I'm Darren, I exist online usually under the name 'colda' (no great interesting meaning - simply derived from my real name). Based in Swindon and working in London (Hammersmith) married, 4 kids, mess with computers by day, photography and bass all other times (and squeeze in the missus and kids where possible)
Got my first bass about 18 years ago (a beautiful hand made jobbie that I've always regretted selling) but never really learned how to play a note
Fast forward to Crimbo last year and we were trying to decide what to buy for the kids, we came up with the masterplan of guitars, so my eldest son and youngest daughter got guitars and my youngest son got a bass - we kinda thought that there may be a chance that they will take to them. At the time Lisa (my wife) said that she would like a drum kit, not really believing her I ended up having to endure a sulky Christmas - she got her kit in the new year and not to be outdone I plunged straight back into ebay to get something for myself - the result, a dodgy Vester Stage Series (60's jazz copy) that when I tightened the strings looked like it would be better suited to firing arrows and a Carlsbro Cobra 90 combo. As bad as it was it didn't deter me from enjoying it and now with so many years of regret from selling my first bass fueling the fire of wanting to learn there was no stopping me!
I joined a band (god knows why they agreed to take me on) and even though the Vester's action was now in the realms of normality (after strip down, clean up, truss rod abuse) it's still in need of a pro set-up and some bits replaced, so I bought a Washburn T14 - great bass to play (almost too 'right' in the fact it lacks personality), used it during my first rehearsals but as I'm a big guy that's put away a few too many pints in his time, I found I could only play the T14 on a short strap where the thing looked like it was being rested on my belly - needless to say, I felt like a bit of an arse. I was about to go the the local music shop and sacrifice my credit card when my flirting with ebay provided a Peavey Dynabass (in a Hiscox case) for £92, played it fell in love with it! Now we are also involved in the local music scene (venue/promoters) and have had the chance to mess with many basses since getting the Peavey and I feel no desire to swap it (am currently looking to get a 2nd one).
Still using the Cobra 90 for rehearsals but am putting together my bass thing - Behringer V-amp pro, compressor, 600W PA into a Laney RBC115 and a Laney RBC410 (although I don't have this as yet so if by chance anyone has one they are willing to part with....)
As for my basses - the T14 will find a new home (hopefully my son will find the desire), the Vester is going to be restored, I'm planning on using EMG JHZ pickups and am open to advice on what would make for a good replacement bridge and tuners.
Cheers
Darren
