Beedster

At last there's something I can play better than Flea I reckon he might have let the occasion get the better of him, he looks genuinely nervous at times, and that's certainly not an emotion I've ever associated with him. There's a couple of nice things in there but they just didn't come off, especially in the context of the 13-yr old jamming in their bedroom feel of the rest of it.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1460192294' post='3023358'] OK, imagine that book by that driver, only it doesn't actually centre on the cars and the driving ... it centres on the car he learned to drive in, and the driving instructor, and the different types of cars that existed when he was a teenager, and the amount he was drinking while driving celebrities around. The only reason that you know he was actually the actual guy who drove Les Dawson to his epochal meeting with Ronald Reagan is because you read about it somewhere else ... [/quote] Ha ha, fair enough Jack

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1460190225' post='3023342'] In fairness, my problem was always with the description of the book on the cover, which implied that the book was going to be about playing bass with Elvis, The Doors and Bob Dylan. It wasn't. I still reckon Jerry has another book inside him. [/quote] Yeh, but imagine a book by a celebrity chauffeur who drives movie stars, politicuans etc that centred on the cars, druving etc?

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1460147778' post='3023165'] I really liked this book. It's not a book about being a bass player cos, well, no-one would buy it. [/quote] Exactly, too many bassists assume that when a bass player writes a book or gives an interview it should be about basses, gear, technique etc.

[quote name='azumi' timestamp='1458222396' post='3005750'] Sold to Andy my Fender Custom Shop 64 Jazz - a pleasure to deal with - prompt communications throughout and hassle free transaction. Deal with Andy with total confidence! [/quote] Ha ha, I was fortunate enough to be on the other end of that deal so to speak, that is I bought the bass from Andy that enabled him to buy Azumi's Jazz. Andy was an absolute gent and put up with a LOT of PMs on this particular deal. He was also extremely helpful when the courier did what couriers all too often do with expensive basses! Andy's been on BC a long time and having kept an eye on what he's played over the years it's clear he knows a good bass when he sees one. He's also a pleasure to deal with and an all-round asset to BC.

[quote name='Ajoten' timestamp='1459937530' post='3020974'] Yes you're right. Sorry. I think I worded my post badly. [/quote] Ha ha, we've all done it mate

[quote name='EMG456' timestamp='1459935395' post='3020944'] Which at the time were expensive, aspirational and cutting edge instruments. [/quote] As they still are, which was exactly my point. And given this, and in the context of the OP, it's worth noting that the majority of the most rxpensive basses you'll find for sale anywhere today are pre-CBS Fenders So Mustang Sally was likely recorded on what was then, and still is now, an aspirational and expensive bass

Original recording of Mustang Sally was probably cut using Pre CBS Fenders by the way

Musician wanted ads do not represent the full range of what bassists do, neither does gigging for that matter.

Not just us then http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35938704 Those db levels, if true, are pretty shocking?

Anyone got any thoughts about the finish?

Lovely, but needs to put ashtray on the right way round!

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1459353556' post='3015732'] The only item about a P/J that I recommend, if going with conventional passive pickups instead of actives, is to use a split-coil humbucker for the J pickup so that it will match the noise reduction of the P pickup; and the only logistical detail I recommend is that the player consider getting an instrument, or if it is being installed aftermarket, to consider using the '70's position (slightly closer to the bridge than the '60's position) for the J-pickup to get a little more contrast in the tone of the two pickups. [/quote] Agree re making sure that the two PUPs work together, although the J-PUP does;t necessarily have to be stacked/split. Only problem with going close to the bridge with the J-PUP is that the output level can suffer compared to the P-PUP.

[quote name='nash' timestamp='1459353262' post='3015727'] Fair enough. I think ideally I want a PJ with P neck and EMG pickups with no preamp. So ideally I don't want to buy a bass for £1k just to change it up. Maybe just make a bitsa. [/quote] Generally speaking that's the best bet, especially if you can get the body and neck used. I've a late '70s Kubicki P/J body loaded with Badass bridge, Norstrand PJ set and a Kiogon stacked VT/VT circuit that I'll probably be listing in basses for sale soon, I'll drop you a line when I do

There's a few P/Js with Precision neck, including various Precision 'Special' or 'Deluxe' models and the Tony Franklin Sig. IIRC there's one of the latter on sale here at present at a pretty decent price.

I've installed a lot of bridges over the years and there's only one rule that appears to apply: whether it 'works' depends entirely on the bass. Sometimes a high mass bridge makes a huge difference, other times none at all, and I really don't think there's a pattern across basses. In short, the idiosyncrasies of some individual instruments are such that a high mass bridge either adds something desirable or offsets something undesirable, whilst those of other instruments determine that the added mass or whatever other characteristic the bridge brings makes no discernible difference. It's really not rocket science, just chance. So, to cut to the chase, you need to try one on your bass to know for sure. Buy one used on here, they come up frequently. If it makes no difference, sell if for what you paid.

Very Little Feat, and very nice

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1459277360' post='3015087'] Sit him down and tell him the deal. The collective agree to give him one chance...assuming you have the gigs to accomodate that and when he stuffs up again,,,, there is your out. You are doing it this way out of respect for his illness, fairness etc etc etc... and you know'll he'll most likely stuff up and you've tried to help. Or.... just sack him...whichever your conscience will allow, but you know it will very very likely only end one way, but at least you've given HIM a chance to help himself. Just my take on it [/quote] You talk about his 'illness', but getting ****** isn't an illness, plenty of non-alcoholic musicians do it all of the time whilst plenty of alcoholics maintain the appearance, even the actuality, of sobriety on stage. People who drink too much all too often hide behind the illness facade when the real issue is simply lack of respect and/or lack of self-control.

[quote name='NickD' timestamp='1459272432' post='3015021'] The BC language police are out in force! I'd fire the guy if he's not nice to be around and incapable of doing his job. I have a bassist friend who's notorious for going on drunk at festival gigs where there's a lot of waiting. While knowing it's not right, the band put up with it as alcohol effects him by making him charming and hilarious, and honestly and inexplicably turns him into a beast of a player... if only I could get away with that! [/quote] Me too!

We all do things for different reasons. If you're calculating an hourly rate for your services, then this sort of thing doesn't make sense. Me, I don't calculate an hourly rate, and given how much I enjoy playing music with good friends, sometimes playing for free makes a lot more sense than not playing for free.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1459259600' post='3014848'] Personally , I would change the set which requires no fiddle if you can`t replace him. If you go to Italy , and he messes that up, that could be your one big chance gone. Would rather have a mediocre player who performs adequetly than a liability [/quote] +1. In fact, having just listened to some of the songs on the website - which are rather good by the way - I couldn't help thinking that the fiddle parts would sound better played on a whistle a-les Pogues?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459257748' post='3014819'] Booze does make it easier for one to be a total dick though, I can tell you that from experience. [/quote] Ha ha, yes, our old singer, an intelligent, articulate and sensitive singer songwriter, was a true gent, never drank on stage, and always treated the audience and the band with real respect. Then one night had two pints before quite a big gig that was going out live on radio, started using the F word, and then made some rather inopportune comments, especially given the demographic of the audience in question. And all on live radio! I just have to mention the name of the festival and he goes bright red and starts to sweat

...and for those of you who don't play the type of music in question, the egos of even average fiddle players can make those of rock singers, prog keyboardists and blues guitarists pale into complete insignificance IMO of course.....