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Hi everyone I just picked this beast of a guy up from JayDee yesterday....he wanted to say hello... Cheers!

After a lot of recent rejigging, this is my current 'at home'/having fun/do-it-all board. I would probably use less than half of this in most situations. Bass > Peterson Strobostomp tuner > Origin Cali 76 Compact Bass compressor > Boss OC2 > Future Impact synth > Mu-Tron envelope filter > Hamstead Subspace drive > Blue Colander Tremond distortion > Moog MF Chorus > Chase Bliss Dark World reverb > Micro Thumpinator hi-pass (under board) > Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp >

Subclause 45a Basses without headstocks automatically are excluded from any filming due to being played by misguided fools

A reverse "Stone henge" moment Back in France, a french guitarist I knew called me to say he'd picked up a gig for one of the wealthier communes yearly fete so could we put a band together. Fee, 1,000€. They had also apparently agreed to supply a P.A but which we, would have set up and asked what we needed. We were the only band (Blues trio) I told him as it was purely for vocals (me, so one mic) 600 watts + foldback would do fine as we were purely using backline for the bass and guitar. We arrived, to find.... No engineer but, Eight x active 400w tops. Four x active 600w subs Two x 1,000 power amps One x 24 channel passive mixer One x 1200w 16 channel powered mixer Four x 300w foldback monitors 10 top stands 8 mic stands 4 large chests of cabling, all piled up on the stage with no room for the band. The guitarist, had written down 6,000w We ended up using two tops, two monitors and one mic stand and left the rest piled up at the back. 😂

Response vid up from Danny Sapko:

More of a mod / assembly job than a true build but thought it may be of interest. This project started with a few questions: - What do you do when you like the look of Mike Lull's PT/JT basses, with TBird pickups on a Fender-esque body, but you can't justify the cost? - How do you make use of your new discovery that Gemini pickups do 5 string chrome thunderbird pickups? - How soon after receiving a new bass is it reasonable to take power tools to it? - Is it more than 2hrs? Seriously though, I have always loved the look of chrome thunderbird pickups on a Fender style bass. A good few years back I put together a 4 string Jazz style from an unknown roadworn body, a Squier neck, and some cheapish chrome pickups from eBay. Unfortunately I'm mostly gigging 5 string so it hasn't got much use lately. When I saw Gemini's pickup range, cog's started turning and I started looking at options for basses to mod. First issue what that 4 string and 5 string TBird pickups use the same sized housing, this ruled out using a jazz bass body, as the preexisting pickup cavities would be too wide to cover with the new pickups. Instead I started looking at 5 string P basses. Covering the pick up could be handled with a new scratch plate. I had to find something without a bridge pick up though to avoid the jazz bass issue. I opted for a Sire P5r, and after reading reviews I reckoned it was worth a pop even at full price. Had a bit of a mare getting it via DHL so pickups (Gemini Devastators) had already arrived. I was therefore keen to go. Quick play of the bass stock confirmed it was a nice player and good starting platform. ~2hrs after getting it out the cardboard, power tools met wood. First decided to open out the existed pickup cavity to a regular shape, rather than cutting the TBird shape through the Precision one and leaving a weird hybrid. Also routed it all down to ~3/4" as the original route was very shallow. Then measured out the bridge pup, basing positioning on a) reference Lull basses, B) TBird pickup position and c) what would actually fit. Went down the route of starting out with a forstner bit then routing to shape with a template I laser cut. This left a pretty decent finish if I do say so myself. Drilled through to the control cavity and that was about me for the night. Tomorrow I'll drill out a side jack. Hand cut a new scratchplate and start on shielding and wiring. Whilst the bass played well stock I am contemplating new hardware. Whilst it would be pricey I'm thinking of going whole hog with Hipshot ultralite tuners and a style A bridge.

Try picking it up. Your love might dissolve pretty quickly!

Headstock shot should help a lot.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. I have just (literally, unfortunately) wet myself laughing at this! I now can't get the Breeders' Cannonball video out of my mind.

