BCH

On 12/09/2025 at 19:41, scrumpymike said:

Gillett Contour basses are rare and very special, but this one is unique!

 

It's the actual bass that the guys from the American magazine Bass Gear played on the Gillett Guitars stand at the Summer of 2019 NAMM show before declaring the Contour 'Best Bass In Show'. The ST had been launched just before the show and instantly became the most popular bass in the range combining as it does the 'pickup-plus-piezo' configuration in the slimmed-down 'S' body. The first batch had immediately been shipped to impatient customers - me included! As I was helping Michael Gillett out with his sales, marketing and PR, he asked me if I would lend mine back to him so he could have one at the show. Bass Gear played several Contours but it was the sounds of mine strung with the optional Newtone phosphor-bronze round-wound strings (still fitted btw) that really blew them away - see below. 

 

So what exactly is it? In summary, it's an active medium-scale (31.75") electro-acoustic with through-body stringing, a J-style pickup at the neck and a piezo transducer under the bridge. But it's the innovative design and construction combined with the finest components, materials and build quality that makes the Contour so rewarding to own, play and listen to.

 

Playing as I do rock and pop covers on solid-bodied basses, I've hardly played my Contour - which is why I've decided to let it go. I'd really prefer the buyer to collect as the bass comes in a gig bag*. Happy to drive an hour or so from J25 of the M5 for a meet-up.

 

* The OE Gillett hard case was made to accommodate the deeper-bodied Standard version and packed out with a thick foam insert for the ST. This made it needlessly big and unwieldy so I took a £200 discount instead of the case.

 

https://www.bassgearmag.com/issue-22/

This is an amazing unique bass from a trusted member and friend. I am biased as I have the same bass. Until you try its difficult to understand the quality design, materials,build and full tight sound & value....you will not be disappointed and your live sound will be enhanced 

On 18/08/2025 at 16:30, Woodinblack said:

Love that torzal twist. What kind of a stand is it on, and is that for health reasons or just to look effortlessly cool?

Its a K&M guitar stand https://www.thomann.co.uk/km_14760.htm 

Shoulder op but didn't work, still have a torn rotator cuff so no strap!

If you hancy a torzal, I have one for sale on BC

On 18/08/2025 at 15:06, dmccombe7 said:

Nice bass @BCH what is it ?

Dave

Torzal 4 string https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5isqsuAP0/

Bedford BandStand Sun 17th big crowd for Bedford Cardiac unit....strapless!!!!!!

this is my new Torzal on a stand), but the sound is identical, it will give you some idea, it outside & a iPhone(ignore the singing ..ha) 

23 hours ago, brettdbass said:

Oh my goodness...

 

9 years ago I broke my left wrist and it's had limited mobility ever since.

I wonder if this might be the instrument I've been looking for all these years?

 

Might it be possible for me to come to you and give it a test drive some time?

You can only try, I'm in my 70's & would not be playing without the Torzal....best Bernard

On 23/05/2025 at 12:53, Roadybus said:

actually i'd love to sattle up my mare for a ride to Northampton, sir 

 

'cause even this genius design & craftmanship needs to be played by own's hands, i guess...

 

...hum...does it really? 

 

highly(!) tempted greetings from Bremen/Germany, 

 

Chris

I would be delighted to meet you & provide hay & water for the mare!!! & you will love the torzal...best...Bernard

Thank you ....only for heavy head banging!!!! 

Torzal through Neck 4 string bass (AKA Little guitar works)

Yes...thx for your interest...Bernard

MarkBass Little Marcus 1000w + gig bag + Footswitch (Old School or Millerizer)

Excellent condition, in perfect working order. IMO best amp MarkBass made. Come and try

Loads of headroom and dynamic with huge pallet of sounds. Lightweight 6.4lb

Key Features

Compact & Powerful 1000W Head for Any Size Gig

EQ1 with 5-Band EQ for Full Tonal Sculpting

Foot Switchable EQ2 with Additional Millerizer & Old School Dials

Input Gain Control for Boosted Drive Tone

FX Loop, Tuner Out, XLR Line Out

https://www.markbass.it/product/little-marcus-1000/

Why does the drummer have more gear than us???????

With the Torzal bass (no mor wrist pain)

On 08/08/2024 at 09:59, BCH said:

Thats correct...our drummer has a number of acoustic shells with Roland or Drum Tec skins...+ the various Brains....they are so consistent and easy to mix and as you say a very full powerful sound...and no noise on stage.  Ha

Another example this time with digital cymbals 

15 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

 

I think that they're a Drum-Tec electronic kit, which use acoustic shells, but are a full-fat e-drum kit. The giveaway for the non-drum-nerds would be the black cymbals. Drum-Tec are very high-end; the sound in that video are proof enough. Splendid performance shown; well done all. 

Thats correct...our drummer has a number of acoustic shells with Roland or Drum Tec skins...+ the various Brains....they are so consistent and easy to mix and as you say a very full powerful sound...and no noise on stage.  Ha

2 minutes ago, musicbassman said:

Is that a Wallace amp, @BCH ?

 

Yes, well spotted ...it was fabulous...its was very heavy 2x KT88 output valves purchased from Supertramp who we meet in Scorpio studios 

1 hour ago, BCH said:

Some pics unearthed from our gig in 1974/5 we were very proud of our gear (mostly imported) We couldn't lift that gear now!!! 

This is our set up now...no backline, no monitors, no acoustic drums.

Some pics unearthed from our gig in 1974/5 we were very proud of our gear (mostly imported) We couldn't lift that gear now!!! 

August kicks off with us welcoming Fynnius Fogg back to The Place after their hugely successful gig in September.

Fynnius Fogg, with three original members, from Bedford, started their band in the late ‘60s playing Pop and Rock numbers. Their popularity grew as they travelled the county and they were signed to Pye records in the early ‘70s.

They finally finished playing in 1979 when other career opportunities called. After a reunion party in 1991 they decided to reform with the original band members but decided not to take any fees for gigs and just raise as much money for various charities as they could.

To date they have raised over £700,000 for charities and good causes. They will be raising money this time for the theatre’s Raise the Roof Campaign. Catch them live on Friday 2nd August at 7.30pm.

5 years ago (this night!) when Fynnius Fogg was awarded a group MBE. 

We are doing a show in a small village Theatre run by volunteers. 80 seats great acoustics 

Konig & Meyer 14760 guitar performer stand....its a gig saver!!!!

3 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

Nice vid/recording.👍

 

I use a stand occasionally, when my back is really killing me but only for practices. I find I end up picking the whole thing up because I want to move when playing. It probably defeats the object of using it! I noticed you were moving it about a bit too. I worry that the bolts are going to undo and the thing will collapse when I step away from it. That hasn’t happened yet but it’s at the back of my mind when I use it. 😏

Its very well built Konig & Meyer (german).  Have given it some welly, to test, 2hr gig & 3hrs of rehearsals and the joints have remained tight critically the angle (neck up down) the joint has ratchet. Its a gig/pain saver. So I will keep using and checking

First gig since shoulder surgery (cant use a strap for months!!!) with the bass on a stand. Looks weird but worked & very easy.

First gig since shoulder surgery (cant use a strap for months!!!) with the bass on a stand. Looks weird but worked & very easy.