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Arrived today from the USA...not to be used before Christmas ....ha

Just played at two of the annual Great Ormond Street Christmas parties. Met Lewis Hamilton’s W14 and, far more excitingly, Emma Bunton. The actual playing bit? Can’t remember. I met Emma Bunton 🥰

Looks like they can't be shared, not on my profile. Here's a couple. Love playing teh EH as Barry takes great pics 🤣

I might have to hand in my basschat membership card at this rate, as once again no bass was played. After a sudden decision 4 hours before the performanceI I played the bass lines on piano accordion. We did some rock'n'roll classics, T-Rex, etc. It's the closest I've ever got to a genuine Marshall stack... and wasn't plugged in to it

We just finished our year with two gigs on Thursday and then Saturday night at Bedford Street in Leamington Spa, I played the Squier P for the full 6 hours across the two days and you'll hear no complaints from me at all, it's an excellent sounding bass and such a joy to play. The place was rammed with hardly a place to move and thankfully everyone was in the mood to dance and sing. We've been booked for a further 6 shows in Jan and Feb! Some serious bass face in this photo for you to enjoy!

According to legend, Perseus cut off a Gorgon head, which could turn folk to stone. Hmm... Legends, eh..?

I've been tormented by not owning a Spector bass on and off for a very long time now. I definitely deserve one, but the pound to dollar exchange rate doesn't look like improving anytime soon. There are not many basses left that I still hanker for, but a full-tilt USA NS2 is very tempting. I love the sound that Eddie Jackson got with his on those classic Queensryche albums, and there are so many other examples I could point to. If I could remember them right now.

Having only bought one thing throughout the year (and then having sold it after using it for the one gig I needed it) I felt I was sort of still an honorary members of the gear abstinence challenge. No longer. This preowned Super Twin arrived today from Bass Direct. Oops. Time will tell if it’s a wise purchase or not…

Like so many of us I have quit, sold all my gear and decided I was done with band life. Without a band I saw little point in playing the bass ! Then after a few years break you get the urge to play again Around the age of mid fifties I said I would be done with bands by the time I reach 60 ( just seemed beyond that I would be too old ) Im now 63 and play in the best band for fun I’ve ever experienced and it’s the people I’m fortunate to be with make it what it is. While I have good health I will carry on and review it when I’m 66 !!

If you haven't got an hour and a quarter to spare, don't start watching this. It's very good.

I think I might not like it. I often feel this way about new basses though.

??? What is this "moved on" of which you speak?

Having thought some more about this thread, and having read some more comments, I just thought I'd add another one of those "take a break from playing bass" suggestions. A note of caution though - don't take too long a break, or you may lose a bit more "mojo". To anyone feeling like they've hit a dead end, or had enough of a particular band... just take a short while off. Maybe play a different instrument? Perhaps a Ukulele, or that guitar you have gathering dust? Or perhaps seek out some other musicians you haven't played with before? When you pick up a bass again - maybe learn that bassline you always liked, but never had chance to nail? There are loads of these for me, as I'm always busy learning songs for one of the bands I'm in. Another thing I quite like doing, is look at some of the excellent lessons on YouTube - perhaps even try playing a song you hadn't considered before..... Most of all though, stick in there. I think music is a great therapy, and a great release from the other things in life - the things we have to do. As @miles'tone notes in the post above, time away from playing music can have a detrimental effect on mental health.

We had David Baddiel hosting at the Barbican last night, which made for some fascinating conversation about Geddy's Jewish heritage and his parents experiences in the camps. Alex turned up for the second half Q&A which was hilarious and moving by turns, I hadn't expected Geddy to be so candid about Neil Peart's passing. What a fine night all round .

Last Sunday , with the new Gretsch , at the Sunday jam.

