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Just spent an enjoyable two hours going through this book. If Geddy Lee wasn't so damn nice, I could honestly hate the guy for snagging so many beautiful instruments. Have to say that after 200 pages of drooling content, it's just information overload. The content steers you round the ultimate question of, 'Whatever happened to that <insert manufacturer here> bass?' before drawing you in for the last few pages of the really important guitars. There's no envy here in the slightest; it's just a lengthy journal about vintage bass collecting. He's been a successful musician for donkey's years and now he's simply kicking back and reaping the rewards of that. It's a beautiful publication.

not wired yet.

-

Hes so very clever. And was never just another session drummer.

Living in a very small rented flat, I can't fit wall hangers. So they're out on floor stands. - I'll pick one up on impulse just for 5 minutes, which can easily turn into 15. - I do play all of them - some more than others - but I make a point of picking up a different one every day. - They make me smile. None of those would happen if they were in cases.

I`m like that after gigs, no energy, feeling knackered, am also 53. But then I think what life would be like without gigs and the tiredness pales against a life of boredom.

Any bass of mine in a case doesn't get played. If it doesn't get played it gets sold. Therefore if I put a bass in a case it means that it is going to end up sold! Sometimes I will pick up a bass and play it for a minute and put it back because I have an idea I thought about - if there was a case in the way that would stop that. I guess it works for people in tidy or big houses, I have neither!

Wow ... Just watched the Chic/ Sister Sledge performance at the Budokan, Tokyo. April 17th, 1996. STUNNING playing and superlative tone, from the fantastic Bernard Edwards. Great concert really. Something notable of that event ... During the performance, Bernard wasn’t feeling so well, even saying ‘I’ve got a touch of the Tokyo Flu, but I’m still here’ ... It was in the early hours of the morning, after that very show, that he died in his hotel room. The cause was pneumonia. If he’d gone to see a doctor, a simple treatment would have prevented the tragedy. If you’re a fan of The Nard, this is something I’d recommend watching. It’s emotive too, given the circumstances. What a great player, and such a terrible loss. RIP Bernard

Did her and Peter Gabriel ever hook up (as in romantically)? Artistically they've always struck me as counterparts of eachother. Kate is a very rare example of a mainstream female artist I take seriously and respect...for Hounds of Love if nothing else. Give me her worst effort any day over today's autotuned airbrushed hoes gyrating their way through ghost-written "club bangers". Urgh.

Brand new, been 'playing' for 10 minutes, still baffled/in awe. 3 off us were playing 'normal' guitars, something was missing, so . . someone told me to buy a short scale, so I bought an Epi EB0 i saw a nice looking Squire VM Jazz, bought it . fell in love with a Fender Kingman, bought it. now I've got to play them !

So in an effort to sit firmly on the fence of Killing Rock N Roll (see several other threads), alongside my DI/In-ears setup, I sometimes have need of backline for the Rawk band I play in. I'd been using my Walkabout into my Barefaced Super Twin to very satisfactory results, but a while back I picked up a Compact, just to get all modular for smaller gigs and a slightly (15lbs or so) lighter load. I'm sure you can guess what happened next, on an idle afternoon while everyone else was out... Soooo, it's got the best thing about a proper stack, in that it's much, much nearer my ears, but sweet guinea pig of Winnipeg, what a noiiiiiiiise...ok, I've not gigged it yet, but I nearly dismantled the back half of the house with it. I used to have an SVT/810, and I'd put this up against one for sheer thunder. The WA will be putting out a fair bit more than 300w into the 2.67 ohm load (and it was loud enough anyway), but those cabs get every db out of every watt... And the whole thing weighs 80lb or so. 😀

Looking good johnny, for that money it’s worth a go 👍

This was the only one that wasn't 'right'. I've had three maple Jazz necks from eBay and they're all spot on. Two of them were used here: I guess for less than £30 a chuck you are taking a punt, but that's half the fun 😉

So in the feedback it will be: "Someone very similar to [Geoff/ Graham / Dave / Josie...delete as applicable] may have acquired something with [4, 5 or 6] strings on and I suspect would have been a great person to deal with had I done business with them. Should you also nearly do business with them in 2019, do it with confidence."

Ditto I guess without realising it, my weight appears to be on my right leg when gigging. No shape throwing for me, or foot trouble ( just an aching leg ) Mrs bag couldn't give a McToss

That really is pornographic!! Properly jealous..

In West, you play bass guitar. In Soviet Russia, bass plays you !

I’m over the moon about everything I’ve bought this year. Nothing was bad: mexican ‘player’ precision - can’t belive how well built Mexican fenders are nowadays ampeg svt-cl and svt-810e. Both USA made ones. Yup, pretty happy with this 2009 music man stingray. 3 band. Love it ashdown abm evo iv 600 + klystron 410 & klystron 115. Can’t find fault with this

Only bass related purchases were amp stuff... I got a Crown 1502 power amp with 6u rack and rack power distribution to replace my 28 year old Marshall. It weighs about 1/2 of the Marshall, puts out 1500W against the Marshall's 300W. And the difference is that I get much more bass weight, even when using sub octaves - the whole thing is clean right down to 20Hz rather than the slightly indistinct bass-amp tone I used to get. Now I dial tones/effects in via pedalboard and rack BBE pre and know that I'm getting exactly the same sound from my Precision Devices/Markbass speakers as I'm sending to the desk. Anyone want to buy a Marshall Jubilee?

