hiram.k.hackenbacker

The reason he doesn’t like it is because of the neck. It’s supposed to an exact replica of Brian’s Red Special. The guitar sounds amazing and that’s most likely where anything else will struggle. The neck is chunky by my bass playing standards, so I can understand why he has issue with it. Ironically the much cheaper standard Red Special he bought first has a much shallower neck, but doesn’t sound as good 🤷‍♂️

The guitarist in my Queen trib has two, one of which is the expensive variety. He hates it.

I've just been flicking through some of the videos for Total 80's. A lot of them have been blocked or are not public. One of my favourites is this one. It was taken by our guitarists daughter. It's a shame it's in portrait, but I'm just happy that it exists at all. We were gigging a lot that year and did so right up until COVID spoilt the party. Even then, after things settled, bizarrely, we were even busier post COVID. Literally up and down the country. Sadly the relationship with our agent broke down and we have now reverted to select local gigs which we manage. @Chiliwailer, I'm sure you've seen it before, but it's the purple Modulus in action. It remains one of my absolute favourite basses to play. I still have to pinch myself that you actually put it up for sale in the first place!! (yes, you still have first refusal, behind a long line of seconds 👊).

Which reminds me of another 80's tune that I absolute love playing - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. I know, I'm easily pleased 🤷‍♂️

In my other band which is not not exclusively 80's, we do Nik's 'Wouldn't It Be Good'. I don't know what it is about that song, but I just love playing it and it always gets people singing along.

Since you asked so nicely 😂

Absolutely Tiffany style. I won’t bother typing the accolades of which you are almost certainly aware of for VKTRS. Suffice to say that the track screams 80’s from every pore and always goes down a storm. I should add that Total 80’s are 100% live - no backing, which is more than I can say for some 80’s tributes I’ve seen.

This is our most recent set. Set 1 A Little Respect Real Gone Kid Together in Electric Dreams Everybody Wants to Rule The World I Think We’re Alone Now Karma Chameleon The Look of Love Pt1 Love Plus One Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Sledgehammer Somewhere in My Heart Material Girl Don’t You Want Me Set 2 The Power of Love (Huey Lewis) The Heat is On Never Gonna Give You Up Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now Footloose Kids in America Rio Freedom Mickey Take on Me Video Killed the Radio Star True Walking on Sunshine Wake me Up Before You Go-Go Encore The Final Countdown

Not a hope in hell of any of my 80’s band agreeing to do anything from that list. I don’t think any of our audience would expect it either.

As above. Especially wary of someone who joined Basschat just an hour ago. Won't be clicking that.

I was chatting with Jon Shuker about this the other day. He usually ships his basses in Hiscox cases and their absence has caused a few issues and a lot of head scratching. Their re-appearance on the scene is a great relief to him. I think he is expecting delivery in early November.

The original plan for the 50th Anniversary Zenith was just five, but as soon as Jon announced them they were gone. I think he had to get the nod from JJ for another 5, as he was ultimately going to have to sign them all. As I had already enquired prior to extra five being agreed, I had my name on one should JJ agree. You may be talking about the carbonlite which @Dood referred to above. I think there were an edition of 25 and sold out before I knew they were a thing. Regarding the balance, it's a weird thing. Obviously the body is chambered, which is how it's so light overall. Sitting on my Levy's strap, it doesn't move, although you can tell that there is weight at the neck end. However, because it's so light overall, as soon and you hold the neck, that sensation disappears completely. I have a lot of basses and I've had an awful lot more, but I'm completely won over by Jon's work. #3 is in the works. As soon as I get some photos of the top wood, I'll start a build thread.

It’s most definitely not how it goes. I would expect the set very shortly after I had agreed to the gig, if not before. Bands that are tardy with crucial info so close to a gig are to be avoided IMHO.

A few photos of the actual bass. This one weighs just 6.7lbs! My other one feels like it's made of lead in comparison weighing in at 8.2lbs 😂.

Bring it on 😎

I started depping many years ago. The first was in an 80’s band and I took over as the permanent bass player when the original left. He didn’t really leave, I think the band just got too busy for him. The great thing is he's a really nice guy and has since depped for me on the odd occasion that I haven’t been able to make a date. I’m now depping for two other bands, but I do get quite a bit of notice. Neither of them rehearse; not with me anyway. The main issue is song structure. Since the only time I get to play the songs with them is at a gig, it’s very difficult to keep track of the ‘quirks’ they’ve added into certain tunes. I generally resort to keep a very close eye on the drummer who knows the set backwards I always get a set well in advance which always has keys next to each song, but structure is the bug bear. I have a dep gig with one of them tonight. Loads of songs I haven’t played for a while. Fortunately 99% of them are in the original key, so I can familiarise myself with them today before I go out. I enjoy depping. There is something dangerous about it which keeps it fresh. Well done for stepping into it. I’m they are very grateful for your help. P.S. I get what the other guy/gal would have been paid. I wear what I like within rough guidelines. I always have an iPad with me as they do like to chuck in ones I haven’t prepped for. I have charts for 419 songs on it at the moment.

I can confidently say that I don’t think you would be disappointed Lozz.

Today I made a 440 mile round trip to collect a bass that has just been completed by Mr.Jon Shuker. It's a bit too late to take any photos, so that will have to wait until tomorrow. It's similar to the one below, but the neck is narrower and more figured, it has different knobs, is #8 of 10 and is signed by JJ. Pick-up's are in house built, as are JJ's now. After years, probably more like decades, of avoiding Precisions because I found the necks a bit chunky, in 2021 I decided to order a JJ Sig with a J neck (build thread here). I have since used this exclusively in my main band and Queen tribute and it's been absolutely faultless. The Zenith promises to be equally as good and almost unbelievably, it seems to be lighter than my first one. Thanks once again to @Dood for turning my gaze towards Jon's basses in the first place (I'm sure Jon is a member here, but I can't remember his tag). Whilst at Shuker HQ, I also saw the two pieces of spalted maple which will form the top of my next Precision build and they look stunning too. If any of you are looking for a quality hand built Precision (other models are available) that won't require a second mortgage, give Jon a look at Shuker Guitars.

….or maybe Troy (TJH3113 on YT). I think he’s a fan. I thought he was a member here, but I can’t seem to find him.

Cover Solutions might be an option. You might have to go via the Patreon route, but could be worth it.

I came close. Despite being the proud owner of more than my fair share of signature basses, I managed to resist this one....and believe me, I did seriously consider it.