Burns-bass

It was in my studio while we were decorating. Think it may be done for but I’ll do my best!

Part of the reason for sale was that it’s a big thing and it gets in the way. But I’ve managed to hide it so we’ll you’d barely spot it.

I think this is the correct advice for me. I really like the bass and it sounds ace and is super sturdy, which matters when you play the kind of places I do. I don’t have the time, patience or temperament to do it myself and I don’t mind paying someone - especially if they are local and a great person as I know from my own bitter experience that money is tight. Appreciate the feedback and advice.

I don’t know if such things exist, but is there a Cello forum you could go on and ask for any used items? Or maybe a local music shop you could ask? This stiff (used bridges and tailpieces) would end up in the bin. It might save you a few quid if they could send them to you. The instrument doesn’t look like it’s in great shape so I’d spend the least amount of money possible.

I always wanted to be a professional musician but once I realised 95% of it was playing Oliver, Grease or backing up middling pop singers at holiday camps I sort of realised it wasn’t for me. It sounds disparaging and I don’t mean it to be, but I’m not sure the life of a pro is easy in 2025.

I’ve known several musicians to work with “heritage” acts and they can often be a nightmare to work with. Sorry that’s the case here as the tour looks like it would have been a lot of fun.

Hello! I’ve got a conundrum. I have a 2002 all-ply Musima double bass. It’s in good physical condition, but it needs some work including a new bridge, nut, and swapping out the endpin and tailpiece (I have replacements). So the bass is in good condition but this work isn’t going to be cheap. I reckon about £400 all in. I could sell the bass as it is cheaply (£400-£500-ish) and let someone do the work or have it done myself and keep it as a spare for outdoor gigs or even lend it to someone. Head says to get rid of it, heart says get the work done. Wife and kids say “why have you got two double basses?”

My friend who is a coder in financial services has said you can spot the examples of code completed by AI. It lacks the sophistication and care of a professional. I have no knowledge to support the statement, but the principle is the same for writing (which I do know about).

The use of AI is becoming endemic. We called out one of our freelance writers for using it recently (a Cambridge educated PhD) as it was so obvious and egregious. I can understand why someone running a website that’s created to sell advertising space may take a shortcut like using AI but I was upset and a little offended that someone being paid a huge amount of money for creating 100% original content would try and pass something off to us like this. What was even more amazing was that they assumed we wouldn’t notice or even check for AI involvement. World has gone mad.

I’m going to disembark the buying and selling train. It’s not made me play better or sound better and I start the year still playing the same stuff by and large.

And respect someone’s choice if they choose to check out for a bit.

Alas, the bar we were going to play at is closing tomorrow due to staff sickness. That’s a big payday gone, but hope the staff are OK.

Looks stunning. Happy new year indeed.

I’m not making fun of people who have vintage instruments. I have several, it just made me laugh.

It really does look as new. Still think that value wise she’s out by about a grand.

It will take thousands of hours to wear down the frets. Even then they can be recrowned. The greater damage to frets isn’t caused by playwear, it’s the strings being pushed against the frets with high pressure when effectively leaves a dent in the fret. The rest then need to be shaved to ensure an even action.

I’d heard that one is good. Will download

This is a bit of a weird one, but the last gig I played my tuner started playing up a bit. Thankfully I had a spare (go me). I wanted to know what the best tuner app you had used was or would recommend to me. Free if possible!

He just needs the clicks for cash. Fair play. I won’t waste time on it but his interviews can be excellent so will watch those.