Burns-bass

I met the family when I was last there and they’re a wonderful bunch. I think the closure was forced to some degree by the state of the building (but I can speak with any authority on that).

I gave it up for best part of 10 years. When the fun stops, stop.

This is a genuine closure and it's sad news! https://www.bowspeed.com/ They gave me unlimited time and space to choose a new bow. I actually chose the wrong one, but have since rectified the situation. Anyway, it's still an amazing shop and it's a big gap in the classical world.

This is true. I’m in a covers and original band. The former is mostly booked by the set list (we play blue note jazz stuff). The originals band is done by an agent.

Have to agree.

I played two festivals on Friday. At the first, we played to the security team. The second, we played to about 400. Madness.

I was going to say this. The closest thing I’ve played. The SHR500F basses are fairly close, too.

Maybe it’ll mellow over the next 44 years!

Yes, I sold it last week. I’m pretty sure they could easily replicate what made it special. Neck profile, lovely maple neck, pencil thin frets. They couldn’t replicate 40 years of playing I guess…

I don’t know much about Led Zep to be fair, but the point still stands. The 1977 EB I just sold is far and away the best Stingray I’ve ever played. But I reckon they could replicate it easily enough (if they wanted to).

Agree with this. The irony in this, of course, is that most of the instruments used on our favourite records weren't vintage at all. A '59 Les Paul was 10 years old when Led Zep 1 was released. The Strat Hendrix played at Woodstock was 1 at the time. Jaco's iconic '62 jazz was just a teenager when he recorded his debut album, etc. I think there is magic in some old instruments, and it doesn't really matter whether it's almost entirely psychological. Perhaps it's the price and how inflated they all seem, even compared to a few years ago. Or maybe I'm still the person who remembers a Mars bar costing 25p and is upset they're now 80p (or whatever they cost). This will play a big part in it I'm sure. (It's certainly not envy, because I've owned them and could own them now if I wanted to.)

I recorded two albums with John Burns and he showed us all the tracking sheets and studio stuff from the album. Lots of stories!

People with pre CBS Fender basses are like people with MBAs. You’ll know within 5 minutes of chatting, without ever needing to ask. I jest, but there’s a kernel of truth in it. It’s a lighthearted forum and we can all swap views in a positive and humorous way. You certainly don’t need my validation (nobody does), but I’d recommend a breath of fresh air and a walk before buying the £18.5k 1963 jazz bass.

Chris said it better than I can.

Assume this is a prototype before factory tooling. Love it!

That’s a truism, so yes I agree.

I’m not entirely sure what the point is here, but effectively you’re agreeing with me it seems. That the primary reason for owning this is that someone else can’t. That they’re status symbols and rarities accrued for their perceived value rather than any intrinsic quality. This sort of thing is the apotheosis of vintage mania. I’m not on the sideline chucking stones, I’ve actively participated for years in the market. (Check my sales history!) But, perhaps like some who has been released from a cult I can see how utterly bonkers it is.

Guitars sound different, that’s true. Vintage basses often have lower output pickups (mine do, at least). To some extent I do believe it’s a placebo. Particularly when the amp, effects or studio can be used to alter and augment the sound. One of the most famous, Guy Pratt, had the vintage electronics in his vintage Fender swapped for EMGs didn’t he? I’d had a glass of wine yesterday, but what I wouldn’t want is someone to spend £18k on a bass thinking it was imbued with some magic. (Or assuming it’s so rare and they’d be able to easily sell it for £18.5k in the future - because that’s really not going to happen.)

I don’t think vintage basses really have a much better sound. I love my vintage bass (less for the sound and more for what it means to me). I’m not a vintage bass hater. But I do think £18.5k for the 63 Jazz Bass is crazy. It’s not a Jaco-style 62’ slab board or a stack knob. It doesn’t even have the mutes. Stick it through an amp and it’ll sound the same. I speak from experience (they really do!) Or, to put it another way, if nobody ever knew you owned it or know how much it was worth, would this bass be worth £18.5k to the person? Vintage instruments at this level are speculative investments or status symbols. That’s all good.

Why would they? The vintage mania is what keeps Fender relevant and cool. Reality is a modern Fender is a better instrument for gigging than a vintage one. From a purely practical point of view.