Higgie

Not a brilliant shot, but just put this all together: It's currently multitasking as a Home Studio/Media Server/Normal Desktop. 2012 Mac Mini 2.3gHz Quad core i7, 4GB RAM (16GB arriving tomorrow), 1TB HDD, Mavericks, Logic Pro 9 Connected to: 27" Thunderbolt Display Dell 22" Monitor on HDMI Output of Mac Mini for Dual Screen Glyph GT050Q 1TB HDD Harmon Kardon Soundstick Speakers Audio Interface: Apogee Duet 2 PJB Bass Buddy Preamp/Headphone amp/DI Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones I run my whole audio from Movies to Music to Games, all through the Apogee. I plug my bass into the PJB which is DI'd straight to the Apogee's first input. I split the headphone output of the Apogee and send one signal to the speakers, and one to the Aux In on the PJB. The headphones then plug into the PJB. This means I can listen to the track/click/movie via headphones or speakers. Then I just mute the bass channel in Logic while recording so I don't get the doubling up of the PJB signal and the signal being sent by the Apogee into the Aux in, and I'm good to go! If I just want to use headphones I unplug the splitter from the Apogee and just go straight in. Also pictured is a 2012 Macbook Pro (Non Retina) (8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, OSX Lion with Logic Pro 9) and a 32GB iPad Air. The Keyboard is an M-Audio 88 Key. I'm actually looking to move this on (or at least trade down to a smaller keyboard) as I really am not much of a keys player, and with space at a premium in my house I think it best I downsize to a smaller Keyboard. So if anyone is interested or has anything to trade, please message me! [attachment=159683:IMG_1676.JPG]

Severely gutted I am going to miss Lee Sklar. Had a blast last year and met a few personal idols!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1377958549' post='2194093'] in other news I've been really enjoying your youtube playing - been inspiring me to learn some of the same songs. No way as good as you mind - I get lost in the bit after the chorus of Sir Duke. Bit rubbish about the waiting for the bass, what's the hold up? it looked almost finsihed in the pics? [/quote] Ah thanks man, glad to hear my playing has inspired you. I'd really love to do some more videos but I'm so busy nowadays I just don't get the chance! Keep at it mate, you'll be playing it better than I did in no time! The holdup is to do with waiting for my pickups to turn up from Villex. [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1377959753' post='2194117'] Tis the world of custom bass making I'm afraid. Sorry man... hope that it crosses the finishing line in April :/ [/quote] Too true. It's not the end of the world, was just really hoping to have it in my hands by now! [quote name='dood' timestamp='1377961142' post='2194140'] I'm sorry to hear that unfortunately things are taking a bit longer than hoped. Please don't be dismayed and hang in there. Jon, although he doesn't like talking about it has had a rather hard year or so that has left him pretty much fighting to keep on top of his work. (Certainly no fault of his own I am quick to add.) The good news is that he's getting back on top of things and is as always delivering basses that are absolutely A1 for incredible value for money. The wait will be because Jon will never let a custom bass out of his workshop without it being perfect for the customer. In my opinion (and take what you like from this) there are Luthiers who are supposedly better who take longer to churn out an instrument than Jon, for twice the price and they've not had the hard time our Jon has. That said, of course, like you I'd be chomping at the bit to get a new bass from Jon. It would (and has) on three occasions driven me potty to get my hands on my new Shuker. Believe me though, it's worth waiting for. I'd still go back to Jon, it's where the sensible money is [/quote] I'm obviously a little peeved, but I understand these things happen, and I know from every bit of work I have seen/played/heard of Jon's everything has always been top notch. Jon is a top notch guy and has been great so far - who else would loan you a bass he had built to sell no questions asked in time for a 4 month contract abroad? I have complete faith in him, and hope my comments didn't come off like I was bashing him - Far from it, I'm a great admirer of his, just wanted to have MY bass in MY hands as this time I'm going away for so long!! sh*t happens I guess at the end of the day - Was just hoping it wouldn't land on me again!! Haha

Yeah what can you do? I know he is busy, but it's already been a year, added to the fact that it "should" have been ready for April...and now it's September and still not ready. He loaned me a 5 string to use instead of this last time, and consequently as it's still not ready, I still have his bass! So looks like he won't be getting that back till April either!

So am I - but unfortunately the bass isn't ready (again) and I go away tomorrow for 6.5 months, so it'll be April next year before I get it.

Cheers guys. I've always been a fan of classic/vintage looking instruments, but I wanted it to have slightly more modern features e.g., 5 strings, 21 frets etc - I think Jon has done me proud here! Can't wait to get it!!

Thanks chaps! Can't wait to get my grubby little mits on it!!!

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1364603656' post='2028873'] I'm there all next week so we'll get to meet if you're collecting it :-) [/quote] So this didn't quite happen due to a problem with the finish on the bass...But I have been sent some pictures from Mr Shuker - All it's waiting for is the pickups, and I should be collecting it next week, in time for my next contract! Yippee!! [attachment=142085:jhigg1.jpg] [attachment=142086:jhigg2.jpg] [attachment=142087:jhigg3.jpg]

Been in that situation before and I agree - It's awesome when you gather a like-minded bunch of individuals and it all just "clicks". My current gig is purely reading, so it's this kinda vibe day in, day out

Just bought a Darkglass Microtubes Vintage from AKAK and he was the perfect seller and gentleman. Highly recommended!!

I'd be well up for this if I wasn't already going abroad for a few months - Good luck, it sounds like a great opportunity for the right player!

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1364756532' post='2030530'] My theory has always been that bass is easier to start but harder to master. I know a few people who agree with me on that too. Liam [/quote] +1. Always been my philosophy too!

OK had an update from Jon, the bass will be ready to be picked up mid next week!! Just in time for my next contract abroad. Excellent! Here is a picture of the body Jon took ages ago but only just sent me yesterday - Hopefully there should be some pics of an almost finished bass in the next couple of days before I go to pick it up! [attachment=131354:body front.jpg]

I met John at the London Bass Guitar show and cannot believe what a nice guy he is. We were having a chat in the pub afterwards and he bought me a drink. Really impressed with his MM Preamps too...definitely high up on my list of things to buy!

My 3 Squier JV Precisions: From left to right: 1982 Squier by Fender JV Precision, 57 re-issue, 2 tone sunburst, maple neck/fretboard. Original pickup long gone and replaced with a Dimarzio model P. Sounds amazing. I also added a Hipshot Detuner. 1982 Fender Squier Series JV Precision, 57 re-issue, 2 tone sunburst, maple neck/fretboard. It's had a Seymour Duncan jazz pickup added at the bridge, and I've added a Hipshot Detuner. 1983 Squier by Fender JV Precision, 62 re-issue, 3 tone sunburst, maple neck/unlined ebony fretless fingerboard (originally rosewood fretted) and EMG P/J pups installed. Active Vol/Vol/Tone config.

For me, he is the greatest. There is just a certain something about his playing that grabs my attention immediately, and never gets boring to listen to.

Damn! I'm gigging. Ah well, have a good time all you lucky people actually getting to go!