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AMAZING gig on Saturday night at the JamJar in Bristol. God it was hotter than Hades in there -- that stupid Aussie hat I'm wearing was soaked through by the end -- but the crowd was fantastic, danced their arrses off and sang themselves hoarse, and we were on good form. A good crowd always lifts your game. I wish they were all like this. WhatsApp Video 2023-06-11 at 16.23.03.mp4

Don't feel bad, Gibson don't know what Gibson makes half the time

Went with the green gt200 last night at rehearsal. Needless to say this was completely over the top, drowned out the drummer and was absolutely trouser flapping.

So I’ve somehow ended up with 5 short scales but they are great basses for travel. All of mine fit in guitar bags. Getting this Friday

Arrived at The Bell in the picturesque Wiltshire village of Great Cheverell (are you ready to rock Great Cheverell, said literally nobody ever) for my Goth duo's little stint at the Open Mic. We met early for a quick run through at my musical other half's 85yr old Mum's place. It looked like Mrs. Kersch's home in Derry (It reference!) where we drank lukewarm iced coffee out of wine glasses ("lovely hospitality Mrs. Fletcher") and showed Nick's Mum how to send an email from her phone (I don't mock, it'll come to me before I know it!). Funny how a 50yr old friend reverts to a teenager when Mum is about! Worst load in ever and a very posh NIMBY came out to talk in a loud patronising voice about protected verges - Nick's Skoda, not my impeccable parking three counties away! No pictures of the show but I did send a quick selfie to my good lady to let her know that I had safely travelled the hour journey... and as pictures maketh the post on this thread, um, enjoy?!? Thankfully it was a mandolin gig for me, so no heavy amp or cumbersome bass guitar to load in. We opened and closed the night. I sang the female vocal part of the Human League's Don't You Want Me to a room full of brilliant singers, who politely nodded and no doubt blessed me for "having a go". Then we followed this by the usual "no it's not a guitar" and "I'm actually a bass player" type conversations with people who were seeing us for the first time. Actually thought we played quite well and we seemed to be fairly well received. One chap spoke to us in detail about the bands we covered, recommended loads of venues that we should play (there seemed to be a story involving a fight at every one!) and then insisted on me finding him to add on Facebook. I did and 19hrs later he's still not accepted me. Not sure what that was about!? 😸 footnote - I wasn't really working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you. I was probably just lurking around the classifieds on Basschat!

Just a shout out to Dave Green and everyone at Ashdown. I took my (tired) EVO II 500 in for a service, pots and fans…. lovey, down to earth, friendly place, proper old school Amp shop. Made me feel all nostalgic for big heavy bass amps, like the old days. Proper job.

My son has been teaching himself to play guitar and has my ancient Vox VT15 so he prefers to play through my Fender mustang GTX100 which sounds infinitely better. I've been thinking of getting him the smaller version, the GTX50 so he can get the same sounds in his room. I was browsing Andertons secondhand section on their website yesterday and saw a GTX50 at a price that was too good to click past. When I got to the checkout I realised I could get an additional £12 off by using the loyalty points earned when I bought my Squier CV LPB Bass VI. Result! I can't wait to see his little face when I surprise him with it (he's 21 btw)

Just recieved Aguilar SL 112 cab. Different universe, different planet, the sound is marvelous. I thought to run to a shop for 1L best vodka, but stick to a lot of good bear.

Never mind backup… back out!😂

I don’t get why you’re trying to keep a guitard happy in this way. You need duplo, crayons and fish fingers to do that. And a change of clothes, and maybe a dummy if they like les Pauls

I love BVs, playing and singing is far more fun for me than just playing. My band has 3 BVs and we often have 2 or 3 harmonies going which adds so much. I also like the challenge of it, great fun.

All modern "popular" music sounds like it's written and perfomed by a computer to me anyway...

Well I picked this up from young @Burns-bass this very morn. (Always a pleasure L.) Its fab. Ran it through the wee Gnome/EA set up and it sounded ace. My mate is going to fashion a bracket for the back so I can use it with a stand like an NS. Despite L’s rather low key ad description, it’s actually nicely made with a good quality feel in your hands. Little bit o’ fettling with the bridge and it’s good to go. Also love the fact that it folds down for easier transport. Happy Slappy! 😎

"Hi, I'm Bruce Springsteen and it's great to be here playing for Donald Trump's campaign rally".

"Good evening, I'm Van Morrison and it really is such a pleasure to be here, thank you all so much for coming and please give a big hand to my wonderful band..."

