Burns-bass

Dunno. Maybe they’re an old school shop that actually wants you to go in. If I was nearby I would, but I’d probably be destitute.

Yeah that’s is how it was done at this point. The stick method came later. In the Fender book you can see how the bodies were held in place like that as they moved through. At this price I’d expect it to be black lit and come with a large amount of provenance. I don’t know the Gallery if I’m honest but you don’t stay in business that long unless you do things properly.

Ask @Hellzero Guess we're in the transitional period between stackers and the 3 knob versions.

See if the'll let you take some pictures. On any objective measure, £18k for a mass produced instrument is bonkers. But if I had the cash to spare (lottery win, tour with Pink Floyd etc.) I probably would.

Everyone can see how miserable I am, but even I can't fail to be impressed by this. https://reverb.com/uk/item/86596651-fender-jazz-bass-1960-1961-sunburst

I agree, the virtuoso stuff is cool m, up to a point, but it starts to grate in the end. Possibly because once he’d nailed his tone and tricks he never really moved on musically. If never stick on a Jaco record in a million years, but I’d listen to a Joni Mitchell one (and do!).

Agreed. Sanding it won’t break it and it’s a stopgap. If you paid for it to be refinished it wouldn’t be all original so anyone holding out for that would be put off anyway. With all respect, 1992 Stingrays aren’t commanding a huge premium, so I say crack on. I had a funny conversation when I got the jack socket changed on a 1966 fender. The tech joked that the swap probably knocked £500 off the value as it was no longer 100% original.

It’s very hard to get a good sound and I’m working hard to improve my technique. My tendency is to do too much and so I’m doing 2 x 20 minute practices a day which is helping me to reduce (but not remove) potential frustration.

I see this as a response to your post in the FS section and I agree. One would assume someone would have undergone some form of structured training or apprenticeship, but people can call themselves whatever they want. In my sector (copywriting, content and journalism) people can call themselves whatever they want - and they very often do.

This seems like a wonderful idea. Love it.

And most of them seem like thoroughly nice people. That’s the one I’d fail at as I’m horrid.

At this level it’s not technical ability as that’s a given. I guess it’s tone, sophistication and note choice. I admit I used to be envious and disparaging of people who could play better than me. Now, I just sit back and appreciate it.

Im talking about music that grabs you emotionally and viscerally, not that which you need a text book to intuit. It was directly in response to your point that suggested that the reason the person didn’t like funk or jazz was because they couldn’t understand it. While I’m sure it wasn’t meant this way, it smacks of intellectual superiority which is (for me) the antithesis of what the arts should be about.

Then you get into the intellectual appreciation of music being somehow more valid that an emotional connection to it. I understand how jazz and funk work and neither of them is hugely exciting to me anymore, in the main because I understand it. Once you’ve cracked the code (so to speak) a lot of what’s done isn’t as impressive as it once seemed.

I love the 16 year gap and I completely agree with your analysis. Stuff like Vulfpeck typifies this. It’s as bland and derivative as can be.

This is where I’ll be at 10am tomorrow morning.

Just popped you through a message.

This is great. I was inspired by my kids who enter ever new situation enthusiastically and with no negative feelings or preconceptions. That's how I'm trying to be with this and it was a lot of fun. I volunteer with a charity and some of the evidence they produced is that you should always be open to learning new things and challenging your body and brain – just like you are, and hopefully I am, too. Be great to hear more of your experiences as I hopefully progress.

I'm being a little dramatic. The teacher was really positive and friendly and didn't tell me I was doing things wrong, just that there were improvements we could make.

Lot to take in over an hour. Apparently I’m doing everything wrong but we can now make it all right. I’ve started 2025 in the mood for some self improvement and this is a good start.

I will buy the book Chris. It’s £25. I remember when I used to pay someone to service my bikes and motorbikes. Pointless.

I’m not sure where you live but I’d look for a local firm that works with and fabricates fibreglass. Small engineering firms can do incredible work. As a case in point, I needed a spike made for a Burns EUB. I spoke with music shops who told me it was impossible and quoted me hundreds for a replacement. A local engineering firm measured the thread and constructed one for £20 all within a few hours. While it’s unlikely they’d build bespoke they may be able to adapt an existing design. It’s not as if David Gage is building these things himself…