That headless guy above is ME! That's my channel I'm headless because when I watch bass vids I'm only interested in the bass, the sound and the fingering....unless it's Marta Altesa doing her bass vids Glad you like them

Regarding the original post - It's not that I was ready to give up, I just noticed that I had one day. Busy family life and a back injury meant that bass had drifted out of the picture. Sold some gear to spend money on the house. No band, and pretty much zero social life meant that I just wasn't drawn to play my basses, as bass playing was always a social sport for me. I defo noticed my mental health suffered as a result too. Now I have an Irish tenor banjo that I can't wait to get home and play everyday. It's made me as excited to play again in the way bass made me feel as a kid! As long as we keep the basic enthusiasm for playing music, we will always be alright. It doesn't have to be bass. It will be all about the bass again sometime, of that I have no doubt. But right now I'm so happy to have a change.

My vanity project 4001S with everything renewed / replaced. The only RIC bit left on it, is the bridge pickup surround.

O K me and Blondie.

My '94 blueburst lined fretless

So long story short, I first tried a Vanderkley 2x12 cab a few years ago over at Overwater in Carlisle. I was impressed by how ‘smooth’ the cab sounded and it’s been on my ‘itch to scratch’ list ever since. As some of you might know, I have assembled all the components to build a Basschat 2x12 but I’m so time poor at the moment that those components have been moved up to the loft ‘for future use’. So, when this came up for sale relatively close to me, I jumped on it. No chance to fire it up in anger yet, but I can’t wait to hear my Ashdown Geezer head through this 😎

👆same here 3 old school mates no hassles, attitudes, egos just pure fun

Good one, Tim According to legend, Americans spend billions on funding sponsored research projects at major research universities. The British just use jokes. I very stupidly spend hundreds of dollars on the technology that I am using for this post. If I were a Russian troll, I would be able to do it with a pencil. That one is definitely true, Douglas. Ever since he did it, no one has been turned to stone. Pretty compelling evidence. I should probably stop inhaling WD-40.

My only substantial musical purchase this year has been my Spector Q4, and its subsequent upgrade bits (bridge, Gotoh tuners, full-fat EMGs yet to be fitted). To say I am chuffed with it is a maHOOsive understatement. It's now my go-to 4 string, in fact other than my Shuker (go-to 5 string) everything else is gathering dust... figuratively anyway.

Don't ever let this woman get away , treat her like a Queen every day

According to legend NASA spend billions of dollars developing it. The Russians just used 3 in 1.

Some concepts that I use and teach for learning/practising grooves, framed in the context of Bernard Edwards' wonderful part from 'Le Freak': Full transcription of the aforementioned disco classic: Chic - 'Le Freak' bass transcription pdf

Hello everyone. Sad to be saying that my dad has passed away. He died on Sunday 17th December around 1pm - just in time for a coffee. It's been a really tough few years. I want everyone who said something on this thread to know it's been really important for me to hear these kind words, stories and memories. I had to no doubt he was a kind, inspirational and talented person. Liked by so many. I want you all to know that he was a wonderful dad who taught me so much about the world, life and of course bass guitar. If you're in any doubt as to how you might remember him in any way in light of this news, perhaps you'll find something in his Desert Island Discs, curated by him: I also kept track of any music that was discussed or mentioned during his stay at the care home: And finally, he recorded a gig back in 1991 at the Tower Hotel in London. It was mixed recently and I'm hoping to have it mastered soon and pressed to vinyl. Nothing commercial, just a very special keepsake. The tracks are SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/matthewcanty1988/sets/tower-hotel-1991-vinyl I'm celebrating with music.

If you're looking to save weight, modular - several smaller, lighter boxes, rather than one large heavy one - is the way to go.

Here's my white Kramer Spector NS2 on 'Empire'. Classic Eddie Jackson tone....

Standard notation has many flaws. There's lots of alternatives to standard notation. You'll have to watch it to find out what comes out on top.

Also check out his Spector sound on Enter Sandman on the Black album (isolated bass track from 3:06). Cool stuff.

Apologies for the pedantry but "WD" actually stands for water displacement. Yes, it lubricates. Yes, people use it to try to free up rusty parts. However you'd do much better with a dedicated penetrating fluid like Plus-Gas if your nuts are seized up

I would probably only mod the pickups if I was changing to different types completely, like a pair of Tbird pickups. Replace with different P/J pickups? Probably wouldn't bother as I don't find the brand as important as the type and location.

