Burns-bass

https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/209/557/John-Entwistle-interest--1972-Fender-Precision-bass-guitar-made-in-USA-serial-no-376250 You would have hoped the auctioneers had looked at the image of Entwistle with the bass and figured out it obviously isn’t the same one. (Hint: look at the headstock).

Here it is at the gig.

On Saturday I was on my way to a gig with my 1940s/1950s style blues and I needed to take a bass as backup to my double bass that wasn't a modern Fender (the band leader told me!). I went on FB and found what I thought was a modern Burns reissue bass for £100. Agreed to pick it up and use it that evening. When I turned up the guy was a bit flustered as he'd had a huge response to the advert. He pulled it out of the case, and it was an original 1962 Burns Vista Sonic bass in untouched condition. Feeling a bit wary, we had a chat and it turned out it was his grandads and he was selling it for him, and he wanted it to go to a musician as he didn't play. Not really knowing much about Burns guitars (despite my username) I took it to the gig and popped it on display if needed (it wasn't). When I got home, I checked out how much they're selling for and was blown away. It's going to the shop today for a bit of work on the electronics, but a pretty bonkers day. The gig money paid for the bass, too.

You should have stuff you want, need, and love. I truly believe we’d all be happy with less stuff, but I can’t help accumulating things as it’s part of who I am. I have one bass I use, one spare in a case I take to gigs, and one I saved up for 4 years to buy (and will never sell).

Its called being a double bass player!

I know I always moan here, but I got my 1971 Martin D35 back this week and there is no modern guitar I’ve ever heard (or owned) that sounds as good.

I paid £3000 for ours, including boxing in pipes, flushing the old system, and a boiler big enough to provide the water pressure needed for our 3 story house. Some of the best money I've ever spent!

Double bass and 60s Burns bass action yesterday in Bristol. Good fun, but played 3 x 50 minute sets and my hands are hurting!

There’s very little that makes a pre-CBS jazz better than a new one. I wouldn’t attempt to apply logic here.

Looks glorious!

I have a brand new gig bag I’m selling. Will list tomorrow.

Always worth joining the MU.

This is depressing, but reflects the truth.

Back to the original question… where are you based? Im guessing one of us might have a case in a cupboard somewhere you can have. Alternatively you can get a cheap case on Amazon or Temu. Send me a PM if you need any help finding one. For a bass around £100 I’d not bother with a hard case (I used to cycle with my 66 jazz bass in a soft case, that was pretty mad looking back).

I’d register as self employed which means you can claim up to £1000 in expenses (without needing to provide receipts). You can then record the payments incoming legally and will need to complete a self assessment tax return. I work with companies all across the world and declare tax this way (alongside a VAT registered business). But as Steve says, some promoters may have their own requirements on paying you. So worth asking.

We have a shared Spotify list where we put songs. All of us listen to the list for a few weeks and we decide what we like and don’t like. Sometimes you can have a negative reaction to a song (few from the Blues Brothers, for me), which I actually liked and agreed to play after listening to them. This only works with covers!