I suspect you are right Rich. There will be a mention of tractors and a 5 year plan.

Yeah my hard cases are in the garage but the triple case I have is really narrow, much less than three cases and considerably less so than one of those ‘racks’ you can get. Works quite well. But yeah if you’ve got no floor space then the walls are next. When the walls are full you’ve got the ceiling!

You’ll fit right in here then!!

Have a look for Eich or Tecamp Bassboard or Porter and Davies. They both do these. I took the DIY approach and bought the parts from Ebay/Amazon/Homebase for the platform and secondhand Markbass Nano to drive it. I also have a small mixer so I can mix my bass with a microphone in the kickdrum.

I've been thinking that for a couple of years and in that time I've checked out at least half a dozen Sadowsky Jazz basses, including a chambered NYC, a Modern, PJ, a Satin and some other Metros. They all sound good, but so far, I'm just preferring the sound of my Metro RV5 Jazz. Now I'm not sure that I need an NYC at all.

@probonopublico you are one sick puppy

A very Merry Christmas to you Marvin, lovely to see that neck put to good use Merry Christmas to everyone else too

My wonderful Sirius by Franz bass guitars ❤️

Hi All, Just signed up and this is my first post. I've played for years, but have been out of the loop for a while and am just getting back to playing again. I'm hoping some of you can give me some help and advice to get me up to speed again regarding gear. Hope you like my little bass collection BTW, more about them later. First I have a question about amps. Right now I use a Trace MP11 digital pre-amp through an ART effects processor and a Trace RA 250 power amp into a Hartke 4 x 10 cab. Yeah stone age I know, but I love the sound. The only thing I want to change is the power amp, because of size and weight. Everything seems to have gone pocket sized these days and I'm struggling to find a single, unit rack mounted power amp to replace it with without spending a fortune. Suggestions anyone? On to the guitars. I bought my Wal custom (used) back in the mid 90's and thought it a bit pricey at £1500, but I had to have it (there was no choice). As I'm getting into playing again I thought I should find out what it and the others are worth for insurance purposes. I looked around and eventually spoke to the nice people at Wal. Since they are not that common, they suggested the best option would be to insure for the price of a new replacement. I won't say much how much that is, but it may well be worth more than my house! The Stingray was easy enough to value. The third is another matter altogether. It was made for me in the mid 80's by Doug Binskin, who lived near me here in Kent. I hope not, but I think he may have passed now. Doug's guitars generally had his Erskine logo on the head, but for some reason it didn't go onto mine. Obviously, being custom and a complete one off, it will be hard to value and impossible to replace. Maybe someone could give me an idea of what it might cost to have something similar made to the same spec, which is: Single piece American walnut body, birds eye maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Schaller machines, Seymour Duncan pickups and Schecter bridge. Sorry for the essay guys. I'll try to be more brief in future and I'd value any good advice or opinions about any of this stuff. All the best. Marc. made to the same spec, which is: .

Hi all, just joined the forum, been playing on and off for years, currently own a Fender 4 string. Cheers

