Chiliwailer

Fixed for you 😉😜 Hope something works out for you 👍

I keep meaning to give that a try… 👍

So… all these set ups, but not many folk entering the Basschat monthly composition competition, or maybe you used to? It’s not a serious competition, just making something up based on a photo chosen by the previous months winner. September’s comp will be pinned in the Recording section sometime on the 1st or 2nd.

Cheers Ray 👍 My day job space is behind that couch, with the desk facing the basses. Some days it makes me go off for little play breaks, other days it’s a motivating reminder why I work full time as 2 of those basses still need fully paying off 🙄 and i feel lucky to now have the spare room, but not the mortgage 😬

I’d be surprised if it was any more than money laundering with the Serbs (I.e. not sex/drugs etc. I’d hope). There is a deeper story regarding the ‘Italian Heist’ that got them convicted floating around, but I’m not sharing it, so I’ll just say it was nothing more sinister than money related. But again, there are so many stories floating around about people in the trade you’re right that it’s hard to know what to believe.

Quite enjoyed checking these out 😊 Mine’s really simple. Under the desk is my headphones bass practice pedalboard, guitar pedalboard,and MacBook and Scarlett which i record stuff just for fun using headphones.

You’re right to be careful if it’s some particular people I’m thinking of. I don’t mind mentioning the Harrisons as their conviction is all over Google, but even still I wouldn’t mention it if it was the other people I’m thinking of if/when also convicted. I was told that the Serbian gangsters involved in the Harrisons conviction offered to ‘sort me out’ when I was involved in a legal thing with them (that ended up costing them quite a few quid) but thankfully Rick quickly said no according to a colleague who was there.

You hit the nail on the head regarding my edit. Yes, he was affiliated with the Harrisons. I worked for them but left when their illegal activities became clearer and I literally had evidence in my hand - this was years before their conviction (and when I left I went from managing a shop I helped set up for them to being unemployed, it was a 100% moral decision for me). But then it’s hard for Clive not to be affiliated with them in his position, the vintage guitar world is a small one. And despite Rick Harrison’s obvious criminal flaws, he was a very charismatic man that people were drawn to, and of course he had his good points too. I was in the trade from 1993-2010, starting aged 15 at Andy’s in Denmark St, so I was in the vintage world for some time - I say this because I have no doubts there are authenticated frauds out there, from vintage gear down to a small amount of faked custom shop instruments and their certificates. IIRC correctly, but don’t quote me on this, Clive may even have authenticated a Gibson that later turned out to be a fraud. I’m not saying that he or other dealer’s authenticate incorrectly on purpose as I know of some very cunning foxes out there, but some sure as hell have.

Yep, the ‘very little info out there’ really suits him IMO. I don’t know him well at all, but I’ve had enough direct and indirect contact to know he comes across as a really lovely man, super passionate about guitars, and is a guitar encyclopaedia as well as master restorer (best not ever use the word refinish around him 😬). All the top dealers know him, and he’s always appeared to have tons of work so has no need to advertise I guess, building Dwight guitars, doing custom work, or restoring. I imagine he must be winding down at some point as I guess him to be at that age, but then again from chatting to him I can easily imagine him working as long as he can. edit - one thing I found odd though was although he mostly puts little secret signs that he restored (refinished) a guitar (that most dealers know of), he once told me that some guitars don’t have that if it’s been requested. Make your own mind up…

Hear that. I literally remember saying “it’s just wood and metal” to the guy who bought my Stingray. Think I was either wrong, or simply fooling myself or trying to make it easier on myself. Other people’s mileage may vary

I’ve had similar experiences @kwmlondon, one with a Stingray I got in 1996 and one with an acoustic bass I got in 1994 when I was 16. The acoustic bass is with a mates daughter now, it’s been passed around a few times to kids or beginners as nerve damage issues mean I can’t play it for long anymore. But I’m glad to be keeping it, it’s got precious memories from learning, travel, and gigs. The Stingray was sold in 2008, mostly due to personal and health issues at the time, but also made easier by the fact I’d used Fenders or short scales since around 2000. But the regret kicked in shortly after as that bass was perhaps the most important part of my early journey. After years of looking, I got it back in about 2021 I think - don’t think I could have been any happier, and it’s not even the best Stingray I’ve owned. I now mostly play Music Man have come full circle. It’s modded to now be a bass that’s really useful to me, maybe yours could be strung BEAD with flats?

Sold @Phaedrus01 a pickup, in an easygoing and friendly deal. Cheers.

Unfortunately the Barclaycard left some clues. Despite my subconscious GAS denials.

What made you pick up that first bass at the start of this long and winding road? 2 mates had just got guitars, so I thought we could get it together, and hey, bass is easier right?! It made sense though, I loved rhythm and wanted to be a drummer. Do you still have the same fire and enthusiasmr? Do you still love it? Yes, and yes. What has changed along the way? While still young I had to stop being in bands due to health issues. That was tough, although by then I’d worked out session work felt soulless and pointless to me, and making it in a band was highly unrealistic. I loved my last band but it badly impacted my health as I really should have fully stopped by then, and actually already had done for a couple of years. Your taste in music, taste in basses? All been pretty steady. What was the first bass? Rockwood LX100B And what’s the latest? Completely unexpectedly, I got a fretless Stingray and a Stingray Special within days of each other last month.

Good shout, AVRI would be my choice too. Just to add the ‘63 has an overwound pickup which some folk love the muscle and volume of, but I personally found it too muddy for my style.

1996, first gig, which was a RHCP tribute, I was 18. Last pic is actually the last time I played through an amp 😢, jamming with a drummer mate in 2020.

I’ve gone full circle from Music Man being my #1, then Fender, then back to Music Man. But my Stingray has evolved over time… 1996 version 2005 version 2025 version

Fixed.

So these were about £6k new? Now over £9k used 🙄😂 https://ebay.us/m/1VtdxX

I stupidly had this Custom Shop Jazz Bass up for sale once or twice, despite always really liking it and never faulting it. I think it was because for years I was a P-Bass guy and ever since I sold my last vintage Precision I just thought I 'should' have a better P Bass, so I was going to get a Custom Shop to replace this Jazz. But then I finally dropped my 'habit' and acted on the fact that I prefer P's for bands, but J's for home and recording, and health issues mean I'm not in bands anymore. Fast forward to now and it was the right choice. It's now my only Fender, and for the first time in 25 years I'm choosing a Jazz over Precision, and can't even begin to justify owning a P... even typing that still feels dirty 😬

Yellowstone Trails - I was initially aiming for a baggy folk type tune, but this somehow evolved with a slight country feel - which was a nice surprise, taking a walk down different trails.

And taking it to the bridge 😜

Me too bro, and I’ve got your fretless thread to thank 😊