ezbass

I’m going to big up Guitar Guitar. I saw that they had a second hand acoustic guitar (yes, I know) in Epsom. This was my old, local store, but is now over 500 miles away, so I used the telephone to enquire about it. Expecting a, “Yeah, it’s a good one that, do you want it?” I instead received, “I haven’t played that, do you mind hanging on and I’ll give a quick play.” A short time passed and the chap returned and gave an honest appraisal and was still playing (or at least someone was) it when he returned to the phone. One of the things he pointed out made me decide to pass. Picking up the phone to the seller (providing it isn’t a generic call centre) often brings good results. I remember having an issue with my Vax cordless vacuum cleaner, I phoned Vax and they talked me through a few tests, decided the motor was at fault and sent me out a new assembly straight away. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Vax product now.

Oh Souperman - Laurie Anderson

Chattanooga Cha Cha - Glenn Miller Orchestra

Stepping Out - Joe Jackson

Cold as Ice - Foreigner

I was trying to think of bass players who are associated with Yamaha and there really aren’t that many that spring to my mind at least. Those that I can think of off the top of my head are: Billy Sheehan; John Patitucci; Nathan East; Peter Hook & Michael Anthony. I would have added John Myung, but he jumped ship to MM ages ago and Henrik Linder used to use a TRB, but now uses a Mattison sig model. Perhaps Yamaha need to make more of an effort to put their basses in the hands of more A listers, but perhaps they’re not that bothered. I noticed that their instruments, including a bass, were used in the latest version of A Star Is Born, but I wouldn’t have thought that this is the best kind of product placement in order to promote the brand. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a Yamaha if they had something that fitted my requirements as they don’t make a bad instrument at any price point, as has been said before (they were certainly in my current search for a dreadnought).

In addition, never underestimate the hankering for the early golden days of electric guitar & bass by users. Guitarists especially are stuck in ‘50s when it comes to designs (not all obviously) and the big 2 feed this with an unending supply of reissues, year in, year out. Bassists are a little better, but not hugely. Look what happens every time Fender bring out a new, perfectly good design, it’s mothballed in pretty short order. Perhaps when newer players become the go to guitar heroes, they will be a shift in manufacturer perceptions by users. Chris Buck, for instance, uses Yamaha Rev Stars extensively, Mateus Osato is mainly a Suhr player, Lari Basilio is an Ibanez user. These are some of the up and coming in the guitar world, the new breed of bass players (League, Dart, etc) still seem to be old school users (giving MM old school status in this instance).

Axe Victim - BeBop Deluxe (it's been a while).

If it’s the look and tone of a P bass you’re looking for carry on, but if it’s just the tone and you fancy being a bit different, a JMJ Mustang is a great option with its custom Seymour Duncan pickup and fab neck. Add a pick for a proper gnarly tone with great fundamental.

Absolutely this ^^^ Size matters too, accurate measurement of the post holes is important.

How could I have forgotten about the Queen of bassface? The marvellous Este Haim. She has great tone and groove and plainly really gets into her playing.

I’d add Tal Wilkenfield, Rhonda Smith, Ida Neilson and Juna Serita to the list.

Join Together - The Who

Strange Brew - Cream

Caramel - Blur

Maruszczyk Elwood, Bass Direct have a couple at the moment.

You should be able to feel the waves of envy emanating from north of the border. A pair of Jabbas, something to be green about. Congrats, enjoy your acquisitions.

Pie Ho Silver Linin’ - Jeff Beck

Unless you add up all the sides, 20 (the 1 is hidden).

These photos put me in mind of this… If it wasn’t so damned expensive, I’d be all over this as Rob Allen makes a very fine bass indeed.

Width of a Circle - Bowie

Turning Japanese - The Vapours

I like that, it's just different enough.