Frank Blank

On 05/12/2025 at 19:35, Bleat said:

I do really like the Boss AD-5 though to be fair.

It's been discontinued and replaced by the Boss AD-10.

14 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Some of us sewed badges on (and embroidered!) our own jackets!

Ponce.

1 minute ago, Bleat said:

It's for an Aria FEB electro-acoustic. 

Excellent, I'd like to try one of those. Here's my board...

1 hour ago, Bleat said:

Here is my new, *nearly* finished acoustic bass board. I just need a better power supply and a couple of nicer quality leads, but it is fine for now.  I have room for another pedal if needed. I was thinking of getting a Zoom MS-60B, though not sure if there would be much requirement for effects in any potential acoustic setup. 

At last, someone else with an acoustic bass bo...

Hang on, is that an acoustic bass rather than an upright?

4 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

 

Sorry, thought you posted that ^

No, blame @tauzero for your MDF nightmare.

Just now, Stub Mandrel said:

You destroyed all my childhood memories by demonstrating they were actually made of MDF.  Pah. Thanks Frank. 😞 

? were they? I didn’t know they were made of MDF either?

10 minutes ago, Si600 said:

The lampost under your fat ass in your profile picture is looking a bit stained.

FTFY 

15 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Nah, the Round Window was definitely best, but then again, I am probably descended from a Hobbit. Tea, anyone..?

The Arched Window on Playschool was the best window, fact.

52 minutes ago, Linus27 said:

I chose the Ampeg after having a great chat with @Osiris who suggested an optical compressor works really well for fretless and he was right, I couldn't be happier,

I also chose my compressor after a similar chat with compression guru @Osiris who also suggested an optical compressor. I went for the Effectrode PC-2A and, like you, couldn't be happier.

16 hours ago, Richard R said:

Thanks @Frank Blank

You had better add me to the list too I suppose. 

Sorry @Richard R, a clumsy omission about to be rectified!

On 25/11/2025 at 10:32, petecarlton said:

Can someone with more tech knowhow/experience than me please start a proper list?

Midlands Bass Bash 2026 Gear / Attendance List

I think that's everyone covered equipment/attendance-wise. I have this set up as a template so don't write it all out and post it again, just post what you are bringing and I'll add it...

@Richard R - Brawley 5 string, Roland V-bass system, Ashdown ABM-300, maybe some interesting bits and pieces. 

Door code to let you lot all in the hall!

@SpondonBassed - Ray34, YamaCore bitsa, Zoom B3 and a small combo

@jazzyvee

@Geek99 - Sire v7/5, an acoustic bass, a BH250, a hard-hitting cab straight outta Compton.

@Len_derby - Pencilled in

@petecarlton - Shuker JJ Burnel Signature Lite P-bass, Hofner HCT Contemporary 500/1, NS WAV 4 headless, a first-batch Sterling by Music Man one-knob Joe Dart, 1970s hollowbody thought to be a Columbus, but it may be an Epiphone!  Amplification TBC.

@tauzero - a Sei or two, an Antoniotsai, maybe the Esh Poseidon V, a BC cab or two with amps to match, the Barcus bass and the Shuker (if I've got it back from Jon by then). And if something interesting happens to the OLP Tony Levin, I'll bring that too.

@NickA

@Papbear3012

@Stealth - Sadowsky Metroline Jazz v, Sadowsky Metro Express Jazz P/J, Warwick Teambuilt JJ Corvette, Ashdown Little Bastard 550, GR Bass AT 212, Gramma pad, various pedals and stuff, A selection of baked goods!

@juice

@Sean

@Machines - Dingwall ABZ, Ashdown RM800, GR 212

@Rich - Shuker custom 5, Wal Pro 2E, pedalboard, scruffy TC combo just to make noise.

@pantherairsoft - bass, amp, small cab, and whichever pedalboard I have assembled at the time.

