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Why are you being rude? What an odd reply. Literally an opinion, a point of view - my 2p. The concept of a cheaper (‘kiddy’) Flea bass in itself was acknowledged by Flea when he brought out the “fleabass” range of instruments and further addressed by the introduction of a lower price point Fleabass (street bass). I was just pointing out that Fender may have missed a trick by only having the one price point which would be out of reach for younger/less affluent fans when they’ve done broader attempts to previously... Mike Dirnt has/had a Fender and a Squier model simultaneously BB King had a Gibson and Epiphone version of Lucille (there are plenty more examples) It just broadens their buying audience somewhat and more buyers means more money. Makes more business sense. And having left the guitar/bass retail industry after 12 years in 2015 - I might have an idea of what people buy into. As a point, the cheap fleabass instruments weren’t that great - but we sold 100’s of them because people bought into the Flea name/image. But what would I know, I’m only a child.

There are a billion better bassists in London than me. No way would I get through auditions and get hired. To get around that small hurdle I've formed my own bands. Am just about to start my third in the new year: gigs in the diary, 2 hour set list sorted and talented 5 piece line-up on board. We just need to start rehearsing My advice FWIW: why look to jump on someone else's coat tails? Be bold, believe in yourself and make it happen. Age is just a number.

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@The59Sound do you need to take a break?! How about it, or do you think you can behave like a grown up for a bit? Calm down.

Finally I can announce the arrival of my new amp. After a false start last week, (it had a fault) and unbelievable customer service from Ashdown themselves (the shop I bought it from didn't have any to exchange) It turned up today. Ashdown actually sent me the replacement BEFORE they had received the faulty one back. Anyway, what a great amp. I dialled in my sound in about 30 seconds. Bass up to 3 o'clock, mid to 9 o.clock and treble up to 2 o'clock. The compressor is actually brilliant I think. It adds some thickness and evens out the slight string imbalance on my Fender Flea bass. The drive circuit adds that little bit of fuzz to the sound. I'll probably use a little live. It's not often I change bass amps but my last change was 6 1/2 years ago to ampeg and I loved it but I wanted to play British. (I know it's made in China but it's still an Ashdown) First gigs are next week, one with my Police tribute and one with my pub rock band

Having been a performing guitarist for the last 20+ years, last Friday I did my first ever gig on Bass Guitar with my new band; a 45 minute support slot. Using my own Ibanez bass into the headline band's Hartke backline. There was no disasters, a few moments of "I can't quite hear myself" when playing some low end notes on the "A" string, and I'm still mixing it up between fingers and plectrum, depending on the speed of the song. It felt "cool".

I kept getting drawn back to drool over Derek's Stingray 5 stealth on the for sale boards so last weekend (after a couple of beers) I sent him a PM. Now it's mine! It's heavier than my other fiver (a Maruszcyzk with a chambered body) and the neck is significantly chunkier but it's subjectively 'tighter' in all areas, to play, in tone and particularly on the low B. Given that I'm in an 80s covers band I ordered a set of DR neons and, well, look at it! Happy boy. Not sure if the Maruszcyzk is going to go as it does a very different thing, but the ray instantly fit the band sound at rehearsal this week.

My BB434 with tort pickguard from Jack's Instrument Services 🙂

Quickly. That went quickly. Please remember the suffix on adverbs.

Stephen here from the Black Country. Exiled out to Brummagem for the last few years but the passport's good to get back in when the need takes. Being from the same part of the world as Ian Hill, heavy metal is pretty much in the DNA. I tried guitar when I was around 20, failed and spent the next decade uhmming and ahhing over whether I'd find four strings easier... ... So I bought a ukulele. A few years of playing with my local ukulele group I finally got inspired to give bass a try and have never looked back. I've been playing for three years, accompany the uke group at our twice-monthly pub meets, plus the occasional gig, and have had a couple of failed attempts to get a band going. Gigging in a real band remains my main motivation for learning a proper instrument. Hi there!

