Storky

I’m off to see Luke Combes at O2 on Thursday. Really looking forward to it.

So, my newly acquired heavy aged VS has been returned 😞 The bass looked, played and felt great. The sound could be tamed and sounded good enough in the gig I did with it, but compared to other basses, the pick-up and two band EQ combo sounded harsh and “brittle”. I did consider swapping out for something else, but at the end of the day, it’s an expensive instrument and I shouldn’t need to muck about with it. I p.ex’d for a Japanese Sadowsky PJ, it’s heavier and doesn’t play quite as nicely, but it’s a much sweeter tone.

That sounds like what I need to do! Do you have a link to the pick-up you put in?

Not well known in uk perhaps, but a big name in certain circles. RIP, 76 is too soon.

You didn’t ask for “buts” or mitigation, so I’ll just say I can be too critical 😞

I saw you video; I find it “almost” unbelievable that there are those who feel they have the right to say you should look a certain way, or play a certain way. I’d have probably told them to F off, although probably better to just ignore them. I felt you had no need to justify yourself. I’d say keep on doing what you do, it’s clear enough people are enjoying your content and even if they weren’t, it wouldn’t matter as long as you are enjoying it!

I’m sure they do. The reason the pickup looks too small is probably because it’s designed for a guitar?

Yes, I’ve just seen this thread and also used to go to Malcolm Healey until he said he was too busy. I went to Jerome and he set up my two DBs. Good chap.

Yes, very nice! Not to mention the Pawn Shop BassVl 😍

I have just got hold of a 2014 Fender Rascal. They were not made for long and are short scale; a bit like a 4 string BassVl. I wanted it because although short scale, which I like, they are not small - the bridge is not at the end of the bass. I am very tall so some SS basses look daft on me. I also wanted a bass that worked for palm muting and playing with a pick and this is ideal as you adopt a more guitar like playing position. Although I also play “finger style” I use other things for that and this should work brilliantly in my 60s band, especially since I have now changed strings to LaBella black nylons.

I have had two Dimension basses and would say they are very nice instruments. The pick ups are the most comfortable I’ve found to rest your thumb on …. And the sound good as well!

Our every cell replaces its self over a given period (can’t remember how long) so are any of us still the original person? For example, I don’t look the same, think the same, like the same things that I did 20 years ago. If all the Beatles were still with us and they reformed, I’d argue that they wouldn’t be the Beatles, just an imprint of what the Beatles once were. In this example, the Beatles were a band in the early/mid 60s - they were a product of their time. They were a great band in that time (because of that time?)

It’s an “OLP” to use Musicman parlance. And you could say since Ernie Ball got involved Music Man is just a tribute? (same with Fender of course). I think there is some value in that. The original band might have been 22 years old, full of energy etc and just because they are still going 40 years later doesn’t make them what they were, whereas a new band of energetic 22 year olds might be closer to the originals?

Agreed! But it’s their bones to sell and if people want to see it and I provides a pension and work for those involves, why not?

Is it ok for Francis Rossi to continue to tour under the Status Quo name? Maybe if he is delivering an authentic experience? Whereas when AC/DC toured with an aging Axl Rose on a zimmer frame. To me that was not AC/DC who for me are young (😉) wild and full of life and energy. It just didn’t cut it anymore.

You might consider the original band the best though. In the case of The Shadows, the band changed drummers and especially bass players from the early 60s onwards; they were still The Shadows, but to me, the best version was with the original players.

I think in many ways it would be the same as a tribute and some tributes would be better. For example if the members of ABBA reformed, called themselves ABBA and did a show with mostly new songs, I’m sure that Bjorn Again or something similar would be closer to the original band (now in their 70s). But if Benny and Bjorn licensed a tribute act, ensured the quality and ethos of the original band remained, could that band be entitled to be known as ABBA? 🤔

I think that if the band in question are producing the sounds, songs and live experience, there is an argument to say it’s ok to keep the name, even if there are no original members. I think of a band as a Ltd company with the current members being akin to to the board of directors 🤔