Leaderboard

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And the final verdict is, it does work. The B string does not thunder like the 64' stop on a church organ, but in my heart I knew that would be the case. It will probably be a string for special occasions only. But if nothing else, it will remind me that I am now more used to a 5 string than a 4 string so muscle memory will not have to adapt The original preamp sits nicely with the pickup filling out the lower register nicely. In case anyone has ever had any doubts about Jez's abilities, the man is a wood whisperer.

Similar story here. We should have bought a Basschat bottle and shared it around.

Classic StingRay (think it’s a 2014)

I'm pretty certain it's IKEA, from their carpoultunnoul range

My latest guffing-about-with project thing, a Westfield 'Bird-shaped thing. Bought for next to nothing on my local Farcebook marktplatz. Was cheap because it's scruffy and was missing half its knobs and had really awful strings and is a Westfield, most of which is easily sorted. The fingerboard is filthy and cleaning it is the first thing on the list... well the 4th thing, having already 1) binned the old strings, 2) chucked some temporary knobs on, and 3) fitted a black bridge. Some black tuners will be in the pipeline too I think, probably a full electrics overhaul and maybe even new/different pups depending on what it sounds like. The action was surprisingly low and the neck felt really good to play in the quick blast I gave it. Inevitably there will be massive neck dive but I will cross that bridge when it comes along. I'm not expecting it to be any great shakes really, I only got it for the look... as deep as a puddle, me

It went well!. Reasonably quiet, and the Elf/,One10 did the business easily. There were many Telecasters!

And who can forget Vim Fuego?

… and finally this Classic JR for the Soul/Funk/ Motown stuff I also will hopefully get back to soon 👍🏼:

..then this one for my church stuff : .. the Beta is a lovely pedal, should be great when using IEMs.

just sneaked another under the radar I see ! have a look here

New board to accommodate the Barefaced Machinist I won in their recent Instagram competition 😎

It might be from their Irøningbörd range?

Not for sale, unfortunately.

You are John McVie and I claim my five pounds...

I would go so far as to dare suggest that without either a decent singer or a tight drummer, you're knackered.

HX Stomp has been my only pedal for the past year (well, the Stomp and a few utility pedals to control it). It's a great platform, and it's really flexible. I'm moving on to an HX Effects as of this week, because my primary need these days is something to go in front of my amp, and I want more footswitches and easier programmability, but I have nothing bad to say about the HX Stomp. The main downside is its lack of switches, which is why I've had to expand it as much as I have, but if you can live with that and create cleverly designed presets and snapshots, you're golden. Here's my pedalboard as it stands today, and is getting ripped apart and rebuilt with an HX Effects within a few days. I'll happily claim that you can't beat this amount of flexibility in such a compact setup.

This is a real shame. Particularly considering Mesa had left their previous distributor and it appeared that prices for Mesa gear were going to be considerably more affordable. Alas, while it appears that the the gear is going to be more affordable it appears that the gear is not being made for anyone outside of the US for the foreseeable future. I'm conscious that there are supply problems, however there are several other US manufacturers who are still exporting products and Mesa are presently the only company I am aware of who are deciding to simply not fulfil any international orders whatsoever. However, the position taken isn't actually as bad as the complete lack of communication to Andertons until such time that Andertons had probably secured a whole host of orders worth presumably tens of thousands of pounds going back the previous 6-7 months since the new distribution model was launched (amid a certain degree of fanfare). It appears that there has been a complete lack of transparency to international dealers like Andertons. I'm conscious that we are still in the process of coming out of a massive global pandemic with shortages to all manner of materials (I struggled to find concrete and sand to build a patio!) but the approach by Mesa is particularly poor. I am sure that Mesa have underlying reasons and that the parts shortages issue is a real issue, but the way in which the reasons were communicated (or rather not communicated) is disappointing and frankly, a bit Gibson-esque.

I've used my Trace Elliot heads with a variety of cabs - TE (obviously), Mesa, Schroeder, Vanderkley and Glockenklang amongst others. I can't remember being disappointed with any of them. If there is a Mathematical equation it'll probably be: TE+ anything = perfection

It's a fine pick up. Sounds like a P and doesn't have the mid scoop of 1/4 LB'er. One of the original replacement pick ups for the P bass. I'd be more than happy to have one in a p bass - in fact I did for a few years. If in doubt a Model P is a solid bet. If you want to agonise over marketing spiel and pick up's you 'think' you should have go ahead but when jamming with the band you really want the P bass character and the Model P will deliver. Telt!

