FinnDave

We have one for The Wirebirds, but don't often use it as it is too much hassle! It is also too big for many venues but too small to be of much use.

They still need a bit of exercise, even the mad unwelcome ones!

I've got a road worn arriving some time this week, it will be interesting to compare it to my Classic 50s. I really like the wider neck, but still have 4 US Standards to fall back on. I even played my Jazz Bass this afternoon, just to make sure I wasn't getting too set in my wide neck ways!

It's always nice to trot it out every now and then

Lozz, how about the nitro finish Classic 50, same neck etc, and it won't take long to start gaining some road worn class as the paint wears easily. Only available in black, too!

I don't think the lacquer version replaced the road worn as it only comes in the one colour, as mentioned above. If they did the red or sunburst classic in lacquer without the wear, I'd have one or both right now. I've had a 60s classic Jazz bass in lacquer for 4 or 5 years now, and it's the only jazz I've kept. It has real character.

The 50s classic is finished in modern polyurethane paints, but is still a very good bass with a very different sound and feel to a modern Precision (I have both). I believe the Road worn is, I think, finished in Cellulose. I should find out out soon as I have one on the way.

I've been playing bass for 45 years, and quite honestly, have never played anything that fits me any better than my small collection of fairly recent US Standard Precisions. Having them set up professionally rather than doing it myself was a bit of an eye opener, though.

If I had the money, I'd be spending it on a good Custom Shop re-pro, known history (ideally new) and a known quantity.

Harmonica. It's OK played well but very rarely is. Anyone who has heard my main gigging band will know just how excruciating a harp can sound!

I thought they had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.

I played 46 gigs in 2017, my aim in 2018 is to play more than that!

No, I mean that we thought that we definitely already had a gig, only for it to be cancelled the day before, and the other gigs we had been offered and turned down (as we believed that we were busy that night) had long been taken by other bands.

Nothing yet, but I did end 2017 by buying another Precision on line, due for delivery later in the week. That will make a total of six P basses, 4 of them bought within the last 3 months. The only things I have GAS for at the moment are strings and scratchplates.

I had one of the sky blue CV Precisions a few years ago, and for the money, it was a good bass, but whenever I checked the neck plate screws, bridge screws, tuner screws...they'd always need a tweak to tighten them up. I currently have 4 US Standard Precisions and the truth is that none of them have ever required anything tightening. I have a Classic 50s Precison (MiM) as well, and so far it has been as solid and reliable as my US Standards, but in all fairness, I have only had it 2 or 3 months. I did enjoy playing my CV Precision, but it dented very easily and I just felt that the timber used wasn't very hard, certainly my US Precisions have survived far harder knocks without a blemish. It did sound great with decent flats on it though. As a gigging bassist, the ability of a bass to stay in tune and shrug off a few knocks is important to me. Oh, and a Happy New Year to you too, I am glad that we can still express a difference of opinion here without it becoming personal.

I didn't post based on pictures or stuff I'd read on line, I've owned a few Squiers, including CV Precisions, and in my experience, the MiM Fenders are simply better, nothing to to do with the label on the headstock. I am also of the opinion that US Standard Precisions are a good step up from the MiM standards. I have owned, played, and gigged several of each and base my opinion on my own experience.

I've always found the wood a bit soft in Squiers, things come loose easier than they do with Fenders.

I know the CVs are top of the line Squiers, but over 400 squids doesn't sound like a bargain to me, another 100 and you could get a Fender standard!

I was booked to dep with a blues band for a NYE gig in Oxford - the venue cancelled yesterday afternoon due to 'lack of ticket sales'. Obviously too late to pick up anything else, and both myself and the band had turned down other offers for tonight as we believed we were sorted. I'll just wander down my local and have a pint instead. Won't be the same, though

Even closer, don't know where I got the Chippy idea from then! I'll keep my ears open, there's always someone needed for something.

Based on recent experience, I'd recommend avoiding people without transport of their own (for some reason I've been involved with three such people this year, two of them drummers!), people who booze at gigs and can't hold their drink, people who lose their temper at gigs (especially when drunk) and chuck their kit around, swear at staff, etc (that's another venue we won't get asked back to!). I think the most fun I've had this year is the couple of depping gigs I've done, no responsibility, just show up on time, play your parts, get paid and go home.

I missed out on an old, rather battered, stripped of all paint Precision that was on the wall in a Manchester music shop in the late 70s. I played it and it was just perfect, said I'd have it and went back the next day with the money, but it had gone

I've had to change to lighter gear due to a recent injury, and my small gig rig is now a Barefaced Super Compact ( 1 x 12) and Ashdown Rootmaster 800. I have been very happy and it is easy to carry. I also have Super Twin (2 x 12) and use that and the same amp for larger gigs, 2 speakers and 4 ohms, so plenty of volume and punch. It would make more sense to have two separate 1 x 12s, I know, but I already had the 2 x 12 and didn't want to sell it.

I'll let you know if I hear of anything, sometimes there's nothing going on for months at a time, then I get asked by several people at once. If & when that happens again, I'll pass on the details to you. You're out Chippy way, right? So would Swindon be OK, as I know quite a few bands round there.

Mine is an Epiphone classic pro and it sounded exactly like my Gibbo T bird. In some ways it is better as it has been fitted with a Babicz bridge and Grover tuners