police squad

no I had a black one with white dots on it. Came from Livewire in Cardiff. It's also been owned by two other basschatters

sounds good I think

This journey, into bass playing? What made you pick up that first bass at the start of this long and winding road? You drive me crazy by Shakin Stevens. No idea why but I'd played violin since the age of 6 and my brother and Dad played guitar so I'd always picked them up. My brother was very supportive and helped me a lot when I got my first bass aged 13 (1981) Do you still have the same fire and enthusiasm? Do you still love it? No. No fire left in me now. I play in a couple of really good tribute bands with my mates but I actually get more excited about singing these days What has changed along the way? Your taste in music, taste in basses? Discovered Fender P basses about 7 years into my playing. Swapped my Manson 335 for a late 70s black with maple board P bass. There was the sound I wanted. Always played rock and blues, The Police and The Jam and Duran Duean were my biggest influences on my playing, and still are What was the first bass? And what’s the latest First bass was a Tempest SG thing (a Kay with 2 pickups) Then a Fender Musicmaster, Then a Manson Explorer. I've had Musicman, Custom built stuff, Rickenbackers, Vintage Fenders, Gibsons and currently rocking 2 Warwicks in the U2 tribute, Harley Benton PB50 in the Police, HW built 4003 in the Jam and a JMJ Mustang for the blues/rock thing. And my 73 P bass that I had for 35 years now

I went to the unveiling of his staue in Dublin, 20 years ago. We then saw a Gary Moore styled Lizzy tribute that evening. Brush Shields made an appearance, Wheatus IIRC, many former Lizzy band mates came on too Many pints of Guiness were had that weekend

I've ordered some gel type stuff to try but thanks for that. I've never thought of a diffuser but it's a great idea

I have a couple similar to these but they are blinding, so dont use them much. But a diffuser would sort that out but I don't know where to get one time for a search

purple tortex 1.14mm for me been using these for over 30 years now

no, there will be no discussion. There will be no indoor gigs (with me anyway) no one cares I'll do the outdoor gig on bank holiday monday and then I'm done

I don't think so no. We normally do one gig a year and it's outside But I'll never do another indoor gig with them, because it will happen again, I know it will. Normally the outdoor gig, I supply the PA and go IEM, so they really can't bother me. They're all in their 60s/70s. They're all a bit deaf too but they are old school when it comes to guitar amps (one of the players is a world class amp designer) I could have told them that if they don't turn down, I'll walk off but I couldn't think straight at the time

if I was wireless and IEM (and I am normally but it wans't my PA etc , I would have done this) but actually I was sort of making a point here, without trying to be a prima donna

I've tried my V4B thru my Ashdown RM410 cab at the weekend It sounded great before the guitards turned up so loud I couldn't hear anything (and subsequently I had to stop the gig, on another thread) I've got some Ampeg silver grill cloth, which I'm going to cover the Ashdown in, so that it matches

what about 'is it any good for metal' discussion/masterclass

yep Andertons are great I've bought many times and when a bass developed a truss rod problem, they dealt with it superbly Currently have my Ampeg V4B on interest free (it was ex demo and a great £300 saving over new)

I never once turned up my bass at this gig on Saturday I've been a guitarist in a 2 guitar rock band many times. There is no need to keep turning up and up.

mid way into the 2nd set (which was way too long anyway)

yep but they're all friends of mine,

I was doing a gig with the blues/rock band yesterday We only usually do one a year but the BL decided to do a warm up gig in what was a great venue but. They've taken the carpet out 3 Guitarists stupid Bose PA right behind me I had my ACS custom moulds in and by half way through the 2nd set it was hurting my ears The guitars just kept turning up and up During a dreadful rendition of Heroes by Bowie I signalled to the BL that I couldn't hear and it was too loud H e wound the song up early and I said I'm done. It's loud, it's hurting me and I walked off stage I'm not a diva but I actually feared for the hearing I have left I'm still fumimg this morning

sennheiser ew- vocal mic MI Pro MI58 IEM lekato 5.8 guitar ws-60 IIRC never had any problems

blocks on a p bass...........NO it's ok if you've put a jazz bass neck on it though

believe it or not The Francis Rossi/Rick Parfitt one is good Bananarama also interesting and I've read Andrew Ridgley's one again all very interesting not really bass related but still good reads

all bits go in the 'bits' drawer I have all sorts in there Vibrola from 67 SG jr bridge saddles '62 P bass trem spring covers from various guitars half a '73 P bass pickup many many pickguard screws

these are great basses I bought one when they first came out and gigged it a lot best jazz bass pickups I've heard

I never knew that was Flea and I've never really listened to that bass line before I played the album to death when it came out too Good isn't it

first gig done last night used both Mark Bass cabs and boy, did it shift the air Amazing Next gig will try my Ashdown RM410 cab