Steve Browning

I always wanted to form a punk band in which everyone dressed as a classical musician and sat with a music stand in front of them.

I bought my first amp when it was Telecomms, and in a tiny shop in Stamshaw (possibly the least salubrious part of Portsmouth).

Yes. The Lehle is a terrific switcher. I used one for ages, before going for a Mike Hill unit.

One of my favourite bassists of all time. My ringtone is Nitto, from This Way Up Saw them at a college gig around 1976. Probably more for the musos, as said, but absolutely awesome player. Very sad that he felt he had to leave by his own hand.

I detest the horrible vibrato that musical theatre folk apply to other types of music.

I have a recollection of Graham Bonnet, on Rockschool, singing opera. Very impressive it was too. He had training in case you thought I was suggesting he was a natural. I was impressed that he had taken his craft so seriously.

A Hoyer Les Paul was rather famously brandished by Bill Nelson on the back cover of Axe Victim, the debut album by Be Bop Deluxe. Apparently, Stuart Adamson was such a fan he tracked it down. It was eventually sought out by a group of fans and presented back to Bill.

When ordering, make sure the internal depth is enough for the amp. As for abs, I always wonder if they are hefty enough to stay on top of the cab without moving. Cases with rubber feet for me.

Rule 1, you don't embarrass someone on stage. Ever. Post mortems are for the day after, at the earliest.

Definitely this. She may be perfectly suited to folk, but not rock covers. No need to be unpleasant.

I always take a spare. The spare is always a carbon copy of the main bass so if it's needed, there's no level or sonic difference. They're usually the same finish too but not always, I'm not a freak!!

I can tell you that a 335 through a Mesa Bass 400 and diesel 2x15 sounds absolutely awesome.

I'm afraid my experience has been the polar opposite of others here. I had put up a wanted ad for a Precision body, my intention being to fit a Nash neck that I had. It had previously been on a Nash body and also a Squier one. I was offered a reliced body with a 'standard US/MIM' neck pocket, and duly paid the asking price without quibble. The body had been taken as part of a trade I was informed. It arrived promptly and all seemed fine. However, when I came to fit the neck, it was apparent that the pocket was short and two of the neck screw holes were visible at the back. On measuring, it turned out that the neck pocket was the standard width of 2.5" but was only 3.5" long, 3/8" shorter than standard. On bringing this to Matt's attention, he stated that the dimensions were standard and that I should sell the body if I didn't want it. I asked for support from the admins and their opinion matched my own. Messages were sent and a complete lack of a response suggested we were being ghosted. In suggesting that I was knowingly being palmed off with something, the admin finds it hard not to draw the same conclusion. The attached picture shows the neck in the pocket and the misalignment of the screws. Hugely disappointing and not the result I was expecting. It seems out of character, but I have to urge caution in future dealings.

I am gigging with Pete Townsend's guitar tech next week. I can ask if he has any way of finding anything out.

One for @agedhorse.

Don't Give Up - Kate Bush. I know Peter Gabriel's on it, too, but who cares?

Hi collective Should a non-Fender (but regular-sized) neck (Nash) fit into a standard MIM/US neck pocket without issue? The body has a neck pocket that is the regulation 2.5 inches wide but is 3.5" long, the standard (as far as I can find out, is 3.8785) I can attach it, with the screw holes being in a different place, but does that affect the scale length etc? Would it work ok? It would be great if it'll work ok. I'm no woodworker!

My first instinct is that it seems a bit on the high side, but that's driven purely by your description and my first thought. If you're happy with the bass and it ticks all your boxes then buy it and be happy. It may not prove to be a great investment but you're not buying it for that.

This is the L-series Jazz bass I inherited, following the recent death of a friend in the US. The friend in question was Bruce Barthol, who played bass with Country Joe and the Fish. The bass itself is unbelievably filthy and the scratchplate covers up a couple of sizeable routs in the body. The tuners are Grovers and the pickups are a set of Bartolinis. It weighs almost nothing and plays very well. Not a Jazz player really, but I am suitably honoured to be entrusted with Bruce's bass and it will feature in the Psych Unit. That's a band being put together to play songs by the various US psychedelic bands we have backed when they toured the UK. I will take it over to @rumblefish for his appraisal, and decide what I will do to get it back into shape.

I so wish they did these with rosewood or laurel and dot inlays.

For me, this is what would stop me buying a Precision bass. It can't have; 5 strings Maple neck White body Black scratchplate on sunburst Jazz width neck