ossyrocks

You're the reason I'm getting the GK amp! Yours sounded tremendous at the festival. Yes, it's the one from Edinburgh, should be here this week. Yes, the Tecamp is the same as Eich, at least the Tecamp Puma 900 is the same as the Eich T900. We A/B'd them at the bass bash, and there was no difference. The Tecamp is a very workman-like amp, it gets the job done, but you're right, it doesn't have much character. It does punch hard and has a lot of heft though. The Taste control is very useful. I'll be selling mine however, as it won't get a look in over the others now. How are you doing with the covid? I'm nearly three weeks in now and still suffering! Rob

Ooof, Olympic White !

It’s not allowed to say ‘76 Jazz’ without including a picture of it.

I've clicked "cetera" although I'm attempting to be sane. I currently have only one cab, a Barefaced 3x10. But the heads are another matter - Fender Bassman 50, Bergantino Forte D, Ashdown RM800 EVOII, Tecamp Puma 900, TE Elf, and incoming a GK 400RB. I will sell one or two of the heads, i will, I will, at some point. Rob

The most success I have is by attending jam nights. Some of the best bands I’ve ever been in started life at jams. I was asked to join my current band by two chaps I met first at a jazz jam, who then asked if I could be house bass player for a night at a funk jam, and then I was asked if I would to join them in a newly forming band. I now count them all as friends. Same with the last band, and numerous others over the years. Rob

Tonight's gig was brought to you by Lemsip, Ibuprofen and high strength Vitamin C, washed down with Shipyard Low Tide Pale Ale. I seriously had to dig deep tonight. New venue for us, The Pub on China St in Lancaster, a legendary venue locally. The setup was complicated by the fact that we haven't been there before and they have a house Bose PA system, or rather powered speakers (subs and tops) and we ran our desk into them and brought our own monitors. Once we were setup I could relax a bit and concentrate on actually being able to play and sing. Well, we managed it. Great crowd, very appreciative, some dancing, some singing along. The stage area was tight and Covid appears to have robbed me of any spatial awareness I may have had before, so I must have bumped my mic stand or the guitarists mic stand half a dozen times with my bass! Lots of positive comments after, so I think we'll be back there in the future. Two weeks until the next gig, so that's a blessed relief, I may be starting to feel human again by then. I used my new to me '70 P bass for the first time tonight, through the Bergantino Forte D and the Barefaced 3x10. It sounded just right, I cannot think how it could sound better. Rob

I haven't played my gig yet, but it's going to be a tough one. It's 11 days since I tested positive for Covid and cancelled the gig last Saturday. Tonight's gig is going ahead, and I feel absolutely dreadful. I'm not testing positive since Thursday, but I'm well and truly hanging. The list of symptoms is too long to go into here. 9.30pm start, 2 sets, and I'm singing nearly half of them too. Wish me luck! Rob.

Prices have increased a lot since I bought my '73 too, probably by about £1k in two and a half years. I actually really like the early 70's basses. I don't want to go much earlier as I don't like the wider nut width. Rob

NBD ! A 1970 Precision in very nice original condition. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I was sniffing around for another early 70's P bass, and someone on here got in touch. A very very smooth deal, lots of honesty and trust involved. It's more or less all original apart from a single pickguard screw and the pots are changed, but you wouldn't know unless you were told, as they are CTS pots from 1970. I spent some time yesterday with it, tweaking it to my liking. Now sporting La Bella Low Tension Flats with a very nice low action. It has more definition and a bit more top end than my '73 (which is the most mellow P I've ever heard), and they complement each other perfectly. The rosewood board on this one is particularly dark, smooth and tight grained compared with the '73 too. I'm a happy chappie. The upshot of this, is that I'll be selling my super lightweight '78 P bass soon if anyone is interested. Cheers, Rob

|Blimey.

I would like to ask about the light in the VU meter. I have a new RM800 EVO II, bought in their "last chance" sale. Some people on here seem to be saying that as well as a green flashing LED in the meter when levels are good, there's also a red flashing led when you push it too hard. Mine does not flash red at all. I just have to keep an eye on the needle to trim the input accordingly. So, should there be a red flashing LED in the meter? Rob

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that. 15% is fine, and it's what Richard Henry charges for guitar sales. Rob

Thanks Tony. Yes, it's very expensive, but I'm just looking around to see what's available. Do you know how Andy Baxter treats trade ins/part ex's? I have a bass I'd consider putting up in a deal, and also a guitar (he does sell vintage Gibsons, of which this is one). Rob

I sold a bass and and cab this week, and I'm starting to sniff around for another early 70's P bass with tort guard. I have spied this one on Andy Baxter's site. Looks nice, great weight, lots going for it (albeit expensive), but then I can't get past looking at the string/neck alignment. I know it's been apart for photos, that's obvious, but this looks more than just a neck loosen and push it up fix. What do you think? Rob Link to the bass: https://www.andybaxterbass.com/collections/fender-precision-bass/products/1971-fender-precision-bass-sunburst-4 Pic:

How was my gig last night?...............CANCELLED. Due to me testing positive for Covid on Wednesday after feeling crap all day Tuesday. No doubt picked up at the gig I did last Saturday at Morecambe Music Festival in a packed to capacity, hot and sweaty venue. We have our fingers and toes crossed for the gig next Saturday, but I'm still testing positive today and don't feel great. Soooo many people have Covid again right now. Rob

Not a 4x10, but a 3x10 here in Morecambe.

I've remembered another notable gig. I was in a tribute band for a while in the 2000's and we got booked to play "Rock Pissouri" in Cyprus. It wasn't really decent money, but it was flights and accommodation for band members AND PARTNERS for 5 nights. We all went on holiday! The gig was outdoors in an Amphitheatre and the backdrop for the band was the Mediterranean. That one was a highlight, but it wasn't on my bucket list at the time, but I doubt I'll ever play another like it. Rob

That is quite a list !

The band is called The Out And Out Blues Band - https://theoutandouts.com/

That reminds me of another, I have played The Cavern Club in Liverpool too!

My own thread here, and all your lists, has got me thinking about all the places I've played in the past, and I realise they add up to a pretty good tally of renowned venues. The most notable ones I can remember: The New Morning - Paris Islington Assembly Hall O2 Academy - Glasgow The Stables - Milton Keynes and the aforementioned Band On The Wall I'm not getting any younger (60 next birthday), and I thought my days of being in a great band and playing great places were behind me. But this chance of a gig at Matt & Phreds has me pinching myself and thinking there might be more yet to come, and I like it. Rob

12 years ago, I got to play Band On The Wall in Manchester. To me, this was about as good as it could realistically get, and it was a great experience. In those days, I was playing guitar. It wasn't about the size of the crowd, I have played to a couple of thousand people before at festivals, it was the venue, and the iconic status it holds. Since embracing the low end, I think I have become a much better musician, have more understanding of theory and harmony, and more importantly, I am having way more fun playing music than I ever thought possible. Today, the band leader has asked us about our availability for dates in January to play at Matt & Phreds in Manchester. I cannot tell you how chuffed I am about this. I have seen dozens of bands here. I was there when BB Kings horn section turned up after the show at the Bridgewater, just to drink and jam. Some of my musical heroes have played there. And now I might actually be playing it myself. It's unreal. Anyway, where are your venues, what have you played, where would you love to play, where would you recommend? Thanks for listening. Rob