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I'm rather hoping I'm not the only Talking Heads fan here. I've always been fond of their unique approach to pop/rock/funk and Byrne's unconventional style/lyrics. Tina Weymouth is a big part of that, also. The simplest of basslines that fit in perfectly with everything else. Two great examples (and both great tunes)

If anyone is interested in how these are with flats, I've put some Chromes on and I doubt I'll be able to take them off now. Even with rounds I found all pickup positions very usable, but with the flats I've managed to make the neck pickup sound closer to a P Bass, whilst backing off the bass and treble a touch. Doesn't sound as P like as my Fender P, but it's passable and great in the mix. Great slap sound too with both pickups on. Very happy bunny

Yes Stop Making Sense was an amazing experience for me too but this is the concert I would like to invent a time machine for. At 49.05 they play the best version of Born Under Punches ever, I can listen to that for days.

That's astonishingly well-crafted and meticulously detailed, a genuinely jaw-droppoing level of craftsmanship. It's also really, really ugly.

Had a good time Friday evening, on our way on holiday, we stayed overnight with my cousin. Nothing unusual, maybe, but I was in bands with him in the 60s and early 70s (the latter being our age now!). Unfortunately we usually only meet nowadays at family funerals...... He still gigs occasionally, and has a collection of rather nice guitars, including a mint Gretsch White Falcon and various Taylors and Martins, and an acoustic bass guitar. So while our wives were yapping away in one room, we were happily jamming through 50+ years of music memories. Great stuff! Anyone else done this? Malcolm

Everytime I see one of these Stingrays I can see the money falling out of my account. I daren't try one as I know the outcome. Oh, go on then.

Late to the party, but so's Discreet so that's OK. I do this for fun. The money's nice and I do expect to be paid, but enjoying myself is way more important than the money. [Cue lengthy and tangential posts by pro musician Basschatters explaining why I'm undermining their market and need to change my attitude.] In the OP's situation my only real questions would be: Am I still enjoying playing this music with these bandmates? If I devoted this particular time & effort to finding another band and then playing that music with those bandmates, would it be likely to be more fun? If my limited career as a gigging musician has taught me anything, it's that every band has issues, every band has problems, every band has a list of reasons to make me want to throw my toys out of the pram and flounce. Which makes flouncing a less attractive option, since I know what I'll be walking into next ...

done

@OP You thought you were joining a band but it now turns out it's a floating cast of musos backing up a couple of troubadors. Shame they didn't make that clear to you, whether through cöck-up, conspiracy or carelessness, who knows? Anyhow, keep taking the gigs and the money, and use the opportunity to do a bit of networking (maybe steal the drummer) while looking for the full time band. Keep working with these guys until you don't need them anymore then very politely give them the Spanish while leaving a hook in them in case they need you again. So, rather then them using you, you're using them. Frontmen, eh? You can't live with them and you can't kill them, gut them, wrap them in chicken wire, tie some weights to them and throw them off the back of a boat.

I'm Carlo, currently living in a Florida swamp by way of NYC and more recently China. I've been playing bass since 1962 and started building basses in earnest in 2010 after exiting furniture design and returning from Asia. I had quit playing in the early 80s, keeping only a 1960 EBO and a '77 StingRay. Picked it up again around 2002 and have since acquired too many basses. Here's my 1965 UK Vox Phantom and one of the clones I built a few years back. I owned a Crucianelli Vox version in the early '70s. Sad to say, it didn't hold a candle to the original. I've also owned a number of British sports cars and Triumph motorcycles which definitely were instrumental in forming a DIY attitude!

Well Lurks, I have indeed decided to get back on me bike....! We adopted an 11 month old boy back in March and needless to say have struggled to find the time for the comp..I think the brain forgets what it was like first time round (or at least mine does !!).. Anyhow, I've got some basics done,under the working title of "Hazy Sunday on the moon " !!

Looks like I'm free for this now! 😊 Got A couple of sets of 5 String Dean Markley Helix strings that I've never opened that the raffle is welcome to. Might have a couple of things for the For Sale table, but not sure yet. Attendee list 1) Cetera - Spector NS2 & Legend 4X, Dingwall NG2, Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird, Yamaha BB3000, GK800RB head, Genz Benz Neox212 cab, Tech-21 Dug DP3X preamp/pedal 2) Ezbass - Maruszczyk Elwood L 4 string fretted (J pickups), Maruszczyk Elwood L 4 string fretless (MM pickup), Rickenbacker 4003s, Rob Allen MB2 fretless, Phil Jones Flightcase + PB300 3) Happy Jack - AliKat DB #004, Mike Lull 54P, all I need to play a doubling gig (that evening) on those two instruments 4) BlueJay - Eminence Upright (left-handed), loads of camera equipment 5) obbm - Fender Precisions, Sadowsky HPJ, Bergantino NV115, Handbox WB100 and if room Quilter BB800 + BF One10 + Nate Mendel for sale/trade  6) Nancy Johnson (Paul) - The Big One, rack (GED/poweramp), possibly the dUg DP3x. A bass. 7) MacDaddy - Shuker bass(es), Snapdragon Folding bass, Flattley Bass Poison Ivy. 8 ) prowla (Paul) - Maybe a Ric or two and fakers, maybe a couple of Statii, maybe J- & P-basses. Probably a Markbass amp & cab and a pedalboard with some FX. 9) Stingray5 - Old faithful Stingray5; Tune SWV4-BB bass; Eden EC180 1x15 combo. (I also have a gig that evening so may leave the Eden in the car but happy to bring it in if anyone asks). 10) TrevorR - Wal Pro II E, Wal Mk 1 Custom, Aria SB700, MarkBass LMII and Traveler 2x10, pedalboard. 11) TheGreek - Mesa M Pulse 600 head/ Powerhouse 1x15 cab and The Psilos bass built by Andyjr1515 12) JapanAxe (Graeme) - most of the stuff in my signature! 13) Wolverinebass (Andy) - Maybe some Wounded Paw effects/signature preamp and a bass. 14) Silverfoxnik (Nik) - Roscoe Beck 5, Gibson Thunderbird, BC Rich Eagle, plus my Ampeg V4BH Rig 15) Paul The Drums of the Junkyard Dogs, with kit. 16) Frank Blank (Frankè Blanké) Rob Allen Mouse, AER Basic Performer, Fender Modern Player with modded fretless neck, Ibanez SRC6/SR500, cake. 17) Ordep - Noble Preamp, Modulus Jazz, Fodera Monarch New Std, Amp, pedalboard depending on the day’s mood. 18) ChunkyMunky - Yamaha BB1025X, SWR Redhead combo  19) Jabba the Gut - TC Electronic RH450, RS112 and some own build basses 20) Thestick - Vanderkley cabs, Aguilar ag700 head, selection of basses 21) Mr & Mrs Hamster - Tea, coffee & cake! Might bring a couple of basses too 22) bassace - usual double basses etc. 23) OutSpoon (Steve) - Fodera Monarch Standard Classic, Sandberg California VS5, Maybe a '94 Stingray? TC 208 combo or PJ Double4? 24) Walman - BF Super12T, FPPR Status S1 (yes that one ), Genz Benz Streamliner, Helix Floor, and a load of EBS pedals for sale 25) musicbassman - planning to come, sorry I've nothing of great interest to bring with me, just some respect for all you guys bringing your treasured possessions to display. 26) Kebabkid - Sire Marcus Miller V7 (4 string), Roland Bass Cube 120XL, Zoom B3 & EBS Octabass 27) Graham (still tentative at the moment) - Lakland DJ5, G&L USA SB2, Yamaha TRB1005J, EBS HD350, EBS Neo 2x12, EBS Microbass II, EHX Big Muff Bass Deluxe, Joyo Orange Juice 28) NickD - Maruszczyk Jake 5P+, Maruszczyk Elwood L5A, Markbass 121H, Zoom B3, Bass Soul Food, EHX Freeze, Mooer Tender Octaver, Ebow.

No need to say,if there wasn't Neil,there wouldn't be navarone

Info from the man himself: http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?s=9c378f5b2737d1f2378ffc114a3e7b45&t=2

Welcome Zapdady. You needn't worry. We all know the answer to that one... GAS. Some of the great bassists have started out in the horn section too. Have fun. PS: Do you tune down to E flat?

Hosco body, Wilkinson pickups and tuners. Chinese bits make up the rest.

Good evening, ZD , and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. I suppose we should really leave you to find out for yourself, but, to avoid future disappointment, and further expense, on your part, I feel duty-bound to disclose that you'll never get the trumpet sound you're striving for, even with all those pedals. Sorry to have to break it to you like that, but I think it's the kindest, in the long run. ...

Started with a Schaller 471-8 Functionally great, but a little overdesigned, e.g. the gronky coarse adjustment is aesthetically challenged compared to a TOM solution. Unnecessary if the saddle carriers are properly located. Four saddle (12 string ) prototype using pieces from my standard 4 string bridge/tailpiece and some .020 aluminium in situ with prototo (misdrilled) tailpiece. Then it got ugly... more Al, more butchered bridge parts and Francis, the Talking Mule. Essential for developing my 5s, 8s, 12s, and now, 10-15s. Only way to find out what pickup sounds how where. In this case ThunderBucker Fiver pups. Also helps in finding balance points and strap button locations. Now with TrembleNO™, the aspirational whanger system. Amazing what odd bits you can find in a drawer to screw into an untapped hole in .020 Next: Bring up the Body.

The specs and even the shape of the thing suggest to me that it’s aimed squarely at guitarists. I suspect this won’t do a great job with bass at all...

Tomorow i will go to a profesional car painter to paint it. Here you can compare the size with my 40" scale p-bass and the 34" scale vig cobra

That's where you're going wrong - you're meant to film yourself playing bass

I might bring a Rickenfaker along, with a real Ric TRC, just to see if folks can tell the difference...

