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Very slow progression on this due to other home stuff but the sanding is getting there. I'm really liking birds eye maple - second time I've used it and certainly won't be the last!! ]

JMB is useless. We advertised for a drummer and in the ad it clearly stated the location of our rehearsal room and the ideal candidate will have a full drum kit and can drive. A 'drummer' replied but: He lives 30 miles from where we rehearse He can't drive He only has a snare and a hi hat He seemed to think it could work though despite these small issues...

Oh no! London has lost one of its dedicated bass stores! How will it cope? 😄

Hi Folks Don't often do this but with this one I thought I must.. So, there I was in my local music shop in Bognor Regis (Mike's Music) buying some strings when I saw this hanging on the wall looking a bit unloved.. Being the kind chap that he is, Mike let me have a trial with the bass and after spending some time with it at home, I realised it was a must have.. As far as I can tell from the serial number, its a Made in Japan 1991/2 Fender Precision. Sounds great, beautiful Ash body and maple neck and is in brilliant condition for a 27 year old bass. Happy days, or should I say, happy NBDs! Thanks for looking.. 😊

Just little follow-up... Due to hectic personal life it's taken me a while to get started with the bass Finding it difficult to learn (I'm not a natural at these things), but learned how to play riffs to "seven nation army" and "feel good inc" which is very satisfying 😁

So one of the nice things about being a graphic designer, apart from being good at design (as that’s still to be determined) is you end up learning enough about processes to know the best way to get things done for different projects. So I asked Stevie if he wanted help with a badge for the cab. Partly as I wanted a nice badge for my own cab and partly as, if done right, it’s wee details like this can lift a project from very good to great. Like a most the other details stevie has built into this cab we want to try and do it to a high quality. I also wanted it lightweight- a pewter cast badge would be daft on a cab with neo drivers. The first problem we have is the small volume number, while die cast plastic badges, like the big manufacturers use, would be nice - it’s hardly cost effective to make 1000 badges in China to just use 10. Equally you could get a small batch of something from the UK, but the cost goes through the roof. Stevie set a budget for it, which bluntly was a bit more than I would have wanted to pay for a cosmetic thing that erm half of you might not like. So - instead my aim was to get a badge for the grill, a sticker for the gap on the handle and a sticker for the back for about the price of a pint at a music venue. Design is subjective right? And what do you call this thing... we started off on this idea that actually some of Stevies other passions could help name it- like it can be as abstract as anything as long as it’s memorable, pronounceable and means something to Stevie at least. Stevies wife’s maiden name didn’t sound rock and roll enough so we ended up talking about his work as a German translator and throwing random German words at each other. This was quite good as I also enjoy German culture (I’m there now), and design - and it’s the centenary year of the Bauhaus. So Stevies there geeking out on German cab names and I’m geeking out on German design and it’s viele spaß! luckily for you the long compound nouns got dropped, and Stevie started trialing BCcab as a name in PMs with some of you. Bass Chat cab obviously, without it needing to say that, and able to say it without sounding like an idiot, and I think there may have been a second meaning but I forget what that is. So then BCcab - v3. I still got to geek on with my Bauhaus- sorry!! I tried to come up with something that would work with almost any colour scheme and layout, but be distinctive enough that to be worth doing. Not so small that it wouldn’t be noticed, but not so big it took over the cab. so we’ve got a vinyl sticker for the back plate, a domed sticker for the handle and a subliminated aluminium plate 100x40mm for the front. (Soft enough to drill for screws if you need) - and it’s all just going to add £3.60 to the cost. (if you are building the cab and not getting the flat pack Stevie will have a few extra sets you might be able to convince him to sell you if you cover postage too) So the other day I got the first pre production picture of the badge prototype made up. (Colours are off a wee bit on this pic) im excited if no one else.

Hi all, So here’s mine (on my ironing board workbench)! Just done a setup: filed the nut and simple action adjustments. Beautiful feeling bass! I’m a P bass with flats type of person and was shopping for an interesting platform for roundwound strings. I had a very nice Mexican Jazz for this purpose, but was never very inspired by it as I’ve become more hooked on the P bass experience. Always liked the Gibson aesthetic though, so I became curious........😊 I did an A to B comparison with an SG bass in the shop. Some observations: The SG was much lighter weight. The Les Paul is comfortably light by the way, but that particular SG was ridiculously light! The SG was better set up, but the neck shape is the same. The satin finish on the LP neck is much nicer (less grabby than the glossy neck). Setup of the LP is now nicer than the SG was, with very limited work. Fret finishing is properly done on both basses.....very nice! Hipshot tuners on the LP are just exquisite. Best I’ve ever come across to be honest. The old school ones on the SG seemed plenty up to scratch however. Played standing up, the strap button placement is much better on the LP. The SG tips forward, and neck dives if released, but is quite manageable. Much easier than my old Jack Casady bass, for example, (which was like riding a camel!). The SG is much easier on the forearm with its softer shape. The SG has a broader tone pallet as you’d expect, but for me I preferred the way the LP gets you to a good place without futzing about with controls. Much like a P bass! It has a punchy quality to the sound (much like a P again), but a different and decidedly Gibson tone. Big win. I’ve got some work to do getting familiar, and will be doing some acoustic duo and full band work this week. Will let you know how things go. For now though I’m blown away by how this bass feels like a crafted instrument rather than a cookie cutter factory product. Incredible resonance, perfectly in tune across the neck, sweet and nimble to play. Great job Gibson!

