionally just as good/better and as I won’t be playing it in tune anyway, it might not matter a great deal!