Chiliwailer

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 😊

It’s a bit quiet over here, just @Baloney Balderdash so far…. Mine’s on the way, taken on a life of its own really.

A couple of Rays, modded one from 1995, and the fretless is a 1994 & 1997 hybrid.

Nah, yours is fine, they’d stopped using lacquer by then (around 1993 I think).