Richard R

Welcome aboard! No need to apologise for your English, you should (not) hear my terrible French!

They almost look like ear studs - which opens up a whole world of possibilities for someone with skill, a Dremell, and some resin. I've got some cuff links that would work rather well too.

From what I remember of last year, gifts over which you had no influence are OK. Gifts where you point, nudge, wink, heavily suggest, or purchase for your spouse to give to you, weren't. Damn!

Yep, bonkers. But thoroughly enjoyable. 😀

Not sure how I missed the start of this, but it looks Fabulous!

Welcome aboard! Like the band name, very neat. 👍

This is fascinating! Really enjoying following this, and glad to hear you're feeling better. Happy New Year!

It's the taking on of new gear, the principle being to be satisfied with what we have. Though the reason I join in and follow the thread is to witness the sheer imagination and ingenuity that goes into the excuses and attempts to wriggle round that simple premis. 😅

Is this bass a specific commission, or for stock? Asking for a friend...

While bungee jumping. The aim is to cover the fretboard ascending while you descend, then descending as you bound back etc. Keeping time accurately of course. Or, in the absence of a bridge and bungee, play up and down with different rhythm patterns and see how funky you can get.

Last year's rules were anything in the signal chain, excluding consumables such as strings, and so excluded straps, gigbags etc. Not sure where non-bass purchases such as MIDI keyboards, or things like PA gear and IEM headphones sat. I don't intend to buy any basses this year, but could be tempted by some decent IEMs if I manage to play live more. Or a tenor-sized bass Uke like the one at the Midlands Bass Bash. Or a....? Count me in. 👍

This ^^^. Videos make it look like the player has the neck parallel to their collar bone. If you push is out more like 45 degrees then you whole left arm moves out, the wrist doesn't have to bend and it's much more comfortable. I only realised this a few months ago, though subconsciously I had been sticking my neck out for ages. This (free) course on inproving technique is where I realised it. Lesson 1 has some good basics on posture too. https://scottsbasslessons.com/challenge/ten-day-technique-challenge/lesson-1-nov-17th

Head over to Studybass.com and/or Scotts Bass Lessons. Both have excellent beginner guides including how to position and hold the bass to avoid injury. The SBL one requires signing up to the free trial, bit is well worth it https://scottsbasslessons.com/courses/a-bassists-guide-to-preventing-injury/introduction

Welcome aboard

Welcome aboard Paul! Whenever I hear the words "real estate", I automatically think of the line from Huey Lewis' song "Hip to be square". Which I won't quote as I know you know it. 😉 Cracking song list. 😎

Those are creepy!!

I do like the "natural psychadelia" effect on the body.

Or "Headstock Blues"

I was in GG in Birmingham a while back and while my son tried out various acoustic guitars I messed about with their selection of basses. There was a matt black headless 5 string, possibly an Ibanez, which I absolutely loved the sound of. But I still, just, hold to the rule that I can't properly play the two I own, so I can't buy another.

That photograph would make an absolutely brilliant album cover!!

Cars are for driving, instruments for playing. And while it's nice to own some stuff as a collector, it's better to drive fast and play loud. 😎