This'll be me pretending to be John..

Yeah I think I could put up with that.

Wee short vid appeared from last weekends Xmas party Dave http://www.facebook.com/Methilclub/videos/340491112038940/

Grandad’s flannelette nightshirt. - George Formby

I've seen a figure north of £320k - definitely a nice little earner. I'm sure there's a fair few artists living the dream even off Spotify streams every Christmas, and probably a fair few estates paying out to heirs.

I've just realised the problem with this thread - it's creating multiple gas leaks.

Love a studio session. Music is mad sometimes, just have to enjoy the ride. Got my audition with the tribute band. Set up my bass with Rotos with a low action and that 90s clank from my EBS amp. Let’s see how it goes. As long as it’s fun, it’s worth doing.

Last Sunday jam until January. We had a bunch of old friends dropping by and sitting in. The new Gretsch is proving to be popular.

Two gigs last weekend, first a birthday party in a local pub we haven’t played for years (we haven’t done a pub gig for years!) then a early start for an hour in the centre of town entertaining the local shoppers. First gig was for a fitness/ dance class- they knew how to party and had a fully choreographed routine to Proud Mary which certainly freshened up proceedings. Had a enquiry for a wedding at the end as well, if they can cancel their current band. Sound guy insisted one sub would be more than adequate for both gigs and he proved 100% correct, no amp required. Did find the drummer had modified my in-ear lubricant much to everyone’s amusement.

An EPIC night out at Portsmouth Guildhall last night! His interviewer was none other than his bandmate Alex Lifeson (😲😲).... AND I got to actually meet Geddy beforehand, have a pic with him and get my book signed too! Just wonderful.... 💜🎶😎👍

After years of buying pedals, with shelves and drawers overflowing, multiple boards and power supplies, I have come to a realisation. I've actually got some favourites at long last. Not many but I'll show you mine if you show me yours. So, by category, here we go. Flanger. First time I played through it I heard the exact sound I had in my head. First time I gigged it, the whole song was transformed. Envelope Filter. A YouTube demo comparing this and several others sold me on the EBS. Man I love how easy it is to get exactly the right sound and it works so well in the mix. Octave. All the octaves you could ever need. Accurate and clean or rich and synthy, this pedal also has fuzz and phaser and is a work of genius. Compressor. I've been through an absolute ton of these, some do nothing, some break my sound, some are great, but this is the best. So childishly simple to use and to get exactly what I want from it. A budget miracle. Chorus. I thought I'd found my chorus (Ampeg Liquifier) but it just wasn't quite 100%. Then on a whim I splashed out on this. First gig I tried it and I just knew. Perfect. Again the sound I hear in my head. I'm still entirely at sea with regards to distortion, fuzz, autowah, multi effects, phaser, synth, preamp and others. I have preferences in every department but I'm not there yet.

In response to the first post, I get it. I’ve just come out the other side. A new job away from gigging, a whole host of personal stuff: divorce, house sale, navigating “co-parenting”, then a new relationship, and a new baby had really, REALLY, sucked the fun out of the thing I enjoyed most over the past 5 or so years. It become as royal PITA and learning songs and gigging was a huge burden. I sold all my gear, unfollowed every bass related Instagram and YouTube channel and lived happily without it all. I’d seen friends bands, even been to a jam night, but the spark wasn’t there. It took a year away and going to see Level 42 to give me the interest again and now I’m happily gigging in a couple of bands again. I still don’t burn with passion for it like I used to, but it’s not my job anymore. It’s just a thing I can do for a break from life and to be creative.

I think it makes Noddy Holder and co-writer Jim Lea a shared £250,000 every year? Still a nice pension though.

A mate has let me borrow his Beta MkII for a few weeks so I get to compare it one on one with the Spark tonight at rehearsal. Stand by...

I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman