neilp

If I had to choose it would be a Jazz, but frankly I don't care if I never play either one again

Partly lack of care/respect I think, and partly lack of understanding of exactly what's involved in terms of monetary value - and other kinds of value! That's why my basses live in hard cases - I don't want to have to go through the grief again! Having said that, I don't have to use public transport!!!

Doesn't repair the damage though does it?

whatever works for you I guess. Having had someone sit on a bass bow in a semi-rigid case once, I don't like to take chances with my gear any more. It's possible I'm a bit over-protective, but better that than broken basses

I have to say this is something I've never understood. My basses don't go, and have never gone, outside the door unless in a hard case. They're too precious to me.

Maybe that's more to do with the venue than the instrument.......

What's to learn where that's concerned? Pino's choice suits him, my choice suits me. If Pino's choice is right, then by definition so's mine, and yours.

I never thought of "blacking up"! I seem to remember being a bit lost for words, then pointing out that unlike Michael Jackson I was the same colour when I was hired. After that I may have told him where to shove his cuddly toy....

Surely whatever kind of band you're in, you're there to entertain? I've played every one of those over the years. No shame at all. Pride in fact, that I'm good enough at my job in a band that people are willing to pay me money to do it. I'd rather play the so-called cheese really well than indulge some misguided sense of "art". Popularity is what turns the cutting edge into the mainstream cheese.

I like to think they hired me because I could play, but then as the band got more and more successful, the "image" became more and more important, and the frontman (who shall remain nameless, as he did actually have a career) was VERY conscious of his image. Mind you, maybe they just wanted a better bass player and thought it was kinder to lie to me!

I've only been fired once, and that was because "you're not black enough"....

Skodas were never air cooled. Just saying

Judgemental much?

Astounding technician. Musician? Not sure.... Don't think he's really got the point. Give him time I guess

Not sure it's up to the band what bass you use? It is up to you to make your choices work, but that should be doable. I use fretless much more than fretted these days. It took a while to work out how to make a fretless sound more like a fretted bass, both hands need work. Much more arch in the left hand, use the very tips of the fingers and the right hand needs to be more crisp and "attack"-y. Fretless gives much more potential for expression and nuance, in my opinion. If you like it, do it more!

Sign O' The Times

Be careful! That's how it starts.....

Is it just me, or does that wear look fake? Be careful, there are lots of "old" basses coming out of eastern Europe. The extra 100 years of "age" puts at least £2,000 on the price. If it really is that old, an it's survived in that condition, there's a good chance it's a pretty nice instrument, but as I said, be careful.

I'l be bringing my 19th century unlabelled German bass, Meghan

In the diary. I'll bring me new 3 grand bow too!

Nothing else in the diary, so unless the Berlin Phil call, I'll be there (with new 3 grand bow!)