SpondonBassed

@Andyjr1515 I've neither asked nor looked for one. Andy did a demo of his methods for veneer refinishing at a bass bash a few years ago and it is something he's posted about before. Dunno 'bout a dedicated thread for it. Andy?

We have an organisation here called SAGA. Although it is a holiday firm dealing primarily with the older generation, the acronym is fondly referred to as Sex And Games for the Aged by those in the know. Any similarities? Asking for a friend... PS: Soz Rich. I was writing this as you posted. Delete if you feel it inappropriate.

I feel your trepidation. Stiff upper lip old chap. Don't let the bastards grind your coffee.

My vintage modified Jag, further modified by our own @Andyjr1515. It belonged to a close friend of mine, Jack, who won it at a Bash Bash. His daughter generously let me keep it. Andy stripped the original painted finish. He then put a burl veneer and a CF scratch-plate on. It has Duncan Design pups and half-rounds. It makes a wonderful sound. AJR Guitar Modifications - Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Check his website (above) for before and after photos and for some of his other work. PS: This was owned from new by Andy. He kindly donated it as a raffle prize for the East Mids Bass Bash one year. The previous year he donated an acoustic bass to the raffle. It's worth mentioning because he's such a helpful and friendly chap too.

Reading through that: That kinda tears the arse out of it. The point of a bash being to see what others are playing and their thoughts about it. You get a chance to show off interesting and often quite old instruments and peripherals. Let's not forget the DB brigade either. It's great to see the two types in the same place. Just ask @Owen.

Of course, you would be welcome to come to any of ours if you skip over the pond when there's one on.

It is nice to have events that aren't swamped with guitarists in general. Go for it. We always have lots of fun and plenty of... ...cake. Don't forget the cake. Especially if it's home made. Very important. Write it down at once before you get involved with the organisation of an American version of the Bass Bash. Oh and Good Luck! We will expect photos and such.

It's a lot like that here but exceptions are made. The majority have to be funded privately or sponsored at Primary and Secondary level. One of the big issues here is how third level education is paid for. By third level, I mean college, university or apprenticeships. Primary and Secondary levels are seen to be necessary for the majority so we happily pay with public funds. Those who are capable of faster development are often stuck with that route. By the time third level is being considered seriously, puberty has kicked in and ALL bets are off. There is disproportionate pressure to put young people through university here. Then there are (for a vast number of them) loans to be repaid once they've started to earn. I was expected by my dad to go but I didn't like the idea at all. Even though he had been putting money away for it, I was more into getting started working for a wage and doing stuff I liked. That got me into an apprenticeship with a major commercial airline and saved Mum and Dad a small fortune. I have no regrets. As a consequence, I have a much more "round" education academically, practically and socially*. I'm pretty sure that my parents were glad they let me decide for myself too. They considered me able to take part in family discussions about my future from about age ten. For this I am eternally grateful. We were leaving the UK at that time. I returned fifteen years later with marketable qualifications and social skills that set me above the pack. When you are young in the UK, I think a lot of unnecessary emphasis is put on whether to choose a profession, an academic career or a practical one. Indeed the word career seems to get undue attention seeing as how times have moved on and there are few guaranteed "Jobs for Life" these days. It's probably a hangover from our renowned class system. Who cares? The slow demise of the British class system is a good thing! It's just taking longer than a lot of us would like. Thanks for sharing your family photos. I think BassChat has a dedicated thread for them somewhere. *The social aspect is so important for young adults but it is glossed over too often.

Plus one. I love the neck on my SR605.

May the GAS be with you.

Welcome Nick.

Welcome Jeff.

Welcome Bilbo.

Welcome Dune.

Welcome back Carlitos.

Welcome B8.

Welcome Tom.

Welcome Lewis.

Welcome Elizabeth.

...behind the bike sheds preferably.

Welcome Geoff.

Welcome Jel.

Welcome (again) Doug.

Welcome David.

Welcome Rich.