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A Frank Blank list... Went to the Midlands Bass Bash Bought a guitar built by @Jabba_the_gut Left the Bash after a matter of minutes Now grinning like an absolute idiot

Great song and video with the legend and superfan that is Stuart Pearce.

My sofa isn't big enough so had to split the collection between Jazz and non-Jazz (although technically the Yamaha is wired like a Jazz). From left to right: Sadowsky MetroExpress JJ4, De Gier Bebop 5, Fender Standard Jazz Bass fretless (with De Gier prototype pickups), 1966 Fender Jazz, Blade B2 Tetra Bass, Sadowsky MetroExpress JJ5 From left to right: Fender Justin Meldal-Johnsen Signature Mustang, 1971 Fender Precision, De Gier Soulmate, Sterling Ray 34 w/ Status fretless neck and Nordstrand MM4.2 pickup, Dingwall Combustion 5, Yamaha BB N5II

As some of you may know, I have been on the hunt for a Motown and old-school (rock) bass for quite some time. Well, the hunt is over as I recently bought this Fender American Pro II P bass in the dark night finish. Very nice bass. I especially like the smooth neck and the build quality. It was a bit difficult to actually find a Pro II in this finish. Couldn't find one in the UK. I eventually got hold of one on reverb, seller was LL Music Center in Belgium https://www.llmusiccenter.com/gitaren/bas.html The owner Luc was very nice and packed the bass super safely (double boxing). The whole transaction went smoothly and I definitely would buy from Luc again. As you can see from the photos, I added a Dark Knight hologram sticker I found on Etsy. I just could not resist. As I always buy and sell basses (this year, so far, I've bought six and also sold six), I got a replacement pickguard to protect the original one from unwanted sticker glue. The company is called d'Andrea and the pickguard is of excellent quality with perfect fit. I cannot notice any difference between this one and Fender's original one. Could it be that they produce pickguards for Fender? Would not surprise me. Anyway, I can recommend d'Andrea in case you are looking for a replacement pickguard. I got mine from Thomann. https://www.thomann.de/gb/dandrea_p_bass_style_pickguards_for_bass.html I also added a thumb rest. It came with two screws but I am only using one as I did not want to drill an extra hole. Still works perfectly as I am anchoring my thumb near the end of the thumb rest where the screw is. Finally, I changed the strings to LaBella 760 FS. I love these strings. They really help create the sound I had in my mind for this bass. So far, so good 🙂

Couldn't resist a quick mock up!

Not totally new but this is my complete rig following the new Dingwall yesterday. A few pedals elsewhere to sell off to make this my lot for home and external use:

Loving it so far! Obviously it's an Ibby so out of the box the action was far too high, but I've sorted that. Just need my preferred strings to arrive on Monday now. However the Neutrik locking jack is the work of Satan so I'm going to try this in a mo...

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Here's mine at a recent rehearsal. It's an Ampeg PF800 and a GR Bass AT212. They work very well together for me and it's a really easy transport too.

OP You've probably put some of the notes into 'just' intonation i.e. not equal temperament. That would give you better major thirds and purer fourths and fifths, e.g. a sharper C# or a flatter Db would be more in tune in some contexts than an ET enharmonic Db/C#

I talked to the top bod at Ashdown a while back and he said their volume controls are designed to be fairly linear all the way to the top. So you get top volume at top settings. He said some other makers cram all the acceleration in the first half of the volume control, giving the illusion of serious pokiness to come but in fact there's not much improvement after that. FWIW.

Well thanks to @Merton and this thread I have also taken the plunge on an RM800 from MP for my new small pub rig. Just need to find a cab to match with now, thinking BF210, or maybe a PJB C8 (or two C4's). Depends on what I can find reasonably priced second hand!

I've been encouraged to jump in and comment on my Flea signature Jazz bass. As folks will know, they all look the same, being copies of the same bass... but they are a great way to get a 'played in' replica of an early sixties ('63) Jazz. I felt it was bit 'slick' looking and the dings and scratches were a bit predictable and repetitive. The chips, especially, all seemed to be in groups of three, the same shape. I couldn't do much about the dents, but I used a kitchen knife to chip off a bit more paint and make the wear look more random and natural. A grubby rag (used for cleaning up my lathe) dulled down the bright patches of wood that appeared. I also used a hot air gun (set fairly low) alternating with pipe freezing spray to check the nitrocellulose, front and back. This is a bit scary, but actually turns out to be fairly easy to do and controllable. The hot air makes the new cracks disappear, and at normal temperatures they are faint and less noticeable than when freshly done. I didn't get any flaking off. To subtly accentuate the checking I used the same grubby rag to apply dark oak woodstain and immediately wipe it off again. This also aged the paint a bit more as well. I like the result.

What did that trumpet player do to you?

I had a couple of gigs this weekend, one Jazz, one commercial Pop. Double bass the first gig and electric the second. Both sounded great, the band and me personally. Sometimes I have a faint glimpse that I might know what I am doing.

Spent today regretting having drank stupid amounts at a wedding yesterday. But I’ve been playing the sb-55 a lot. Have also treated the bb-350 to some new strings. Will report back on EBS stainless later… Anyhow.

