silverfoxnik

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... 😁🤣

Hi Folks, I've just had the pleasure of buying a Carl Martin Opto Compressor from @Gareth Hughes Suffice to say, Gareth's a top Basschatter, and someone I'd happily deal with again... Fast delivery, great comms and the pedal's a winner! - it sounds great and comes with some very cool outer case mojo, which suits me down to the ground. Cheers Gareth, and here's to the next one! 👍😊 Nik

^^^ I've owned both amps and would definitely agree with this... The V4BH is easier to use and in a gigging situation, that's so useful...

Yep - you've misread that, Mike. You'd bring stories, wisdom, cool insights - and that's just for starters! Then there's the playing, basses, etc, etc. Would be great to see you if family /work circumstances permit. 👍😊 All the best, Nik

Great work @NancyJohnson and @prowla.. 👍 I should be able to make this too... 😎 #1 - Paul @NancyJohnson #2 - Paul #2 @prowla #3 - Martin @Merton #4 - Matt @Wombat #5 - Andy @Wolverinebass #6 - Stevie @stevie #7 - Lozz @Lozz196 #8 - Matt @neepheid #9 - @bassace97 #10 - Robert @bass_dinger #11 - Christopher @chyc #12 - jaco @Geek99 ** #13 - Alan @WalMan #14 - Trevor @TrevorR #15 - John @jonno1981 #16 - Gary @cetera #17 - @MacDaddy #18 - Steve @Stingray5 #19 - Russ @Russ #20 - Rich - errm, @Rich tbc #21 - Happy Jack @Happy Jack #22 - Silvia Bluejay @Silvia Bluejay #23 - Mike @mikelawrencecalleja #24 - @admiralchew #25 - martin @police squad #26 - @Sean #27 - @silverfoxnik

I was never a Sabbath fan as I'm not a fan of that genre of music particularly, but I totally respect their unique talent and sound, and their massive contribution to rock and roll. That said, I liked Ozzy a lot as a frontman ; he just had something about him that connected and reached out to you. Charisma and authenticity, I guess... RIP, Mr Sabbath.

Year started playing: 1975 Number of basses: 11 Music theory: 4/10 Technique: 5/10 Groove: 6/10 Great topic btw @Chiliwailer... To add some context to the numbers above .. I started playing regularly and with some purpose in my first band in 1976. Playing bass in a band was also my introduction to songwriting; it seemed pointless to do one without the other.. Doing O-Level Music at school was a great help actually, but I'd say my understanding of proper, classically based music theory is pretty low. I played in a lot of different bands and musical projects trying to 'make it' in the music biz over the next 20 years and then took 11 years out. Joined my first ever covers band in 2006 and haven't looked back since. Other than matters of the heart, kids and some extra-special career highlights, I've had more joy, fun and pleasure from playing music/ making music than just about anything else... I have six 4-string basses that I use regularly, depending on the musical situation and my mood. Plus two 5-string basses that I use less often. Upstairs in the loft is a mid '70s Hondo Ricky copy my mum bought me, and a short scale Encore bass I bought for my son when he was you which I just can't seem to part with (sentimental fool that I am!). Oh, and there's a lovely Maya Fretless that I cant play that still needs to find a new home. 🤷 Trying to be as objective as possible, based on 50 years of seeing some truly gifted bass players and some truly awful ones over that time... .. I know my technique is fairly average and my ability to really 'groove' or 'rock out' is passable for a grey-haired old duffer playing in covers bands. But my thinking is that there's still plenty of time to improve and get better. So that - plus realising most audiences I play in front of have absolutely no f@#king idea what the bass is doing most of the time - means I can keep getting away with it for a while longer yet. 😁