Burns-bass

Excellent point.

It's also worth considering a reverb pedal to try and mimic the acoustic resonance of a DB. It's not foolproof, but used judiciously can add some lovely character to an EUB.

This. You won’t devalue the bass.

My bass teacher always talked about committing yourself to an instrument. It’s like a relationship that you need to spend years investing in it.

I understand the point you’re making. Theres also the adaptation you have to do to every instrument. It takes a long time to get the sound you want from the bass I found.

I’ve played gigs and festivals with Wilco Johnson (nice guys!), Jethro Tull, Carl Palmer, Arthur Brown, Wishbone Ash, the Stranglers, Asia and quite a few more I can’t remember. Went on tour with The Musical Box and recorded two albums with Genesis producer Johnny Burns. This stuff means nothing to most people but was fun. Sold a guitar to Phil Oakey and I’m sort of friends with Sade’s producer.

It’s also common to take classical instruments on approval. I didn’t know this when I bought my Bryant bass and turned up with a bag full of money which he refused to take. He gave me the bass and rang me a few days later with his bank details. You may know this of course, but it removes a lot of tension when buying from a dealer I guess knowing you can bring it back if it doesn’t work for you.

I benefitted from the advice of an expert when I bought my bass. It’s worth bringing someone with you that can play for several reasons… You can both play the bass and hear it being played (projection, sound quality etc). They’re likely to spot things you won’t about the construction and playability. You won’t be lonely on the journey. Perhaps someone here might be able to help you? I would if I could play and had any idea what I’m doing (which I don’t).

My point wasn’t to criticise people with loads of basses. Perhaps you need to have loads of basses to realise what you want in one (you can see I’ve owned and sold *lots*). Perhaps as I get older I’m more interested in understanding why I felt the need to own lots of stuff. It didn’t make me happier, or play better, or play more, for example. It’s interesting to know what everyone thinks in a non-judgemental environment.

I think this encapsulates it. But after a few weeks playing in the house I go back to the one I’ve always used. It’s harmless fun as the instruments retain their value (by and large) but it’s ultimately pointless. I’ve spent my entire musical career owning hundreds of basses but basically only really playing 3.

I think a visual representation of this would be easier to understand but ultimately you’ve reinforced things.

I should add, it wasn’t in some kind of cliched nagging housewife way, it was a genuine question. (She is financially better off then me and we respect our independence on these things.)

You pay for what you get. I’ve got two friends who are luthiers (one double bass the other guitar and bass) and I drive an hour each way to see them both. Thats partially because I’m loyal and once I trust someone that’s it, but partly because the quality of their work is exceptional. Seems Thwaites have delivered on that. When it comes to DB, you really are investing in something that will make playing easier and the sound better.

For the last 5 years every gig or session I’ve done I have used the same bass. We’re looking at about 100 gigs or more, possibly double the practices and thousand of hours at home. If I have to choose, it’s that one. I bought it new after careful selection and it’s been a good friend to me. I’m still interested in buying new basses but I know that when it comes to gigging or practising or anything else I won’t take it or ever use it. My wife asked why I have a lot of guitars but only ever use that one, and I struggled to answer. Does anyone else suffer from this strange affliction?

Little ray of sunshine! The music may not be to my tastes but it’s a lovely story nonetheless.

Bristol is similarly challenging for this. I once had to carry my aluminium double bass half a mile to a gig. 3 hours later I was still knackered!