Ah, but will they? With this question burning in my mind I telephoned my close personal friend the New York music lawyer Mr Wolf J Flywheel. Our conversation proceeded as follows: Me: Wolf? It's me, Skank ... Flywheel: Whaddyawant ya Limey fag? Me: About this Universal masters fire ... Flywheel: Get the f*ck outta here! Ain't got time to talk, too busy filing a class action against those f*ckin' schlemiels Me: Based on what? Flywheel: Who cares? It's a bonanza. Now scram, shitbird, I got plaintiffs to depose (Ends)

Just for the sake of clarity, CITES governs the movement of listed endangered species across borders and so applies whether stuff is for sale or not.

Followed this thread for a very long time and a couple of years ago bought a cheapo system to play with but never used it in a gig situation till last night. The experience was beyond a revelation. If you are thinking about this and have vocal duties do yourself a favour, sell your best bass and buy an in ear system, (your standby bass will be up to the job 😃)and the world will become a better place. I'm gobsmacked and I've been round the block a couple of times and been there and done that and got the T Shirt but this was amazing. Stunned of Wigan

Thanks folks for your very kind remarks. Credit also to the concept - which is entirely @TheGreek 's And talking of @TheGreek, I'll add this here because otherwise I am bound to forget to tell him! The hatch is fixed with magnets: Shamelessly stealing from, I think, @Jabba_the_gut , there is a slight dip cut in the rebate. So to open, just press here and it will pop up the other side: Saves getting the kitchen knife out... Just waiting the replacement barrel jack socket and this will be shipped back to Mick

I've just about had my fill with JoinMyBand, we have an ad on for a singer at the moment, FOUR replies almost immediately, I reply to them immediately, five days later, nothing back from them? Then this morning I receive another message. And this is the link in the message: I give up!!!

I've never been messed around by a group of people more than 'musicians'. I got back into playing 10 years ago, and hand on heart, people who want to be in bands have been the biggest time wasters I've encountered. JMB, gumtree, bandmix, ads in music stores, open mics, word of mouth...every one has been a complete waste of time. Watch grass grow, it's more rewarding.

You wonder that these early recordings might just disintegrate anyway? Bad things happen to good things. I'm more concerned that Universal didn't just fess-up. But of course they wouldn't if there was a penny in it for them. Anyway, we can record them all again with the latest X Factor winners. And play them 'live' from the new ice-rink on top of the Notre Dame. Be great for the kiddies.

Screen wipe please ....

The fundamental problem is that, like Gumtree, it's free. If it costs nothing to post an ad, then you'll get a high proportion of ads being somewhere between random and completely braindead, plus there's no great pressure to follow up on things. Add to that the fact that the vast majority of people who call themselves musicians are flakes or fantasists or both, and you just need to be prepared for the inevitable.

Struggled to find a descent transcription of this for years until I discovered the attached PDF. To my ears the second bar is not only spot on but also falls logically under the fingers. 1. Ian+Dury+Hit+Me+With+Your+Rhythm+Stick.pdf

I used to play a 5 string Thumb BO for a number of years. It's a fine sounding bass, and some might say, a more defined growl than the Stingray and had one of the best necks I've ever played, and one that only gets better the more you play it. But, and it's a big but, the ergonomics (or 'geometry' as you say) are not for everyone. With a tiny body, big chunky neck and short upper horn, it's rather unbalanced and neck heavy. Some people recommend a wide grippy strap but all that did for me is ruck up my shirt. Others have no such issue with the instrument. You could say it's a rather 'marmite' issue - people are either fine with it or can't deal with it. Personally, it got to the point that I was in pain for a couple of days after every gig, so it had to go, as much as I loved the instrument. I went in a completely different direction and now play a Yamaha Attitude Ltd2 (essentially a hot-rodded P bass). Totally different tone, feel and ergonomics. Funny thing is, when I pulled out the Thumb last year to sell it after languishing in a gig bag for 8 years, I just couldn't play it very well. Felt totally alien to me. So anyway, to sum up. Great sounding bass, well built, brilliant neck. But please do try before you buy, preferably on a strap for a whole gig.

Not bad last night, first half was pretty quiet, but then I think that was the weather. Towards the end of the night someone requested some Metallica, I think they'd been up to Twickenham the other night, so we started Sandman. Now I've not done this for a while, but sometimes when we play Metallica I do Rob Trujullo's crab walk, and last night I thought I'd bring it out. What a mistake. I need to learn I CANNOT do this without stretching first. When I stood up after the song kicked it, my thighs screamed at me and walking around was okay but occasionally they let themselves be known. Then, I almost fell out the car when i got home as my legs weren't working right and I struggled to get up the stairs. WHY DID I DO THIS? 😂 Getting out of bed this morning was also interesting 😁 I guess this is being in your mid-30s.....😂😂😂

Excellent! I'd give him (or her!) the gig!

