Happy Jack

Antennae? Whiskers? Cilia? (Anyone who had a heart attack ...)

I'm both unwilling and unable to play solos. On the rare occasions when one is tossed my way, I just play the normal bass line but maybe with a few embellishments. The audience is happy and after a while people stop inviting you to solo.

Would now be a good moment to talk about multi-tasking?

Waste of money - that only works on hot, sunny days.

So Bill-R wasn't you in disguise, stirring up apathy? Damn. Another conspiracy theory falls apart.

It's not a competition! Anyway, you can either think of the thousands of people on this planet who are better on bass than you, or you can think of the billions who are worse than you. Isn't it irritating when people say "its all a matter of perspective"? Anyway, we only went to see one band last night, but that was Quo Caine featuring our very own Hamster. Believe it or not there are some fairly challenging Quo bass lines (4500 Times, Big Fat Mama), and they were carried off with aplomb. Me, I'd have used a bass rather than aplomb, but what do I know?

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1443773451' post='2877514'] Where's your sense of adventure young man [/quote] I rediscovered it on Charing Cross Road. The deed is done.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1443815995' post='2878000'] What's wrong with the Ishibashi site? It looks quite straightforward to me with a few clicks to get to the second hand bass list and with many search filters. [/quote] It's mainly in Japanese (which you speak of course), the auto translate is really slow on my computer, specific searches (eg BC Rich) routinely return error messages in Japanese, little things like that. In all fairness, it's a helluva lot better than I imagine a British site would be at selling to Japan.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1443798875' post='2877842'] Did you find something you like at Macaris? [/quote] The only one left over ... since 2006! Seriously, this is the 8-string bass they have had on display for at least five years and almost certainly nine. I'm pretty sure these are the original strings too. As you can imagine, a certain amount of haggling was involved. I'm very happy with this as a toe in the water. Thanks for the tip.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1443808749' post='2877942'] Having identified the band from the ad, looked and listened to their website ... [/quote] Well, to do all that research you must be committed, right?

[quote name='Fitzy73' timestamp='1443537038' post='2875624'] update , I was promised a neck by lakland last week by email . [/quote] No, absolutely not. Reject any offer of parts and demand a brand new bass or a full refund. You're in Ireland but even if that's the south I'm pretty sure you have virtually the same Sale Of Goods law as in the UK. The shop aren't "being helpful" or "doing you a favour", they're legally obliged to do this. You did keep the receipt, didn't you?

In truth, there is so much wrong with so many of these adverts that it is actually a bit pointless fixating on just one phrase. I just spent three (count them, three) minutes on Gumtree and came up with any number of downright foolish adverts. Try this one: https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-musicians-wanted/bass-player-urgently-wanted-for-live-show-the-garage/1135985303 Now these people are probably absolutely straight, nice people, good musicians. I wouldn't know. How can you tell? Apart from the venue and the date, there is literally NO information. I don't know what the line up is, what sort of music they play, whether they're any good, is money involved at all, where and when they want to rehearse, etc. etc. etc. And all that for a one-off dep role for their "main bassist" (they operate a roster system?). Who in their right mind would waste their time replying to that advert, and how could any reply NOT be a time waster?

You have a problem with ZZ Top?

Subject on hold ... watch this space ...

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1443791797' post='2877748'] ... and that's why I prefer a piano. [/quote] Sorted: http://www.gak.co.uk/en/korg-rk-100s-keytar-red/93243?gclid=CjwKEAjw1riwBRD61db6xtWTvTESJACoQ04QBPtYTd2QAzVZQeFZ5oOySvz0RJ0QcC3I7lUw665HUBoC_-bw_wcB

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1443791473' post='2877746'] In answer to the OP..as haven't been able to read the other replies as yet... [/quote] You are a time waster and I claim my £5.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1443781343' post='2877608'] These are the time wasters and they should all f*** off and die! [/quote] Sooner or later you are going to have to get off the fence on this subject, y'know.

"No time wasters."? Pah ... that's nothing compared to "Must be committed.".

That Ishibashi website is not for the faint-hearted or the impatient. Hard work.

Why are there fretmarks in the upper register along the FAR side of the neck on that bass?

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1443645497' post='2876640'] I don't know about 8-strings, but Thomann were selling Dean Rhapsody 12-string basses earlier this year. [/quote] Here's the 8-string: http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_guitars_rhapsody_8_bubinga.htm If you ask them to fit an extra four strings, they knock £35 off the price: http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_guitars_rhapsody_12_trans_black.htm Bass Guitar Magazine rates them: http://www.deanguitars.com/content/articles/pages/rhap.htm The reviewer wasn't so concerned about separate saddles, though I'm not sure I follow his logic. 8lbs 8oz seems remarkably light ...

I've had SO much helpful advice on that subject in the last week, Basschat at its finest. Love the idea of that Kramer I spotted on eBay, but splashing £1000 on a bass I've never played, to be played in a style I've never used, in a band that has no suspicion as to what's on the horizon ... maybe not. Watching eBay (UK) to see what surfaces, and I'll stroll down to Macaris a bit later and see what they have by way of Dean Rhapsody basses.

You mad impetuous fool! Like it though.

Outstanding presentation. I came away determined to try some techniques I've never previously been interested by. First time I've seen this guy in action, he's a natural entertainer and a really nice guy.

Because red is too heavy, man.