Status & Trace were a classic 80s combination. Mark King springs to mind. I had a Washburn Status geat bass ,sadly sold. Status necks always felt a little chunky for me. I have several Trace heads, which aren't too heavy. I only use with lightweight Vanderkleys of Barefaced. A well preserved Trace Head is the way to go.

Well at the risk of causing further upset, lets recap and see what we appear to be facts: Oiling your fretboard can make it look and feel more pleasant. Over oiling can cause problems by softening the fretboard. Oiling varnished fretboards can cause unpleasant streaking. Then some points which are matters of opinion, but less contentious: Sellers of fretboard oil emphasise the benefits of their products to help drive sales, which may encourage over-use. Significant damage is rare and moderate use of fretboard oil doesn't seem to cause problems. Custom fingerboard oil isn't significantly different in performance or effects, but smells more pleasant. My personal opinion: More instruments are ruined through over adjustment of truss rods and clumsy customisation; no-one is going to say 'stop adjusting your truss rod' or 'don't fit new pickups'.

Originally Alice Cooper was a band name. Same as Sade, with lead singer Helen Folasade Adu sharing, then taking over the name. Blondie could possibly be put in the same category, as the name was the band, but was pretty much a nickname for lead singer Debbie Harry.

Long story short : I once sold an early Squier Vintage Modified 70's Jazz Bass to a friend. It was really excellent sounding, way better than a lot of original ones. He started to use it in the different bands he was in and at the conservatory where he was studying. People were always telling him to get a decent bass : Buy a real Fender was what he was always told. So one day he put a fake Fender logo on it and a different pickguard (scratchplate for the others) : Suddenly it became an astounding bass and he got complimented for his sound. 🤦‍♂️ Sad but true.

Get your money back and buy an Ashdown.

Assuming, that is, that I can physically handle it... An REM tribute is mooted, should be a bit of fun!

Oh God Andy, don't mention oiled fretboards 🤭

From the instant I saw the Junior Reid I instantly had to go play this

No Self Control - Peter Gabriel

I'm fairly new to the world of flats, but so far..... I thought I'd experiment with a relatively cheap (for flats) fender set for my first pair and whacked them on a Precision. I'm not a fan really, the tension is too high for me personally and it feels like I'm playing with cables. Over the past few years I've become predominantly a pick player (I've been playing in heavier/louder bands), but after playing with fingers (in a blues band) in a 3hr rehearsal I found my fingers were hurting with the fender flats. I still have calluses, so don't think it's a case of having wussy fingers, but I am quite heavy handed. A few months ago I out some TI flats on an SG and they're a dream to play. Really easy to fret, really easy to bend and they sound great too. Although they're a bit more expensive, they'd be my first choice.

Yea that's my take on it. Doesn't mean I'm not bricking it though 🤣

Orange crush also an option

I used to work with a chap who traveled a lot as part of his job, his name was Trevor Cunningham. His surname occasionally caused some issues in far-flung foreign climes, but the best was when he tried to check into a hotel only to be told there was no reservation in his name. After a few minutes trawling through the list, the receptionist found it; he'd been booked in as Terver Contninong. So far, so 'probably a language issue'. Except this was in Dallas, Texas.

I was once entered into an Irish music competition under the name Sean O'Sullivan, by a branch secretary who couldnt' remember my name and had lost the beermat with it written on!

Why would you change new strings? 🤣

There is that expression 'people listen with their eyes'.

So I had a go at playing bombtrack for the first time in ages and with the no bass backing track.. A little bit rusty in parts but nothing I can't iron out. The question is, is it the rightsong for an audition.. it's got palm muting, slides, bends, chords, dynamics.... hmmm 10000000_769597590396874_5640884625868416501_n.mp4

So that's twice in 58 years....they're starting to rack up.

I've always thought the vegetable 'Curly Kale' would be a great stage name..... I can hear it now.... "Ladies and Gentlemen..... please put your hands together for.....on the bass guitar..... CURLY... KALE!!!! 😉😁😆

Some people can't get over the 'embarrassment' of being seen playing a Squier. I'm fine with it.

Got the fretboard side inlays installed and trimmed flush... I did a quick check to make sure everything was still lining up and what needed to be square was and... ...Glued the top wing on so I can move on to finishing the routing on pup cover and bridge, then carving and shaping properly begins! Excited to have a rough bass come out the clamps tomorrow and sit it on my knee, the 30" scale seems amazingly comfy reach wise so I think this is going to be a fun bass.

Remember, you are also auditioning them. They want your money, so don't be afraid about questioning them as to why they should be the ones to get it.

The Standard Basschat Remedy is called for, here; please accept a Bouquet (but get studying, even though it's all easy, really...).