FinnDave

I have never felt the need to buy a 1957 Precision bass - and if I did, I would expect it to look as old and worn out as I am!

I've been playing bass for about 50 years, always finger style until 2017 when a motorcycle accident meant I couldn't use my right hand fingers properly So, I switched to using a pick. Took a week or two to get used to it, but as Bassfinger says, when I listen to recordings of the same songs played with the same band, I have to check the date to know whether I was using pick or fingers. I found the best pick for me was a 3mm Dunlop, absolutely no chance of any flex, so it had the feel of direct contact with the strings that finger style did. About two years ago, I was fiddling around with one of my basses and realised I was playing fingerstyle, but bending from my knuckle joint instead of the base of my finger as I had previously, until the loss of tendon ruled that out. I don't think I have played with a plectrum since. Still can't tell in recordings which I was using, though!

Nothing to do with bitterns, then. I was born in 57, so I must be one as well (not a bittern, obviously).

I don't have clue what a boomer is, but I can't see the market in old electric instruments lasting forever.

My GD band (Franklin's Tower) often tell the audience that the only have time for two more songs - Dark Star and Playing in the Band.

Far more important question - where did you get the T shirt? I certainly didn't get one with my LBT!

If the Terror Bass is anything like my Little Bass Thing, then it needs to be prevented from vibrating off the cabinet - very light amp with hard plastic feet.

Played another Wirebirds gig in Witney last night. Same venue as four weeks ago, went well but our lights proved to be inadequate - we were playing in total darkness by the end! Good fun though, paid OK and several free beers (decent stuff, it's an independent bar with links to a local small brewery). My wife drove there and back, so no dodgy driving! Going to look at stage lights on line today!

I have always used all four fingers on my left hand, but after a recent fall which involve me putting my left hand down to protect my head (instinctual, actually the wrong priority) I have had some trouble with my left hand, last weekend's gig saw my little finger develop a painful cramp, but I played on, albeit a little less enthusiastically.

My keyboard skills are very rudimentary, but after my motorcycle accident (last 2015) I was unable to play a real bass for more than 5-10 minutes and used a synth to cover the time it took for my right hand to recover. I currently have three Behringer synths, a Neutron (plus a keyboard), an Odyssey, and a 2600. I bought them to use at home but one of my bands is already asking me to bring them to gigs.

If I really want to sound like a synth, I use a synth instead of a bass.

That's good to know - I usually have both the Elf and a Sansamp in my gig tote bag.

Then you'll have to flog 'em - you know it makes sense!

I'm definitely a 'hang 'em or flog 'em' type these days - there's only so much space on the wall, so if I can't hang 'em, I have to flog 'em!

Going to be hard to beat that lot - but here are my five Fenders which is my complete bass collection.

Around 1975/6 I was playing in a local heavy rock band - bass, drums, 2 guitars. We rehearsed in the front room of one of the guitarists - just a normal semi. His mum and sister would sit in the next room watching TV and occasionally would pop in with tea and biscuits for us. We were using 100 watt stacks and a full drum kit - I would have thought that we were clearly audible up to at least 1/4 mile away, possibly more. I don't remember there being any soundproofing, though I think we did close the windows. No one ever complained, nor even mentioned it.

Different strokes, for sure. If we all liked the same thing, music would quickly become very stale.

I'd hold out for snacks and beers, myself

Per person, obviously.

Most blues bands, about 75% of the Grateful Dead's output, anything well played that has warmth and passion behind it. My introduction to music that wasn't on the radio was back in about 1973/4 when Virgin released Gong's Camembert Electrique album for about 50p. I have loved Gong and their offshoots ever since, though stopped buying anything after Daevid Allen left though I still see them when they are on tour. I have a ticket tp see them with the Ozrics in Oxford in November.

I haven't 'tried' listening to Yes since the mid-70s. I'd like to be able to say that the music doesn't move me, but it does. I move rapidly to get as far away as possible from it. Too clever by more than half, I just don't derive any pleasure from listening to them. To save time retyping this in the parallel Genesis thread, the same applies there. Obviously, they have many followers, but I suspect I am wired differently to them and do not respond well to their music. 'Orses for courses.

I never could get those cylindrical foam earplugs to work at all - maybe I have weird ears!

I have photos of me playing dating back over the last 8 or 9 years in which I always look bored stiff - simply because I was trying not to loosen the earplugs!

I struggled with my ACS plugs for years - every time I moved a muscle in my face one or both would move and let the noise in. I finally stopped using them and bought £20 industrial ear protector 'headphones' from (I Think) Screwfix - lets me hear exactly what the rest of the band is doing but saves my ears from cymbal crashes and loud guitar (I mostly play in a three piece blues-rock band, so volume goes with the territory). They're also much easier to take off for a chat during the breaks and have never moved while playing. Easier to sleep after a gig without my ears ringing as well.