Burns-bass

I had to carry mine across Bristol bridge (very busy!) and I only got one idiotic commment. I view that as a good result

Music is therapy! Spent the morning with the kids, two gigs in the afternoon and evening and I feel a new person.

I was a bit worried initially but it’s changed how I play and opened up huge opportunities.

That’s a lovely way to put it. Our audience was an eclectic mix of kids, tourists, older people and drunks. A few kids came up and asked me about the bass which was really nice to see. It’s perhaps the best investment I’ve made in gear for years

Bit of an update, I’ve gigged another 5 or so times and getting used to the instrument. (Currently paid back £400 of the initial outlay!) Yesterday I did a 3 hour session outdoors in the sun and the bass did indeed get hot. Thankfully not in the full glare of the sun as I reckon the reflection would blind someone. The bass really doesn’t sound like a full acoustic double bass, and the feedback can be a killer (unless you use a magnetic pickup) but the looks make up for it. As someone who prefers to blend into the background, you really can’t with an aluminium bass. People absolutely love it. But the weight makes moving it a bit of an annoyance. Finally, I may get a new fingerboard put on next year as the one I have had the bevel and I don’t like it.

Not sure Sinead and Prince saw eye to eye (that’s not a joke about him being a midget but her allegations about his violence).

I can’t stand Prince’s music, but even I recognise that the guy was a genius. A friend went to see him at the 02 and said he’d never seen a performer command a venue so big so confidently. That’s a skill in itself.

My currently guitarist does this. Drives me up the effin wall.

I’d agree and add a fourth - it has to be reliable! Ive played hundreds of basses of all ages and types, from £10 (my first in 2001) to £10,000 (a 64 jazz I sold on here) and the one thing that matters to me now more than anything is that it works. I currently gig a £1500 Fender US jazz with a £100 Harley Benton or Squier as a backup. That’s it. All meticulously cared for, set up, and maintained.

Done! Thanks so much.

Sorry not to respond just packing up for holiday. That’s a wonderful offer. Can we do when I back from holiday? Happy to make a donation to charity of your choice.

It’s a fully converted loft, so it’s just laying on the (heavily carpeted) floor! The roof eaves mean I can only have one bass on a stand and that’s the aluminium one. I think I’m going to sell the Bryant soon, although it pains me to do so.

The 10-hour round trip from south Wales may be a bit of a stretch, but certainly worth it if you can mange it.

Are you in Bristol? I need a gig bag for a Bryant bass that’s currently living on the floor in the loft (don’t ask). Would it fit do you think?

Not sure if you can get a credit card and pay that back, but you’d get a better deal on here buying second hand. To get you gigging, you also need: - A pickup - Bag - Pre-amp / HPF When I started I got all that on here for £500.

I’m going through my bass books today. Send me a message and I’ll zip you across a few that you might find useful (free, this isn’t me trying to make money!)