Dood

I like the way you work it .... No diggingity, I got to bass it up, bass it up

Also makes for a thumb rest too, yup

True, it's not an exercise tool to help develop but I would add that its also not a gadget designed to make up for poor technique either. I don't have poor technique but I like using a ramp in the same way that I might like using an effect pedal or plectrum. With poor technique I would agree with you that the ramp could get in the way, but I have no problem plucking around the ramp when I don't use it and slip straight in to position when I do Pickups are rubbish ramps unless the pickup shells (at least) are radiused to match the fretboard. I'd say they were a halfway house to the helpful function of a ramp even if loads of people "do it". p.s. sorry if it sounds like I am picking holes, I'm genuinely not Just wanted to offer a different view on ramps

Indeed this. I've taken on students who have been playing in bands for say, 15 years maybe more and loving it, but similarly have no idea what chords, keys or time signatures actually are. We have an incredible aptitude for being able to figure stuff out without the "on paper" theory. Yes, its fine to go on without but there's no harm in arming yourself with "the knowledge" - and it won't sanitise your creativity by understanding a bit more. In terms of technique, generally everyone I have taken on has been "ok" though in some cases I have had to spend considerable time undoing some bad posture that had taken its toll. You certainly aren't in a minority though and as per the quote, keep doing it and loving it

See, whats happening in my head is that I'd like a bass that "does" P bass, but also is a 5 string.. and maybe an MM pickup on board too... and... flippin' GAS!!!

I am lucky that I get to play with all sorts of musicians from complete beginners to well-known seasoned professionals. I recall on one occasion, a musician from the the latter mentioned, seemed somewhat displeased when I turned up to a show rehearsal with a multi-effects and made noises about not wanting it on stage at the gig the following day. Until I used it expertly to reproduce the sounds on his album. He seemed very pleased with his session bassist and drummer from that point on. We nailed it

I have to say, I am having a renewed love for P basses at the moment. Congrats, what a pair!

hmm! That's really odd. Certainly in the past with strings in paper envelopes I have seen rust straight out of the packet. It was attributed to a someone in the supply chain storing strings in a damp atmosphere. You could tell as the paper in the packets in some cases had gone wrinkly too. If they are sealed plastic bags, then it has got to be down to the atmosphere in which they were sealed. Manufacture fault. Hope it gets sorted soon!

It's really interesting that this is pointed out. Though I realise it could be a financial overhead, as a private teacher I've always actively encouraged my students to take material from me and other sources, especially the likes of YouTube. I even point out links to watch as an addition to the material I have delivered. It does one of two things, the first you have mentioned already (best of both worlds) - the other is that it keeps me as a teacher on my toes too! I need to make sure that I am being understood and am teaching effectively This means exploring different ways to deliver the lesson; you have quite rightly pointed out that we all learn in different ways - and a good teacher in my eyes is one that given the opportunity to be able to (1-2-1) can tailor lessons to meet that requirement. (I appreciate that a class teacher with 30 students just doesn't have that flexibility and one could say that of online resources too). Either way, having these options as students (I am still very much on, as should every teacher) is just an exciting time to be a musician. Apologies, I've read my post back and it's a bit me-me-me ha ha.. Anyway, in short, I am pretty confident that the material in Mark Smith's courses is worth the pay out. He's a great teacher and the material is clear and will be well written.

I still have my set of pitch pipes and my very first book I learnt from that my Dad got me just after he got my first bass for me. That would have been 1989. I still have my little Marshall bass amp too from the same year. The book I still use to teach with and the amp sometimes comes out for practicing, though it needs a service.

Yes! totally does! For basses that are square on the edges, having played more "comfortable profiles" it bugs me enough now that I just want to put them down again.

Just been listening to The Tone Magazine review (second in the list) and actually my bass does seem to sound a lot like the Custom Shop '62 (listen through decent speakers or earphones as the reviews sound pants on laptop speakers).

You may just find that the P pickup you have in the bass just isn't dealing up the tone you are after. Maybe have a look (or rather listen) to some of the P bass pickup shoot-outs on YouTube to get an idea what it is in the tone you are listening out for. The Seymour Duncan shoot-out is pretty good with Will from The Bass Channel. I also think that Andy Irvine is always dealing up good sound bites too. Funnily, my favourite P pickup sound at the moment is in my Fender, but I've actually no idea what the pickup is! Maybe I need to ask the combined experience of Basschat to identify it. Lovely and warm in the low end with a clarity of a single coil in the top end. Really lovely and sounds like the kinda thing you might be after too! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=p+bass+pickup+comparison+

The nearest bass I would compare to that rolled neck would be the Maruszczyk models. I can confirm that if the Sire basses are even remotely similar, (they look it) then they will feel beautiful.

At least once there I'd have my meals paid for lol!

Yay! Exposure has successfully paid my mortgage for over ten years now! I am SO pleased to see another opportunity for some exposure bills to help keep me just about alive. Hurrahhhh for those who should know better!

A peach!!!

Thank you!

Do you happen to know the string spacing on these?

When I reviewed the 800, I think I bumped the lows a little and even added a smidge of mid scoop to suit the room I was in, though listening back to the video I probably didn't need the scoop after all! Great amp. Very clean.