NickRiffed

I have tried all sorts of strings on my Ashborys. I prefer the original Ashbory sticky strings for tone but the talc and the time it takes for any sort of tuning stability to set in is ridiculous. As for Aguila or Pahoehoe, I don't mind the white Aguilas and I quite like the Pahoehoes, they aren't too different but, out of all the polyurethane strings I've tried, I prefer the Thunder reds. IMO they sound better, feel better and look better.

I wish I had a friend who makes trumpets. Need two sets of gold humbuckers and some other bits of hardware replated.

Not good. I didn't see the immortal words "may need tuning" in the ad.

My first was, and still is, a Hohner B2a. I got it second hand with a little Custom sound Cub 30 bass combo , which i still use, from a shop selling used gear in Kentish Town in the early 90's. Prior to that, I had only ever held my mates Columbus Jazz copy, in it's case, when taking his gear out to the car. Got if on a complete whim and it sat in a corner gathering dust for about 10 years until I decided to learn how to play it. It isn't a bad little bass and it was gigged quite a bit in the early days. Never ever let me down yet and super light too. My back likes it.

Chris Spedding. Motorbiking'. Well, his only hit in his own right.

Curved Air. Back street love. Eddie Howell. Man from Manhattan.

A couple of pics of my 2016 Chambered ACG Recurve fretless. I just love this thing. Apart from the amazing range of sounds and the looks, it's just so bloomin' tactile. It's really comfortable to play and, IMHO, extremely good value for mone for a unique, hand built bass.

I can only concur. I've just bought a beautiful bass from Mike. If anything, it was better than described and belies it's 34 years. I was aware that it had a chip in the finish as Mike made this very clear from the onset. It arrived well packaged with the strings de-tensioned. Communication was first rate and I would happily buy from Mike again.

Good grief! After 2 months! Don't sweat it. I think your reply was more polite than mine would've been. If he gets back to you, send him a picture of a fiver to help towards his taxi back to the village. The locals are probably missing him.

Apart from the T40, a few of my stranger bits.

They missed 'must be aged between 16 and 18, between 5'10" & 6'1", have their own transport and play a Red Fender precision. No time wasters or old people.'

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1477242200' post='3160806'] Without wishing to get everyone feeling sorry for me, I would like to say that I was on the verge of packing up gigging due to my severe back problem, I've already started selling off some of my basses (three this week), because I know the day I have to quit is getting nearer, I'm on nineteen tablets a day plus liquid morphine every four hours, so I'm drugged up to the eyeballs, I've not been able to drive for some time now, so my wife had to drive me to the gig last night and she hates driving in the dark, but because I'm a dedicated and reliable person, I wanted to complete our remaining three gigs to the end of the year no matter what, I did not want to let the venue down so I carried on despite the pain, and this is how they treat you. BTW, I said I was on the verge of quitting, I now have, I'm a bit old school when it comes to being reliable and courteous etc, but I've got to realise that there is no point in worrying about commitments, no one else seems to these days. [/quote] Sorry to hear this. Hope things pick up a bit and that you are able to carry on playing; even if it's only at home.

[quote name='NickRiffed' timestamp='1476352532' post='3153504'] I'm the sad sort of bugger that names my basses. A few at the bottom of the list aren't named but they will be once some defining feature or trait stands out. 'Blackie' Harley Benton HB600 6 string 'Brownie' Harley Benton HB6000 6 string 'The Cricket bat' Hohner B2a 4 'Runway' Harley Benton FL5 acoustic 5 'Salacious Sally' ACG Salace 5 'Reckless Eric' ACG Recurve fretless 4 'Toby' Epiphone Toby 5 'Piglet' Tanglewood Warrior FH2 4 'George' Home built Jazz 4 'Blue Peter' Harley Benton HB600 6 'The ladder' Sonorus 8 string tapper. 'Gagarin' Ural Russian 4 'Taylor's' Harley Benton short scale 4 'Freebie' 1965 Kay PB 4 'Jester' 1978 Vester Jazz 4 'Tank' 81' Peavey T40 Blade 4 'Woody' '63 Vox Bassmaster 4 'Randall' Randall/Jedson Tele 4 'Little Nellie' Blue Fender Ashbory 4 'Nobbie' Black DeArmond Ashbory 4 Guild AJ999 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory #35 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory #36 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory prototype Ashbory Ashbory MK 2. #19/90 [/quote] Just added a Westone Thunder 1a to the flock. Oh well.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1476471980' post='3154703'] I stopped off in Cleethorpes last February , en route to Scarborough. It was so bloody freezing I had to buy some extra clothing. It was also pretty deserted. I loved it. I sat in a really nice fish restaurant and had fish n chips completely on my own. All the funfairs etc were closed. It had a wonderful ghostly atmosphere. I love English seaside towns in winter. [/quote] I'm trying to remember which comedian described Cleethorpes as being like a cemetery with lights. I think it could have been Les Dawson.

