FinnDave

I never talk to anyone about music except my band mates, and I see them increasingly less often these days. I'm seriously considering giving up, I am getting older and it's lost its appeal in the last year or two.

47 minutes ago, BillyBass said:

  Most are employees of orchestras but I've met the odd bassist.  

Surely all bassists are a bit odd by definition?

Checked my spares drawer, no tort Jazz plates except those on basses. Only black or white in the drawer.

I might have something suitable in my spares drawer, I'll go and check.

SOLD

2010 US Standard Precision Bass, sunburst, tort scratch plate, rosewood fingerboard, LaBella flats. Weight is 9lb 4oz.

I bought this bass a year ago and have not played it much because my years of bass playing have taken their toll and I have developed osteoarthritis in my left hand.

The bass is in excellent condition, set up and ready to play. Classic Precision in looks, feel and sound.

Complete with Fender hard case, though this appears to have been dropped at some time as on end of the case has some damage. I was assured by the previous owner that this bass was not in the case at the time, there is certainly no sign of damage to this bass.

Prefer buyer to collect from the Witney, West Oxfordshire area as they can then test it through my amp and cab, but can arrange to meet within a reasonable distance. I will be in the Peak District and Northumberland for a few days in October and could deliver the bass if needed.

I can arrange to have the bass delivered by courier at the buyer’s cost and risk. However, as it is 13 years old and hasn’t a mark on it, I am reluctant to risk it.

Melksham is in a league of its own, craziest place I've ever played in. Not quite up to the Finnish level of crazy (which can involve firearms and explosives) but it's definitely off the scale for weirdness. 

3 hours ago, theplumber said:

Do banks make mistakes?....lol

You've obviously never played Monopoly or you'd have seen the card 'bank error in your favour'

3 hours ago, theplumber said:

Do banks make mistakes?....lol

You've obviously never played Monopoly or you'd have seen the card 'bank error in your favour'

I'd probably opt for a live version of Dark Star, rarely less than 20 minutes long. That'll teach them!

I've discovered why the original post makes no sense - the poster lives in Westminster. Obviously a politician!

I vaguely remember buying a live Rush album many years ago because so many people were raving about them. Left me stone cold, just a transatlantic version of Yes, another band I found completely with anything that could move or inspire me.

Everything too organised, more like an orchestra than a live rock band.

The bass player I replaced in a local Grateful Dead cover band (more country & blues than heavy metal, for those unfamiliar with the band) played a slap solo between songs. It was so bad that on the one occasion I watched them play (before I had joined them), I had to leave before the set break.

Form vs Function? I ride a Harley Davidson, so I think it's fairly clear which end of that spectrum I inhabit!

2 hours ago, BassAgent said:

Isn't it great to have a child's toy that sounds thát good?😎

Yes, but I do prefer my PJ Mustang to my single split PU version.

Nothing there to make me regret my recent purchase of a natural finish Player PJ Mustang. I suspect I'm in the minority, but I think the racing stripes make it look like a child's toy.

I had one of those I bought new from A1 Music in Manchester 1978 or 9. I had gone there to buy my long-awaited Fender Precision but for some reason bought the Guild instead. Sounded great, but I sold it when I needed money to move to London. Mine was white as well.

We (The Wirebirds) used to have Jenny Haan (of Babe Ruth) as our singer. Incredible voice. When she moved on, we didn't even consider trying to replace her.

We played outside at a pub a mile from where I live. Good strong marquee ensured we and our equipment stayed dry, and quite a lot of the audience chose to join us in there.

Got a bit of a boost when standing at the bar when we first arrived and the couple next to me said that they saw us in Witney two weeks ago, and wanted to see us again.

Ended up with quite a few people dancing and plenty sitting around (some in the rain!) and enjoying the music. Apparently, the people in the pub enjoyed it as well.

Got paid, got wet loading gear back into the cars, and wetter still when I was unloading a few minutes later. 

Played my Player Mustang through Orange LBT & Barefaced Super Compact.

Unwinding and feel satisfied with the gig.

I sold my one of these when I left Finland, and have long regretted doing so. Same colour, mine was strung with Chromes and sounded just as a Precision should.

GLWTS

Just taken delivery of a Thomas Beat Bass bag, and although it looks too small, my Mustang bass is a perfect fit in it. Much better than having it slopping about in a 34" scale gig bag.

Wish I'd had more faith in the recommendation, as I only bought one, but have two Mustangs and I always like to take a spare with me to gigs. 

Ordering another right now!

5 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Stuff humblebragging, I'm just going to boast. The gig we did last weekend has had so much good feedback face to face and on Facebook. I've even had people who didn't go telling me they heard how good it was. That's never happened before, feels like we have "levelled up" 😁

 

Must all be down to my bass solo 🙄

Our gigs are always improved by my bass solo.

(If I decline to play it).

12 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

You are lucky Dave. 

 

Daryl

Thanks, the band has been through a few changes, but at the last gig the new(ish) drummer suddenly got what we do and let go - it was great! Al, the guitarist, is a good friend as well as a band mate.

8 hours ago, stewblack said:

How much are you valued by your bandmates? This has been a recurring theme of mine at recent gigs. Last night I changed the set up and put everything through the pa, no backline for me, just a monitor. 

The singer gave the sound a big thumbs up in soundcheck, and away we went.

Guess what? Not one member of the band asked for bass in their foldback.

This isn't always the case - some of my bands love the bass, but last night's bunch, not so much.

Audience enjoyed the evening and I got paid.

When I was playing for the Grateful Dudes we usually played venues with decent PA and sound man. As they were venues it was difficult to park near, I suggested that I leave my amp and cab at home and DI into the PA. This was soundly vetoed, mainly by the drummers, as they said they wanted to hear the bass clearly.

My current band's guitarist (The Wirebirds, who I have been with for most of the past ten years) insists on hearing plenty of deep rich bass, and usually expects me to bring my old white Precision, as he thinks that has the best sound. Because of arthritis in my fingers, I am no longer able to play it, so I was using a Mustang bass with round wounds, and he was very complementary about the sound. 

So, my band mates certainly to listen to the bass.

13 minutes ago, Steve Browning said:

Would being Norman Watt-Roy improve my bass playing would be an equally valid question.

No, because then you'd be Norman Watt-Roy and not Steve Browning. Having  seen you (as Steve Browning) play a few times, I'd say that your bass playing is not in need of any improvement.

It's the rule of diminishing returns in action - you can get a fairly decent for (say) £300 and one which is a bit better for £600, and one a bit better than that for £1200. The £1200 bass will in no way be four times as good as the £300 one, but will be a little better in most respects.

In mu experience, Squier basses are perfectly good, I have one not more than a few feet away as I type, but they do seem less resilient to slight knocks that a Fender equivalent would shrug off without a mark. I also find that things screwed to the body require tightening far more often on a Squier than a Fender. Sound and feel wise, though, there's little in it in my opinion.