@Stub Mandrel - I'll bring something.  Fancy bringing stuff people will think is shite but sounds killer.*

@Jabba_the_gut

@Frank Blank - 32" Jabba fretted and fretless, Fender Precision Thinline PBAC, Sire GB5 Bass 4, QSC K12.2, Grace Design Alix.

@rwillett - Checking

@StingRayBoy42 - MusicMans/MusicMen and pedalboard if they're of any interest to anyone...**

* Wales very own Mr Details, there...

** they are

5 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Never got that phrase as I never knew what it was I was supposed to know

...also, it applies to everything.

I am determined to attend this year, whatever date it's on!

I'm in.

1 minute ago, Si600 said:

Oh, you mean I should have had the textbook open in front of me.

No, I mean it was uncannily note for note perfect, I'd go as far as saying you were the fifth Strangler.

11 minutes ago, Si600 said:

No idea if this should be here, or the Singing and Playing thread as an example of how not to do it.

Textbook...

I have one of those crazy Yamaha silent classical guitars, beautiful quality, perfect for noodling, I've always had a classical guitar of some sort knocking about for some strange reason. I tend to write a lot of bass lines on it simply because it's the instrument I noodle on the most.

I always liked the look of a Fender PBAC, they don't appear often so even the chance to just try one out is very rare. Having waited a few years for one to appear, to my amazement one did appear, not only that, it was being sold by none other than @Happy Jack, so no worries about, well, anything really. I wasn't the first to see the ad but I was the first to say I'd have it if it hadn't already gone..? 🤞 Phew, it hadn't. I drove over to Jack's the next day. I'm not one for sitting down with an instrument and noodling for hours before deciding if I like it, I am impetuous to the point of foolish and have bought a few basses only having played a few notes. However, in this case, I think I'm right in saying I didn't play it at all, just seeing it was enough, let's just say we hit it off instantly. I had briefly seen @Silvia Bluejay at the front door on the way in and before Jack knew it I was off. I should apologise really for not hanging around longer being sociable but on the way I realised I had double booked my self and had to rush back to do some archery coaching!

I got home and, as ever when I buy a new bass, I put it in the rack and forgot about it for a few days. I don't know why I do this but I do, I also always take my basses straight to Guitar Technical Services as soon as I get them for a set up, luckily he could fit me in that weekend. I drove up to Warwick, the bass was checked over and was in top order, he did remark (something I had noticed too) that the fingerboard was screaming out for some oil! I left it with him to fettle and tweak, he knows how I like my basses set up. As I was driving back I realised I still hadn't played a note on it (I don't think).

I'm rambling, anyway, a week later I got it home and on the following Friday I used it during a rehearsal. Although I have very much got used to short scales I adapted pretty quickly (which is odd for me). All my basses have thumb rests, the PBAC doesn't have one so I rest my thumb on the very bottom of the fingerboard, the notes really bloom on this bass when played in this position, playing there also helped with the shift from short to long scale. We played several of our songs and the difference with a full sized bass was huge, a real improvement all round.

Having had it a few months now I have to say I am loving it. The other fretted basses are lingering and looking like they need to be moved on. The chrome flats on the PBAC fit most of our songs, my new Sire GB5-4 (stupid name) will fit the few that need that bright metallic twang, but it's going to be difficult, the PBAC is the sort of bass that fits with an acoustic duo perfectly, it might have to be prized out of my cold, dead hands. Now I have a wait of Bog knows how long until a fretless version appears...

On 02/10/2025 at 18:24, wrinkleygit said:

As for a 32” scale, there is only one !!!

 

This is very true, but as I have returned back to long scale (for fretted at least) I think my fretted Jabba spalted bass (which is almost identical to @wrinkleygit's) will be on sale very soon.

1 minute ago, edstraker123 said:

I bought the black version. Pretty much perfect out of the box  - certainly no fret issues. I put LaBella copper core white nylons on it and it's sweet. A steal at the price.

Excellent. Dropped mine of with my tech today, too much relief in the neck and sharp fret ends. I take any purchase, new or second, straight to the tech just because my guitar tech skills are less than zero. The fret ends weren’t dreadful but not smooth.