TrevorR

Been wondering about special guests... I can't help with any contacts or hook-ups. However, Dave Swift and Rhino have both been regular attendees in the past. I wonder whether they might be coaxed to give an insight into their playing or their careers. Also, I would love to head Neil Murray, as one of my early bass inspirations, talking about his life playing bass (from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra to touring the world's enormodromes, to working in the pit for We Will Rock You). What about Lol Cottle? He plays a bit in the Surrey area, esp at Boaters in Kingston, but I'm not sure where he's based. Another player with a hugely interesting CV. On techniques and the like, Dave Marks (Bass Guitar columnist, bass teacher, session player, rock and jazz sidesman etc), lives in the London region. He is someone I do kinda know and could ask if he would be interested. Top player and absolutely hilarious to boot. Might be dependent on whether he has a paying gig or not.

No he wasn’t, it was some unknown piano playing bloke called Reginald Dwight.

Of course, it’s not strictly necessary to palm mute when no one has actually plugged in your guitars and basses!

OK, that was odd... properly stuffed up my formatting there!

Poor old AAE... the production team forgot to turn on the feed into the actual studio but had it going out on the TV. They were waiting to start in embarrassed silence. Hence the smattering of applause half way through when the music starts and then Julieanne Regan actually does start singing.

Nice! Personally I reckon the open book models are dead classy so not being a batwing model is no loss really!

And they keep on coming thick and fast...

7:29am... maybe I was getting ready to catch the train...

Well, what do you know... I’ve not searched for that track for ages but look what just popped up...

Hmmm, that makes sense of something I’ve been pondering. Way way back, I recall being off work with a virus and veg-Ing in front of daytime telly. I remember seeing a Wal bass on (probably) Lorraine. Gareth Gates was trying to make a comeback and was doing his latest single backed by a “himbo” backing band who barely knew which end of their instruments they were holding. Except that “bass player” was “playing” a banana yellow Mk 1 Wal bass. I often wondered whether it really WAS and actual a real bass player or just a male model and, if the latter, where the yellow Wal had come from/gone to. I suspect we now know the answer. What’s the betting Gates’ management/stylists popped down to the West End and Camden and rented some telegenic instruments for the hired totty to “play”. If they’d gone into The Gallery and seen that bass hanging on the wall it would have screamed TV bass”! Never have managed to find a YouTube clip of that performance. Back to the bass itself, I love that the yellow uses a white undercoat to enhance its brightness. Garish but in a lovely way!

Are you on Facebook? Pop along to the Wal Bass Club there and join in the fun. There’s a sticky post which lists various players’ fave tone settings. A lot of good tones to try out as you explore the preamp...!

I was looking for a specific D-tuner for my Wal a year or so ago which seemed to be as hard to find as hens teeth. I emailed their customer serviced dept to ask if that model was still being manufactured. Got an email back saying that they had discontinued them a couple of years previously. However, they had some bagged spares and they would be happy to sell one direct. They sent it direct from the States. All in all, including postage, it cost no more than buying one off Stringbusters or similar. Once again. Really great customer service and attitude.

I’ll third it. Had a MAG300 and 4x10 for a year and ended up hating it. Could never get a sound I was happy with.

No you haven't. Well, not until we see the photos to prove it... Hint hint hint!!!

Couldn't agree more. It would be between those two for me. Was Orange Friday's me(n)tal orange swirly thing a 2017 build or earlier. It even out weirded the Psilos at the SE Bass Bash - and that's saying something! It does lose some points, though for seemingly being made out of dark matter.

5-string basses... only ever played 4-strings and sometimes wondered, “Should I?” Funnily enough it was the much ridiculed SBL “Why you shouldn’t play a 5-string bass” video that crystallised for me that I actually neither want nor need one. Fretless basses - defretted a Jazz many, many moons ago and soon realised I was never going to put the hours (days, weeks, months) in to become anywhere near competent on it. Rickys - love the look, love the sound, hate everything else about them. Warwicks - as above except without the loving the looks and sound. Oh and, like others, cabs seemingly made out of solid lead. #lovemymarkbass

Not to mention Headspace, Rick Wakeman and That Oceanic Feeling. Top player. Gord the blu-ray/CD package for Crimble. Really looking forward to it!

Nice! And on the choice of body shape I’d have to heartily agree!

Lovely bass. Simon and Andy do make some amazing instruments. I’ve often gazed longingly at their Otter basses but would never be able to justify the outlay, though. I do have a Tamar 6 string which I adore. That will have to do... would love to see the full bass.

And any I’ve seen have a pretty awful/unique tone... there is a different vibe and sound to acoustic basses beyond just the look. They are great to tinkle on around the house without worrying about amps and stuff. As others have said, for and ensemble playing a small amp is a must. There’s a huge variation in cost and quality in the sound (esp of the pickup) so try before you buy is pretty much a must. Ive got a Faith acoustic bass which I got a great deal on new at £500 and it'sgreat fun in more acoustic settings. For your jam session an electric bass and small amp would, of course, work fine. But if it’s also about the vibe and the look and a less electric tone and you just fancy one then definitely try some out. Then you can make an informed yes or no decision.

Ditto.

PS no idea what happened to the font and no amount of selecting and resizing seems to make a difference!

Four to mention for me... To My Roots by Emma Stevens. Sparkly, uplifting country-tinged pop with an edge. A lovely positive album which manages that without any cheese. Gordon Giltrap and Paul Ward’s Last Of England was my personal highlight showing that Gordon is very much still at the top of his game. The last tune on the album is a track my wife and I commissioned as a 50th gift to each other so it’s particularly special for us. Sonny Landreth, Live in Louisiana gives you two great CDs of swampy, Cajun flavoured blues. One disc acoustic one electric. Some great playing on there. Finally Legends of the Shires by British prog-metal veterans, Threshold. Loved this band for ages and this is some top heavy prog.

My whole family lived in a 4 x 10. You know, the classic old two up, two down.