uncle psychosis

The fundamental skill/attribute required is dedication. When we were teenagers back in Glasgow, my mate used to spend 2 hours a day on upright, 2 hours a day on electric and an hour a day on piano. And he'd "properly" practice - doing all the tedious things that everyone else hates doing. Subdivision exercise with a metronome, arpeggios, scales, boring exercises. I, on the other hand, used to spend twenty minutes a day running through a basic warmup, whatever pieces I was working on, and then mucking around a bit. My approach got me a lot of fun gigs and some great times. My friend's approach got him a career as a professional bass player out in New York. I used to know a lot of pro musicians - had a few "ins" with that crowd when I was younger. The one thing they all had in common was an actual dedication to getting better. You can't fake that bit.

IMO, if you're playing in a "professional" band (weddings, corporate gigs, theatre etc) then your backup should be 90% the same. If you're doing originals or the pub circuit get whatever takes your fancy.

Walrus Julia. Just sounds "right" to me, and its way more versatile than most chorus pedals.

@Stedderssold me a headphone amp. As described, well packed, good comms. Thanks!

Interested in these, but I'd rather have a proper mustang pickup than a PJ. Never played one so no further comment.

That ticks every box for me. Pastel colours, matching headstock, quirky but still retro design. Assuming they aren't too heavy (body looks big?) and they aren't expensive I could see myself with one of these...

Hi guys I have a Vintera 60s Jazz - like it a lot but it's my heaviest bass and I'm a wimp. I'm also not hugely taken with reverse tuners. Makes my head hurt! Therefore half thinking about replacing the tuners with something lighter. I like the vintage look, and I like vintage style tuning posts, so the Gotoh res-o-lite models appeal but I have no idea how to work out if they will fit the neck, or which of the various res-o-lite models to go for. I really don't want to have to modify the neck in anyway, I want a 100% reversible mod. Can anyone offer advise on direct, lightweight replacements?

Your mate needs to get out more. 😄

Whats that? Some wiring looms? Super helpful and exactly as described? Who would have thought it! Thanks!

ikay sold me some pickups, really well packed and as described. Thanks

Just as well I missed this or I'd have only gone and bought one 😇

I had a Stomp and wasn't all that taken with the sounds. That said, I have very much have enjoyed the latest gen of boss modelling so a gx100 plus frfr (and to be honest I probably have stuff lying around I can use, with a bit of creative wiringa) is probably where I'm going to end up. For bonus points, the gx100 supports Bluetooth streaming if you buy the extra bit. You're absolutely right there's nothing wrong with wired connectors but my practice space is small, I hate having cables lying around and sometimes I just want minimal gear at hand.

I'm not sure I believe that, to be honest. The THR-II is less than £300. So is the Spark. Both do guitar and bass. There are other things out there that aren't a million miles away either. I'm talking about a practice tool, not a pro studio amp.

I'd like something that will... Let me play amplified bass guitar or electric guitar at home practice levels Let me practice bass guitar or electric guitar through headphones (not at the same time) Let me stream bluetooth audio to play along to Not take up too much space Isn't too expensive (GX-100 plus a powered speaker is a very tempting solution but £££) Tones - classic bass tones and or clean/crunchy guitar tones There seems to be lots of options out there but lots of divided opinions - the Positive Grid Spark and the THRII-10 both seem to be very marmite, for example. What do you guys think?

I really like the Zvex Basstortion.

The death of the student grant killed a lot of the "art college" bands. Bands like Pulp would never have made it in today's world, because they could never have afforded to.

I (mostly) don't care but there's definitely a few instruments I wouldn't play because of a significant artist connection. I'd feel silly playing a violin bass in case people thought I was a McCartney fan boy. I wouldn't be seen dead playing a white Les Paul Custom in case people thought I liked the Manic Street Preachers. I couldn't play a sig guitar of an artist I really didn't like. Clapton comes to mind. Fully aware this is my problem and not theirs. Luckily there's infinitely many other instruments out there.

They might well have done. I don't think anyone can say for sure who would have won if Ukraine hadn't swept the board.

I don't think it should make or break the instrument either way but the "luminous" inlays were worse in normal light than any other instrument I've ever owned. And in the dark they weren't much better!

@RichTI bought and returned an Ibanez EHB1005SMS last week. I didn't spend that long with it, but the balance was excellent, I really liked the sounds it made, it was super light, and very comfy to play. So why did I return it? 1. I realised I'm a traditional Fender man. Being 100% honest I felt silly playing a headless bass. 2. On balance I don't really need the fifth string 3. The luminous fretmarkers just didn't work. 4. The fretboard markers might as well have been invisible too 5. The locking jack was terrible. If I'd been keeping it I would have ditched it. So, on balance I thought it was a really good instrument, just not for me in the slightest. It does have some compromises though, at £900 I think Ibanez have let themselves down slightly on a couple of points. Absolutely worth trying one though.

Picked up a lovely 60s vintera jazz today courtesy of a nice gentleman from this very forum. That said, the tort pickguard might need to go. Can anyone point me at a (UK supplied) replacement pickguard (3ply Black-white-black) that would fit? None of the usual suspects explicitly list the vintera...

Gerry drove for over an hour to deliver a bass to me. Bass as described, turned up when he said he would, friendly messages and a good chat about not wanting to feel like we were members of Wham when playing the bass. Great guy to deal with, thanks Gerry!

That's nice, that is. Good score.

I'd be looking at the Ibanez headless range. I bought one recently (the EHB1005SMS) and it was really good, but I sent it back because ultimately I am a Fender man!

I have zero experience with in-ears or setting up monitoring but there's no way I'd ever use earplugs on any system where I wasn't in personal control of the final volume. Someone else can craddock around with the mix as much as they want but the volume control would need to be at my fingertips. Presumably there are multiple ways of achieving that.