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Meh leave them to it. We all love our music in different ways.

So after reading the thread about Cliff Williams of AC/DC getting a signature Stingray it reignited the want for one. I love Stingrays but have ever managed to “tame” the sound, but then I’ve only ever had the 3eq versions. I have however read that the 2eq is beefier sounding so thought, I’ll give one a try if a black/black/maple one comes along. And it did at the weekend on EBay. Sealed the deal, delivered today. Like an excited child I got home and to work on a clean/set-up and in honour of Cliff, a set of D’Addario Chromes. It’s a 1987 model with the truss rod adjuster in the headstock, and the silver battery cover. It has some nice authentic road wear on it, nothing hideous, just the signs of a 30+ year old gigged instrument. But all that doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t enjoy playing it. Well I settled down in front of YouTube to some of my fave covers and an hour and a half passed in an instant, yes, the ‘Ray passed the test, I love playing it, and yes, the 2eq is beefier sounding. Oh, the beauty in question, well it’s as below.

I use my mouse, trackpad, or a swipe motion to scroll past stuff I'm not interested in. There's probably a tutorial on YouTube to show you how to do it.

I'm not a big fan of Van Halen, but I'm truly gutted. His impact and influence cannot be overstated. I did see this on Twitter, which makes for a smile on sad days like these

This is a nice clip

The deaths of two guitar playing legends has unleashed an army of guitarists/bands performing 'tributes', their versions of songs made famous by the departed. Why do they think anyone wants to hear a (to use the fairly recently-coined term) Poundshop version of a classic piece of music? It's more of an insult than tribute. Actually, I hate bass players covering Youtube and Facebook with their solo noodling too but that's slightly different, I guess.

I like Eddie even more now (almos as much as my dislike for Durst).

I'm the best guitarist, bassist and keyboard player of all the bands I've played in. OK, confession time. I've never been in a band.

It's music... what's not to like? If not personally 'like' then at least turn a blind eye and allow others to show their appreciation and maybe someone out there will like it and it will brighten their day; I think we all need a bit of that.

They usually come across as a by-the-way-look-at-me thing, making it about the poster rather than the deceased. Whether the poster is bright or aware enough to realise that is an entirely different matter. It's all quite self-centred and tasteless, as seems to be the fashion of the times we live in, sadly.

I don't mind it at all. Neither do I mind that you do mind it.

I posted at the time that I did the gig how pleased I was with the sound of this bass live. I finally got around to editing the video down so I can post a tune for people to hear. Here is the bass featured in a scaled down version of Charlie Parker's 'Yardbird Suite'. The band had never played together before AND it was the first gig most of us had done in six months so this is a bit raw but I think the bass sounds really interesting. Remember, this bass costs £115.

Bacchus made a tasty Stingray in Jazz clothing. It's feels like a J but the sound is 100% Ray.

Van Halen’s passing doesn’t upset me one bit, in all honesty. Not because I’m a git. Obviously it’s tremendously sad for his friends and family. But I didn’t know him. I liked his music, but that’s as far as my interest in him went. Is that bad? Same feelings for Rocco who passed recently. Tremendous player, seemed like a genuine guy and I grew up with his music. But times change. I like other music too. I appreciate the music he left behind that I can enjoy forever. Maybe it’s just me!

Last night Alice Coper explained the origin of the term 'pigeonholed' on his radio show. He then said something along the lines of 'now you're educated explain what this means' and played Roundabout...

U ok hun?

I sort of agree. If the music/musician meant a lot to you, that's great (and it's certainly clear that EVH had that effect) but I don't really feel there's much to be gained by sharing your 'tribute' (particularly by murdering their songs) publicly. Maybe I'm too British (or just a cold, unfeeling git) but actually I'd extend that to all public outpourings of grief, including but not limited to: - 'U ok hun' style posts on Social Media - Tattoos of names / death dates on your skin in prominent places - Shrines of any kind (unless you're actually related to them) Re-reading the above, I am a cold, unfeeling git.

Unless your name was Mr Rubbish Nut

If anyone is thinking of moving there bb3000 on would you please get in touch. I would like one to go with my bb3000A.

