silverfoxnik

Hi Folks, Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of buying an immaculate Handbox R400 head from Russ, aka @RJB280. The amp itself is fantastic, and with this being the version 2 model with the mid eq, it's even better than I remember these amps to be. Whilst there, I had a really nice chat (about all things bass) with Russ, and I can only reiterate what's been said above in that, he's an absolute gent and a great person to do a deal with. Highly, highly recommend.... 👍 Russ - thanks for your time and warm welcome, and thanks also for letting me have a play on your lovely early 60s P and J basses, which were stunning! 🙏😊 Cheers Nik

Hi Folks, Just bought a great sounding Aria medium scale bass from @Paul S Wow, what a bass! And double-wow ; what a great all-round bloke and Basschatter Paul is... Highly, highly recommend to one and all here on the forum. Thanks Paul for such a good meet up and conversation - it really was a pleasure! 🙏😊 And dare I say it.. Here's to the next time.. 😁 Nik

Hi @Mike Brooks, Obviously, I can't speak for the organisers of this Bash, but from a punters perspective, It would be great to have you there on the day if you can make it. In my experience, the South East Bass Bash has massively benefited over the years from the contributions of a wide variety of professional players, who have shared some of their unique experiences and insights... So a talk /presentation by your good self on the day would be absolutely amazing. All being well, I look forward to meeting you there! Cheers Nik

^^^ This....

Great video for a great cause @Dood 👏👏👏 I'll be there on the 7th September - look forward to seeing you there. Nik

Wow!! 13 years.... 😮 Mind you, saying that, I'm 5 years into a recording project.. 🤔 These things take time when you've absolutely no idea what you're doing. 🤣 But yes - I'm good thanks, Si. 🙏 Rehearsing roday, so can't complain...

I know - that's freaking crazy, right! T'was a great day, as I recall, especially your talk... We were all sat there ever so reverential and eager to learn. .. 🧑‍🎓😁 Hope all's well with you btw, Si....

"No, it really wouldn't be interesting in a situation like a Bass Bash." My point was only that you'd be amazed and suprised at what talks Basschat peeps have found interesting at the various Bashes over the years...

Despite what @petebsaid in his reply to this comment of yours @Sean, back at the 4th South East Bass Bash in 2010, @s1m0n gave a fantastic - and dare I say, legendary - presentation about the joys of using compressors... 😁 Sadly the photos aren't available any longer, but have a look here for more info:

Multiple rooms are really useful @Sean- hence why the previous venue we used in Addlestone, courtesy of @Hamster, was so good over the years. But I'm sure we can find a way to make this venue work, and it's great that you've found somewhere that we can get together in this year. Besides, not everyone who says they can make, gets there on the day, and people don't all arrive at the same time either. So, I'm sure it'll be fine. FWIW, I was heavily involved in running the SE Bash for years, so if you want to have a chat about anything, just send me a PM - I'm more than happy to help. Cheers Nik

This stigmatising of musicians has been going on for years... I remember back in the late 1980s, when I was a professional musician, being refused car insurance by all the then main well known insurance companies. When trying to challenge it at the time, I clearly remember some jobsworth at Direct Line telling me they wouldn't insure me in case I had someone famous in my car like (and I quote) "Mick Jagger", because if I had an accident with him in the car, it'd cost them millions... 🤦 Naturally, I said that Mick always came along to my gigs at the Dog and Duck in Deptford, and other such salubrious pubs in London (where you had to pay to play) because he had nothing better to do with his time! As it happened, I was on the Musicians Union's North London Committee, so I raised the issue there and then the it was taken up at the MUs Head Office in Central London. Eventually, the MU struck a deal with General Accident for a bespoke car insurance policy for working musicians which was a massive win and a huge relief at the time. I've no idea if GA and the MU still do this because I changed careers almost 25 years ago.. But this post has reminded me just how difficult it was back then as a musician to enjoy the same basic rights as others, and sadly, how it still seems to be the case. It's also made me think that I need to double check the situation with my car insurance cover for the 50 or so gigs and rehearsals I do each year for my 'hobby'...

Great thread @kwmlondon Really laughed a lot reading everyone's posts...😂😁🤣 What an irrational lot we are. Many of my irrational prejudices have been posted already, but the one that really grinds my gears that hasn't been mentioned so far is this one. It's social media or Basschat posts that we bassists share frequently about our upcoming gigs, with wording to the effect of... 'tonight's office' Or 'today's office' That come with a tasteful picture of some basses and a bass rig. OMG, that winds me up like nothing else because... It's not a f*#king office for f*#k's sake!!! 😡 It's a gig, a venue, a place where people congregate to do nice things (in the main)... I play music to get away from the office, and the last thing I'd ever want to associate playing music with is a f*#king office. 😡 There. Said it. 😬😜 I need to go and lie down in a darkened room for a couple of hours now... 😁🤣