Remain In Light and Fear Of Music were the peak, IMO. There was a time there where they were the best band in the world. The Stop Making Sense reading of 'Heaven' will be played at my funeral.

Leeds for gigs but York for culture, history, lack of yobs and general niceness

Thanks for that. I larfed. (Mainly because it worries me to think I may never be able to buy a "dumb" telly ever again.)

It was, but a bit of zoot suit going on there too, I think DB had his creative roots in '50's & '60's small-town Americana

Hi, Si Only just caught up with this bit of the changeover. Now I understand why @jebroad manfully stepped into the breach! Huge thanks for sorting the previous bashes and best wishes for your next big adventure!

Thank you. Talking Heads were one of my favourite acts of the eighties. Their hits are like milestones in my memory as they accompanied major steps forward in my development upon leaving home for good. For example; the Gate Theatre at the head of O'Connell Street in Dublin showed the film Stop Making Sense every weekend for what seemed like months when it came out. People would attend and behave as if the Heads were performing live for them. I went once myself and found lots of people were going each weekend. That was a life affirming experience for an early twenties lad such as me. I liked Tom Tom Club too but I felt it was a distraction from the main Talking Heads vibe. It also felt like the two bands co-existed on an uneasy basis. That one film was a masterpiece in its simplicity. From the minute it started you were in the audience. The complete lack of narration and visual prompts made the experience even more real. It was the next best thing to being there and in some way it was better because of the choice camera shots. I'd imagine it was not nearly as easy to make as it was to watch. I'd like to see it in the cinema again but the feelings of oneness with everyone and the consequent buzz can never be recaptured. I'll probably end up buying it on Blu-ray or DVD audio.

Stop Making Sense is excellent.

I watched Stop Making Sense last Sunday and it was so damn good I watched it again today. I dislike concert films usually but Talking Heads are so damn good. Tina Weymouth is an excellent bassist, just like you say, simple bass lines that serve the song, height of the art as far as I’m concerned.

tom tom club were awesome

Netflix would be a better option... Lots of great shows to get into and only £7.99 subscription. I rarely ever watch 'actual' TV.

Neil is a greate guy.I would like to met him in person.We are talking only through e-mails.Always here to try new things,or to help me find the corect gauge for the pitch i want.First time he build me a 40" .255 string for my fretless bass back in the 2015 and maybe earlier. It was his first thick and long string.He send it to me in greece free of charge. I never had problem with his strings,his suport and his service. I am glad to see him building strings for dingwhalls.He has very big experience and knowledge

I think GB was the importer of these. Apparently they’re ok for the money. Ken Smith ‘design’

And I've been drinking really cheap cider from 3ltr plastic bottles! Back on topic, of the mates I played in my first bands with (early 70s) I think I'm the only one who is still actively involved with music. Reading other posts it seems like the drop-off rate is really high.

Ditto Got both Remain and Fear - superb stuff. Owned them for 30 years + I thought Belew really changed the dynamic on Remain. Not better or worse, just different , and brilliant I also have Tom Tom Club's first CD which is another killer - Weymouth is a great Basser and very understated. She doesn't waste notes but always has the right line for every song That takes talent

Possibly most fun I’ve had at a gig, and I’ve been to a lot. Took this whilst right at the front in the Manchester Apollo.

Tina Weymouth is fab. Stop Making Sense was the first record I bought**, and I've seen both Tom Tom Club and David Byrne solo a few times each. The very recent show at Hammersmith Odeon was simply amazing. ** I was trying to be cool with an American friend of mine about this, he said "oh yeah I was at one of the gigs they recorded for the film". That'll teach me

Quite right. As a way of becoming aware of pedals, I enjoy their videos, but often they don’t manage to show them off to their fullest potential and sometimes they’ve even bordered on misinformation. Zach Rizer’s reviews are much better in that regard as he is very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of each pedal and spends time meticulously showing what they can do.

Pleasant dree-eee-eee-eee-eams, dreams, dreams, dree-eams...

I find interesting why people get so untight about who first played or influenced slap in the uk. Even as is well know Larry Graham invented it. Don't you think however other not name bands bassists where playing slap on electric at the same time? Of course they were, MK actually states in a interview it was some coloured guys that came into Sounds that sparked his imagination along with SC that started him off.Clearly around 79/80 many players were experimenting with slap bass, so unless someone has atomic clock and photographic evidence who did it first thumb struck, every argument about who first started it is meaningless..

Thank you for the Gretsch suggestion. I have been thinking that short scale might be easier for me while reading parts.

Well - your analogy clearly involves some extra-sensory perception because I am actually typing this from Aberdeen Maternity Hospital where our eldest daughter has just made us grandparents! The three ladies are busy doing lady stuff I have no interest in knowing about which is why I'm in the waiting room catching up on Basschat. How's that for dedication!

Profanity filter. It's shitty.