Angel

to the OP ........ YOU ARE MAD!!!! MAD I SAY!!!! TOTALLY MAD!!!! I'd have to keep pretty much all of those 100% for sure.

Personally I think they look pretty unattractive. Not a fan.

Generally I'm drawn to busy players. In the old days when I used to go to (modern) Churches a lot, the bands would vary from terrible to very good. The bands on the highest rung of my appreciation always had an amazing bass player doing a lot with the songs, and it was that which lifted the music to the top level. Also, my fave players are the likes of Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, Chris Squire, not known for hiding in the background!

I love these things, I find them fascinating and somewhat hypnotic. There are loads of different ones. It makes me feel like some kind of god watching the rise and fall of empires.

Meh. London's been pretty dead for instrument buying for well over a decade. I used to take a day off to go and browse all the music shops 20 years ago. It was like having a day pass to Aladdin's cave. Those days are long gone. Same with record shops - the happy days of three mega-stores - Virgin, HMV and Tower records. I'd spend an entire afternoon browsing those three.

I like a 5 string for the fact that you can play certain things in different positions. 6 strings is too confusing and 4 strings sometimes feels like not enough strings.

Really liked that!

Get rid. I've got rid of some amazing guitars and basses. I've never regretted moving any on so far, although I do look back on some fondly, and wouldn't mind getting to play them again.

Are you ready on the first GFR live album is a ripping track! I love it when the guitar solo comes in. If I was going to play a GFR track live I'd love it to be Black Licorice, the live version of that is an amazing song!

Wow, I've never seen anyone mention Grand Funk/Mel Schacher ever before! I'm actually a massive GFR fan, I bought all their albums on vinyl back in the 80s. I think that Mel is a real kick-donkey bassist, my fave moment of his being the extended bass solo on I come Tumblin which was probably quite a rare/innovative thing for a rock album back in '71. Glad to see that someone else here appreciates the man!

One of my very favourite live albums: Iona Heaven's bright sun, bass player Phil Barker Also Steve Hackett - the Tokyo tapes. I was surprised when I found out that John Wetton was the bass player, in my mind I had him down as a singer who did a bit of bass, but I really like his playing on this album.

I love this funky groove!

Ewww .... designed in the 70s with string and nails. Not for me stylistically.

The honest truth is I'm not that bothered, I'm very easy going on basses, I get one, I play it. I had a lovely Status years ago, but it weighted a ton and my shoulder would ache after about 20 mins. I don't know what wood it was but I know I don't want something that heavy! Likewise, an ultra light body, especially with a 5 string neck can give neck dive. I don't like neck dive. So my description was probably accurate enough for my needs. I'm easy going on everything but I don't want too heavy or too light!

Thanks for the info all!

So, I'm having a go at making a bass. I'm looking for recommendation for type of wood for the body. Not too heavy, not too light, and it's going to have a painted finish so doesn't need to look fancy. Any thoughts?

They are a great couple of guys, and SB had some stellar hits. I also LOVE the fact that Gary Kemp is in Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets band. He really went up in my estimation of him with that!

Maybe too showboaty for some bass players, but I really enjoy Charles Berthoud. I find his playing very inspiring, although it is a great many levels above me! I love his 'How to trigger a show off musician' video (below). I'm also another big fan of Rick Beato, my fave YouTube channel.

Yeah, but language adapts all the time, and they are often known just as a trem now. It is its own word. I specifically didn't say Tremolo. I'm blocking your pedantry!

Not a personal experience, but I never thought that Rhino's status bass looked right with Status Quo.

I was just watching a video concert that I am really enjoying these days (Casiopea vs the Square full live), basically two excellent Japanese jazz fusion bands sharing the stage for a concert. I noticed that at one point one of the bassists, during a solo bit, started shaking a whammy bar. To be honest, I thought that they came and went over a very short period (late 80s?) when guitar mags invariable had a pic of Billy Sheehan with one. The concert was some time later 2004 I think. Are they still a thing? Anyone got one or had one? Even though I'm a guitarist who feels a little lost without one, I wouldn't go for one on a bass personally. ... and I think that the concert is excellent if anyone is interested:

Yeah, your right, it wasn't a very clear statement. I suppose that more specifically I was listening to him on the radio around 85 - 90 and it seemed like it was all stuff like the Fall, a band that I found painful to listen to. Nothing wrong with the music but I really didn't like anything that got played personally. My Fave music is prog, and he championed Yes in the early days, I can't deny that. But he did move on and turn away from that stuff. I'm also in classic rock, early metal, jazz fusion, jazz in general, disco .... all stuff that I don't think he seemed to play much! I just remember being in the room when other people had his show on and it was dull song after dull song. Just my opinion of course, I'm not saying that they were dull, just perceived as that by me.

Love that Chicken foot version! They look kick donkey live, I'd love to go see them. Personally I think it was outrageous that Michael Anthony got kicked out of Van Halen to make way for VH Jr.

He's one of those people I really liked, and I'm glad he did what he did, but boy did I hate all the music he liked.