Damonjames

I've never really listened to these tracks before, and after the first listen to blackened, I didn't think it came close to copping Jason's tone.... then I searched for alembic spoiler clips and it does sound almost spot on (not sure if he DID use a spoiler on that track, but he was using them around this time I believe), so it is either Jason, or someone who can cop his feel pretty well with similar gear. Justice isn't my favourite Metallica album, so I do t have any great desire to buy a remixed version, but for the dude in question, I think he has earned the right to have his chops heard. Jason has paid his due, like him compared to cliff or not (they are very different beasts), he served his time with dignity and he deserves to have this hazing prank ended.

Anyone tried the dean markley blue steel stainless strings? I tried them in my spector a while back and was pretty impressed. I had been using rotosound ss rounds for year, the markleys were similar but seemed to stay livelier a bit longer. I use slinky's on my music man basses and love them, but have been rethinking what to use on the next change on my fenders!

[quote name='progben' timestamp='1475603920' post='3147344'] Personally I love Lars - for all his flaws he's absolutely vital to the band (drummer and as a personality). For me Cliff is largely the same. Jason and Rob are probably "better" bass players, in the same way that most drummers are better than Lars, but he was the right guy, IMO. People also sometimes forget that Cliff also wrote a lot and was instrumental in making albums like Ride and Puppets as good as they are. His knowledge of theory and experimental nature also contrasted well with the more 'sturm und drang' nature of Lars/James. [/quote] This x 100. If they had not sacked Ron and chased after cliff, I honestly think Metallica would have been just another Metal band from the Bay Area who struggled to get a foothold... no one else from the SF metal scene made a huge impact - armoured saint etc were good bands, but not in the same league. It was cliff's musical theory that gave the "ride" and "puppets" their depth and what made them such iconic albums, not just his playing. He also taught that knowledge to James and Lars, which helped make them such prolific song writers. He is one of my main bass heroes, between him and Flea, it's the reason I picked up a bass.... a real lost talent, like the countless others taken too soon. I also agree about Lars, it was his personality that drove their band to the success they have now, he was instrumental in reinventing the band to make sure it was always relevant. It was no accident that Metallica were the only metal band that got MTV air time when the grunge scene blew up, it was Lars. Like all things, together they make an amazing band, on their own without each other, they would not have endured the way they have. You could argue that if cliff hadn't died, the band may have taken a different course, and if the rumours are true that James and cliff were planning to sack Lars and hire Slayer's drummer Dave Lombardo, then one would assume they would have most definitely gone a different way. For all their faults, after all these years (over 20 for me) I still bloody love em. And the "it should have been Lars" T Shirts still make me giggle :-) I never knew Cliff, but know his work and have read a lot about his life, so on some level I "feel" like I know him, and I miss his musical influence all the time. Rest in peace brother.

Just picked up a pick guard for my p bass from Geek99. Item was as described with prompt postage, can't ask any more than that!! Easy guy to do business with Cheers pal

No on mentions the Spector JN, he and a signature model

Dimarzio dp123 are really great. I put a set in my old MIM jazz and it was a night and day. They are also dual cool, so no buzz!! May not be to everyone's tast, but they suited my band really well. I am currently look at some jazz pickups for my next bass, and probably looking at more of a 60's style. The Aguilar j60, or the fender custom shop 60's that are in the flea bass are also a winner!