I'm fortunate in that I currently don't have to contemplate selling anything but, if the worse a came to worst, the Jazz bass made with the help of my two eldest grandsons would end up being my only bass.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1476452185' post='3154456'] I'm always slightly suspicious of musicians who say they can't find a suitable band or other musicians for them to play with. Unless you live out in the middle of nowhere it should be fairly straight forward? Certainly from my perspective, as a bassist of below average ability, who has very strict rules about what types of music I want to play and who lives in a place that while being a decent size has never really had a serious music scene of the likes of Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh etc. I have never had a problem finding bands or other musicians who want to play music that I like to standard worth bothering with and then get out and gig. [/quote] I live fairly much in the middle of nowhere. I have to travel 20 miles to find a music shop that stocks more than one type of bass strings. Managed to end up in two bands though. One is made up of guys from local villages, the other guys are all based about 20 miles away. They are all easy going, pleasant chaps. One band is strictly old school country music with regular gigs which satisfies my need to get out and perform. The other is a rock covers band, still building a set, which satisfies my need to get noisy. It's just a case of putting yourself out there and being a bit flexible.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1476446838' post='3154388'] The year that we played at Butlin's, the "travelling" band (who played a different camp site each night) were "Brian Poole and Blackcat" - yes, he of the Tremelos. I know so because he always wore his T-shirt proclaiming that fact. Unfortunately he always wore a leather jacket that covered the first and last two letters of his name on the T-shirt. I don't think he appreciated me calling him Ian Poo [/quote] That is just brilliant. 😀

Don't smile at the guards or try to pet the dogs... and vice versa.

[quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1475056115' post='3142607'] Hi Bass Peeps I only have 2 basses, WHAT I hear you say!! well I may get more in future, but anyways.... 1 fretted Warwick, Boosty signature, huge jumbo frets, set up nicely good string tension... bouncy... strings feel great under the fingers... you knowwhatimean! The other is a ACG fretless, beautiful handmade bass by the master from Scotland, Alan... BUT i find tension on this bass has more give, a bit more 'baggy' which is good for some things but would like it a bit 'tighter' bit for bounce to the ounce!! Apart from getting different strings or raising the action which I don;t really want to do, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO INCREASE TENSION IN THE STRINGS? cheers bassheads [/quote] Have you spoken to Alan? Just a thought.

I'm the sad sort of bugger that names my basses. A few at the bottom of the list aren't named but they will be once some defining feature or trait stands out. 'Blackie' Harley Benton HB600 6 string 'Brownie' Harley Benton HB6000 6 string 'The Cricket bat' Hohner B2a 4 'Runway' Harley Benton FL5 acoustic 5 'Salacious Sally' ACG Salace 5 'Reckless Eric' ACG Recurve fretless 4 'Toby' Epiphone Toby 5 'Piglet' Tanglewood Warrior FH2 4 'George' Home built Jazz 4 'Blue Peter' Harley Benton HB600 6 'The ladder' Sonorus 8 string tapper. 'Gagarin' Ural Russian 4 'Taylor's' Harley Benton short scale 4 'Freebie' 1965 Kay PB 4 'Jester' 1978 Vester Jazz 4 'Tank' 81' Peavey T40 Blade 4 'Woody' '63 Vox Bassmaster 4 'Randall' Randall/Jedson Tele 4 'Little Nellie' Blue Fender Ashbory 4 'Nobbie' Black DeArmond Ashbory 4 Guild AJ999 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory #35 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory #36 Ashbory 4 Nigel Thornbory prototype Ashbory Ashbory MK 2. #19/90

Hmm. Not too sure what to say about this. Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252557958084

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1476105185' post='3151298'] My last bass gig was about 5 years ago. Since then I've played an average of 20-30 gigs per year, but none on bass. I've had to cut back recently due to health issues (ME/CFS), but hope that won't stop me for too long. These days the bass sits in the corner and is only used for my (sadly occasional) home recording efforts. I wouldn't be without it, though. [/quote] I know where you are coming from. Bloody M.E. is a complete b*$tard! I thought I had seriously hit the bottom and couldn't see a way out but, very slowly, things picked up a bit. I'm now functioning at around 65% of what I used to. A rehearsal needs a day of rest before and maybe 2 after. I'm just greatful that it improved that much. At least now that PACE has been rubbished they may invest in some research. Take it easy Bud.

I always like having a good opening number but it always seems to be the last 45 minutes to an hour that people remember, regardless of what you played earlier.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1476044528' post='3150831'] I quite fancy trying a country band actually, as long as the outfits weren't stupid [/quote] Nothing too crazy unless you want to go nuts. We have two outfits, black shirts and trousers with hats optional for the more casual gigs or white shirts with fancy waistcoats for the more formal ones. Collar tags, bootlace ties and fancy belts are optional. It really makes the transition from gear lugger/rigger to performer. I never thought I'd do anything like being in a Country band, being an old rocker at heart, but the audiences are very knowledgeable and appreciate people making an effort to meet their expectations on a night out.