These short days. I emerged from the cellar after doing the Jazz rout and it's dark! Ignore the artificial light but that's both pickups routed. That might be the last scariest bit. Pleasingly, there's no daylight showing through the back ...although that might be because it's night now...

One of the challenging things about a through neck is that you can't fettle a neck pocket to correct any build, er-hum, 'vagaries'. So neck angle for bridge height has to be pretty spot on as does the sideways straightness to make sure that the strings all line up with the fretboard and the pickup poles. This is particularly important for a P pickup because any misalignment is very obvious. As such, if is a case of 'check ten times, cut once. On a PJ, I always start with the P and then double check the J position once those chambers have been cut. Also, as described in more detail in the Len_Derby thread, I just don't trust router templates. Instead I: Drill a hole for each pickup corner, 1mm greater dia than the actual corner radius Forstner a hole for each lug - again using a bit 1mm greater dia than the lug Forstner out the bulk Clean up the top edges with some careful chisel work Check the fit against one of the pickup covers Clean up the sides and chamber bottom with a short bearing-guided trimmer router bit - which is now captive and therefore can't go on a holiday through the nicely carved top! The result is this: Which is then double checked with the two covers: And then checked against each of the string positions: You can see on the pencil marked position of the J pickup where I've moved it across 1mm from the original position...which is exactly why I do it this way round and always use the actual bridge and the actual pickup covers and some strings in the nut position. It's a bit old fashioned, maybe, but it is less often now that I end up saying 'Well, it was right when I measured it against the drawing in the first place!'

I play in a reggae band and I my experience when people start to play reggae on whatever instrument, the main reason it does not sound authentic is because they do not listen enough to what it ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE and what is being played. They have an idea in their head of what reggae sound like and play what they think it sounds like and that can be way off. (closer to calypso than reggae). That is not to say you need to be note perfect on a cover it is good to add your own take as long as you remember that in a lot of reggae the bass line is what makes the track work and if you move too far off it becomes a different song. Try not to get academic about it, the feel is what you are aiming to capture in the genre. To the OP, just listen carefully what is being played and what is not being played and how the rhythm sits. Remember the spaces are also a part of what is being played. Try to determine where the notes are being played on the bass as there are tonal and feel reasons why notes are played in a reggae bass line in a particular place on the neck. I would say that Sheriff is not the place to start if you are new to reggae bass playing. Try something really basic first to get the feel remember less is more. The busier reggae bass lines are great though easier to get lose the feel. (A great busy bass line is ‘now that we’ve found love’ by third world. Lots of good stuff going on there that can go unnoticed on first hearing) I think these two tracks are a great place to start. Crazy Ballhead Natural mystic. Let us know how you get on. 👍🏿

Could’ve been so much better. And being USA - alienates younger players, I mean they did the dimension and Jaguar basses in Squier, MIM and US. in all honesty, a £600-£700 Version would’ve been bought by me as a long time fan, but at £1200+ they can jog on

Hey gang Yep, I've been bleating on about these fantastic heads for a while now (more here), but I've finally got around to doing a video review. Hopefully I don't ramble on too much... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLyBAFiJRJY

I’ve tried lots of straps now and each has had something which spoilt it. I took a punt on this Ibanez strap I saw for £30 and I’m pretty chuffed. My bass isn’t heavy but I do like the feel of wider straps. This one is really grippy and looks to be well made. One thing I like is that the strap itself is really thin. I’ve tried Mono straps before and they’re too thick for me. Anyway just putting it out there as a potential for those of you looking for an alternative to leather or the usual Mono or Comfort strap options. Excuse poor pics but it’s called an Ibanez BWS90 they do a more Mono style thick version too. Cheers

Very few have the time, ability, patience, money or other resources to start their own band Blue

You're too fussy. I do understand but go out and play in some crap bands. Or sub-optimal anyway. What's the worst that can happen? But some of these iffy bands turn out to have a decent drummer who knows someone whose looking for a bass player and so on. Put yourself out there. Join Facebook. I'm not massively younger than you but I find it a PITA dealing with musicians who can't work social media. It's where bands live these days - it just is.

