Burns-bass

I have had Mexican Fenders, Japanese ones, Korean ones, Chinese ones, Indonesian Squiers and even a few fake ones and the US ones are hands down the best. Better materials, production quality, finish, fit, playability and durability. I have owned HBs and gigged them and appreciate their quality, but when it comes down to what I want to play and something that I can trust to perform, got to be a US Fender. The recent Pro series stuff is really the top of the line for many years. People (i.e. me) have spent years buying and selling stuff. But the real magic comes when you get to know an instrument and play it almost exclusively for a long period of time. In may case, I've used the same guitar since buying it new for 5 years. Won't sell it or change it.

Adverts for older people use younger people because they don’t like to consider themselves as old. Adverts for cremation, for example, show happy and smiley people doing DIY for that very reason. Old tunes are more tuneful to you simply because your heard them more times.

Advertisers understand who their demographic is. A retro tune from the 70a and 80s is going to be more relatable to those over 50 who remain a huge consumer force in the economy. If you’re targeting Gen X or late stage Millenials you’re not advertising on TV. The fact that I know this and work in this industry is soul crushingly depressing and is the reason I’m looking to exit my business and do something with value.

100% this.

I would test it now but the kids are doing their homework! Will try tomorrow and see what happens.

I’m no engineer or tech expert but assumed that’s how it works. I’m right handed but have always worn my watch on my right arm. (I bat and play golf left handed which is why!) I’m guessing a man as fit and active as you probably has a cheapo fitness tracker somewhere, stick it on your right hand and give it a go.

The two plateaus are the time off during sets.

I got paid £60 from the venue, plus 3 free craft beers. We earned £30 each in tips, so (give or take) £100. Watch used was a Garmin Forerunner 45. Here is the activity record…

If I did 3 x 45 sets, that’s 135 minutes of playing, so an average of 100 plucks a minute. It’s uptempo retro blues and jazz (120bpm) so that sounds about right.

I imagine there’s a large margin for error here! I played 3 sets each for 40 - 45 minutes as well as tuning etc. I’ll do a more scientific test next time I can be bothered

Shhh, don’t ask logical questions!

Yesterday I did a gig (3 x 30-40 minute sets). Turns out each pluck of a double bass string registered as a step on my watch. During the gig it counted just over 14,000. I was quite impressed.

That’s got £200k at Essex Recording Studios written all over it!

The hardest thing with any new skill is persistence. You’ll make rapid gains then hit a plateau. Find the thing that keeps you playing…

How would you get the guitars here? I’d suggest the better approach, I’d you’re desperate to sell, is to lower the price to a level where someone will buy them.

Name and shame? I guess bass dealers are going to operate in the same pool as normal buyers and sellers. Running a business as I do you experience all manner of shady tactics as people try to carve out an advantage. I don’t take it personally.

100% this. A month ago a forum member here messaged me and offered me a bass at half the London vintage shop retail price. It was something I’ve wanted for several years and the price was only because I’m part of the BC family. If I chose to sell it on here I could ask whatever I wanted to, but morally, I’d feel duty bound to pass on the same deal to someone else. This would be 100% my choice. When I talk about the morality of selling, it’s this. People can act however they wish, but I reserve the right to judge them.