Paul S

Most of the problems I have had are due to trying to play some trickier bass lines that were originally played with fingers. I play mainly with a pick - I have greater control and speed so all of the trickier bass lines I have tried to learn have been done out of necessity with a pick. As an academic exercise I tried to learn Rhythm Stick but even though I nearly got there it just didn't sound right played with a pick so I abandoned it before making it home. One I had to persevere with a couple of years ago was Bon Jovi's Keep The Faith. I can see that this is so much easier played finger style, just grazing across the strings but as I can't do that with enough control I had to get used to playing it with a pick. It is not so much about playing the notes, it is more the feel and timing as it is tricky to keep it bouyant and sparkling along. There are little extra ghost notes here and there that most covers I have heard seem to miss out - even Hughie McDonald does sometimes and he recorded the original! Still, like most things, if you practice enough you get there, it just took me longer with this. Didn't help that the drummer, who usually plays everything way too slowly, decided to learn this from a speeded up live version and always played it fast! Maybe I should practice my fingerstyle more!

I have the twin of this, except it is the Fender logo Squier. Fabulous bass.

Related story - guitarist in my little band learnt the solo in The Carpenters' Goodbye To Love note for note for his ex-function band. At the rehearsal they were due to run through it one of the singers said - 'I've chatted with the other girls and we don't want to do this now.' Notice my use of the word 'ex' in relation to the band

I broke a string at rehearsal once and once at home. So twice. I guess I'd miss the B string for the same reason as people have said E string - although I can't imagine breaking one of those.

Do 'best of' albums count? If so 'Steppin Out - the Best of Joe Jackson' would be in my top 3. Made In Japan, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath would be the other 2.

I have one of these that a Trace Elliot head fits into (just). Similar to a Peli but cheaper. I weigh approx 100kg and can stand on it with no fear. https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/large-high-impact-case-with-pre-cut-foam-interior-n14gr?cmpid=ppc%3Apim_products%3Apla%3Agoogle&gclid=CjwKCAiA3o7RBRBfEiwAZMtSCQQh9U3ogbZjXis8qbtTG0GS-tGZey9leLMZg7HclfHVwYzOwam1DBoCGNIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds But rugged tool boxes are worth looking at - I keep my MesaBoogie Prodigy Four:88 in a Stanley Fatmax tool box - I can stand on that, too.

I'm liking the look of that S type. Does this mean I need to turn off my ad blocker?

There, that's fixed. Makes a difference to some people - me included. Although FOR ME it is actually string spacing, rather than the actual width of the neck. I struggle to play a 4 string bass with a neck that is 43mm wide at the nut but happily play a 5 string bass with a 45mm neck.

Anyway, anyone who thinks the Bon Jovi puns are finished please Raise Your Hands. Have a Nice Day!

No, These Days I am Just Older. I guess I need to Keep The Faith that I can keep up with the young'uns. And I don't suppose it will be for Always.

That must be the definitive reply. How did you choose your online name, tall_martin?

I hope so. Not so easy now I am turned sixty but I reckon I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

Not guaranteed - Tribute bands are potentially a Bed of Roses.

But 6" would be far too long, surely? I'm 5'10", pretty chunky and, before migrating to 5 strings was forced on me, had an array of short scale basses as well as medium scale and long scale. My favourite was a Squier VM Mustang - something about the tone and playability hit the spot for me. I didn't think twice about how a small bass looks. If there comes a time when I sell my 5 strngers I will go straight onto eBay to seek out a Mustang.

No Bon Jovi, either - maybe an opportunity.... Bilbo - what is the air like up there atop your ivory tower? I get an idea of the view from what you post.

Also saw Rhonda Smith using one quite a bit at a gig with Jeff Beck - pizz and arco - also Ged Grimes using one with Simple Minds, albeit more style over substance in that case.

Last night saw the Hamish Stewart Band at the Maritime room at the Cliff's Pavilion. A small (200max) informal venue - Mrs S and I were sat at the first set of tables so i could have leaned forward and touched the guitar player, had I the inclination. Saw them here last year, too,so I knew what to expect. I've seen and enjoyed the current Average White Band but IMO it is Hamish that ignites a performance, raises it to another level. The man just oozes funk and rhythm. Helped by a band of superlative musicans - Steve Pearce has to be the bassist I enjoy listening to live more than any other at the moment. He stays in the pocket, branching out with some fantastic runs once in a while, but always being creative - an absolutely masterclass of funky, soulful bass playing. The whole band are constantly laughing and just having a blast. Hamish's voice isn't what it was but he can still turn in a powerful vocal performance 'A Love Of My Own' being a beautiful example.

Didn't spot her. Any reason she would be?

Saw Go West at the Apex theatre in Bury St Edmunds last night. Mrs S and I go to see Go West whenever they are in striking distance of home, usually 3 or 4 times a year. Apex is a good venue - 500 seater, sound is always crisp. Peter Cox's voice was very slightly under par for this gig but the band were totally on the money. We both reckon, having seen them since they started, that this is the best incarnation of the band. Bassist Vinzenz Benjamin is phenomenal and the new young guitarist squarely ticks the Alan Murphy boxes. (there is a tenuous connection - his dad was in the band when Alan Murphy was) This was part of their 35th anniversary tour, not bad going. Downside being caught in Bury St Edmunds rush hour lockdown - our 30 minute 'flex time' was used up sitting in a jam in Parkway. Bonus for the night free parking in the short stay car park after 3pm on a Tuesday and 'The Sheesh' Turkish restaurant, just 3 minute walk from the Apex, was superb. Not tried it before but it will be our regular now when going to this venue. Note to self - arrive before rush hour.

Still, on the plus side the scratchplate is a nice cheery shade of orange

Go on then. 30 secs in is the reason the adolescent me watched this religiously every week

Early Black Sabbath for me. First time I heard Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath it was like suddenly entering a different time zone or dimension. All very dark and sinister.

To be fair, chaps, it would have been a rather lengthy poll had I split it down to 4 string 10% 5 string 90% 4 string 20% 5 string 80% 4 string 30% 5 string 70% etc. And then someone would have complained that it didn't have an option for using a 4 string 25% of the time so couldn't possibly vote

Her other claim to fame...