Tex Gore

This is going to be one of those annoying moment when it appears someone has helped, and they haven't - because I can't - nonetheless felt compelled to post a reply as I have an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection 611; an instrument that seems to have been entirely forgotten by the internet. It's great - I've played it for 20 years, and it does have a lovely neck (even with a few chunks out of it). I think my son might be selling his - I will find out. It's not a 611, slightly lower down the range if I recall... TG

Aye up, I'm Tex Gore, non-legend of many bands you'll never have heard of - and should be thankful for it. I was originally classically trained on piano (which contains the word 'pain' for a distinct reason having been forced through it for most of my childhood) then moved on to guitar for a short while before discovering bass is what people play who feel as well as hear the music. I've played the same instrument now for 20 years (I wish I hadn't just worked that out); a Bass Collection 611 (which doesn't seem to exist in any annals of history but was before they went more towards the lower end of the market I think (if they still are at the lower end of the market - I am well out of touch)). It's a nice instrument and there must be something about it, as I reckon I've owned in the region of 30 guitars in that time and have only ever acquired one additional bass - which I made myself - oh and an upright, which I can't play myself. Anyway, on special occasions I put the little Bass Cube away and get the old dusty Hartke Transporter 3500 and 4x10 out, and we test out the mortar and pointing in the brickwork. I haven't played in a band for some time now, but I have a studio at home where I produce strangely awful noise that I have the courtesy to keep from everyone. For the first time then in all this time then I'm thinking of getting myself a new instrument; I made two mistakes. Firstly I went to a very large music warehouse place, and secondly I found and played a second-hand Zon and didn't buy it. I regret both. The children are rather attached to their kidneys preventing my selling them to fund a new Zon, so I'm setting my sights lower and have joined the forum to get some guidance. Styles include general walking stuff, a little tap and quite a bit of slap (which is fitting given that the top of my head is joining in) or anything that gets you moving. Not really conscious of any influences - I've never sat down and learned someone elses' bassline in my life, but I do enjoy listening to Andy Rourke, Geddy Lee, Lemmy, Martin Ain, Ray Brown, the unnamed bassist in Bullmark and Ray Manzarek. I have a lot of respect for anyone who cuts out a groove, creates thunder or walks into oblivion - though I can do none of these. Anyway, see you out there TG