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I wish i'd seen this thread earlier, i've just come back from a music shop where the first thing i did was light up my trusty crack pipe, then I started morris dancing, and in the excitement i shät myself, and with all the energetic morris dancing it sprayed all over the equipment in the shop. When the staff tried to stop me, they took me by surprise and I accidentally assaulted them by throwing excrement at them. It all worked out in the end though because I apologised and purchased 1 used plectrum for 9p.

After acquiring and really liking the Mesa Subway Preamp pedal, I decided I would like to buy a Poweramp - ideally small - to give me a small but powerful gigging set Ultimately ended up buying this: GSS Sumo 1000 Thus far I am blown away by the size and power. My Mesa MPulse 600 is a very loud amp, the Subway/Sumo combo is easily as loud whilst giving me the Mesa tone I like at a fraction of the weight. Pretty good on “girth” too! Still needs lots of road testing etc, but so far so good!

...and I've just played Streets of London with Ralph McTell. Just him, me, and a choir. It was gorgeous.

Cheers! Here's a few more I took later yesterday. A shot from my stage position Some flightcase porn (this is only a tiny part of it!) The backstage village (basically, the producer needs all the cast members to be in this area at all times. It has to run like clockwork) One of the millions of camera shooting it. There's cameras everywhere, and GoPros all over the stage Alan Clark, a fantastic keyboard genius who I'm sharing a riser with. In April he's being inducted into the R'n'R hall of fame with the rest of Dire Straits. An today is showday!

Definition: Bass Bash is a term used for a day hiding from your so-called loved ones (family) to spend with your true love ones (instruments) and other like minded individuals in a secret location known only to those who play the aforementioned gear and frequent these forums. There are the odd exceptions, Happy Jack/ Bluejay, Grangur and Mrs Grangur, and Silverfoxnik & Hamster whose lovely wives (only one each) support these events with copious cups of tea and cakes. However, normally they are populated by sad old gits who want to talk about a subject (The Bass guitar and equipment) that no other band member or "normal" member of society can even bear to. Along with the attendees, you will find some beautiful examples of the luthiers' art which are available for the aforementioned sad old gits to try and discuss at their leisure. Other features of Bass Bashes are seminars and gear trials, (seemingly) never ending Raffles, and of course a great review by our own Bluejay which is generally better than the event itself. Stay tuned to the "Events" thread for details of your next/nearest one.

Here’s a murky shot of playing Video Killed The Radio Star with Trevor Bloody Horn :-D

Squire are one of the worst brands available these days. It's a real shame. Then again, how can one be surprised, them trying to cash in on almost copying the name of a really good competitor (Squier). I hope bankruptcy will be their fate.

I refuse to play anything unless they provide me with a music stand.

Funnily enough it’ll have a maple top with transparent coloured finish probably so your suggestion is bang on where I was headed! Builder? Maruszczyk

Thanks again for all your get well messages, I’m very grateful. i have a hospital appointment tomorrow to assess the damage. Hoping the doctor will have some good news for me.

Always fancied one of these...

A few pics from a couple of years ago just to give a little taste of the SE BassBash. Me and the lovely Herbie, the main rig room, John Rhino Edwards from the Quo trying my bass and John Bentley from Squeeze giving a talk and playing some. Sadly I was too ill to attend last years!

Did anyone mention cake?

Best bass hang out ever, bassically (see what I did there). A chance to do all the things you mention... ogle and try out gear you’d never find in one place anywhere else, jam if you want to (I’ve never actually got round to that), meet other BCers in the real world, chat, listen to interesting and varied seminars if you want to... I first went three years ago, ostensibly because Silverfoxnik asked me to do a talk on Wal basses. It’s been a fixture in my diary ever since. Great bass day out. The second year I went Herbie Flowers was chatting - I wasn’t to miss that! John from Squeeze was fascinating. Last year was Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heap. I’ve no interest in the band but it was fascinating to hear his thoughts on playing and stepping into big shoes like John Wetton’s and Trevor Bolder’s. Steve Lawson was random, philosophical and amazing too. For a flavour you could do much worse than checking out Bluejay’s excellent photo blogs on the Bashes... https://silviabluejay.blog/2015/10/05/basschat-south-east-bash-2015/ https://silviabluejay.blog/2016/10/05/basschat-se-bash-2016/ https://silviabluejay.blog/2017/12/08/basschat-se-bash-2017/ Basically, get it in your diary and I doubt you'll regret it.

