ezbass

Used to play Pump It Up in a band I was in, so much fun. I even got to play it on one of Bruce Thomas' basses that I bought (he didn't like it as much as his salmon pink one), which was weird and wonderful at the same time.

Living In The Past - Tull

Bass is where it's at, don't bother with the skinny stringed thing. Buy Apple and Amazon shares! Don't start smoking. Be more self confident, you're better than you think, at everything. Don't buy that first Skoda 101, it's crap! Become an educator sooner.

Lucky for me that I've moved out of the area, otherwise my wallet might be in big trouble. Have a great bash.

King of the Road -Roger Miller

It's now been eight months since this wee beastie arrived on my doorstep and I thought it was time for an update. After playing with all the pickup settings, I have settled on the single coil selection as my favourite. Because it's the neck coil, the sound is somewhere between a 'Ray and a P Bass, which makes sense given its placement. It's a really rich, plummy tone that bridges the gap between the 'Ray and P. For songs that need a shade more honk, I just select the parallel setting and it's all good. I've recently lowered the nut slots a bit more and I think it's probably bang on now. I've lowered the action below my usual 2mm and it still doesn't buzz and is super fast for me, there isn't much or any adjustment left in the truss rod, however, not that it needs any more straightening. The action could go lower, but that would require a shim (the E saddle is bottomed out now) and it's really fine where it is. I still find the body a touch small and would benefit from a little more depth for total right forearm comfort, but it's OK really. That's it, nothing more to report, just need to get out and play it with other folk.

Lido Shuttle - Boz Skaggs

I Can't See My Feelings - Budgie

As we’ve gone a bit international - DiMarzio. Every time I’ve needed advice from them they’ve been quick to respond and always helpful. I once received a reply from Steve Blucher, he’s the guy who makes the pickups for Vai, Satriani, etc. He doesn’t need to help the likes of me, but he did. This in stark contrast to another pickup manufacturer on the opposite, US seaboard (sorry for the addition of a negative note there).

You Fool No One - Deep Purple

Bad Monkey - Richard Thompson

Congrats, albeit tempered with large swathes of envy. I see you went for a fiver. I definitely want an upright and preferably a full on DB, but it’s very slim pickings in my neck of the woods. I’ve looked at affordable EUBs but I’m wary of them sounding more like a fretless bass than a DB.

I Don’t Remember - Peter Gabriel

Back in my guitar playing days (yeah, yeah, I know) I was trying out various vibrato systems, to find out which one I preferred (Kahler, if you're interested). Whilst giving it the biggun on the whammy, I looked up to see a somewhat diminutive man, wearing large, aviator shaped, horn rimmed spectacles. I put the guitar down and left. The one and only Hank Marvin was in the shop. In contrast, I was in a shop and was annoyed at some long haired, herbert taking up the shop assistant's time, whilst I was waiting, somewhat impatiently, to be served. "He won't buy that," I thought to myself. He didn't, but that long haired herbert was none other than Rory Gallagher, I felt ashamed for not recognising him and being so dismissive. Another time, I was staring into a guitar shop window, with another couple of chaps, when we joined by another. Looking sideways at the newcomer, I recognised Laurie Wisefield of Home and Wishbone Ash, who was playing in the pit just up the road in We Will Rock You. It was heartening to see that even one of those who have played at some of the highest levels, still window shop just like every one else.

Plaistow Patricia - Ian Dury & Co

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).