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Hey gang So... about 20 years ago, I sold everything I had and bought a 1971 P from a chap in Indianapolis via eBay (back when it was financially not completely daft to do this kind of thing). I loved everything about it - the rich, deep sound, the chunky neck, the light weight... it became my right arm for the next 10+ years. We travelled the world. Like many marriages (but not mine, I must add), familiarity sank in, and I got a wandering eye for something from the 60s. So four years ago, in a moment of stupidity, I sold it. ....and immediately regretted it. After four years roaming the wilderness, howling at the moon, the buyer (Normski of this parish) got wind of my sorrow and offered it back to me. And for this I am INCREDIBLY grateful. It arrived yesterday, and as soon as I picked it up it was like having my right arm sewn back on. It's like no time has passed. Thanks, Norm.

I can't take credit for this idea as it has been floated here before at some point, but I thought it might help someone out. My gig diary seems to be filling up for next year and barring a resurgence of COVID, it looks like I'll be doing some mileage again. I generally share the driving with our guitarist and we always have room for another bass or amp in the vehicle. Speaker cabs, combos and larger items might be tricky. I shipped one of my own basses to @Nibody fairly recently whilst at a gig in Derbyshire. He met me at the venue and I handed the bass over, so there's no reason it can't succeed if the buyers and sellers do their bit.@walshy has also done the same for me when he played a gig in Dagenham. For this to work, either the buyer or seller would have to meet me at the venue where I'm playing to collect or deliver the item from me. When at I'm home (and this is where it is a bit limiting) the buyer or seller would have to collect or deliver to my home address. I live in South Essex between Basildon and Rayleigh. London is a short train ride. What I can't do is make pit stops either on the way to or returning from a venue. So this is what my 2022 diary looks like at the moment. There will be more dates added. If I can help I will, plus it's totally free, no need for that pesky boxing up business and you can be assured that I will treat your gear as I would my own. 18/3/22 - Cromer Pier & Pavilion Theatre, Promenade, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9HE. 25/3/22 - Cornerstone Arts Centre, 25 Station Rd, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NE. 22/4/22 - Foreham Theatre, Queensway, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, TS23 2LJ. 30/4/22 - Castle Theatre, 10 Castle Way, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 1XA. 14/5/22 - Oop North somewhere (venue TBC) 10/6/22 - Southmill Arts Center, 1-3 South Rd, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 3JG. 11/6/22 - The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1FH. 17/6/22 - Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park Rd, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5QE. 18/6/22 - Conkers, Rawdon Rd, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 6GA. 23/9/22 - Penistone Paramount, 23 Shrewsbury Rd, Penistone, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S36 6DY. 1/10/22 - Hazlitt Theatre, Earl St, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PL. 28/10/22 - Westcliff Theatre, Tower Rd, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1LE. 20/11/22 - The Deco, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE. Just something to bear in mind should you find yourself moving a bass or amp next year.

So yeah..I bought Michael's P bass around four years ago but as mentioned he didn't let it go without having second thoughts & that kinda stuck with me. I guess I never really bonded with Michael's P bass probably because it still felt like it didn't belong to me (if you all see what I mean). When I read his items wanted on here for an early 70's P bass I just had to reply. I'm a big believer of the saying what goes around comes around & this just about sums up Basschat & our fantastic community we have here. Michael it's great that you have your beloved P bass back. I'm so happy for you. It's the least I could do. Cheers Norm

And here's the real bass porn! UK Manufactured SWB Deluxe Basses on the go /

Honestly, my heart fluttered when I opened the case. I remember the day before the buyer was due to pick it up, I emailed him to tell him I was having massive regrets, and couldn't go through with it. He understood, but then I felt so bad about it I went through with the sale. I realised I've been searching to fill the gap ever since, and for him to have to good grace to offer it back to me when I put the shout out for an early 70s P on BC a couple of weeks ago was a bit of surprise. I didn't even know he was on BC - I thought it was gone for good. Here's a vid of us happy together back in the glory days when I had a little bit of hair...

A 'AAA' quartersawn maple blank and ebony fingerboard for the fretless neck should be with me early next week, as should an 8mm taper plug cutter bit to cut the rest of the maple plugs (with proof of concept done, life's too short to slim the rest of them by hand!). I've just got to get hold of some amber stain and, once the plugs are in and the neck finish-sanded, I can start the refinishing of the neck. We're going for a silky-smooth-and-organic tru-oil slurry and buff. The headstock top and back and fretboard top are all untouched and will not need any refinish.

