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For no obvious, defensible, or even remotely sensible reason I decided to haul my Bugera Nuke to my Bandeoke gig last night. The venue is big enough but not huge, there's a full PA in situ. As it transpired the decision was fully justified. Sound engineer didn't show, we managed to get some mics working but the backline didn't go through front of house. So I got to enjoy playing at a decent volume and really feel the bass going through me. It was joyful. I used the Nuke biamped with the higher end going to two 2x8s and the low to two 1x10s. There's a control which operates like a tilt shift, once the equipment is sorted it's so simple to bias in favour of the upper or lower frequencies, and the crossover point can also be moved to suit. As usual the place was packed with semi clad nubiles all having a great time. I however had my eyes firmly fixed on the music so headed home with a clear conscience.

The Rigger in Newcastle under Lyme. Great little venue, always fun to play there. My bad luck with amps continues though…. the Ashdown ABM500 head went pop on me, again, so thankfully my trusty little TC BQ500 stepped in. A great sound all around in the end.

Assuming I have the nomenclature right... Went up to Nantwich today to pick up a Ray5 bought on Ebay from a seller in Liverpool who kindly came halfway down to meet me. It seems that people can't give them away nowadays. Good condition and the attractive natural walnut, which is what I wanted. Action was high enough to get a bus under - rather too much relief and the saddles were raised so far that the grub screws were completely inside on the B string. Back home, a few turns of the truss rod (literally, I think it took two and a half turns) got relief down to near flat, as I like it, and I got the saddles lowered nicely too - the G string saddle is flat on the bridge and just right, so at least I don't have to shim the neck. Although the strings are 40-60-75-95-125 they feel stiffer than my normal 40-125 Elites so I'll change them at some point in the not too far distant future. The bass and treble pots are OK but the volume pot is rather iffy, replacement on order. The pots still have the protective sheet stuck under them. The pickguard has been off at some point, a couple of the screws are slightly mangled but I have replacements in black which might look better. First impressions are that the neck is a little on the thick side - not terribly so, though, and I am comparing it to Seis and Antoniotsais. It is comfortable to play. Fretwork seems OK. It seems to be quite high output. Needs Schaller-compatible straplock buttons, which is the next item on the agenda. Machine heads feel a little gritty, for want of a better word - I think a bit of dismantling and cleaning is in order. They're perfectly usable but could be improved. This is a candidate for defretting - decision to be taken fairly soon. Photo from the Ebay advert.

Wonderful stuff. Would have given earlier, but had to wait for an injection of funds. Man, this place is awesome.

From the sublime...after my Nuke night yesterday, today I've gone for ...

Join a band. Nothing moves your playing forward as much as interacting with other musicians.

This story I’ve repeated elsewhere but I think it’s worth putting on here as well. 2001 Ltd Edition Thumb BO. Sometimes, only sometimes, “the one that got away” swims straight back into your net. I bought this bass in 2003, brand new (despite its year). Gigged with it loads in London, recorded an album.., and then traded it in 2011/12 (not sure) for a Stingray. It quickly went to the top of the list in my head of basses I’d wished I’d never got rid of. And then… it appeared up for sale , on Facebook, this week. Mind blown, messages sent and received, confirmation made, bass purchased. I am so happy. And it’s the beautiful beast of a bass that I remember and with 12 years or so having passed, an instrument I can now appreciate more and make sound even better.

I'm a Jazz Bass guy. I like Fenders. I like plain finishes, not too flashy. I like rosewood fretboards. I like passive basses. So, why not buy a Sterling Ray34 with a roasted maple neck and a blue sparkle finish?

I'm Happy (And I'll Punch The Man Who Says I'm Not) - Ivor Cutler

Wassssupp bass fam, I recently dragged my 400+ outta the loft after a number of years and remembered I'm missing a SINGLE EQ slider knob, is there any chance, out there in the wild, one of you lot have one in a draw just incase haha Or if anyone knows any good alternatives to replace the whole set let me know Here is a picture of the beast for all you who like looking at amps (i know i do)

I mean you'd be a big strong lad lugging that lot about - round here we'd say "I wouldn't spill his pint" meaning "I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him". Only fun intended, sir.