We did a gig in a WMC. We always did like curtains - just great for the occasional prank. On this occasion I set up my Traynor 400w head and 2x 15" cab behind the back curtain. In front of the curtain was a tiny 6" practice amp on a chair, with a lead connecting the two. I was chuckling all night 😁

Oh, two more. Back in the early 2000s my band was playing a local pub. The drummist had invited down a hot slightly older lady to try to impress. He got very, very drunk, and proceeded to show off as best he could on the drums. Come the end of the first set, he stood up to do a big drum fill whilst getting her attention, farted and promptly followed through. The look on his eyes as he realised what he’d done will never leave me… Fast forward to a year or so back, I play in a “rock band for kids”, where we do rocked-up nursery rhymes, modern pop songs, lots of interaction with rhythm sticks, scarves, parachutes, bubbles, actions etc…One song - I can’t remember which - the singer would fill up a small bubble machine in the shape of a fish. Normally she would go out amongst the kids as they all try to catch the bubbles etc (kids are easily pleased). This particular gig we had a dep singer, who had done enough previous gigs with us to know what to do. “Let’s get the bubbles out” she says, as she picked up the fish. And then promptly stood stock still, holding it (switched off) whilst singing the entire song, with all the kids looking decidedly bewildered, wondering what was going on. Then she put it back down and we played the Hokey Cokey. We haven’t let her forget it.

It could have been worse. I'm at the age where if you sneeze anything could happen. Daryl

It's a hell of a line up. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c805m3l02v5o Despite being a huge metal fan as a teenager I haven't really listened to heavy music for 25 years but I'm very tempted to try and grab some tickets.

I’m going to write to the government or the police. That when there is film of a live band - there must be, by law, at least a 5 second shot of the bass including headstock close up. im not unreasonable I don’t expect a caption of what make and year it is, just a proper shot of the bass the amount of time I’ve seen some interesting bass on a video but not seen all of it is criminal yours faithfully Seymour Bass

Yeah I’ll be in the Bass Hall with my company Vintage Bass Room assisted by @AndyTravis again. Last year was great but a dedicated bass hall will be mighty! Pop by and say hello if you’re coming and remember discounts for Basschatters up to 10% too.

Absolutely luverly! 😃 (I have an elder brother….)

These are the reference basses I want to emulate And this is my budget 4 string precursor, though it is now graced with a John East pre.

Similarly played a biker festival in France and our support act was two female strippers. Was quite distracting trying to prepare side stage as she tottered off completely starkers and started chatting like we were just bumping into each other in the street. Other fun times in the life of Merton.. The massive wedding where we were playing and the bride and groom had hired a separate DJ. We, for some reason, were asked to play their first dance through our PA before our first set. Cue the one time int he world where a MacBook crashed, in front of 200 wedding guests, many of whom were slightly tipsy rugby players. It went down a lot better than it could have done. I once over on stage twice in consecutive gigs, during the same song, ironically called “The Fall”. First time the singer came and stood on me as we finished up the song with me laughing, lying on my back trying to keep playing. (Second time there was a wall at the side of the stage which just about kept me upright).