I made a music teacher cry once when I described one as a "Fretless Trumpet"

I always refused to do things unless they were rehearsed to the hilt. My mate the guitarist was always wanting to play new songs after one rehearsal but I am the bass player and singer so I had to learn two parts and then put them together. Not as easy as just learning the guitar part. We used to argue and on the few occasions when I gave in, we always mucked up. I had to almost fall out with him to stop us doing songs sometimes.

I'm afraid I didn't take any photos of the show, but I did video Jez proving that the Cali 4 is playable! Jez on Cali 4.mp4

A little off the topic, bit that made me look up the Hamlet cigar adverts. I hadn't realised they ran the same basic concept for so long. https://www.sounds-familiar.info/2018/01/hamlet-cigars/

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More for comedy value…. Played a little gig in Kings Lynn yesterday, we took our normal little back line and the stage… dwarfed it somewhat 😆 ETA - yes that’s a Barefaced One10 and Ashdown RM800, honest guv.

A few Gins later she said “you can buy that Sire [V7] thing you’re looking at” - in the bag before the hangover remorse kicks in. Incoming LPB/maple V7 4 sometime in Oct 😉

I’ve now got the bridge position marked out. I did it by finding the centre of the neck and extended that to find the centre of the body at the bridge position and marked that. The position from the end of the neck was relatively straight forward in that the front edge of the bridge only just covers the ground wire hole whilst still allowing sufficient adjustment of the saddles. I’d have preferred a couple of mils further back but it will be ok as it is. I did the elastic string thing to check alignment with the neck and the pickup pole pieces and it all looks good. If I’m feeling brave I’ll try drilling the bridge holes tomorrow.

We did a birthday party this afternoon in the large garden of a farmhouse by the side of the river Amber in Derbyshire. Lots of dancing in the marquee and excellent food supplied by an outside caterer. For extra fun we invited the daughter and grandchildren of the host up on the stage to join us for the last song. It’s the sort of touch that gets you an extra tip on top of the agreed fee. 😉

Thanks to @bagsieblue who knows I’m a fan… I have a dirty old Yamaha arriving. This story started 23 years ago (1998…) and I was a beginner of about 14/15 months. Every month my local paper shop go “Bassist” magazine in for me. It was great. My grandad Eoin paid the subscription. They ran articles - a sort of “readers wives” column. in the August 1998 issue it was this - And tonight…I’ve got one. Go me.

As a fretless player I don't have to just play the notes. Recently, bored during a 12 bar at a gig I experimented with playing between the notes. So fingering a B- and a bit rather than a C. Now I know this an excuse for playing badly, but actually in places it sounded OK and more interesting than when I played the proper note. I 'spose it's no different to bending notes. Any input from music theorists?

Sounds like you all had fun - maybe I’ll make the next one…

I went to see Big Country last night and whilst that classic BG guitar tone was there in spades, the FOH guys seem to bury Scott Whitley’s bass in the frequency the bass drum was occupying (why do they do this?). Anyway, today I thought I’d check out a live version of their eponymous song to see if that great tone on the album was actually achievable in a live environment. Yes it was and then some! Mr Butler, please take the stage and growl away, Sir.

Brighton Mod weekend 2021 and the Exchange Theatre 2019

But to be fair I usually have a manbun ponytail.

I started listening to them from the Paul Di'Anno years but still think Number of the beast to powerslave were the top albums.

One week to go, and the excellent suggestions in so far are (in no particular order of merit!): 1. bassfan: OC5 > Proton > VT DI > FI > Zoom B1-4 2. sumone: OC5 > Proton > Octava > VTDI > Zoom B1-4 3. gisserD: SY1 > OC5 > Proton > Zoom B1-4 > VTDI 4. lee650: OC5 > SY1 > YYZ > Proton > Zoom B1-4 ...there's definitely a bit of a consensus building up here

Finally home, Great day well worth the travel and Premier Inn plastic breakfast. Some really nice examples of the Luthier's art. Just need to get in touch with Jabba to sort the exchange of funds and some P&P so I can have a NBD. That tenor uke sized bass was brilliant. @jebroad did an excellent job. What a lovely, kind, generous, helpful bunch.

Almost there… Currently waiting for a decent humidity window to clear-coat the neck. Pretty much everything else is done. This has been quite an adventure, I must say. Plenty of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ which has been both painful and educational… I’ll post pics of the beast when it’s finished.

I have to say it's nice contributing to this thread again. Feels like a very long time ago I last was able. Big corporate beano in Bristol and the first time I've ever played with no back line. Very strange experience but it kinda worked. I have to say without the Backbeat I would not have enjoyed it. Seems to me to be able to hear myself well and with a pleasing bass sound I'd need a monitor so good I had just as well bring an amp and cab. However the band liked it (mainly because I arrived 2 hours before them and set everything up) and the audience loved it ... eventually.

After coming to the conclusion that the Mesa rig just wasn't right for me (and stupidly heavy!) I've change set ups again... this time a Kemper Profiler Power Rack with choice of GR AT410+ or GR AT208 cabs.

Isn’t it incredible how many people can feel the good vibes of a single person through our little community. Buying and selling here has always been a pleasure because it takes trust, and more often than not leads to friendship. Martin’s family are truly humbled by the fantastic showing of memories and tributes posted here. What an awesome endorsement of the community and what a tribute to Martin.