Marc S

Hi @Linus27 As others have said, we all lose a bit of that old "fire in the belly" from time to time. Others have also suggested taking a little break from bass duties for a while. I think that may be a useful approach. Perhaps just mention this to the rest of the band. Tell them you have other things that need your attention... Maybe even help them find a dep player for the meantime? I'm slightly older than you, and I'm more fired up than ever - mainly because I realise I don't have too many years of active gigging left, and mostly because I had a near 25 year break from playing - so when I came back to bass playing and to gigging, I had more lust for it than I ever did as a young 'un. Also, I have a day job that is very very different from music, and one that can be stressful - so music is my outlet. That said, there are sometimes other band members who wind me up a bit, and I feel like moving on..... Fortunately, I'm involved with several bands and duos / trios etc - so I wouldn't have time to miss any particular one of them. I sometimes wonder how I find time to fit all the gigs, learning + rehearsals in - but I realise now, I wouldn't want to be without my music ever again. Of course, when music is our hobby, it's a different thing to it being our main income source, and that may have a part to play in the way you're feeling? Either way, a short break may be a good thing - give you time to think, and to step back from it all. Another way, may be to join another band / duo or trio - just for "fun" and occasional jamming / noodling? Just wondering whether playing for a different reason, and playing different genres might help you feel in less of a "rut". Don't sell your gear just yet in any case. most of all - best of luck with whatever you decide. And lastly, I'm sure you're aware that you won't be alone in feeling the way you are.

Ah silly me - of course that's what he means... doh! Oddly enough though, none of my MIJ / CIJ Fenders have had those EDIT: Though I once had a non Fender MIJ bass which included one

Wow, just Wow! Gorgeous colour & grain, lovely matching red hue to the scratchplate too I'm a big fan of MIJ Fenders. None of mine ever had a plastic shim in the pocket (that includes 80's and early 90's models) But that doesn't mean none of them did..... If it plays well with the shim in place, then leave it. If you can improve set-up after removing it, then do that But if it aint broke.... leave it alone. Let us know how you get on with it

@Mickyk I used to have an Ibanez SR500. Cracking bass, especially for the sort of money you can pick them up for second-hand As others have said, it's not so easy to get a good vintage sound from this bass. I joined a couple of bands where I needed a more vintage sound, and that Ibanez just didn't give me what I needed, so I know where you're coming from. My next step was to get myself a Jazz (Fender Roadworn, as it happens) and that immediately gave me more of the vintage sound I was after at that time. Even though I also play upright, I wasn't a fan of flatwounds on a bass guitar - I just found that whatever type I tried, they were just too high tension for my liking.... So it took quite a bit of experimentation. I've now settled on Thomastik Infeldt Jazz Flats, as they're low tension. So low in fact, they took a bit of getting used to, and I still don't like them on my fretless. On that, I tried a few brands, and finally settled on Adagio flats. They're not as high tension as some I've tried, but a tad more than the Thomastiks. Thomastik Infelds aren't cheap btw - so finding the "right" strings for you can be an expensive experiment. The Adagio's were about £12 on eBay, and I'd recommend at least giving them a shot, as they're relatively inexpensive. You should be able to get a decent vintage tone from one of your other basses. I've heard great reports about Sires - so I think I'd try flats before buying any new basses. Good luck with your search, and thanks for sharing that video of "Streetlife" - I think I hadn't listened to it so carefully before - it's a cracking song and great bass line

Looks a good bass. Just wonder what it will eventually sell for..... Every now & then, a real bargain seems to pop up on eBay - not usually for me though.

Ukuleles are such small, portable, lightweight instruments - they're easier on the fingers than guitars, for many beginners If they get kids interested in playing music - then bingo, job done Some famous bands and musicians have written songs on a uke (Do I recall reading that the Who wrote some songs using one?) Both Mrs S and I have one each, and often take them camping with us. They're a bit of fun, and that's what music is all about I don't pick my uke up too often - but I'd hate to be without it Besides, I've had to "Explain basses" to many people too. Many of those people being musicians! lol

I went with Nevermind too. Although I like the Chilli Peppers, and BSSM was a great album when it came out, and still stands the test of time Nevermind was just something else IMO

Ha ha, you're welcome @Bogdan - but it didn't take much to fuel that thirst for a new bass, did it? lol Hope you can get to try one out. But if you get chance to play a Roadworn Jazz - try one of those too - especially one of the earlier ones Good luck with your search

@Bogdan - IMO they're great basses. As with each of the Roadworn series, they're lovely players, good construction and sound great. I particularly liked the Flea sig, with its' Stacked control plate too. Took a while for me to get used to this, but I really liked it. So much so, that I got Kiogon of this parish to make one up for me, for my Roadworn Jazz I like Shell Pink as a colour for a bass (Sadly Mrs S thought it was the worst colour guitar she'd ever seen!) My only criticism of the colour on that particular model, is that it's too faded and not quite pink enough If you ever get chance to try one - I would say do so...... If you like Jazz basses, then it may be the bass for you Along with the RW Jazz, they're very lightweight for a Jazz too

Do you mean the newer version of the bass? I can't vouch for that one, but I did have one of the older versions I must say, it was very nice. Lightweight, easy to play with a slim-ish neck which really felt "worn in" Lovely tones from some rather nice pickups too Only problem for me was, my wife absolutely hated the colour

Well, there's sparkly! Nice when you finally get something you've craved for a long time Let us know when it arrives, and what you think of it Happy NBD for that day too

I had posted some questions about this amp, as I was looking for an amp head with 2 separately controlled inputs, suitable for doubling-up with Bass guitar and upright. Anyhow, I bit the bullet just over a week ago, and ordered the EVO1 head from my local PMT in Cardiff. They price-matched it to the sale price on Andertons, who were offering it at a considerable reduction I've not gigged it in earnest yet, but I did play BG through it at a local folk club (on Friday). My previous problem was that my other 2 channel head (Euphonic Audio micro 550W) was just a bit to "clean" and "hi-fi-like" with a Bass guitar, but pretty good when amplifying Upright (Acoustic DB and EUB). My precision(s) or Jazz just seemed to lack a bit of warmth or "bite". First impressions of the MB EVO1 are really good. There are a range of pre-set amp modelling sounds on each channel to help too. But I've been impressed with the range of sounds and tones I can get from the amp Plenty of bite and grunt with a Pbass or Jazz plugged into it, and a nice warm "mwah" with my fretless Jazz. Also, playing my EUB through it, I could get a decent upright sound, and it's so easy and quick to switch between the two channels. I now feel I've got complete control over both Upright and BG at the flick of a switch! One negative point though, is that each channel has a lot of dials, and in the dark, it's not quite so easy to see which control is which. There are several "atmospheric looking lights" on the head - but none of the properly illuminates any of the control knobs. I'm sure I'll get used to them eventually, but to me at the moment I keep forgetting which one is which... Perhaps I should just stick some sticky labels with "Gain" "B" "M" "T" and "Mvol" on them? Seems a shame to have to do that IMO But overall, so far, so good. I'm gigging with it on Friday, and I've got a loud rehearsal with it beforehand on Tuesday eve And I'm looking forward to hearing it cranked up

Welcome to BC Cobbyco I had a short break from playing too... of about 25 years! So I know how that is. Still, I'm enjoying my playing more now than I ever did as a "young-'un" I'm coming to Oxford for a pub jam, with some folky types in a few weeks, if you fancy popping along

Kraftwerk are one band I've never seen live. They don't play too often, especially lately. I know they do play festivals now & again.But they're not too often either

Enya played live with Clannad. But has rarely, if ever played live solo (did she do just one gig or mini-tour?)