Rayman

I understand fully the argument with regard to bettering ones self technically as a player and understanding theory etc, however one has to ask why you picked an instrument up as a kid in the first place? Is it because you wanted to be proficient in musical theory, and technically brilliant as a player? Or was it because the music you first heard stirred enough emotion inside you to make you say to yourself "I want to play music like that". For me it was the latter, and my only motivation to play today, some 30 years since I first picked up a Columbus Jazz for the first time, remains the same. Emotion, and love for music, of many different styles. For me, it's emotion and feel first, technique second, and theory some way behind that. My lack of musical theory knowledge hasn't spoilt my love of music thus far, and my playing, as average as it may be, still makes me feel happy inside, which for me, is the [i]only[/i] reason for playing music at all. Edit: not sure how much relevance this post has to the OP, sorry if I've wandered off topic, again.

I love Ibanez, always have. Currently I only have one, a GWB-35, but I'd love one of the Prestige models. Comfortable, ergonomic, tone in buckets, fantastic basses, and very underrated. I really miss a K5 I had, fabulous thing, and so easy to play, it was just as shame it had a ruddy great K5 inlay at the 12th fret.

I get it when I think too hard about what I'm playing. Normally muscle memory takes over and I'm fine, but sometimes, if the gig isn't exactly going down a storm, I drift off and go into autopilot, thinking about what I'm doing the next day or whatever, then I suddenly remember I'm playing a gig with people watching me, and I go totally blank and forget where I am in the song.

I'd come and see that, I like a bit of the Mac. Nice one, always good when it goes to plan, or even better than the plan. SW is a bit far for me though, maybe when I'm down there on hols.

I loved my H1 Jazz, but I modded it a lot, and never really did get the action down very low at all. It was a pub gig workhorse, and not the easiest player ever. My Schecter Model T was fab. A bass I wish I still had. Lovely finger funk over the bridge pup, nice and poppy, and a nice thump from the neck pup. Good bass. L2000, fantastic basses, end of. If [i]I[/i] was spending £700, and actually I might be, I also would think about another Stingray, although I've had two before, and sold them, so I have to ask myself why. Mainly down to the missing G on both of them.

My ESP Horizon has a beautiful ebony board, and my Ibanez Gary Willis has an ebanol board. I love the look, feel and tone from ebony, it's by far my favourite fretboard timber.

Smart. I fancied one of those Hofners myself.

Big fan here too. She has a very fluid style, and makes it look effortless. One of the grooviest players alive IMO, Plantation lullabies is always in my car. Click on "Expensive sh*t" from this link: [url="http://www.freemyheart.com/we_funk.html"]http://www.freemyheart.com/we_funk.html[/url]

It [i]did[/i] happen, pics will follow at some point here and on finnbass.com

Me....I don't give a monkey's what any artist writes about themselves in any way shape or form. I judge music with my ears not with my eyes. Having seen Jeff play and speak live, I enjoyed his music and I enjoyed what he had to say on the night. The same [i]for me[/i] goes for anyone. I don't have to know anything about them as a person, if I like the music, that's all I need to know.

That's awesome, the cake [i]and[/i] the bass. Happy birthday sir.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEI-Flamboyant-5-string-Bass-/160536016090?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2560b134da#ht_500wt_949"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEI-Flamboyant-5-str...da#ht_500wt_949[/url] Not mine, but it is a good mate of mine who's selling it, top bloke, and it's an outstanding bass. Buy with confidence.