I'm part-way through a big long epic of a day today - more of the stars have arrived, so we're working though the tunes with them at various allotted time-slots. It's a huge production and logistical operation, with a massive crew - the band are just one cog in the wheel. Every song has to be rehearsed for lighting, camera positions, VT cues, walk-on choreography... if one part isn't right, we do it again! Like I say, I can't give anything away, but I've had a couple of OMG moments today... and I get to do it again - for real - tomorrow. Get in :-) Here's some arty shots I took during stolen moments...

I'm in the house band for the two Sunday for Sammy shows next weekend. I can't give too much away 'cos the line-up is under wraps, but with 5,000 people at each show, it's going to be fun. I'll take some pics and that, and try not to make any mistakes. Disclaimer: I fully acknowledge this is a 'boast post'. Apologies.

Almost finished the 'guitardrobe' in my music room... Just needs sanded and painted. Just missing my Dano in its case and Pedaltrain Jnr bag (in my boot) but everything fits like a glove Sorry about the guitar in there. haha

I didn't get that far, they were on their way back and talking to my little lad who would have been non-the-wiser. I wouldn't want to steal WoT's thunder, anyway

I'll bring my Greenboy/Fearful 1x12 if that's the case.

I' m a Hamer lover In the late 90's I have read this Bass Player review of the Hamer Cruise Bass 2tek and so I dream to get one of these (impossible to find locally at this time...) Now I have 3 USA Hamer Cruise Bass. One fretted with the Gotoh bridge, one fretted with the second version of the 2tek bridge, and one fretless with also the second version of the 2tek bridge The second version of the 2tek is cool because it is not too heavy They are really well made. Schaller small tuner (though they feel good and are precise), multipiece maple neck with part of quartersawn and some of flatsawn, the 2tek add some clarity and sustain, the Seymour Duncan pickups gives you some warm lows that match perfectly with the clarity of the bass. With the small tuner, the bass is well balanced and the neck is solid It' s a passive super jazz bass. I also really like the fender bass with vintage specs but the Hamer have something so easy in comparaison. The cut through highend, massive jazz bass sound that is strong and easy to dial with Bass Player gives this bass a rave review with the maximum notation at every level for the first time to an instrument (and I think it was the only one) and they finished the article with something like "It kills !"... I understand why

My fave, Richard Bona. His albums are stuffed full of terrific vocals.

NERD ALERT - the latest video and blog post deal with the value of tracking your practice: Full article is HERE Updated/corrected transcriptions: • Lionel Richie - 'Dancing On The Ceiling' • The Beatles - 'Help' • David Gray - 'Babylon'

I used to play this with a former band and that isolated track is pretty much it. Ii think I added a couple of extra notes in the little twiddly bit at 5:30 or so in but everything else was how I did it. Except I play with a pick, so the feel is a bit different.

I usually start by being highly specific about the precise combination of amp and cab(s) that I want to play the bass of my choice through. I then take the cables off the guy and wire it up myself, all the while pointing out why I've chosen this specific setup, and the failings of the other gear they have in stock, and why I won't use any of it. After that, staff and punters alike usually f-off and leave me in peace to play.

Looking really good!!

Bankruptcy in the US doesn't necessarily mean the end of the line. If Gibson file for Chapter 11 they'll be protected from their creditors while they restructure the business, which could include selling off some of their subsidiaries and intellectual property rights from companies which they've acquired and ultimately wound up. It also allows them to seek new finance. Even if restructuring fails and no new finance is available then the creditors have the option of acquiring the company and it's assets in lieu of the debt. The chances are in that scenario the debtors would attempt to sell the Gibson brand and production facilities to a third party who could then acquire them without taking on the current debt. Even if Gibson has to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which basically means the complete liquidation of all assets, the brand and production facilities would still likely be sold as part of that process. Gibson may be doomed in it's current form but I'd put money on the brand and the classic designs being in production, one way or another, for a very long time to come.

Yeah, bummer. Never mind, I was so chuffed with the sound of the three strings that I did fit, I've just ordered up a new set They really do sound close to that deep, warm acoustic double bass. A bit tricky to play mind!

I thought it would be Adrian You can't go wrong either way then. And if you want it light, ask him, you'll get light.

I'm sure not I think with my builds, fate has ample opportunity to do its worst whatever

Haha!! What I'm saying is, I wouldn't go near a bass with say low rattly action which the owner thinks is fantastic but I'd rather play one with my ideal setup. Happy Sunday!!

I can't even play this!

Honestly, thats as good as if not better than 90% of the youtube covers of this track....

A high gloss oil probably

Yup - all looking good! As you've described, that'll work for you. That will give you a perfectly serviceable setup - and it'll sound great.

I've told this before. . . . A friend was looking for a guitar as a 50th birthday present to himself. The guy in the shop got down a US Strat and Rob, who was mightily impressed, said, "But this is only for playing in my bedroom." The shop guy said, "Mate, 90% of the guitars we sell are to people who play in their bedrooms, and the other 10% should do."

Yes you may moan that EU imports may become unaffordable soon, but looking on the bright side, the lucrative trade deal with India is almost in the bag. Who needs Nordstrands when you can take your pick of the best indian sweatshop-produced pickups made by 9 year old slaves instead? Tone for days.

I've always wondered why the flat part isn't removable and why tuners don't use a T spanner type thingy - like a football boot/golf shoe spanner. This would prevent accidental knocks. The drawback would be that you'd need to always carry the spanner and "quick tuning" for that slightly out of tune string would become a thing of the past. Seems I've found out why my idea has never taken off. Maybe there's something in what Essential Tension says..

And this is what it comes down to I bet, there possibly are technically better ways to do it but they would be more expensive to make and more complex/heavier so maybe less reliable/ hardwearing. Then there is the issue of getting people to buy them, when more than half the bass playing population seems to struggle with anything without a Fender logo on it, it could be a step too far for many. Life is a compromise.

Their "prize" was getting a record contract and getting to spend their lives making music. This is just one more thing to stick in their mansions for the maid to dust.

First rehearsal today - six hours' worth. It was loads of fun. The show's being shot for DVD, so everything has to be spot-on. We've got a week in the rehearsal hall, so we'll have the monitor mixes pretty much there by the weekend, so hopefully the check in the arena will mostly be tweaking stuff. The band is great.. the drummer's from Lindisfarne, the keyboard player's from Dire Straits, the other keyboard player and sax player are from The 1975's live band, the guitarist was a touring member of The Arctic Monkeys, and one of our vocalists sang on 'I Would Do Anything For Love' with Meat Loaf. And then there's me. I daren't pinch myself. Loads of pics here: https://www.sundayforsammy.org/sunday-for-sammy-2018-access-all-areas

Just had a six-hour rehearsal with it today. MY GOD... the notes are massive. Some of the tunes are old-school P-and-flats, others are rounds and growl, and it just responds beautifully. It's beautiful. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Guy sounds like a total Rooster. I knew a guy who worked backstage at the old Academy in Birmingham (the one that used to be the Hummingbird). He told me that certain bands specifically requested that the staff didn't talk them. He once said something along the lines of 'sorry mate' to the singer from quite a famous American band when they happened to be passing in a narrow backstage corridor before a show and the guy just completely blanked him, despite the fact they both had to turn sideways to get past each other.

Bump lol

Hi folks, After asking around here for some advice I decided to take the plunge and get myself a Harley Benton 6-string bass. It’s arrived today and I thought I would share some details with you. I’ll start by saying I am very pleased with the bass. It’s a neat yet simple design and it feels nicely made and well finished. I was expecting it to weigh quite a bit but actually it’s quite light – certainly a lot easier on the shoulders than my Harley Benton Jazz. The neck is very playable. Being a 6-string it’s clearly chunky, and the shape reminds me quite a bit of my Squire P-bass albeit even fatter. Despite the size, I find the neck pretty fast and there is no problem reaching the low B string. It came really well set up with a nice low action. The intonation needed seeing to but otherwise it was playable out of the box. The electronics are pretty nice too. It’s got a 2-band active EQ with a blend and volume. It also has the option of going passive when the volume pot is pulled out, in which case the treble control becomes a passive tone control. Sound wise it has quite a bit of growl to it. It almost reminds me of a Warwick in that respect. The active circuit is pretty hot and can easily bring on some distortion when the bass control is tweaked up even a little. However, it’s a nice sound and pretty flexible. I’d say the passive sound is the nicest – clean and rich and certainly much more impressive than a bass of this price has any right to sound. I’m off to band practice with it tonight so I’ll report my experience with it in the wild tomorrow, but until then it looks like Harley Benton have designed a really nice bass for just silly money here.

Nice review, I`ve been looking at these for a while. Never bought into the "woolly Ashdown" thing - if Bruce Foxton and JJ Burnell use them - and have seen/heard them do so - they have enough top-end. In fact seeing Bruce Foxton using an Ashdown stack a couple of weeks ago has made me start looking at Ashdown, just waiting for a retailer near enough to me to see if for one I like the RootMaster tone, and secondly if the cabs will fit in my car!