SpondonBassed

Not keen on Americana generally unless actually in the US. Also, I like my pound to go to domestic industry where possible. I'm such an old fossil!

[quote name='addictedtobass' timestamp='1484215998' post='3213538'] ...I am not trying to come across as "outraged from Milton Keynes"... [/quote] [BIG wink] It's a good thing you don't come from Mayfair... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPoOgCSjdl8

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1484215039' post='3213532'] Here's another view: There are more important things to get worked up about. I don't condone what this guy seems to be doing, but our entire system is based on the premise of buying something and selling it at a profit. The market will decide if it succeeds or not. [i]Caveat Emptor[/i]. [/quote] Welcome back Discreet! There are indeed more important things to get worked up about but I am am glad to see this getting discussed none the less. It is difficult enough to find out if you have any talent for music without getting an instrument from a well meaning relative who doesn't realise what the "D" means. I fear these instruments will discourage some aspiring players from ever going further. Thomann clearly label their decorative instruments and have about six different ones from about 35 quid for a miniature (50cm long) Warwick thumb to about 95 quid for a Harley Benton BM-75. It doesn't hurt their sales of real instruments one bit. Get the bugger to declare exactly what he is selling I say. I am all for free trade but not when it is immoral as this appears to be.

Buyer Beware This is the bottom line with any transaction whether in real life or online. The OP's story reminds me of when I discovered a rat in my camp at work a few years back. The lad had been taken on having been recommended by another youth who'd just completed his apprenticeship. We all liked him for his lively sense of humour and he seemed like a good worker. As we got to know him little things were disclosed that made more than a couple of people change their opinion. After an all nighter at work we were having one of those informal 'round the table chats before the hand over to the day shift. We were all a bit "punch drunk" and for the most part it was a proper laugh. The conversation had reached the bragging and one-upmanship stage. After a few of the usual hairy stories of glory and bravado this lad told us how he was making money off of EBay on a regular basis by putting up misleading photos. Having got everyone's attention he told us that he'd put a sound system in his car and decided to sell the packaging. He got his EBay account up on one of the company PCs and showed us. The box, illustrated with an image of the sound system that it used to contain, was photographed as if unopened and put up with the title of "Sound System Box". The brand and specifications were typed out as they appeared on the box itself and put in quotes. One or two of us queried the legitimacy of this. He didn't see anything wrong with what he did because he had correctly said that it was a sound system box. All he was doing was repeating what was on the box illustration because the photo wasn't very sharp! That some people were bidding on it as if they expected it to have something in it was not his problem, he burbled. What's wrong with taking money from people who don't read that the item is just a box? According to him, it was a victimless crime because "People shouldn't be stupid innit." I distanced myself from him inwardly and decided never to lend him my tools again in case he'd flog them! What was especially disturbing was that he genuinely thought he was doing nothing immoral. In the same conversation he disclosed that his mum was a regular Cannabis user and that he'd been helping himself to it since secondary school. Rum family, questionable family values and a lad who really didn't know right from wrong. You think these [s]toe rags[/s] people are far away from you until something like that happens. I think now I shall buy some [i]genuine[/i] Deco bass guitars (at 40 Euros each though) and a fake rack just to display behind me on my début noodling vid one day. See? There IS a market for them at the right price. Heeheehee.

This site may be able to help; https://thecounterfeitreport.com/ From 2014; http://uk.businessinsider.com/ebay-admits-it-banned-a-whistleblower-2014-11?r=US&IR=T EBay banned the company (The Counterfeit Report) without removing the fake goods identified. I wonder if they still have eyes on EBay.

I've just taken delivery of an extension cab cable from Dave of Rock-Wire-Limited. It's proper "man cable" (Klotz 4mm[sup]2[/sup]) and will be powering my 18inch cab from now on. Lovely finish, right angle jack to right angle XLR with shrunk-on sleeving to shroud the end fittings and a white ident sleeve. It's a bonus to have people like this on the forum. Cheers Dave.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1484050790' post='3212189'] What gives you goosebumps? [/quote] Colliding with a low flying flock of Geese usually does it for me. In the true spirit of the question however I am getting major bumpage from listening to some of my favourites released in lossless 5.1 formats. David Bowie's Young Americans for example benefits from the greater separation in that I hear lots of extra details that were always there but never really heard before. Roxy Music's Avalon is a stunner in any format but seriously good in surround. Dire Straights' Private Investigations' title track raises hairs on my goose bumps. I could go on.

I suppose someone will do it before long... may as well be me; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psmcz2vYKjs

[facetious quip] I haven't gone to the polling site to look at what you came up with because I thought "The Spitballers" sounded just fine. I'm just hoping you didn't have that as one of the names already. [/facetious quip] Good luck with the venture my friend. Break legs.

I quite like my Laney RB3 for practice. I wish they hadn't cheapened it with chrome-on-plastic knobs though. I'd have been okay with plastic on its own like the bakelitey knobs on my Ashdown. Maybe I'm going a bit OCD. Maybe I'm getting choosey about my knobs. Maybe I should go and lie down in a darkened room for a bit.....

[quote name='julesb' timestamp='1483817868' post='3210414'] I love the jazz I love. This clip encapsulates what people hate about what they think is jazz. Why does free improv so often mean a totally ridiculous abandonment of taste? [/quote] I don't know my friend but I'm betting John Sessions or Tony Slattery could tell you. I hated improvised comedy when Channel 4 was saturated with the stuff. I get that improvisation is a good thing especially if your brain falls over during a performance but for the whole performance to be improvised seems a bit daft. That it sells tickets though... that's hilarious.