Awesome gig yesterday evening at the Farmyard Bikers rally in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. This is one of big ones at about 6-7000 punters and loads of bands over 4 stages and 2 days. Great weather and enthusiastic crowd, even had time for a beer after our spot and watched a couple of bands. Loved the backstage request.....lol

Couple of good gigs this week in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. We have a new lighting guy, so enjoying seeing what he can do to make us look better, not an easy task....

Liam Gallagher in every band he's ever been in.

Agreed. Even when a band emerges after a lot of hard work with ads, auditions , etc., it's like herding cats.

You're all lightweights.... come on, someone must be up for a bit of bling

I'm sure someone mentioned that on 6music recently. It makes you wonder how often this sort of thing occurs. I mean; lots of art was "lost" during WWII. Not all of it was destroyed. Yet no-one person is in a position to give a sound guess as to just how much was actually destroyed as opposed to declared destroyed or appropriated, archived and forgotten about. This isn't a case of a lost archive however. It is why original art is valued highly. It's a surprisingly volatile commodity.

Whitfield Crane's brief time with Life Of Agony. I still shudder at the memory.

I love Thumbs. I generally find they have a better tone than a Stingray and also balance well so long as you wear them high. They are heavy though.

Gorgeous - Precisions don't come much better-looking than that - or better made, considering the era.

Well Stevie is going grey with metal grill and I’m trying for a dark blue with leather corners and fabric grill... so I think it’s more exciting if we build beautiful to our own eyes... plus my wife will only let me build it if it ends up as pretty as my green Mesa walkabout...

Our first wedding gig (apart from the L/G's own wedding, which doesn't really count 🙂 ) Venue was a lovely pub up in the Clent Hills, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Weather perfect. Really easy load in. Very nice Landlord and Landlady. There was no-one at all in the bar when we started playing as they were all outside enjoying the evening sunshine. But to our surprise and delight, loads of them came in and started dancing as soon as we struck up. We had been a bit concerned that a lot of our set is not the usual wedding gig material (we do late 50's/early 60's covers), but we had to play everything we know as we've only got just enough to cover 2 x 45 mins, haha. It went down really well. Some of the old songs we do are a bit obscure, but they are such cracking songs that they get everyone moving anyway. For example 'Should We Tell Him?' and 'Just in Case' by the Everley Brothers. If you don't know 'Just in Case', check it out. It's about being drafted to the Vietnam war, so not exactly wedding appropriate, but nobody listens to the lyrics anyway, haha. So it all went down brilliantly. Many people afterwards coming up and thanking us. One lovely woman gave me a big hug and told me she's a music teacher and she loved what we all did. We all felt really chuffed. Groom was chatting to us as we were packing up, saying what a lovely day it had been, so relaxed, all the guests enjoying themselves, lovely atmosphere etc etc. Just then an almighty row starts up in the other bar. Sounds like two women and one bloke all having a massive go at each other. Screaming, shouting, cursing and dreadful verbal abuse. People start looking worried and ushering children away. Then these three people spill out into the road still screaming and shouting. Turns out... it was the bar staff!!! Apparently someone had accused someone else of not pulling their weight and it had all kicked off. I think everyone was a bit relieved that it wasn't actually any of the guests, but sadly it did take the shine off the evening for the happy couple. I hope they get a bit of a discount to compensate for it!

Depends if you had an isolated power supply and load of other things as well, quality of patch cables etc. can be done

Thank you very much for listening 🙂

I guess we're not on the same wavelength. . . . . . I look at this and think how can you hoover around that lot!

Don't need to read stuff if you already have an opinion

I heard the difference too. However, I got which was which wrong, and that was basing my selection on what the reported difference is.

^^ That blender is nifty! ^^ Here are two boxes I finished recently. A 3 knob fuzz on a PCB from Fuzzdog, the Creme Fluff, I think it's a Frantone circuit. Sounds pretty massive with lots of lows and it has an amazing sustain. And on a PCB from Deadend FX - a recreation of the first version of the Silver Rose, which is a Superfuzz (with mids switch) and an Opamp Muff run in parallel with a Mix knob to blend them to taste. Then there's also a clean blend and tone/presence. It's a monster fuzz with lots of different types of fuzz tones available. It works alright sound wise, but there is something fishy with either the switching or some grounding issue (?), as with certain extreme settings of the switches/knobs, the pilot light lights up in bypass mode. Doesn't bother me too much, as it sounds as it should and I'm not running it with those settings anyway.

Used to chat with Tim on various forums. A really funny guy as well as great builder. I am a a big fan of short scales the more I build the more I like them. Improved string technology and the correct building techniques have made them more than a viable option for most players.