Russ

The big problem for me was the layout - clustering Anaconda, GB, ACG, Rikkers and SimS/Enfield in one little corner was a big mistake that led to irritating volume wars between all concerned. If they'd spread them about a bit more there wouldn't have been so much of a problem. I had a much nicer time playing the Eves on the other side of the room since it was less over-subscribed (their 6-string fretless was something to behold, as was the custom they made for Dave Marks). I still want one of those 5-string ACG Krells though - Alan, I'll be in touch.

What a fun day. Played lots of nice basses (ACG and Eve were the highlights), met up with old friends, met a couple of idols - an old one (Frank Bello) and a more recent one (Colin Edwin), and I'm going to do it all again tomorrow. There was quite a lot of slap going on, mostly coming from the Anaconda Basses booth - the players who wanted to try out the GBs, Enfields and ACGs who were adjacent to them hardly got a chance to get a look in! I was unfortunately also guilty of applying thumb to string today, if a little more quietly than they were on the Anaconda booth!

The missus overslept so I'm running a bit late, but I'm on the Overground over there now. Someone tell Colin Edwin not to start until I get there!

Going to be there both days - looking forward to it, so hope to see you all then.

+1 on Dava Control picks. Been using them for the past 10 years or so - I get the green nylon ones. They last forever, feel good and are very easy to control. Way nicer then the common-or-garden Dunlops or Fenders. http://www.davapick.com/picks/dava_control

I've had a couple of Krappys in the past - a touchstyle and an electric upright. Not brilliantly made instruments, but distinctive, functional and fun. Not to mention cheap, and he works very fast. Kevin's a great guy, extremely talented player too. Just don't get into any religion-themed conversations with him - he has some strange ideas.

It was at about the age of 34 - I had been playing in a signed rock band, in hope of the bigger tour, the bigger deal and the greater success that would have allowed me to jack in the day job. We were good too, and more than capable of achieving it if it had only been about talent. But no, the "industry" got involved. And almost everyone I met who was affiliated with the music industry was a horrible, abhorrent arseh0le who only saw bands as a "product", didn't care about art or even the music itself, and, most of all, didn't care at all about the people involved. Things have moved on a little since then, and it's certainly possible now to achieve a degree of success on your own terms, with all the self-publishing platforms out there, social media and so on. I'm 41 now, married and a dad of 2, and I'm not close to quitting - I'd still like to be in a reasonably successful originals band (I still have no desire to play covers), but I want nothing whatsoever to do with the music business or the people in it. Granted, I'll never get on the cover of a magazine now, but as long as there's some people out there who like what we do, and we can do a few good gigs from time to time, I'd be happy. So, I guess I haven't "given up", per se, but I have scaled back my expectations to suit my life as it stands now.

Vince - thanks for the post. To be honest it's not really my thing, but best of luck with it. Sci'entia guys - did you get my PM?

Great day. Good to see everyone, old faces and new, and lots of great gear to ogle. And hey, I won a T-shirt! Gear highlights of the day were Alex's new Barefaced cabs, the Markbass Multiamp, a Mk3 Wal and Billy Apple's raucous Matamp rig.

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1379499535' post='2213308'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]66. alexclaber - some Barefaced thingies, a RIM Custom 5 36", and some amps and maybe some T-shirts![/size][/font][/color] [/quote] Dude, bring a 69'er if you've got one around, and maybe a Super 12! Also, as a heads-up, your website's throwing an error right now...

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1379447191' post='2212894'] Very decent of you sir. The Coach & Four is 'up on blocks' at the moment as I believe the lower classes are wont to say. Actually, I was toying with the notion of experiencing one of these new-fangled horseless carriages that seem to be rather popular, so if anyone was planning on going that lives anywhere near Lewisham, Forest Hill, Catford or even the horror that is Croydon & would be willing to give me a lift I'd appreciate it. Happy to bung in towards petrol costs. [/quote] I'm in the Cronx, and I'll have a spare passenger seat. But I won't have too much room for extra gear, since I only have a little horseless carriage...