Yaay I'm on my hols so thought I would share this review. Background: My first Acoustic bass experiment was a bit of a disaster, mainly because of my own unrealistic expectations and my subsequent failure to find the kind of tone that I liked from my purchase. This time round I'm more experienced and informed. The reason I bought another was that I have recently started playing more acoustic music and I wanted to re-explore acoustic bass. My uses are open mic's, jamming with friends on their acoustic instruments and to noodle and inspire my songwriting. My buying criteria were that it shouldn't cost too much, should be able to "plug in & play" and that I should be able to dial in a warm and deep sound that I failed to find first time around. Note: I don't like some of those toppy tones that you can hear on some acoustics fitted with phophur bronze strings. I spent quite a bit of time searching for the right machine. There are a lot of cheap used acoustic basses out there so I decided to home in on basses that were made by companies known for making capable good value acoustic guitars such as Takamine, Tanglewood, Sigma and Cort. I couldn't find many to try out locally so I relied on reviews, sound samples and youtube. I have to say that most that I listened too weren't hitting the spot at all, until I found the vid at the bottom of the Sigma BMC. This became the bench mark for my search and the more I looked the more I kept coming back to this particular model, based on VFM and tone. A couple of weeks ago I snagged one on ebay so here is my review REVIEW: This particular guitar was bought used and plays superbly (anyone identify the strings ?). Cost? New seems to be around £450-500 online. You can half that if you can find one 2nd hand. Build: It seems well made and although small bodied also well balanced so no neck dive. I haven't weighed it but it is nice and light. It is lighter than any of my electric basses and also most of my 6 string guitars. It has decent quality grover tuners and a bone nut and bridge. It has a solid Mahogany top and mahogany back and sides. I think this is what brought me to the guitar as it brings out the bass tones I was hoping for and limits the some of the others that are more suited to 6 string acoustics IMHO. It has a lovely natural satin finish and a great feel. I'm not sure how durable this will be in the long term though. Looks: It is what it is, which is, which is a well made dark brown guitar. There is nothing particularly flashy here but it is all tastefully done. It has some nice detail such as well matched woods and pickguard and black bridge pins that demonstrates appropriate attention to detail. Note: The addition of a more durable finish and black chrome tuners would have nailed it for me. Tone: The unamplified tone is really deep and warm for an acoustic, no doubt due to the mahogony woods and flatwound strings. The sound is consistant up and down and across the neck. It is also very responive to playing style and sounds great with fingers pick or palm muted, which produces a satisfying thud! The Fishman Isys+ pre-amp was a great choice for this guitar as although a relively cheap system if gives a faithful reproduction of the basses tone. The bass and treble adjustments give very useful range of musical sound options. The treble dial is particulary sweet to play with and seems to intoduce some high mids to my ear without annoying backgound noise and the bass adjustment is again very usable, although adding too much bass on stage with any acoustic is liable to give you problems. The Isys "+" adds a bit of luxary in the form of a phase button and tuner in addition to the usual volume controls. Everything is there that I will need Conclusion:This is a budget instrument but my ears tell me this is excellent VFM and a bit of a hidden gem. For those of you who don't know Sigma were set up as a Martin factory in China and Martin produce some of the best acoustic instruments around. Since they split, Sigma guitars have since established their own strong reputation for quality and good value. This is certainly the most pleasing acoustic bass that I have played in terms of tone. Maybe I could find something better if I was willing to spend more money (2K for a Martin?) but I don't see a good alternatives around at the moment or a reason to do so. I'm still trying to figure out why this particular guitar sounds so good. Winner winner turkey dinner! Specifications Body & Bridge Top: Solid Mahogany Back & Sides: Mahogany Size: J-14 Fret, Cutaway Pickguard: Tortoise Finish: Natural Bridge: Rosewood Neck & Fretboard Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Indian Rosewood Frets: 22 Inlays: Pearl Scale Length: 34" (864mm) Nut: Bone Nut Width: 1.58" / 40.1mm Hardware & Electronics Electronics: Fishman Isys+ (With Tuner) Saddle: Bone / Compensated Machine Heads: Grover Die-Cast Hardware: Chrome

Good good 😘 Si

I took a punt on a block and binded, maple board for just over £30 to use on my unbranded P bass refinish, the neck and fretwork feels lovely but it said it was 'vintage amber' but it's more like orange its not the colour I wanted but I think it looks OK? For the money you can't really go wrong!! 😀

Ah..cheers my man

DR Sunbeams. Peachy

I end up with an aching left calf when I've been effectively standing on one leg for 3 songs in a row playing midi pedals with my right foot. I used to play with a drummer who used to trot out 'Im too good for this sh!t' whilst loading out at the end of the night at pub gigs. I had to bite my tongue frequently not to put him straight.

The condition you're referring to used to be known as 'policeman's heel' after a common complaint from street bobby's on the beat. Generally known as a 'spur'...it's a build up of calcium on the heel bone causing pain and discomfort. I first had treatment on mine in the early 90's and have since had 3 steroid injections up through the fleshy part of the heel into the inflamed area, hurts like hell, and in my case made no difference at all, i still have it!.....You may respond to the jabs and get some relief, a lot of people do.

Don't believe a word of it. I now gig regularly with a Harley Benton bass and a load of cheapo pedals and it all works and sounds just fine and dandy.

More dream like than optimistic

He always says that keeping time is his biggest weakness. One of my favourite drummers. I’ll never forget as a teenager hearing my dad, who hates anything that isn’t Jazz and thinks that all non-Jazz drummers are rubbish, comment when the Police came on the car radio, “who is this drummer? He’s really good”.

I've just quickly tried and failed to find an ad I saw for a little square you could stand on which would vibrate with the bass and send the sound back up through your feet. I've only twice (at Bourbon Street Blues in Nashville) played on a raised stage and loud enough that my bassline was coming back to me up through my legs. It was pretty special. I'd love it to happen again. But it was also part of the whole surrounding experience of a small high space (including balcony) crammed with tourists, so my sound wasn't coming just from the floor but also from the walls and the crowd. Ot (thinking about the jam thread) - the first time, the lead guitar asked what I was comfortable with before we started, and we did a few 12-bars and it was all good. The second time, some young shredder just said "Hey Joe" (which I know now, but didn't then) and I just had to blag it (which I can do much better now than I could then). Embarrassing, but I did get compliments from some in the crowd after, which adds evidence that bass players can get away with pretty much anything with a typical audience.

Agreed entirely....She was unique when she first appeared on the scene in the late 70's and still retains that status. Legendary theatrical performer too. There's no one like her even today! I don't know why i wrote 'even today'.....Like there would be this kind of creative talent around these days!

My missus let me have the neck early so I managed to get it all fitted and all strung up with some flats 😀 Its not as dark as in the picture just crap lighting (Sorry)

Twin... ... and Evil Twin.

He will - I'm making some for him at the moment - they will hopefully be available in a few days