There is a basic error in your policy.

Hi all! We’ve moved the London Bass Guitar Show from its customary slot in March - but never fear, the event will remain the essential show of the year for bass players! Although co-located with the UK Guitar Show, it will remain as its own, bass-specific show. Expect the same world-renowned artists, features and educational areas – such as the super-popular Bass Workshop with Scott’s Bass Lessons – as normal, across a two-day schedule. When we know the exact date in September, you will be the first to know so that you can get it in the diary and make sure you don't miss out! Best wishes from The LBGS Team

Here's a bit more sanding with a quick wipe of tinted Danish oil 😀

For best effect, (1) play the whole song, (2) play it loud, (3) try to keep a straight face. And yes, this is the actual single as released in 1961, unaltered.

Not sure either of my kidney's is worth £1500. It was the bass on Joan Armatrading's "Willow" that first got me interested in fretless. I guess there's a good chance it was this very instrument.

It’s like looking for a new girlfriend or wife. Bloody nightmare lol

I must admit, I did see the film and enjoyed it. But then again I'm not the biggest fan of Queen, and only really know the big hits, which is what the film is based on. When asked my opinion the next day at work, I said it was "Mamma Mia" for blokes. Incidentally my daughter has just asked for Mamma Mia II for Christmas, which is fine, but she wants the two disc set, which contains the film, along with a singalong DVD. I got looked at with quite the disdain when I suggested to my wife that la daughter could simply put on the Abba Greatest Hits album and singalong to that!

Musical circles can sometimes look like closed shops by those who are on the outside. They can be cliquey and are often difficult to penetrate. In my experience the better bands rarely advertise. They work by word of mouth. So keep doing what you're doing , but start going to jam nights, sit in, chat and network. Make sure you are recognised and remembered (for good reasons!). Go to gigs and say hi, circulate and meet people. Get business cards printed and chuck them around like confetti.

That 1006 looks absolutely lovely; I find neck through design just the best on any bass, so I have to fess to being sorely tempted to take it off your hands (as we discussed yesterday!) and "trade up" to my first Ibby Prestige... But for the same weight reason (plus loving the Nord big singles in the SR Premiums) I'm going to hold on to my SR 1206 too. I'm kinda interested that you don't sense much of a difference between the 506 and the 1206 though? That Nord growl on the 1206 does it for me Had we both known of a possible trade, I suspect you might have been able to persuade me otherwise! Gratuitous Ibby pics of my herd...

Sorry but I've never found a decent opportunity/position in a band using JMB, Party Sounds and the like. Word of mouth, getting out there has always been the best route for myself.

Mozart was only 8 when he wrote his first symphony. I was 48 when I first picked up the bass guitar. No idea at all where this particular post of mine is going...😂

Another great one to really get the feel for a reggae bass line is this, from my early days just starting out on bass in 1977 aged 14 😀

A Mosrite twin-neck and a Bigsby twin-neck. Gnarly!

What ya doing on this site. Should be on Trumpetchat 😀

I've probably missed out on a few bargains over the years by being annoyed by listings that end in "£...99" or even worse (as here) £...999. Just call it £3K for chrissakes. . This is why the missus compares me to Victor Meldrew of course......

Got it from Absolute Music, forgot it was actually £19.99! Shop were great, basically next day delivery I think https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/ibanez-bws90-bass-workshop-guitar-strap.html

Only the information you put on it can be harvested. So don’t put anything personal on it at all. And don’t let other apps link to it. job done.

