Happy Jack

My very first bass was actually the one I bought for my daughter, and absolutely not what I would have chosen. This what I replaced it with: [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Hofner%20vintage%20instruments/Hofner%20500%201%20RI63%202006%20SOLD/2009BassPhotos093.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Hofner%20vintage%20instruments/Hofner%20500%201%20RI63%202006%20SOLD/2009BassPhotos093.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A new 1963 RI from Macari's. It took me a VERY long time to realise that I am fundamentally a Precision guy.

There's a guy in Scotland now making a much cheaper alternative. Not so many 'sounds' IIRC, but the truth is that a lot of the sounds from the Stellartone are of course quite similar. Might be worth a quick Google. Got it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-position-VARITONE-switch-for-guitar-and-bass-/251778084429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a9f24ae4d

I'm pretty sure that Philippe Dombreuil will be less than happy to be associated with this POS.

I too have been beating off men with sticks. I call them "drummers". I'm running almost exactly five years ahead of you, Shell. Only there wasn't an ex involved ... it was actually my daughter (then aged 14).

[quote name='Mr Arkadin' timestamp='1422441777' post='2672592'] Well it seems I'm out of touch with modern thinking and all these venues deserve to be knocked down to become garish office blocks, Tesco Metros, Starbucks and flats for Chinese businessmen. I guess we'll get the London we deserve. [/quote] Good grief, man, did you actually know the area before they built the "garish monstrosity" you seem to be obsessed with? I did. I've worked around there for 20 years, and just like Molan my office window directly overlooked the site throughout the demolition and building (I was at the back of Castlewood House, which fronts onto New Oxford Street). The building that the Renzo Piano design replaced was possibly the ugliest 60s office block in the entire West End, a title for which there is a fair amount of competition. Originally the main MI6 building in London (no, really it was) it then stood idle and increasingly derelict after MI6 moved into the ridiculous pile on the South Bank that features in all recent James Bond movies. The demolition of that heap of crap was welcomed by pretty much everyone in the area, the "garish monstrosity" actually livens up the place no end and introduces a small but much-needed public space where there was none before. Exactly what do you feel has been lost through this re-development?

But who knows in what way the wife is deceiving you? [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/2398340057_2470917cf1_zps57056e16.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/2398340057_2470917cf1_zps57056e16.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1422441045' post='2672576'] The handles look the same as the ones on the '69er. I can't say I ever noticed the 'upside down handle' issue. Then again, I never felt the need to ask for help when lifting it :-) [/quote] So you could lift that cab standing on your head then ...

I find it easier to buy industry standard in bulk and just slice off a bit when I need it. [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/IndustryStandard_zps6c42caae.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/IndustryStandard_zps6c42caae.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I've seen some seriously messed-up tripe through following this topic, but that gets very near to being the worst yet.

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1422309448' post='2671113'] They seem a bit cliquey to me. [/quote] Unfortunately, this is often the case. To a large extent, it goes with the territory. Many of these sessions keep going on the basis of a core group of regulars, who can be relied upon to turn up every week. If you're not part of that core group, and don't show much signs of wanting to be part of it, then inevitably you'll stay on the fringes and have restricted opportunities to play. If the core group is itself large enough, then cliques will tend to form within it. A & B like playing with C but can't stand D. D is prepared to play with E but last time he played with F something bad happened, etc.

Inaugural gig at the Fiddlers Elbow, chiefly to see whether the band has a future. We split vocal duties between the three of us, so here's one that I sang: http://youtu.be/eWvqCD13SMY

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1422286846' post='2670691'] What's the deal with the gaffa on the back of the neck then? [/quote] That marks frets 3,5 & 7 so that he can feel where he is!

And then of course there's the alternative route. If you don't like the jams near you, or there simply aren't any, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from setting up your own and running it as you see fit. All you need is a suitable pub with a slack weekday night that they're looking to juice up, plus a few friends to get you started.

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1422211997' post='2669919'] *phew* that was in a VERY obscure place! Actually it's a Wilkinson. Fits into Precision bass screw holes. The D string tunes at the bridge end, and is clamped up top by a natty dual-purpose replacement string tree. Comes with instructions, screws, a new nut blank, and even a B string… but I wouldn't use that, 'cos this all this stuff is about 20 years old. Brand new and unused, in knackered box [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/transalp1998/media/bridge_zpstzwup8cm.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] So ... 4 tuners on the headstock and 5 strings on the bass. No confused punters there, then.

Apologise? Nonsense! I was genuinely delighted for you mate, and glad to have been part of the story. I will now be able to regale Basschatters for years with stories of how we were turned away from your first-ever sell-out gig. Now I want one too! Hope the gig itself went well ... and bloody well get us on the list for the next one. ps: Silvie is quite right about spending a Friday evening in Camden. Most of the time I don't "feel my age" at all (inside my head I'm still 17) but last night was a struggle. Every pub we went into felt like a school disco.

Because this one "[color=#000000][font=Arial][size=1]Has a very resonant sound due to years of use."[/size][/font][/color] http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-50s-Precision-Bass-/251800477241?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3aa07a5e39

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1421924475' post='2666587'] ... it sounds like our friend Mr Hall is listening to what players have been requesting for years! [/quote] I don't remember requesting yet another bog-standard re-issue of the same design. Was it you, then?

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1421968159' post='2667378'] ... doodling on a dark stage ... [/quote] This is a euphemism, right?

[quote name='ben604' timestamp='1421942224' post='2666911'] Naooo! Compact Line Array, like this: [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep13/articles/hk-elements.htm"]http://www.soundonso...hk-elements.htm[/url] or this: [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug12/articles/mackie-hda.htm"]http://www.soundonso.../mackie-hda.htm[/url] [/quote] Closest I get to that is http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Fishman-SA220-SoloAmp-Portable-Active-PA---Backline-Speaker/B9Y?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=PLA+Shop+-+Fishman&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=*Fishman.+All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=14614d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=42117864553&gclid=CjwKEAiA3IKmBRDFx-P_rLyt6QUSJACqiAN83kxIs2AifcD_SCN_8PYrdgA-K4abu6Z3pPlPNZ0uzxoC_fbw_wcB Works very well for King Ralph and other semi-acoustic stuff, but that's not really what you're asking about.

Lives in Chiswick, rides a red Harley ... I'll keep an eye out for him Mark. If I wear (genuine) cowboy boots and hat to your first gig, do I get in free?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/sennheiser_xsw_72_instrument_set_eband.htm But you'll have to buy the rackmount unit separately from Sennheiser, and it ain't cheap.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1421914259' post='2666437'] I have seen a couple of local bands using them and I don't think they offer that much more over traditional set-ups, sound-wise, but the logistical benefits are obvious. [/quote] So obvious that I have no idea what they might be! What's the thinking ... turn up at the pub really early and suspend stacks of small speakers from the ceiling between the dartboard and the door to the toilets?