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This afternoons gig with BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam covers band was a charity event in Boness that was sold out. We've played this venue many times for charity events, retirements, birthdays and are back again Feb 2026 for a 60th. The guy was at the gig today. Start time was 2pm and we literally had dancers on the floor for the first song and that lasted all the way thru the afternoon. Couldn't have asked for a better audience. When you get a lot of women out for a Saturday afternoon Xmas party they just wanna have fun and they did. The few males that were present also up dancing with everyone on the floor for the last few songs. The new Xmas songs went down a treat and we played well. Had a few hiccups with the PA where it cut out on occasion. Looked like he was running the powered cabs too hard. He decided to leave the subs in the van and just go with his JBL full range cabs. In future we'll always use the subs with them. He notched down the bass and kick drum volumes and i boosted my amp volume to compensate. Still sounded great tho but that solved the issue for the 2nd set. Decided to use my Sandberg MarloweDK for this one as the event was billed as a Xmas event so we went with the tinsel and a more Xmas look. Marlowe sounded excellent thru the Handbox WB-100 and BF212 cab. First time i've used this combination in the Glam band and i was very pleased. Sound guy also commented that it sounded superb out front. Some older ladies wanted to book us for 2027 for a triple birthday party but its a bit too far away to be taking bookings so we asked that they get in touch middle 2026. All in all a good day and home for 7:30pm via the Indian takeaway. Few pics of the stage etc appeared so that's all i have for time being. Dave

I'm a Peter Hook, Joy Division, New Order, The Light fan. The program was aimed squarely at me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If anything there were too many bassists that weren't Hooky involved. There was always Gogglebox on the other side if you didn't like it. 😋

Nice basses Michael. The one with the neck binding is especially nice but i'd take either. I do love a Jazz bass. Dave

That's why i play in a Glam covers band Andy. The audience are the same age as us. 🤩 Dave

The 55-60 I had was a fantastic bass - I bought it from Paddy777 on here with an East J Retro preamp but once that was out the bass seemed better for it imo (limitations on the J Retro in passive mode being the main reason) I doubt I've had a bass action that went any lower and played rattle free. (iirc either Plek'd at the factory or at set up/QC in Chicago - not sure which) It was a fantastic neck on the 55-60 - more traditional profile than the Sadowsky Metro Express 1st gens I had which were flatter at the back. The width on the Sadowsky 5 necks the further you go up always niggled me a bit as well. I like the Sadowsky tone for the amount of boost available but the lack of passive tone control became an issue for me as well. I cant speak about the gen 2 basses as I haven't owned one but I would wholeheartedly recommend a 55-60. They are lovely jazz basses imo. Also for what its worth I would say try a Cort NJS5. Beautifully balanced output and tone across the neck and really special basses for the money they go for.

Good choice but if ultimately looking to be in a band you might find 100 watts may struggle, depending on other instruments and the attitudes of the players.

Warmoth custom neck baseball bat rpofile, ebony board and bound, Allparts bound body curiously relic'd by previous owner.... Dimarzio PAFs, Gotoh Lollipops, Kiogon circuit, LaBella DTs. It sings, first rehearsal in anger tomorrow evening 👍

Yep, great looking bass

Solid choice 👍

Really lovely. The subtle binding and lollipop tuners make it pop in an under the radar kind of way.

Like you bubinga5 I’m keen to try out the Metro Express stuff. I’ve played virtually every other type of Sadowsky under the sun but I’m not inclined to spend the money on the big brothers so much anymore. I’d really quite like a M5-24. Lakland Skyline to my mind make some of the best Fender style basses pound for pound at that price point of anyone. The JO5s are tremendous instruments. I would say that they do have a slight feel of being not so special or custom made in build quality, something in the travel of the pots on the ones I’ve owned and played, but tone and playability is right up there which is where it matters for me.

I don't bother since Test Match Special ended.

Sandberg’s online shop won’t ship to the UK since the “thing” so if you want a different ‘guard it will have to be a special order via a UK dealer. Or get someone else to make one.

That's my 300th transcription this year. That was my target.

I love the SF Jazz Collective version Jobim's 'Chega De Saudade' from their 2018 album of Jobim tunes. The vibes player on this, Warren Wolf, is a new name for me (I had assumed it was Steve Nelson and had not checked until today) and the opening choruses of Wolf and pianist Ed Simon are thrilling. The part is a very challenging read and has that awesome Latin groove that upsets most bass players who aren't familiar with Latin music. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/chega-de-saudade-sf-jazz-collective/

I'm so glad that I'm in a band without any of this kind of BS. — Unless they're plotting to oust me behind my back of course.

Now that’s a novel reason for GAS

I think most of the DNA on this bass belongs to Fred Thomas, as he played it most and last. Pretty funky player though. When JB fired Bootsy he was escorted from the building. Looks like he left the bass behind and Fred used it from then on.

I suspect there’s a reason they stopped making them 👍

Update - they are off. I played in a hot venue and had to tune every song, then I read more about breakages. I have put a set of Evahs on for now until I get the courage to put the Animas back on. Got me thinking I need another bass to try strings..