Born 2B Mild

Take a travel guitar to Crete (cheap on eBay), a pad and a pen and maybe an mp3 player that has built in mic. see what happens. you might come back with some songs that you can either take to the band or build a new one around.

I was Lucky enough to have seen Zappa WITH Zappa - Hammersmith Odeon. Got pics somewhere.

From Ashdown's site... "Guy Pratt at PMT He’s an amazing bass player and equally hilarious raconteur. Don’t miss this unique evening with the man who's played with Floyd, Madonna and Michael Jackson, and just about lived to tell the tale. PMT Leeds June 18th (0113 242 6601) and Manchester June 19th (0161 877 6262)." Where's my affiliate cut for this?

I'll be at PMT Leeds this evening. Any other Basschatters going?

The SR505 is a superb design. The fast neck and the Bart pickups & pre-amp make it a great buy. I am so impressed with my eBay bargain that I'm on the look out for 4 & 6 string versions now. The only thing is, mine's the mahogony plum coloured version - made in Korea. I saw a new one in a shop recently which was a bright amber and made in Indonesia. It didn't feel half as good as mine.

Or a new thread could be started ..."Anyone want to borrow a short scale bass?" Well done Tredders ...positive vibes from all on board the basschat charabanc.

I'm picking up a c.1995 USA Fender Jazz Bass Standard V ... on Saturday. It is black with a white scratchplate but for some reason that doesn't work for me. Think I'll try black if I can. First question: Will any aftermarket Jazz scratchplate fit a 5-string USA Fender JB? Second Question: Is it possible to buy a black control panel to replace the chrome one? Suggestions on suppliers welcome! Cheers.

On ebay now [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190312872793"]1979 Ibanez Musician MC800[/url] Not mine, but thought someone here might be interested.

I got some unused D'addario Chromes off John. Speedy, hassle free and friendly deal.

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='512635' date='Jun 13 2009, 09:57 AM']I've been hearing a lot about Spector basses lately and wondered just how good / bad they are. I've never played one, but like the look of them, expecially the 5-string models. Anyone got one? What's the string spacing like, it looks quite close at the bridge which I like in a 5-string. What the low-end models and which ones would any of you recommend? Cheers in advance.[/quote] I've only had non-USA Spectors. My Euro5LX-EX is so up there I don't know where to start. I modified it so I have a blend control instead of separate volumes for each PUP. I like the TonePump but I'm intrigued by the ACG pre-amp possibility. For me, this bass looks great eye candy, but doesn't feel special when picking it up at home, maybe because of the 35" scale? ...but when you plug in with a band it goes WHAM! Just cuts through like a knife in butter. It's at these moments that I realise I am privileged to have such a special bass. You asked about the low-end models. I had a Performer 5 as a spare until I sold it to another BC'er for £200. It had an awesome sound ...probably the nearest I've ever got to that JJ Burnel sound. I also had the EuroLX6-EX which was really throaty and if now available at the Bass Gallery. Hope that helps in some way. Pics of all...

[quote name='Golchen' post='510568' date='Jun 10 2009, 07:52 PM']I had a bad case of Jazz GAS, so I looked and looked and got a real good un ....... and I LOVE IT!!!! Best bass ever (well, out of those I've tried) It's a Reggie Hamilton V, as shown in my avatar.[/quote] You've got my interest up in this Reggie Hamilton V. Is it discontinued? If anyone knows where there's one that can be tried out, do pray tell.

I could use something like this to power three 8 ohm cabs at the same time, but the images show only two outputs. Or is there a way round this?

[quote name='Golchen' post='510568' date='Jun 10 2009, 07:52 PM']I had a bad case of Jazz GAS, so I looked and looked and got a real good un ....... and I LOVE IT!!!! Best bass ever (well, out of those I've tried) It's a Reggie Hamilton V, as shown in my avatar.[/quote] Wicked! If you ever feel it needs a new home...

[quote name='ezbass' post='510442' date='Jun 10 2009, 05:46 PM']Hard to say as he keeps a pretty low profile. I think he might be more into his writing these days. Bass Guitar Magazine should definitely interview him.[/quote] [size=5]Idea Of The Week[/size]

Buy it, try it, keep it or move it. So long as it is pre-owned you've got nothing to lose!

Bruce is one our finest. Wonder what he's doing with that talent now?

Very sad news indeed, though no surprise to the fan groups who have done an admiral job in supporting Hugh with benefit gigs and the like.

I don't do tribute band gigs usually, but I might come to this. Thanks for the heads-up.

[quote name='urb' post='506704' date='Jun 5 2009, 10:45 PM']Hey guys I just wanted to say I'm keeping up with this thread (just) and have been passing bits of info onto Nick, and hopefully the feedback you've all been given will result in more new ideas filtering through into the mag. I agree with the general comments about the gear reviews, so if there's a way to make them more credible then I think that's worth pursuing. To be honest I'm so busy with other stuff all this is really in the hands of Nick and the publishers, but I'd love to see it keep improving too. Cheers Mike[/quote] The gear reviews, IMHO, are generally too polite and don't get critical enough. I know that there is a reluctance to disenfranchise the all important advertisers. However, BGM is never going get that street-cred if it carries on this way. Maybe there's a way round it? In the printed version, some Reader comments could be invited and if they are negative then it's not the mag that's saying it. Also, if the mag ever gets properly online, then subscribers could post reviews, which can call a spade a spade. But let's hope BGM does improve as I for one enjoy getting it and am mighty sad when I run out of pages. It's great to see glossy photo's and get the new gear announcements. And +1 to revive the Weekend Warriors and all else that connects us everyday non-professionals.

I love the trying out of different basses and their comings and goings. Right now, I don't even use a 4-string, BUT... I have long fancied having a 1970s Jazz Bass as a cherished classic to keep, come what may. It's no doubt a yearning rooted in nostalgia. I first took up bass in '73 and first gigged in '75, and the sunburst jazz bass was my pin-up at the time. What I would appreciate some informed views on is this... Do I try and find an original of the 73 to 75 era, or do I use the equivalent budget on a modern day quality luthier-made version? Maybe you've had both and can share your experiences? BTW here are some illogical 'must haves' for me... Sunburst Block inlays Rosewood neck with neck edging Bit like this reissue

Bass wise, it's not often I experience something fundamentally new, but stringing La Bella flats on to my five string (Ibby SR505) recently has opened up a completely new feel and style zone for me. I'm lucky to play in more than one band, so I'm not foresaking roundwound rock, but it's great that I am able to add this extra dimension.