Steve Browning

I was going to say chopstick. 🙂

I certainly think so. I know this is going to be a huge generalisation but I have tended to lump players into two categories (very basically), Precision players and Jazz players. I have observed that Precision players tend to play more simple, rooted lines while Jazz Bass players tend to play more in the middle of the neck and be more busy. I am not commenting on ability in any way. I have always imagined that the particular tone of the Jazz, slightly more definition, encouraged players to play more notes. I would guess that these definitions extend to the tonal characteristics of other basses of the ilk of the 'main'; two. For myself, I am the world's most boring Precision player. I avoid solos like the plague, have never slapped and just lock in with the kick drum. To do that job, the Precision design is the best tool there is (for me)

Mike Thorne at Rimshot Productions near Sittingbourne. He co-produced and engineered our CD and did a brilliant job, highly recommended.

I think you need to be careful when being too dismissive of Mesa amps. This is because the eq sections are far more versatile (and sensitive) than they might appear. When I bought my Bass 400 in 1988 I pretty much gave up on it after a few weeks because it didn't sound like I wanted it to. After a while I gave it another go and worked to understand the eq section. It took a while but it paid off in spades. Since then, I have compared other Mesa amps (including the Subway) and concluded (as has my listener in crime) that there is a definite 'dna' to Mesa amps but you might need to do some twiddling to get to grips with the amps eq. Well worth the effort.

I have told this story before but some years ago I was idly browsing on Ebay when I saw a Mesa Road Ready 2x18 up for auction. It was on with an initial bid of £50 and the auction was set to finish quite early one Sunday morning. I wasn't desperately after such a cab but thought I'd get up to see what it was going for nearer the time. With a minute to go it was at £60 and I thought I'd just stick in a bid of £75. I got it for £62. Turns out it was one of only 3 (or so it seems) and this one was built for Cass Lewis. Only down side was the fact that it had a sticker on it when I collected it. The sticker proclaimed its weight to be 107 kg. That said, when hooked up with my (then) Diesel 2x15 the sound was, quite literally. awesome.

It also sounds like you coped brilliantly when things didn't go to plan and all the more so if the very beginning caught you out. Really pleased you enjoyed it so much and congratulations again.

Joe Strummer. My first (proper) band had played a combination of Dr Feelgood and Clash stuff and his death was a real shock. George Michael was a shock too. All the more so as details of his incredible generosity and simple humanity came to light. That's two, I know, but they were shocking for different reasons.

I confess I spent years (and years) being obsessed with having my cab make contact with the floor. Even in the live-in flightcase I had made, I insisted that there was no foam under the cab when it was upright. After a time, the flightcase became a ridiculous incumbrence and I finally made the leap to decent sized rubber wheeled casters. I was convinced the bottom end would just disappear but, guess what? No difference in the sound at all.

Yes, it's that reference to the pickup that has loud alarm bells ringing for me.

By halfway through the first song you'll be hooked. Enjoy the years of poverty ahead!! 🙂

I have a Pbass with '68 electrics and my recent SVL Pbasses have 5% overwound Lindy Fralins which are pretty much the same.

The one in this review is unsurpassed, apparently. 🙂

I knew he could do it but then ....... I believe in miracles!!

Certainly the Ibis Budget had parking but not reserve'able and no space left when getting back late after the gig. Cheap and functional for sure but having to park the van a small distance away didn't help me nod off very quickly.

Did he prefer it through a valve amp (ducks)?

Fair point!!!

I would avoid Ibis Budget. Notice how the shower cubicle opens straight into the room and the sink is actually in the room. This is a twin room. Not overly keen on having my bandmate watch me clean my nadgers!!

I have done the same with these straps. The proper way round means the buckle is at the front so I always attached it the other way round because the buckle (and double thickness) was at the back. That made the bass far more comfortable to wear and helps keeps the bass balanced.

Don't forget the radio pack!!

Nice. Very nice.

I dare you to get the shirt!! Which bass have you ordered?

Nice bass but typically horrible attempt at a tort guard. Far too red. That's always going to be the problem, good tort guards are like hen's teeth. Great starting point though as Japanses Fenders are superb instruments. I bought 2 or 3 from Ishibashi.