bassace

DB players have been sticking their cabs up on chairs since time immemorial. Not only is it downright ugly on stage but at that height it’s not particularly effective. Getting the cab up to above waist level, or even up to the shoulders takes the output closer to the ears. Also the sound will be well above the point where the bass is most microphonic and prone to feedback. And I agree with putting a high pass filter in the chain to bring out the mids. That way you should be able to hear yourself clearly. I’ve been using a low rise speaker stand - goes up to shoulders - with a platform on top. Mine is notched out to accept the Genzler 10-2 and drilled for a 10” Wizzy. That way no mods are required to the cab. And, ahem, it’s for sale in the amps and cabs section.

QED

Just a heads up, if the mods will permit. I’ve got my Genzler cab for sale in the Amps and Cabs section. It’s been my go-to and it’s only for sale because I haven’t played for a year and I’m starting to get rid of all my stuff. My Bryant is in my study looking accusingly at me as I type this but I’ve reached the tender age of 83 and a half and I’d be an embarrassment to be seen in any band these days.

Tony Bennett at Glastonbury?

And Sam Smith at the Proms this year…

Been to Cheltenham lately? Wasn’t Elaine Paige there one year?

If you’re prepared to destring you could address the underside of E with a countersink bit. All the holes on the front would be the same diameter and the E ball would sit snugly.

PJB Earbox

I used to play in a band that had ‘I get the blues when it rains’ in its repertoire. And whenever we played at a wedding we always insisted on playing ‘Who’s sorry now’. No point in raising expectations unduly.

Perhaps it’s because the bass prefers jazz over rock.

Great stuff Michael. All us bass players stuck in the corner deserve a ‘good stage’ now and again.

Just photos. And memories.

Blimey, they’re clapping on two and four!

I’ve been wedded to the DB for 50 years but before that it was the most uncool thing when BGs showed up. So I went up to a shop in London to buy a Jazz. But fell for an EBO because it was so damn easy to play. Both were priced at £100 and I took the Gibson and used it for a number of years. Finally sold it for £1,000 but I rather wish I had bought the Fender.

Post Office?

No low cut/hi pass, or do I get it another way?

We had a half decent trad band in Cheltenham in the sixties. It wasn’t really our thing but it was commercial. We organised a tour of Cornwall in 63: RN Culdrose, Newlyn Fishmarket, that sort of thing. Our final gig was at the Flamingo Ballroom at Redruth. When we arrived we were met by the owner, Joy Hone, who told us that Georgie Fame was staying at her adjoining hotel recovering from sunburn. As we were setting up he came up on the stage, sat at the piano and played Dat Dere with me on bass and our alto sax player. Not many trad bands would play that. We returned the compliment by booking him and the Blue Flames into Cheltenham a few weeks later. For £50, as I recall. Happy days.

Dear Paul did the same with me. Going out his front door it was a case of ‘Don’t you want my address?’ ‘Oh I suppose so’. Lovely bass.

It’s called the green room from the mould on the wall.