Burns-bass

Cheers Chris! I don’t need to spend more money on gear. I’ve done all that and am super happy with what I have (Bryant double bass, Spiros, Realist). My goal is to play jazz but I can turn down a gig. The guitarist just asked me to play more percussively and (if I’m honest) want some hints and tips. Id love a book, but as soon as you type slap bass into Google, well, you can guess…

People can spend their money on what they choose. But they should be aware that collusion in the vintage guitar industry exists and that’s why these guitars have seen prices rise so rapidly. This Wal isn’t technically vintage. Nuts.

When I started playing DB I loved the rich timbre that you just can’t get anywhere else. I’ve spent my time trying to coax a deep, rich and unique tone form my bass (and mostly failing). Turns out, I’ve been doing it all wrong. I’ve (hopefully) got a gig playing blues classics, providing the old school percussive, slap bass that works. But I don’t really know what I’m doing. Can anyone recommend any good books (I prefer books to online tutorials, but will do so at a push) that can help with technique? If anyone in Bristol can highlight any love gigs where such playing will happen I shall ensure I’m there!

You’ve won the award for stating that obvious! The issue here is that setting a price such as this establishes a benchmark. Others in the trade (or speculators) then use this as a guide price. The spiral continues until it becomes so far removed from any sense of value, it’s mad. The vintage guitar market is a ponzi scheme propped. This Wal is part of that.

I had a Wal and I didn’t like it so I’m prob alt not the best person to ask. I reckon you could get another luthier to knock up a similar bass and order a Wal and you’d still have change from £12,500. Seriously, I have no idea why Wals have somehow become the rarest and most desirable basses out there. I found the couple I owned to be heavy, over engineered, and not particularly refined.

I’d pay £40 for a bass lesson and £20 for a book. If you like what she does, I reckon it’s ok.

It’s a preposterous amount of cash for someone who can’t be bothered to wait a few years. Madness. Good luck to the Gallery!

I don’t need this, having got the Bryant DB set up but for some mad reason I absolutely love it.

These threads can often just become a vintage love-in, but my favourite bass for the last 4 years is this FSR jazz with an incredible jazz neck. OK, so it polarises opinion a little bit being pink and with a Fender logo mechanically etched into the headstock, but it plays well and sounds amazing. In the end, I've sold all my other basses (aside from a spare I take to gigs and the obligatory vintage one). To upset the purists even more, I bought this from PMT. https://reverb.com/uk/item/42965899-fender-fsr-american-pro-jazz-bass-shell-pink-rosewood-neck

But they don’t look like elaborate balloon sculptures.

There’s no need to justify your spending. You’re also supporting a local business during tough times and I’m sure that money will be spent locally. I’m visiting a local luthier next week to chat about getting a bass made. The amount of hours that go into it is incredible.

10 or 15 minutes for a couple of times a day is best as you build up strength. This was the advice I was given and I’m currently following as I put in the hours to get back up to speed!

I've got mine in the loft room (sloping roof!) I can confirm that the Hercules stand works just fine. I can take a picture if you need me to.

I’ve seen both and I thought both sucked. My GF at the time paid for golden circle tickets so we were a few metres from the stage for RHCP. Was just dire.

You need to give it time. Often new Fenders come with dried out boards that look anaemic. You need to oil every 6 months and play a lot. After a good few years they will age to a dark finish that’s similar to rosewood, it just takes a bit of work. Dont try to accelerate the process and add too much lemon oil or you could effect the wood and make it soft, and prone to dents (especially if you’re using rounds). Personally, I’ve never noticed a difference in sound between the 60s Rosewood boards on my vintage Fenders and a brand new Squier, but I’m perhaps a little less discerning that the average Basschatter.

Went to see the Pixies reunion show and it was dire. Frank Black wasn’t interested in playing and never spoke to the audience once.

Like all pub tales, there’s probably a kernel of truth here, but I imagine it’s exaggerated in the telling.