I've had a good laugh at this thread! On thinking back over an up and down music career spanning about 50 years, there are many Spinal Tap moments. Oddly enough the first three that came into my mind were all drummer related so these are the ones I will tell. First, back to the summer of 75 or 76. Band formed whilst still at school are playing an open air gig. The stage is about six feet off the ground and is set up in a field. There are a couple of bands and a DJ on. We are the first band. Our very cool drummer with the blue octagonal shades and the permed hair is set up at the back of the stage and it turns out his main drum stool foot is perilously "close to the edge". He counts us in with a vocal count and stick clicks - One, Two, Three, Arghh... And just like that, he's not there - nowhere to be seen. Found him slightly dazed and confused lying flat on his back in the grass with his stool on top of him. Number two - different band - different drummer. Social club gig. Second set. Playing away maybe two songs in, drummer is undoing the wing nut at the top of one of his cymbals in the middle of the song. He gets it off and throws it to the ground. Crash, indeed. We finish the song. "Bill, what are you doing? We've got half an hour still." "I don't like these" Counts the next song in and does the same thing with another cymbal. Crash again, not to mention the erratic parts and timing necessitated by this apparently urgent disassembly. "I hate cymbals" Starts muttering. Counts in the next song. Any further enquiries were met with "I can't hear you, I've got a fish in my ear" Last to go were the hi hats. did about the last four or five songs with just the drums and then packed out and left without exchanging a word with any of us. The next night's gig he didn't turn up at all and that was the last we saw of him. His wife contacted us and told us he was having issues and we shouldn't expect him back. I heard he worked his way through it all so I don't mind telling the tale. Number three same band but different drummer. Band has morphed into a seven piece cabaret/ dance band playing all the hits of the day and the day before. We're in a town hall type gig - big stage, slightly sloping forward, four foot drop onto the crowded dance floor. Flashy drummer has a big kit, roto toms, loads of cymbals and just to his right a massive gong hanging on a big tubular chrome stand. Now he's not daft - he doesn't use it all the time- no, no ,no - just for effect, you understand... Anyway towards the end of the night and at the end of some overblown song or another- can't remember which - he gives this thing an almighty wallop. It swings backwards with such gusto that something happens to sever it's connection with it's stand and it crashes literally onto the ground. But somehow it's not done yet. It has managed to land on it's edge and due to the slope is now making it's way forward. It comes off the drum riser in the gap between the kit and my big Acoustic 371 rig, knocks my spare bass off it's stand and keeps going, gaining speed all the time. It was one of those moments when time seems to have slowed down but you seem to be unable to do anything but watch it all unfold. When it reaches the front of the stage, it does a kind of ski jump off the foot of a mic stand and launches itself onto the floor and into the crowd who are now scattering in all directions from it's path which ends with the first table it hits, spilling all the drinks and generally ruining everyone's night. But the sound it made was amazing.

He earned a new subscriber!!!

My SB700 (my first ever bass) is a couple of years younger - open book headstock and recessed jack. Fantastic bass but HEAVY! Still play it regularly thought. Love it!

Think you’re getting confused with Jazz 😆

But what about the basses?

Think we can all agree that a ply bass is the way to go. One thing to consider is the cost of a set up and strings. A good set of strings is £150+ and a set-up can cost anything from £100 to £rightening. When it comes to double basses there aren't many "bargains" to be had. An unloved, unused or uncared for bass is a money pit. As someone said on here, buy from someone you can trust – either a dealer or a trusted forum member. Try before you buy and take lessons from someone who has played before to avoid short term pain and long term damage.

Laminated is the way to go I think. I have a '70's Czech laminated bass that is loud acoustically with Spiros and amplifies well too and has been played inside and out in all kinds of weather with no problems. Some bluegrass bassists play carved basses but they are more fragile and more sensitive to heat and humidity. On this side of the Atlantic old Kays and other US made ply basses are the most common for bluegrass/roots music. Set up and strings are important especially if you plan to play some slap and as usual with anything DB related there are many opinions on what is best and you will have to find what works for your bass and your style of playing. Good luck, upright will change your life...in a good way.😊

I don't think anyone going to the gig is going to be under any illusions over Ozzy's physical health. It's a celebration, a chance to say goodbye, both for him and the fans.

Newtone Platinum are lush.

Preorder at Andertons is £69.00 Ooooooooooo!!!!!!

