chris_b

I buy amps because I want to be loud, so I always plug into the loudest input.

I wouldn't touch Denmark Street with a barge pole. So far I have only had good experiences with the Bass Gallery. There's Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience in Hampton Wick.

I take 2 of everything: 2 basses, 2 amps, 2 cabs and 2 sets of leads. I have spares of everything else as well: tuners, batteries, strings, strap, earplugs and fuses. I had a Marshall in the 70's that was blowing fuses so I got in a few of every fuse I needed. I haven't changed a fuse on a gig since then, but I still carry the tub full of fuses. A few years back, I was able to save the gigs when a guitar amp and a PA desk blew fuses. I only take 1 trolley, but with the light cabs I don't always need it. Lightweight and small gear means it easily fits in the back of the hatchback, with the rear seats up.

D'Addario NYXL's. I was going to change the strings on my Jazz but when we had the first lockdown, I put it off. These NYXL's are still on the bass and still have enough twang in them to keep me happy.

This is one situation where using a cab and head (and backup head) would have saved your gig.

Nope, just the Republican Party these days.

Do you mean you're fingers are slipping off the strings? That would be a problem with your playing and not the strings.

Daniel Castro. . . . a new name to me, but I like the sound and feel he and his band gets on this track, especially that 5 string bass.

Get your bass professionally set up and fret stoned, if required, so the action an be as low as possible. Then play with a very light touch.

When I do a Reggae gig it's with my regular rig, 700 watts and 2 x BF 112's. I only make one change. I press the Deep button. The band leader likes that sound.

I used to drive a Citroen Dyane 6. Now don't tell me my Vovo 850T wasn't worth the extra!! You can find playable instruments for a few hundred pounds, but really great? I don't think so.

These days you don't. Your amp through a BB2 or Super Twin, would tick all the boxes.

Not at $700!!

I've never heard a bad sounding bass line out of an Xotic bass. I'd love to own one, but sadly the weight thing is a showstopper for me.

Ours wasn't a particularly musical household. I started with Uncle Mac on the Light Program and the Billy Cotton Band Show on BBC. Then moved on to Ready Steady Go and Top of the Pops. Then I discovered clubs and switched to the likes of John Mayall, Geno Washington etc. I didn't grow up on any particular band, label or style of music, it was a melting pot of everything.

Go for it. Fretless bass sounds great. I'd stick with 5 string. Face one change and one learning curve at a time.

Just play them.

If you want to be heard in the mix get a better cab. . . . get 2 of them. Get an amp with good definition and enough headroom.

+1 for a good used Barefaced cab. The extra money will be well spent.

I'd suggest the matching Ashdown extension cab.

Maple frerboards are usually sealed, so you can't oil them.

The bass hasn't worn away. If the bass is kept in a dry atmosphere the wood can contract, so frets can "sprout" at the edges of the fretboard. If it really is a problem a good luthier can file the fret ends.

Good news.

Only if you're not releasing the pressure between positions. If you are trying to slide your hand/thumb under pressure then maybe you'll stick. If you're doing it properly you won't.

Start with scales, chords and modes.