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1375003753' post='2155557'] After last year's M25 hell I'm thinking if I come this year it will be by train - if so I'll only be able to bring a bass and maybe some fx - my only problem is I have a very important gig on the Monday so may have to rehearse that day - if not ill be there - I'll know nearer the time - I'd be happy to do some kind of technique workshop this year but again I'll have to confirm in a few weeks once I've sorted the rehearsal thing out. Cheers and hope to see you all there Mike [/quote] Even after last year's debacle, I'll be driving this year and a lift shall be available! Although I'm not going to tempt fate with the "how can the same $hit happen to the same guys twice?"

The MB series always sounded great and offered good bang for the buck. Shame about the reliability issues. It is sad if Marshall are indeed throwing in the towel. A reissue of the DBS range (possibly with less ridiculously heavy cabs) could have done well - they've developed a bit of a cult following. Plus there's something about the Marshall name that's timeless and aspirational, even if that reputation is mostly based on their guitar amps. Maybe they should rebrand the Eden E-series (formerly known as Nemesis) as the new Marshall bass range? Or enter the lightweight fray with a competitor to Ampeg's Portaflex? Who knows... they might have something up their sleeves. I hope so.

[quote name='rockwaves' timestamp='1374259062' post='2147025'] We certainly have some flexibility when it comes to age. What is important to us at the moment is someone who can fulfill the gigs we have lined up. How much over 28 we talking? WPF [/quote] About, er, 13 years over 28?

Love it, right up my street. Got any flexibility on the age thing though? I'm a little bit over 28...

I've had several Seis over the years (Flamboyant 4, Flamboyant 5 fretless, singlecut 5 and a Sei Jazz fretless) and they've all been wonderful instruments. The singlecut 5 has been my main player for close to 10 years now, and it just gets better with age. Martin is a master craftsman, and will work with you to make sure you get exactly what you want in terms of appearance, tone and feel. I've also had a GB - wonderful instrument, amazing tone, but it didn't really work in the mix for the kind of music I was playing at the time - very hi-fi and a bit mid-shy, even with the huge 21dB mid boost.

[color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Are you a band in the rock/prog/metal/alternative vein? Do you need a bass player? Are you located within easy reach of Croydon? Will you consider someone (just) over 40 (with a good head of hair and surprisingly few wrinkles)? Then read on... [/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Me: Bassist. 41. Been playing well over 20 years. Loves to sit back and groove, but also loves to play chords, widdle, stamp on effects pedals and use weird techniques. Top-end gear. A car to drag it all around in. Lots of ideas and very open-minded. Lover of great songs, big hooks, chuggy riffs and huge, wide, thick arrangements. Given up the whole notion of being a "rock star" - been there, tried that, didn't like it much. Now just looking to be involved with some great music played by good people, write some tunes, play some gigs, record some stuff, put it out there online and hopefully find a few people around the place who might like it. [/font][/color] [color=#111111][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]So, that's the pitch. If you think I could be a good fit for your band, please drop me a line![/font][/color]

I'm in. Hopefully I won't get stuck on the M25 for four hours like last year. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Hamster -[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Schecter Diamond P5, Levinson Blade B15, amp & cab tbc 3. Happy Jack - Matamp GT120 with Barefaced stack 4. Bluejay - something left-handed [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]OBBM - Bergantino CN212, Aguilar TH500, A couple of old Fenders, perhaps a Sadowsky UV70.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. chris_b 7. Clarky 8. Russ - Sei 5-string, Spector 5-string, Markbass 6x10"/Ampeg SVT-7 9. 10. 11. 12. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]13.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]14.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]15.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]16.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]17.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]18.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]19.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]20.[/font][/color]

Looking forward to trying one. But no CAR? They've missed a trick there!