I join your conversation from the distant past, a time when Selmer Goliath 1x18 cabinets, Hammond organs and Leslie speakers ruled the Earth. The glorious sound of a Sound City/Selmer/Sola Sound amplifier distorting and farting as the valves colourfully fried, still keeps me awake at night. Dislocated shoulders and Hammond Organs balanced on knees on staircases were the order of the day. My Epiphone Rivoli was not necessarily heard when played through the aforementioned Sound City/Selmer/Sola Sound amplifier coupled with the incomparable Selmer Goliath, but interacted very well with the audience’s digestive systems. These days I play a double bass without amplification and my shoulder hasn’t dislocated for approximately 45 years. However, in the meantime, the above prehistoric equipment doesn’t seem to have suffered in terms of financial value and what I found barely affordable all those years ago is now completely unaffordable these days, because it seems to have achieved retro historic status. If I could afford to recreate my equipment from those distant days, I would do so in an instant. But I would also need to rent storage space and a muscular young man or two to shlepp it all for me. The muscular man or men would obviously have to have, his or their own, historically appropriate van.

It was probably meant to be gloss but... Gibson.

Hi, I just received these today which are a decent replacement I think : The shape is not as good as the FRV 00004V but I'm quite happy with them :)

Now we know someone on BC that knows how to set up a crowd funding thingy you'll be tagged for them all from now on. This is why BC is such a wonderful place to be. Looking after each other like one big happy family ........ well most of the time anyways. We may occasionally argue with each other but hopefully we still respect each other enough to help out when it needed. Its certainly made me a happy BC'er today. Dave

That's not flat, it's full cut. Nor would you want the EQ flat, anymore than you'd want flat beer.

Glocks ～ Goldplay

Cardiacs ~ A Little Man And A House

All of this has been very helpful but what are we advising for the third and fourth bass? Don't give all your best advice just about No2.

Sellers aren't legally obliged to sell you anything at any price - even if you buy it and the money leaves the account they can refund you. If an error is made the item has to be removed from sale for a period of 24 hours and then returned to sale at the correct price. Of course there are tales of massive discounts being pounced on and retailers biting the bullet and avoiding disappointing customers and potentially complaints. They are legally not supposed to honour the error but sometimes it's just easier 😅

Pre Covid, I always took 2 basses, one fretted, one fretless, if either crapped out I could still finish the gig with the other. Now I’m in a band where I don’t need the bumpless beast, I’m still inclined to take a spare, it takes up little room in the car and the worst that will happen* is that I don’t use it. *I realise that the worst that could happen is that both basses fail and the amp emits a wail that opens up a portal, which releases demons into the venue, who then eat me** ** Hmm, maybe I should seek help

If anyone is looking for a short scale Precision it is worth seriously considering a Harley Benton PB Shorty. I bought one when they came out as a platform for modding in order to get a short scale P bass - and at the time I had change from £70. I expected to have to swap the tuners and the pickup but, as it happened, I was completely happy with it straight out of the box. OK I changed the pickguard 'cos I am not a fan of black with white pg. Vintage Precision bass tone immediately, with flats think Santana's 'Europa', the fit and finish were spot on. The corners of the nut were a little bit sharp but I don't spend much time feeling those The tuners are OK - you'd have to spend a lot of cash to fit better. It would be a great little short scale Precision bass if it were £300 or more. For £70 it is nothing short of a miracle. I've since swapped the pickup for a Tonerider (another budget bargain) because I wanted a bit more bite, but that is a choice thing. Don't let the low price put you off.

“I just can’t hear their lead guitarist at all, I really wish he’d turn his amp up and drown out that bass player...”

Puscifer, in Manchester. Just now. I am a changed man.

I'd never broken a string ever, right up to the point when I did. 😁

"Thanks Mick (Mason) We really appreciate the payment in advance"..

Uncle f****r - Terence & Philip (South Park)

William Was Really Nothing ～ The Smïths

On the road with the ACG Mule travel bass! I can assemble it in under 10mins now! Plays and sounds great! Little to no compromise on my full scale, main instruments (usually ACG as well)!

Well, being a tight Fifer I made two control plates up using 1.5 aluminium. One a standard bell plate & the other a Tele like version…I’ll probably go with the bell plate I think, dunno, not sure 🤔

From "Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 2":

Same, and have used it for exactly that purpose!

The BDI21 was my first pre-amp/DI box about 3 years ago and it's just gone back on my board as the overdrive is just what I'm after at the moment. In between, it's been gigged, rehearsed, left in a gig bag, lent to a mate (who broke the 9v socket) and resurrected. No reliability issues from it. I now power it from the battery terminals using a converter lead and it's sounding as good as it did on day 1. I'm even considering getting a second one as a back up and/or to try out the mods mentioned in this thread.

They were a band in the 90’s. A damn fine one. Amnesia - Chumbawumba

It is slightly forgotten in my garage, which is too crowded now. It used to be in my previous flat, and in active use. Mostly Metolius, and a few colour bits. @Richard R: I try to build a one sound bass, with short sustain to Motown et al.

Some songs can be absolutely made by backing vocals, and in most situations, assuming that people can sing, it is generally a bonus.

We need to show this to singers we know. If Elvis and the like will be available to record again in the not too distant future they may need to up their game. Maybe they'll start to help load the van at long last.

"You've ignored us all night, but now you're drunk. Of course we'll keep playing. Oasis you say? Certainly!"

"No it's fine, I love it when screaming drunk women grab the microphone"