Either. I usually respond to "OI YOU! as well. Seriously though, I think I like bassist because I enjoy bass from many different sources, strings, brass, keys, vox. Of those however, I only play electric bass so I would probably side with you on that. There really hasn't been a need to think of it as I don't gig (yet).

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1483529846' post='3207894'] Yup i'll be there too - count me in. In terms of gear - probably the Lull PJ4, the old Precision, LM3 and Schroeder cab. I'll remember to contribute something to the raffle this time too! [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Si600 - GK rig (house rig) Fender P V so GrammeFriday can get GAS all over again![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Tauzero - One or two SEI's or an Ash[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. T-Web[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. Ashweb[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Len_derby[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Markstuk[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]7. ChunkyMunky - Musicman Bongo 5HH, Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 and other bits.[/font][/color] 8. Jabba_the_gut - Some home build basses 9. Andyjr1515 10. SpondonBassed - [color=#00ff00]Ashdown Toneman 300[/color] - a selection or all three from [color=#00ff00]Steinberger Spirit XT25, Hohner B2A, Vantage fretless 33B-XF[/color] 11. Harryburke14 - Mystery bass - "may bring the Fender Rumble 500 and Orange 410" 12. Norris 13, Bassbiscuits - "probably the Lull PJ4, the old Precision, LM3 and Schroeder cab." Fixed

[size=5]TO RETIREMENT AND BEYOND[/size] [size=4]D[/size] [size=3]D[/size] [size=2]D[/size] [size=1]D[/size]! Why limit yourself? I'm all for playing at my own funeral if I can get the undertaker to connect the jump leads to the right bits.

Me, usually. Heeheehee

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1483730302' post='3209708'] I recently started a band where two of us are tiny people and two of us are giants. As soon as I posted our band shot on Facebook I was overwhelmed with accusations of 'heightism' and bigotry. The twitterverse went mental and West Midlands Police cautioned me for possible 'hate crimes'. The band has now split up before fulfilling anywhere near its potential. So thanks a bundle, world. We could have changed society's prejudices but it's too late now. C**ts. [/quote] Cults right? Harharharhar

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1483720175' post='3209567'] Hmm That's quite a toss up (to Chaka khan in bondage gear, not the nice looking Imelda may) [/quote] You filthy minded individual you...! Heeheehee. Just clean the floor before you leave for H&S please?

Seriously though, he'd loose half of his fan base if he said anything other than that about jazz. Be fair.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1483722006' post='3209603'] Anyone who calls Mezzoforte lift music is like Noel Gallagher. Makes great music, but an uneducated chimp who's doesn't understand anything outside of his chord progression's. [/quote] Hahahaha. Yeah man, he's a ukulele player anyway so what does he know right? I'll wind him up later with your comment re: Noel because I know secretly he'd want to be the Liam of the two brothers given the choice. Excellent! Edit to follow up; Jack light heartedly says he looks forward to meeting you upon which time he'll tear your head off and... I think he said sit on your neck or summat... well you get the idea. He's a real charmer. Heeheehee. 21 stone of retired ex-weight lifting miner/ lorry driver but a real diamond in the rough.

Seemingly it depends on whether you'd like to see Chaka Khan in bondage gear with Jools tickling his ivories (no, not her ovaries) behind her... or not.

[quote name='pmjos' timestamp='1483706721' post='3209379'] Well I have a personal strategy. Aging rocker seems to be a disparaging term so I have moved more towards jazz over the past years, got myself a DB. Jazz seems to be delightfully non ageist and predominantly non racist. also......... A friend of mine Reg who is a keyboard player and has toured with the likes of Lenny Kravitz and many others, has a gold disk or two on the wall and happens to be nearly 70. He is white, blind and not only plays the most fantastic keys he can sing the nuts off most youngsters. He has no problems at all getting a gig and is still touring. He's a good benchmark. [/quote] But, but, but what if you're jazzist?

54. Never been paid for playing. In fact I only performed at two events and they were little more than gatherings for the bright young musos of the time in Dublin. I don't think we even came near breaking even on the expenses Thirty plus years on I have picked up again but without the handicap of wanting to be popular as a musician. I just want to encourage folk to dance. I have had a good offer but there were snags that made it impossible to commit and be reliable for the band concerned. I have now decided to form my own band. I'd say my not driving is more of an impediment to me than my bald spot and grey hair. I can locate "compatible" musicians but unless they can come to me for practice it is difficult. Ideally, it would be good to forge links with a local drummer who can leave his or her kit at mine. The idea being that for the first year or so, we'd get tight on melodic rhythm together through regular practice. At some point I'd look at bringing in a front person, keys or guitar. That's the latest notion anyway. Gawd help us all if it works.

[center][url="http://theinfosphere.org/Probulator"]http://theinfosphere.org/Probulator[/url][/center] [center][/center] [center]The Probulator[/center]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1483523734' post='3207816'] There are bass players with no transport, no decent gear, that play badly, turn up late, miss rehearsals, get drunk... But none that are deaf. [/quote] Apart from these you mean? - [url="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deaf+bass+player"]https://www.youtube....eaf+bass+player[/url] "none" Really?

[quote name='BaggyMan' timestamp='1483536186' post='3207987'] "would you want to be a 50 something yr old bass player in a band with 15yr girls.." [/quote] Since you're asking, it would be rude of me to say no. Where do I sign please?