Paul S

Damnation! You didn't sell the Alocasia macrorrhizos did you? 😨

My entry into the world of 5 string basses was actually having a need to learn how to play one. Before then I had tried a couple out of curiosity but not gelled so I didn't pursue it. Then my band changed direction and I needed to have a 5er as a lot of the new material has low notes. The best advice I was given was to shut away my 4 string basses and just use the 5er until I got used to it. It took a while but eventually I 'got' the whole thing - not just the extra low notes but the ergonomics of playing across the neck etc etc. It also made me rethink my whole approach to the neck of a bass as, up until then, I had convinced myself I only liked slim necks. So I firmly believe that is the thing with 5ers - you need to have a strong enough incentive to keep at it because it does need some reconfiguring of your mind. Or start with one from scratch, of course. A few years on and I now flit between 4 and 5 string. Truth be told I actually prefer playing 4 strings but having the 5er there is still a necessary thing for me.

And, just for variety, I always use TI Flats. The short scale ones are actually 32" but have always fitted OK.

yes, of course this was insured for £1000 instruments. Should have added that.

I was having this very conversation yesterday with the guy that does my tech stuff. He also makes guitars and ships them out all over then country. He says he researched it all as thoroughly as he could because, with all the other plates he keeps spinning, each guitar takes 3 months to build and he doesn't want to have to keep on re-making broken ones. He ended up using UPS and has never had an issue, costs him £50/60 fully insured.

A Fender Precision Lyte has a Strat sized and shaped body if you still fancy one.

I used Black Beauties and Neons for a while. I liked the sound, not as harsh as new uncoated rounds. They look fab at first, too. I play with a pick, am pretty rough, and the coating wore off in no time where I hit it. If you play fingerstyle then this won't be an issue, of course. But, also the back of the string where it rubs against the fret loses the coating - in itself not a problem but if you have to ever take the strings off then put them back on again it is impossible to line up again.

I assume you need a scooped EQ for this specialist item.

Me too. An '83. I've had it longer than any other basses (but still only 5 years, which says a fair bit about my revolving door of basses). But I'd describe it as being the bass I am least likely to sell. I never say never.

Didn't even know they made fretless spoons. Every day is a school day.

I don't see a problem. if I want it, can afford it, have room for it, I'll get it. End of. If it turns out to be less than expected, I'll move it on. If it is better than expected, I'll keep it and move on something else. Or not. At least I would have had the experience of playing it for a while. I call it 'curiosity' rather than GAS and certainly nobody else's business. Of course if it meant not being able to meet debts or put food on the table that is another thing.

Danny then went on to be a founder member of Thunder and now presenter on Planet Rock.

I'd say it is worth hanging on. It's been a while since I checked in but, back then, one of the guys on there was one of the founders of the whole Shergold/Hayman/Burns thing. Norman Houlder. He might be dead by now, of course.

That is lovely! I had one - my first proper bass! Sold it because it was heavy. There is a Shergold website that includes a forum. Hayman are basically the same and often get talked about on there. https://www.shergold.co.uk/forum/ I even bought a nos perspex bridge from someone on there. If they don't have one, they will know if it is possible.

Gives new meaning to 'Jigsaws for aged 3 and under'

You've seen me solder then? I have shaky hands that are getting worse (something called Essential Tremor, another story) and have decided to stop before I do some harm or burn the house down. 😂

I had a Pantera X790 Deluxe for a while. I think this was Westone's top end of the range then. Beautifully made instrument. I read about it somewhere, fell in love, waited a few years before one came up for sale in the Netherlands - I collected it from there! @Andyjr1515 did a headstock renovation on it as the paint had chipped off from around one of the tuners. But having GASed for so long I didn't bond with it when I actually got it plus it was too heavy. Boy did I take a hit when I moved it on! Say lar vee.

Sold a gig bag to Lee. I truly cannot envisage a simpler transaction! Perfect!

I'd be worried that it suddenly grew to 50 times bigger, sprouted wheels and started to destroy the world.

It might be nice under all that filth. Difficult to tell.

I think you have to use Pyramid strings.

It's my impression, Bas, that you play everything with a smile on your face

Covfefe au lait, anyone?

I like to imagine how the newscaster Moira Stuart would have pronounced it. Like some West African despot. N'WOB'm

Thanks Bas. Rather than fade out on that folky thing at the end my aim is to segue it with Tequila for a while. If it works out OK I'll post it here. Of course if it doesn't I won't mention it again