Call yourself a musician?

Nope, I put D'addario XL nickel rounds on everything. It's the strings I like. If the stock strings don't annoy me when I get a new bass, I'll leave 'em be until they wear out, then I'll put D'addarios on it.

I've got a good system that seems to work for me. I have a J-tone double bass pickup through a Trace amp into a little Mark Bass traveller cab. I think it sounds OK. I haven't gigged much with it for the DB yet - only tried out in rehearsals. The last gig I did, it had to be accoustic as there was no power.

Here's one I made earlier: Not sure why the preview's showing a sparkly pink Retrovibe - if that's become headless since last time I picked it up, I'll be upset!

@d-basser took me with two falls and a knock out, so I'll defer to him Rob

A few lessons is definitely worthwhile. Sometimes you don't know you're doing it wrong or doing it the hard way until someone else points it out.

I could sort you a 3D print, but would be easiest if you sent one of the other sliders to copy

Im the same as far as menus vs knobs go. I loved the Q-Strip when I had it, and wanted to get another when I went back to bass, but they seem to have jumped up in price quite a bit. Was tempted to get this Ibanez at the time, but it still didn't quite match what the Q-Strip has going for it. The issue I tend to have is when the knobs are so accessible I tend to waste more time tweaking them. I find the multi FX type of pedals are more set and forget as it's not as easy to adjust while playing. I must admit ive kept the EQ flat on my amps for decades, so not knocking anyone at all, it just struck me that Pre amps are so popular, and a lot seem to offer not a lot more than some amps.

I’m not a big bass spender so my two best would be another TC Electronics UniTune Clip headstock tuner (can’t have enough of those scattered about), and this humbucking pickup that I got from Catswhisker Pickups earlier in the year to add to my Frankenjazz. It replaced one of a set of their side by side Jazz humbuckers which I had installed on it a few years ago. Nothing wrong with that neck pickup but a project bass is a project bass… what can you do? Sounds so great for half the cost of a Bart or an SD… and Allan’s great to work with as a customer. Thinking about it… I’d have to add the new scratch plate I got from Tiny Tone to go with it. Absolutely no worst buys, which is great!

It's funny isn't it. Here on Bass chat (and Talkbass etc) we seem obsessed with Pre amp pedals. It's like no one uses EQ on the amps themselves. Im just as guilty of that, and while I get they can offer more EQ/drive options, I hardly read any posts about built in EQ on amps. "Got a tone issue, get a pre amp pedal" Still not right, add another .Then do the gig with a basic sine wave rumble 😂

Yep a TE Elf is so tiny and relatively cheap, ideal backup.

@rwillett Rob has a penchant for 3D printing.

In terms of the production of its time I think that the first four albums are really good. I honestly prefer this type of 'band in a room' production than more expansive 'modern' rock production where the kick drum and snare drum are compressed to the max. Considering how quickly and how cheaply the first album was recorded I consider it to be incredibly well done.

I've got to disagree there - the first three Sabbath albums have a very clearly defined mix to my ears. It's a very live, hard stereo-panned sound and I've always found it easy to pick out Geezer's basslines. Vol 4 is a murky mess though. I always felt Geezer sounded a lot more discipline on the Dio material, but then so did the band as a whole. Less improv.

I dunno about that. The first album and 'Paranoid' are widely regarded as being a benchmark examples of a four piece rock band captured live in the studio. Both have a great, dry, in-your-face- quality that really helps the power of the band cut through. The next three have got some muddy moments I'll agree with you there (however many people will argue that 'Master Of Reality's sludgy sound is what they like about it) but it doesn't detract from their appeal.