Maybe he’s on -4 basses

im lucky, as mine is a 20th Aniv model, so i know when it was made. it also has a large sticker inside stating it. Still, i might check that website to see if it confirms this. I love the bass, but its the most uncomfortable bass ive ever played. Not the actual playing of it on the neck, just sitting down or standing with it. i get neck or shoulder ache. I love the neck, although i cant quite get the action i want. I think ill get a fret dressing in the new year. I guess im just not used to non Fender shaped basses. The bridge popped off 30mins in to owning it, but a bit of superglue has worked well and ive not had it come off again. I ordered a new bridge in a state of panic, but i was happy with the old bridge. The new one is more comfortable though, as i play mostly with a pick so tend ot rest my hand on the bridge. I got a nice wide strap, so neck dive isnt a problem, but i do find the edge of the body cuts in to my right forearm after a while. . Overall for me, a flawed bass but the first bass ive owned that im prepared to live with them, as i love the tone so much.

For me moving pictures was probably the best era for Geddy's bass tone, in particular his 72 jazz used on Tom Sawyer....I do have a slightly biased opinion as i think Moving Pictures in it's day was in terms of production, song writing and musicianship a perfect illustration and showcase of the bands evolution and the end of that creative phase...Still holds up today, subjective i know but as close to a perfect recording as could be.

That’s nice. I see it’s padded all the way round aswell 👍

Given you were able to stand "on the shoulders of giants", what did you do in the next decade from age 12? It's going to be amazing isn't it? Did you also learn Smoke on the Water?

Ordered one and it arrived yesterday. Neat bit of kit, simple enough to use and switch to mono. Will drag the funk trunk out later and test it with the mixer against the IEMs.

And two trucks with crew to cart it around and set it up!

And free returns when you find out its underpowered unless you use a cab the size of small country. You'll be fine with a 610, but there's no way you could use this in a loud band with anything much less. Which of course defeats the point of having an amp the size of a Kit Kat.

Welcome to the crazy world of the Chapman Stick! The only advice I feel qualified to give would be to "stick" with it. (Ouch!) I don't know how you're feeling about it but I certainly thought that having about 33 steady years of bass experience before I started with the Stick would give me a head start but I actually found that my skills were not so transferable after all. I found the reverse 5ths tuning on the bass side very difficult for playing bass lines and found even interaction between the hands not easy, let alone independence! Fortunately, I'm stubborn and persistent so I'm finally getting somewhere but in reality it's taken me a lot longer than I thought it would and I'm still no virtuoso. Play as often as you can and pay attention to your setup - If you're playing out make sure you have the truss rod tool with you - the neck can move from one environment to another and if the action is out of whack, it can really throw you especially at the start. If you want to play "normal" bass lines on it, some players change the bass side to a 4ths tuning - easy to play fluid basslines like you are used to but against that you lose the compact open chord voicings that 5ths gives you. You're right to think that it's easy to take over a whole band's sound with the stick - played all at once it can be an enormous, dense sound leaving little space for anyone else but if your bandmates like it, they'll likely start to make adjustments to accommodate you. For example, the guitarists I play with will often switch to mandolin or Dobro if I'm going to be playing stick - there's lots of room to experiment and no real rules or traditions with the Stick - it's very much whatever you choose to make it. Also be prepared to make lots of new friends if you play it out. It may be different if you mingle in the prog-rock circles but for most types of music, yours will be the first Stick an audience has ever seen and the questions come thick and fast! 🙂 One last thought just now - Sticks sound much better in Stereo than mono, even if your just going through a mono setup like a bass amp - something to do with the impedance loading on the pickups I believe so if you don't have multiple inputs on your amp setup, invest in a little mixer - I use a Boss LS-2- and it will sound much brighter and livelier. Overall, my Stick journey has been at times frustrating but hugely enjoyable. It hasn't diminished my love for the bass but it has enhanced my musical knowledge no end and frankly I can't imagine being without one now. Best of luck and if there's anything you want to know, just ask!

Lol! Brilliant! Remember Thud! and Mr Grins? Wanna pen? Buy a pen for a fiver and get these four beers free! We had the large room and decided to crank up my fender twin and your 900watt rig. Poor old Phil didn’t know what hit him and bits fell of the ceiling. It was LOUD! awesome!

If you do a lot of Steve Miller songs then I think a 'Joker' shim would be best....