"....and finally, the bass player is using roundwounds, probably .45 to .105, that were on the bass when he bought it 15 years ago. Plectrum is a Jim Dunlop XL Jazz III. The drummer is banging drums with sticks; the guitarist is strumming a guitar; the vocalist is singing into a microphone, and wearing a lilac sparkle suit from Top Shop. Buy our album. "

Whilst not wishing to put temptation in the path of a fellow musician (but immediately doing so…) I have a nice Sansamp for sale Just call me Wormtongue 🙀

Just to follow this up - the events above happened about 40 years ago. This evening I was at an open mic night, headed to the toilets (upstairs) and waited for someone to come downstairs with a couple of drinks (bar was also upstairs). He halted by me and said "Did you used to be called Maltloaf?[1]" I said "Yes, who were you?" And it turned out that it was this guitarist. We chatted briefly - he's still playing guitar and gob-iron. [1] At one stage in my life, I resembled a slimmer Meat Loaf.

The original US Mustangs up until the early 70s and the CIJ/MIJ reissues from the 90s and early 2000s have slimmer necks with a J width nut. From the early/mid 70s the neck profile on US Mustangs became more P like and the JMJ and current US and Mex models emulate the chunkier neck profile.

We used to do a gig in Tipton in the Midlands, part of the 'Black Country tour bus' route. This is basically bus companies that fill a bus with hen, stag, and group outings and drive them to iconic bubs around the Black Country. we would set up sound check and then sit around until the gaffer told us a bus would be pulling up in 5 minutes. As the doors opened we would start our set. They would stay about 30mins or so and we would stop and wait for the next bus. Maybe 6 a night. One night there was a bus with a female biker crew arrived. They had clearly been to a few venues and were well on it. we played a few crowd-pleasers etc. As the bus driver gave them their 5-minute to departure call. It turned into a scene from 'dusk till dawn ' several of the party started to undress and join us on stage. It was shocking and not in a good way. Their bits were dragging on the floor and flapping about. I remember a few kept shouting "It's just a laugh" The most Spinal Tap moment I've ever experienced

It has arrived, great timing too, I'm in the studio this week. It's bloody light, feels amazing and I can't wait to plug it in!

FWIW, here's some DR Neons on my Maruszczyks. I think they fit the colour theme pretty well. They sound pretty good too.

So they play bass, they think they are pretty good, but you think they aren't. You play guitar, you think you are good - maybe they think you aren't?

That night when the abominable snowman emerged from the back of our giant van whilst we were unloading the gear. The drummist had been in there moving flightcases with the back door shut. He knocked the powder fire extinguisher that lived in there and it went off right in his face in a very confined area. It looked like a scene from Scarface when we got the back door open to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, I'm swinging back a little from 'scam' to 'disorganised but legit event'... However, if so many people are questioning if your event is legit, surely its time to get some details out into the world? The thing's only four months away...

Same, I like some of their songs but not all, and most of the bands on the bill aren`t on my fave last I wonder if these tickets will generate the same fiasco as Oasis did last year?

Yes, it works with just about any pickups and can (and should) be calibrated to suit the pickups' output level. The hardest challenge was making it have a long-enough battery life, since there's a lot more going on than in a typical onboard EQ, for example. I managed to get 350 hours of play out of it. Oh, and it has a worst-kept secret feature: it can drive headphones.

You were in the Wiggles? 🙂

Others: "I bought a new bass. I spent big money. I failed. " Thread inhabitants "oh well done! Share some photos. It's lovely!" Bass_dinger: "I bought a recorder. I spent £17. It's only Tier 2" Thread inhabitants "arghhh. Terrible idea, terrible instrument." To ensure that this thread is not derailed, I will find (or start) a recorder thread - and everyone can insult the instrument over there, instead! Bring your bagpipes too. https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/509120-the-recorder-woodwind-instrument/

I can't play guitar for toffee. So that blows your theory right out of the water. But yeah, an awful lot of guitar players think they can play bass. Some sure can. A lot of those can probably run rings around me. A lot of those play way too many notes but.

I managed to do this around NYE last year. I'd taken loads of lights and my smoke machine. It looked great with a bit of misting in the air. The "whiteout" occurred because I didn't realise the footswitch had become gummed up and got stuck on, until I glanced behind me to see a wall of smoke and no sign of the rest of the band. The smoke machine was tucked behind my amp on a cramped stage too, so took some effort to switch off 😂