I spent a few hundred pounds on bass pickups at a well known dealer. They showed up and annoyingly one of the 4 'tube' springs was missing from one package. I sent them an email stating that one was missing and could they stick one in the post (I'm all out of spares, and my OCD side would prefer 4 the same even if they can't be seen!). Ignored. I ended up buying some tubing off of eBay. The upshot is I have unsubscribed from their newsletter and will be going elsewhere in future for bass-related purchases. OK, so today I was going to install my old John East J-Retro 01, and to my consternation I found that I had lost the earth wire. I searched all over but couldn't find it. I emailed John and asked if I could purchase a replacement, and not 10 minutes later he had replied with "I've stuck one in the post for you". Now THAT is great customer service! Many thanks to John!

I’m not sure that’s true. Lem said he got the gig when the previous bassist didn’t turn up for a gig and his Rick was in the van so Lem used it, but Lem then proceeded to use his Hopf for quite a while (including the recording of Doremi) prior to him using the Rick shown above, so it’s not a given that it was the same Rick, although it’s possible. I guess we’ll probably never know for sure.

Hi Everybody This is Max at [sfx] Just a few words to assure you that everything at [sfx] is ok. We are operating normally (well... as much as we can given the problems we are all experiencing because of COVID-19). The company that provides the website services to [sfx] is driving me insane. The website goes down unexpectedly and I'm working to get to the root of it. Regarding the delivery time, confirmations and other details, you should be able to find all the info in the T&C page. If you need more details, please do not hesitate to contact me. I'll be happy to help. Please accept my apologies for the problems the website stability is creating. I'm working on it.

It's never been an issue for me. But I don't play with my knobs in public.

I was lucky enough to see VH on their first UK tour in 1978 supporting Black Sabbath. They absolutely blew Sabbath off the stage. Out with the old and in with the new. From the young, wide-eyed and impressionable like myself, through to the dyed in the wool rockers, the audience were aware something special was taking place. It’s not a stretch to say that no one had ever seen anything like it before. They came on stage with a handful of people in attendance and by the time they’d finished the theatre bars were empty and the place was packed - almost unheard of for a support act! As I lost touch with a lot of the bands I liked in my youth, VH were someone I always went back to, mainly due to the smile I know they’d put on my face. In your face rock ‘n’ roll, but in a fun and joyous way, with tongue firmly in cheek! There’s a really good piece by Michael Hann in today’s Guardian where he not only praises Eddie’s unique talent and game-changing approach to the guitar, but also highlights the often overlooked (pop-like) quality of their songs, and Eddie’s songwriting. In it there is a link to The Bird and the Bee, and their reworking of VH songs, which is definitely worth a listen and showcases the pop sensibilities that EVH and DLR brought to the band. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/07/eddie-van-halen-was-the-heir-to-hendrix-electric-guitar

I bet I'm not the only one who will never ever forget the first time they heard 'Eruption'. Round at a mate's house, he'd just bought the album and as the second track played we all just stared at the stereo, and someone said what we were all thinking: "What the F**K is THAT??". Unbelievable stuff.

I play unlined fretlesses for the same reason, now updated to the nuclear deterrent: 5 string unlined fretless.

I don't think you're cold and unfeeling. There is a difference between being genuinely upset by something that has happened and being "social-media shouty look at me and feel sorry for me and let me be part of someone's grief" playing to the crowd. I'd add to your list, if I may, footballers doing "tributes" to people. A minutes silence, OK, but then the whole writing messages on shirts, having props to pull out during games to pay tribute to people... Don't get me wrong, footballers do give a lot to charity etc. But it's the showy "look at us displaying our grief" thing that just seems tacky.

Bill Laswell of Last Exit was also in a band with Mick Harris of Napalm Death , along with John Zorn: Painkiller Not surprisingly they played a kind of extreme free jazz/metal hybrid: I bought the first album at the time for the Mick Harris connection....... Zorn/Laswell may not have came on to my radar otherwise.

