Old Man Riva

Some people make it look effortlessly easy..!

Love that, thanks for sharing! There are some really nice jams in there as well - the intro is something I really like. To my ears they’re such good players, with a real ear for the songs/singer - and that Jazz Bass sounds tubby as anything! One of the discoveries for me during lockdown was JJ Cale, after a mate recommended his music to me. I knew a few of his tracks (Cocaine, After Midnight) covered by others but as I didn’t like the artist in question the songs just passed me by. Then I listened to the JJ Cale versions and it all became clear what I was missing out on!!

Some good mentions so far - and, from a poppier perspective, I’d also add the Attractions to the list (I went to see Elvis Costello in the mid-90s and the band were absolutely superb). Perhaps a less obvious choice would be these...

Inspired in no small part by meterman’s Cal Tjader post...

Oh Kev, I couldn’t find the right words to describe how wonderful they sound together!

As an update... the B-15 is now back! As stated above I took it to Sickamps in Harlow following the recommendation from jimmy23cricket above - thanks to Jimmy for the recommendation! It turns out that one of the output valves had failed/shorted. Sickamps replaced the matched pair of output valves and also the rectifier valve. They also rebiased and cleaned all pots etc. with DeOxit cleaner and generally gave the B-15 a good going over. It sounds amazing! I bought it second hand from Guitar Guitar a few years back (a new one would have been too cost prohibitive) and, whilst it had sounded good, it always buzzed and crackled a bit. Also the ‘66 bias appeared to be on the trebly side, lacking bass - I assumed this was the sound so always opted for the warmer ‘64 bias! There are now no buzzes or crackles at all, and the ‘66 bias, whilst brighter than the ‘64 bias, now has real depth to it. As I say, I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome or impressed with the service... Top marks to Sickamps!!

PM’d!

Thanks Si, really helpful and much appreciated..!

That’s great, will do!

Apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere (and I’m sure I’ve read comments in other threads but can’t find them - feel free to direct me!) but has anyone had experience of custom ordering a Lakland? I’ve got a wonderful US JO bass that I love and am having a think about ordering a Lakland of my choosing directly from them. In terms of custom ordering via their website they reference the USA Series and the Classic Series. If I’m reading it correctly they’re essentially the same basses but with the more expensive USA Series they offer more custom options (1.625 width neck, blocks and binding etc.)? I found it odd (though it may be that I’ve missed something) that the base models were so different in price, insomuch as that something as straightforward as a P Bass but with a Jazz neck ordered from the Classic Series range would give me the same bass as I’d get via the USA Series but at a much cheaper price? If anyone has had experience, how did you find it - ease of ordering, were you happy with the results, how long did it take, any things to look out for (customs etc.). Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Inspired by Lord Soup of County Gaye Advert and his Gary Numan post I’ve just had a (re)listen to this by Robert Palmer. It’s a cover of a Gary Numan track (Numan is on keys and his bassist, Paul Gardiner, also plays on the track). I’m a big fan of Robert Palmer and loved this album when it was released in 1980, especially as it contained this superb left-field cover...

I really like Rick Beato. Such a passion for music, which comes through on whatever topic he’s covering and episode he does. I just can’t get on with Andertons. I’ve tried but figure it’s probably not for me - I like the main fella (the Captain) but the zane level for some of the others is a little too high for me! Peach Guitars, on the other hand, are someone I really like watching - for me they strike a nice balance between seriousness and being fun and engaging. The lad (Jack) that does the guitar reviews is a terrific player...

One of my favourite TV shows ever! As a kid I was a sucker for the US cop shows - Columbo, Kojak, Rockford Files, Banacek, Cannon, Petrocelli etc. Some great music too - watched a Columbo the other week which had a terrific Oliver Nelson score!

That site is ridiculous! Between that and old episodes of Columbo that’s my Sunday sorted!

Used to try and jam along to this for hours as a kid. I got the cassette version of the album out of the main library in Coventry and just listened and listened on the mono player I had. The track was a bit of a revelation as it sounded so different, certainly to the more rockier stuff I’d listen to at the time. All these years later and it still sounds as fresh and exciting as it it did the first time I heard it...

Glad you liked it! They brought a touch of Technicolor to the drab monochrome of the early 80s Midlands - at least for me they did! Love that track! I can remember seeing them for the first time on The Tube... completely blown away. There were a few left field Brummie acts at the time - Steven Tin Tin Duffy, Fashion, Swans Way, Hollywood Beyond etc. Must have been something in the Grand Union Canal!

Another 80s club track... Saw them live a few times in Cov and Brum and they were excellent...

A couple of tracks I liked from the 80s... Both sounded great in a club!

Harpoon is now...

I’d get it done, though if you’re feeling unsure then a decent stop-gap could be a fret dress (might send that idea to J.P. Gaultier!). That can often put a bit of life back into worn frets...

I imagine that’s going to be a fairly common reaction!

Looks wise it might do the trick. Price wise maybe less so..! https://www.peachguitars.com/fender-custom-shop-mbvt-55-p-bass-heavy-relic-2-tone-sunburst.htm

Excellent! She’s still got it then..!

That’s a great story! What sort of stuff did they used to do? Vocally I always thought they were the perfect foil for Paul Young...

Definitely. I’m 58, and started going to see bands in the mid 70s. Myself and my mates were obsessed with music, and as we got a bit older in the late 70s/80s could see bands in Coventry at Coventry Theatre, Tiffanys/Locarno, Lanchester Polytechnic, Warwick University, The General Wolfe and more. Then we also had a short train journey to Brum to the Odeon, Town Hall, Hippodrome, Edwards, Barrel Organ etc. We were spoilt for choice as there was always something happening. I feel so lucky to have grown up when I did and been able to see some brilliant bands fairly easily. Some of those nights were the most positive, enjoyable and memorable of my life, such was/is the importance of music, and I was not alone in feeling that...