bassace

I had an MAS 45. As the Rev said it’s a great cab. Very much regret selling it on but didn’t have any specific use at the time. Probably the best cab I’d owned.

We took a trio to an old(ish) folks home in Oxford last night. Nice gig and they were very hospitable. Just after the interval the sax player knocked his glass over getting his alto off its stand. And when packing up I did my usual trick of forgetting to unplug my lead and dragging it across my glass. As someone remarked, the only incontinent people were the bloody band!

Looking forward to meeting you, Bob.

Grown ups? We’re bass players. You can’t have both.

Because we can?

I’ll bring my Bryant DB, FDeckHPF filter, Puma 500 amp and Genzler 10-2 Array Cab. Plus possibly my Kolstein Travel Busetto if there’s any interest. Ill try to get some jack-to-tailpiece clips if I’ve got any parts in stock. Looking forward.

There was a programme on the recording of Pet Sounds BBC4 last night. CK was spoken of very highly and it was great to see her at work and hear that great pick sound straight from the desk.

Have I said I’m coming? I’m sure I have previously. Anyway I’m coming with a double bass and some ampy stuff. Looking forward. I’ll do something about the beard.

I’ve never been an AI speaker fan, Rabbie. Probably my best, most versatile, Rig was a Clarus on top of a stack of 10” and 12” EA Wizzies. Nowadays my preferred amp is a Puma 500. But it’s not as versatile as a Clarus. If I need any extras they have to be outboards.

An Acoustic Image Clarus would do very nicely. In addition to the 48v phantom power and db eq/voicing it has HPF, phase reverse and notch. And power amp, of course.

Is that Genesis I see way down the billing?

Not strictly a collaboration but when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show they shared the bill with Pinky and Perky. I knew you’d be interested.

Some and some, although I don’t drink much at all these days. If it’s an informal pub gig I usually have a pint on the floor behind me for a swig here and there. If it’s a stage none at all. But I’ve got some good memories: on NYE 1961 we were playing support to the Acker Bilk band at Reading Town Hall. Quite a big gig for a load of youngsters. On first handover the Bilks came on stage with two carrier bags each loaded to the gunwales with beer and scotch and proceeded to set up a bar on two tables at the back of the stage. They invited us to share and for the two final numbers of the evening we joined them for a very boozy jam. And some of the European festivals were a bit hairy, especially in Holland where each stage had a stage manager whose main job seemed to make sure that the band never ran out of free beer.

Who are these people?

Elton played piano on the Hollies Can’t Tell the Bottom from the Top. My pal wrote it.

Mega. Mega. Did I say Mega?

Sometimes I used to go out with just the Ten and it filled quite large rooms. I’ve still got it and use it when we have to set up on a carpet. The mids really cut through where a 12 would just sound mushy.

Depends how much additional headroom you need. I used to find that a Wizzy 10 was enough, it lifted the mids and somehow managed to put some extra bottom into the 12.

I defer to your superior knowledge, Creeper. I only just scraped Physics A levels but went on to bluff my way to success. So there’s hope for us all I suppose.

Run a bath, then put the bass in it. Measure the volume of water displaced ( make before and after marks on the side of the bath) and calculate the weight of the bass according to Archimedes. Then take the next five days to dry out the electronics and check the neck for any warps. This will save you the £5. May need refinishing.

The DBs live in the upstairs study, amps, cabs and stands in the garage.

From Mike Arnapol. That’s a winner!

Two pics, 57 years apart. I hope the B&W won’t frighten the horses.

No, I wasn’t referring to a tip jar which I consider a bit tacky both at private and public gigs. Thing is, a lot of private work comes through agencies so the host doesn’t often get a chance to pay the band at the end. So he shows his appreciation in a tip, often £5-£10 per man.

The tips can be good.