The first band I auditioned for had just recruited the guy that used to teach me bass. He was their bass player and was moving onto rhythm guitar. I got the gig based on my long hair and looks according to the vocalist, as my skills were considered 'adequate' at that point. Every week, a day before rehearsals, I would have a bass lesson with the rhythm guitarist, this time it was for free. By the end of the second month with the band, I was playing probably the tightest and most fluid I had ever played. I still have his lesson notes and use them when I want to kill any bad habits and sloppy playing technique. He was a real gem.

Whitey on the moon - Gill Scott-Heron

I have zero issue with a tribute, however the ‘fashion’ for slowing a song down to the point of tedium and putting warbling vocals as a tribute is deeply irritating. But any song like that is generally irritating.

I would do the decent thing and buy a couple from Thomann purely for research purposes. However I already share my room with several large bass cabs and a couple of hi fi cabs bigger and heavier than some bass cabs.

I think the new Stingray Special basses have ticked the box regarding ‘improvements’ on the original. I still love the old Rays, but like my Lull P Bass has improved on Fender ergonomics, the Ray Special has upgraded the preamp, pup, hardware, ergonomics and weight - so quite a lot really. Regardless of model, only a Ray does a Ray IMO.

No, I feel the same way about musicians dying. It's a shame, as it is when anyone dies, but that's about it.

Our thoughts and prayers.

I'd believe Lozz when he says the Ashdown is the louder of the 2. If I was choosing between the two, right now, I'd buy the Ashdown. They are a good amp, with a good reputation and made in the UK. I believe the SVT3-PRO is currently being made in China. These days trying to support home-grown businesses is an important consideration for me.

Actually most rock bands these days look like quantity surveyors except for the tattoos.

Hi @miles'tone, firstly I was trying to shoehorn this bass into the wrong situation. I use it in a Mod/Northern Soul/Ska band and on that scene image is everything. I previously was using my modified Variax on the 4003 setting and with a bit of pedal trickery added in had the punchiest tone I've ever had. I wanted the looks of the 4005 so bought it but wanted it to sound like a 4003, it doesn't, and never will. It sounds great but just in a different way. The neck pickup is lovely but lacks a bit of definition/punch, the bridge pickup adds in the definition but not really punch, due to its position. It really needs a pickup in the middle (like the Chinese fakers) but then it wouldn't be an authentic copy. It has a lovely warm vintage tone and sounded great for the Northern Soul and Ska stuff with the neck pickup solo's but just didn't have what I wanted for the Mod Revival stuff (The Jam, Lambrettas, Secret Affair, etc). Putting in a series switch sorted this, it would still probably be more what I wanted with a central pickup but that can't happen. With some boosted low mids in EQ it sounds as punchy as I need. Feel wise again is just personal preference. I like a thumb anchor and I like heavy stiff strings. I also like a narrow-ish string spacing. This had a wide string spacing but the strings were very close to the edge of the board, they look to be that way on the originals. This was good as it allowed me to make a new nut with a narrower string spacing without it looking odd, in fact it's better as the G had a tendancy to slip off the edge of the neck (bear in mind I play hard). The thumbrest thing couldn't be fixed, for, me, by using a pickup casing as the bridge was too near the bridge and the neck, while being fine for most, felt too floppy to me, fine on the Ska stuff but not when I dig in for The Jam and our own stuff. I made a full length ramp but only to use as a thumbrest really as the Variax has a full length thumbrest and it's a great idea. I made a full length clear ramp so it would 'dissappear' as much as possible, remember it's all about the looks. In standard form it's certainly not hard to play and sounds great, if that's what you're after. The only thing that feels different to most other basses is the height of the strings from the body. As the Rickenbacker toasters are face mounted, ie not sunk in like most pickups, the strings need to be a long way from the body to allow room for the pickups underneath them. Not a huge issue but it just felt a bit odd to me and as I like to get a bit theatrical (image remember) when I'm playing so I wanted the bass to feel as familiar as possible. It's still my gigging bass, if only we were gigging.

Yesterday rehearsal was fantastic. The BB1025 exceeded my expectations.

Yep, reminds me of Michael Douglas and his alleged carcinogenic activities

The bass is ready, collection on Monday

Public servic announcement: If you put flash icons on your sales thread title, I'm not even going to look at it. Edit 9am 04oct20: I include anything other than alphanumerics here.