Paul S

I have several prejudices. The biggest one is against red basses. I am not keen on other primary colours but red is a def. no-no. I did buy a red bass once, the only time I have attempted a refin, because it was cheap. Never again on both counts. Black basses with white pickguards. Someone already said it but they always look to me like the budget range. I've bought several and the first thing I do is change it for BWB. Tort pickguards. I really don't like tort pickguards, they look equally appalling on any colour bass IMO. Single cutaway basses that look like comic book whales. Plenty more but, really, mainly red basses. Red, single cutaway bass with a tort pickguard would give me nightmares.

I haven't bought much gear this year but this is the best buy: a Gibson SG Standard, 2021 in mint condition from BassBros. For some inexplicable reason I had always avoided buying a Gibson SG bass but, now I have, I find it is a perfect fit for me in terms of playing comfort, weight (7lbs), how it sits in the mix with my blues/rock trio. I have an old '76 Eros EB-3 shorty that comes a very close second but this just takes the tape. The dymanics are massive: it can sing, it can growl, it can thud. Love it.😍

I think it is some remote offshoot of an Evangelical organisation, the Church of the 7th Transverse Abdominist Pilates Reformers.

I expect you find this all the time, Tim. People are just so disappointing.

I am sure your comment is for general consumption but as you quoted me I will reply specifically. I don't actually want to build contacts for the future because, as I said earlier, whenever this band folds that's me done. This is my perfect band, anything else would be disappointment. And to be honest, at 66, I find after emptying the tank in a 2.5hr set and a 1.5hr drive, getting home at 2am is increasingly draining. Especially as every other night I am asleep by 10. For this band it is worth the effort, anything else probably not.

Basschat is often referred to as an asylum from the troubles of the world. But the word 'asylum' has several meanings.

Been there, done it. At one point I was in multiple bands (2 x pub covers bands, a Bon Jovi tribute plus this blues/rock trio) but it is not for me any more. If that works for you, great

That's kind of my situation. I am 66 (how did that happen?) and play in just the one band - a blues/rock trio. It is the band I most enjoy of all that I have been in - I play music I love with a two laid back guys who are absolutely on the money. If and when this band folds I'll most likely pack it all in as I will never find anything like this one again.

30 yrs ago I developed an acute sacro-iliac problem. This became full on chronic problem after clearing snow Dec 2009. Since then I have managed a prolapsed disc L4 and a hernia. I am usually a sneeze away from a week on the bench. I spent most of my adult life as a regular at the gym and, as I always say, was once as strong as an ox, now I just look like one. 😁. These days I have a daily core routine and walk a lot. All my basses are under 8.5lbs, my main squeeze 7.5lds, and I no longer use a backline, just straight into the desk via a pedal.

I've used foam pipe lagging sleeves before now, cheap as cheaps - especially if you happen to have a bit lying around. Not as dense but still works a treat.

Which is the same as the 'clean boost' patch on the Spectradrive, as it happens.

In true Basschat tradition I will recommend something entirely different. TC Spectradrive. It is an eq, DI, compressor and drive unit all in one. You can download different patches for the compressor and drive - I used 'clean boost' patch which gives a decent approximation of valve break up when balanced with the gain. I play in a blues/rock trio and it is my 'on all the time, take it anywhere' sound.

SG-ish. Maybe more rounded, if I were being picky I bought one of these Encore DC shorties a few years ago. Lovely thing, wonderful proportions.

I believe this is a great song. I love the way it keeps bouncing between major and minor. I love the slightly unusual rhythm pattern unlying it. Hard to imagine a vocal performance better than this.

Cute little double cutaway shorty would be nice, especially if you are looking for people to test it...

You've been recording your intestinal rumblings again, haven't you.

Actually, you really should.

I was in a band for a few years - 2x guitar, bass, drums. The other 3 all sung. One of the guitarists was messing about with one of his pedals and he discovered he could make it do a sort of spacey drone that sounded a bit like the opening synth on Shine On You Crazy Diamond. He demonstrated it to us one rehearsal and guitarist #2 obliged with the opening notes and we kind of busked it for a while. Next rehearsal we had all learnt it and it stayed in the set for 3 years until the band folded. Sounded amazing and always went down extremely well. We usually followed it with a rockabilly version of 'Walk Like An Egyptian'. Anyhoo, it is entirely possible without keys but with some imagination.

I'd be all over that Tecamp. Fab amps.

Who is the young fella on the guitarists right? A dep?

But there is the volume on his guitar, level out on pedals - sneaky bunch, there guitarists. Always find a way to turn up.

Pfft, showoff