It's been a while since I bought a bass (probably 10 years give or take) so when this superb Yamaha came up within this lovely community, I decided something modern (allied to my Warwick and Jazz basses) would sit well. Arriving safely this morning, it turns out that it's well set up and sounds fantastic so I'm over the moon with it. Many thanks to @Delberthot

Thankyou! Helps a lot!!! Heres a few more pics. I've had it for ages but just haven't been playing, sadly I hope it doesn't come to it...but I may be having to sell!

Warwick..... the Behringer of basses That's why he's universally nicknamed Hans Peter PILFER!

Yeah overwinding will pronounce the midrange to an extent. Some of my favourite basses have massively underwound pickups mated to a great pre to produce a good signal, leaving a very clear and broad range. I’m sure there’s more to it but that’s my experience.

Maybe the air worked differently then, or perhaps the electricity used was a different shade of rose-tinted

Do they use tone vinyls? The people who argue that urethane paint gives better tone would soil themselves at the suggestion of a wrap.

I hesitate to let friends touch my basses let alone strangers! If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that people have wildly differing standards for how they treat other people’s belongings. Not just music gear either, it applies to everything.

The Behringer of basses would be Spector surely, them never having actually designed an original bass shape an' all?

Behringer products are hand-made in Germany? Who'd have thought it?

Another one from the master Danny Thompson.

....and don't even start me on the Status/Warwick Buzzard feud 🙄

My dear boy, I think it was the chocolate that did him in. I'd have respected him more if his voice had given out after a double bourbon and a piece of pizza.

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My best purchase is undoubtedly the 1993 Spector NS-5CR I picked up in October. That has been the only gear related purchase this year, I think.

Good call! If it helps visualise, my latest build (that's maybe a month away from completion) has triple dots on the 12th and 24th fret, I think it suits the width of a 6 string neck over the usual 2 dots.

In my experience, if you all look like you're enjoying yourselves and your singer tells the audience how great they are, you are much more likely to go down well.

More UK manufacturing photos. Here's SWB-1 with it's top on.

A lot of the drummers who the public think are poor, or merely acceptable, are some of the best to play with. Ringo, Charlie, John Coglan etc. They nail the groove and have the magic micro timing, a joy for any competent bassist. Chops and flash are nice but nailing the groove is the first requirement of a good drummer.

... that space on the top row though... 😜 but seriously, beautiful board.

Buggered if I can hear any difference when it's being banged through 500 watts of Orange 😁.

Finally 100% happy and no need to keep swapping, changing or fiddling! Pedalboard heaven 😍

True. If we all liked the same thing, it’d be a pretty boring world. This is mine.

I bet that makes for some entertaining arguments with yourself.

I’d take one of these over anything PCsGC has to offer any day of the week 😂

I find if you play with musicians who are noticeably below your standard, you wind up not being friends because you moan at their lack of practice. Always best to play with people who are better than you because you push yourself. Personally, from my experience, I'd pass. Being in a rehearsal studio with a lumpy drummer and an out of tune guitarist is one thing but being seen live with them is another. Good luck finding something more suitable.

That's an absolute munter.

SWB has eaten a sour sweet and does not approve!

the whole world window - cardiacs

I love the work I think it is pretty original but again understand that they not everyone's cup of tea I love my pasini 5 fretless , definitely the best fretless I ever played I'm so in love with it that I'm going to make myself a present and get a 6 string one

Helllooooo... Sadowsky, Lakland ad infinitum! LOL

I worry as I've always had the luck to play with good drummers. In my first band the drummer had learned by playing snare for a gold medal-winning 'jazz' band (as in marching). He taught me a lot and our showpiece was to finish a twelve bar by just getting faster and faster until one of us lost the plot 🙂 The two drummers I'm with now are really good, very responsive, and will vary what they play to help the other musicians. Keyboard player was struggling with the timing of a solo, so drummer changed the snare pattern to give him something to follow. Both of them support me and make it as easy as possible for me to lock in with them. This bloody drum machine is useless though, goes all over the place when it tries to keep up with me 😞

Presumably it was in hock? So tough.

Record the next rehearsal on a mini recorder and send the band members a copy. Then contact and ask what they think? If they point out obvious deficiencies, and how to solve them, then all is good. If they find nothing wrong then walk away. Tuning has never been easier, even between songs, so no excuses.

Bodies and necks made, painted and finished here. Products assembled here. Strings from here. 90% of the value of the bass will literally be tooled and created in the UK. I think I can say "made in the UK" 😉

Hi! ESP 400 series are my favourite basses. I have 3 of them😊