I don’t do FB, but it looks like the same clip on YouTube

Yeah, it's sounding good. I always like Dennis Bovell. Available from 15th November.

Those tracks sound amazing, the third one reminds me of Joshua Moses Home, I’ll definitely be looking into that cd or album, is it available yet , it was mentioned on reggaeville but I haven’t seen it

Sounds like come with me, think it’s on the essential album

Come With Me - Dennis Bovell & Dennis Curtis.

Just 9% of the £7k target to go, folks. We're at £6,404 now.

I have had a GB Streamliner, a Shuttle 3.0 10T, and more recently a Genzler Magellan. In recent times I've drifted away, but just lucked into a mint GB Shuttle 6.0 12T and matching GB ext cab, both with heady duty US made covers, and got them for a song. 600w and 2 x 12, plus works great for double bass as well. I'm a happy camper.

For balance. Sorry, I'll get my robe.

Very cool. my Casady was my replacement for an old one… Got it brand new and then sold because of some ridiculous stuff… Fate stepped in and I got it back. Like my best mate these days. sold a load of bits and bobs (old HiFi gear and a peavey bass) to a mate last month and agreed a deal on a second one which is imminent… Loved the Thumbs sound, they’re too physically small for me - but love the sound. It’s a great feeling getting an old bass back that you miss.

Forever a lurker, but never a poster... however, I'll add another thumbs up for a Rumble 800 - I've used mine now for the last 5 years across a number of different bands and I rarely go past 70% on the Master, even with a loud drummer in a classic rock covers band... I also have the 212 extension cab, which I did hook up for a couple of gigs that were in larger venues, but it damn well nearly ripped my trousers right off my hairy matchsticks that I decided the combo alone was enough... as such it never gets used. I'm fortunate enough that for larger gigs we always bring in a sound/lighting company anyway, so I typically DI in and use in-ears for those occasions and let FOH deal with the rest (I still get enough punch/feel from the cab behind me) I will say however, that the GAS is strong... I'd love to go the other way back to a beefy ABM rig and large cabs to move some air, but the reality is 95% of the time it wouldn't get used

Buy "Standing in the shadows of Motown" and learn it through. Use a looper to get instant feedback of your playing. Stand in front of a mirror and try to improve your ergonomics, and playing technique. Try to push the string behind a fret to get a consistent sound. Light touch improves your speed. Less force, but good sound is your goal. Learn to play legato. Keep time. Learn the fretboard. Play lots of chords: triads, 7, m7, maj7, mmaj7, 6, dim etc. Two octaves helps to learn every fret. Learn two beat, and four beat, and then walking bass. Before that you need to be able to play at least the most common chords. Move your plucking hand and find new sounds. Listen to A from 5th fret @ E and an open A side by side. I hate metronome, therefore I play along with radio: you do not know what's coming up, and you need to follow the music. In time.

Personally, it’s not something I care about either. If I sell a bass, and am happy with what I get, I have no further interest in that instrument. Whether bought by a collector, a flipper 🦭, or as a use to keep warm in the winter…..it’s down to the new owner with what they do with it. 😇

Well, that's it done now. New pickguard arrived from earlpilanz (Brian Pillans) yesterday - excellent as always - fit first time, even around the chonky ATK pickup. Bear with him if your pickguard is taking a little longer to arrive than you're used to - he's moved from Glasgow to Newcastle and is working through a backlog as well as the general upheaval of setting up a new workshop and all that. I had band rehearsal last night, so I quickly fitted it before bed and took a couple of quick pics: Will probably take some nicer, whole bass pics at the weekend to wrap this up, but apart from deciding whether or not to keep the block inlay stickers, that's it done. Very happy with how this turned out.

Disappointment waits for you.

Bass Day Europe, in London. Whilst geographically correct, this might have folk of a certain political persuasion squirming in their chairs. I did not use the B word, I may have alluded to it, but I think I’ve got away with it.