Wylie

Reading the song lyrics onstage is a bit like an actor going out on stage holding the playbook.

Apparently good cabs, but their 2x10 is 70 pounds, and too expensive.

Thanks, T-bay. Funny, isn't it? The few times we've played on a traditionally lighted stage--lights in your eyes, audience dark--I've had no third-eye problem. I'm aware they're there, but the separation, however artificial, seems to do the trick.

The trio I play with doesn't play out all that often. Not for lack of trying; up here in the Vermont woods there isn't a lot of call for jazz trios, or jazz, period. Consequently (I guess), when we do play out, I have a terrible third eye hang-up: like having an eye on the audience even if both eyes ostensibly are focused on my trio-mates and on what we're doing. Even though I'm aware of the problem, I still find myself distracted by the slightest thing, movement, voice--you name it. Anyone out there have this problem? Is there a fix?? Thanks.

Gotoh is a great replacement bridge, also nice and heavy.

Richard Bona, as bass player, singer, and composer, inspires me. He's one of many, though!

FM died a long time ago. The question is: Why don't they know it?

I don't play, but our trio is viola (and violin), keyboards, and elec. bass. We play jazz standards and other newer standards like Song for My Father, Blue Bossa, How Insensitive, Footprints, How Deep is the Ocean, etc. The viola usually takes the lead and has a sound that, esp. in its deepest register, has the quality of a saxophone--the voice is great. Works well for us. Good luck with yours.

Given the position of the bridge, it looks like a guitar, not a bass.

I happened on this Marcus Miller concert (Leverkusen Jazz Festival), and seeing some interest in Sire basses on BC, thought I'd link it: In the first couple of numbers Miller plays a Sire five-string.

In his autobiography (or somewhere else, possibly), Bruce Springsteen noted the pitfalls of the 'democratic' band as opposed to the band with a clear leader--a boss, not to play with words too much. He said he'd seen too many democratic bands start out great, then disintegrate over internal criticism and disagreements. His band, he said, was always his band. Sounded smart to me.

PL stands for Punch Line series. I have a Schroeder PL 2x10 and it does indeed punch. The L stands for light. There is a weight difference between some of the cabs designed PL and L (for example the PL 12 and the 12L) and sometimes there is a difference in the size of the cabinet. His lighter weight speakers are generally around five pounds lighter than their heavier counterparts, but I believe all his cabs are built to be considerably lighter than other makers' of the same speaker size and wattage. Fabulous speakers.

That is one butt-ugly bass.

Acoustic Image (over here in US) makes expensive bass amps, some of which feature removable heads. I can't pull up their home page; you may have better luck.

Details in the press were sketchy. Apparently the company has come down into the family following the founder's death (or retirement). There was no mention of continuing manufacture with an overseas maker.

I don't know if this news will mean much to you-all across the pond, but Carvin's years as a great bass cab and combo maker have come to an end. Carvin will continue making guitars, but no cabs or combos. Their stuff is great--I have a combo and an amp--and what's left of the stock is now being sold at around 20 percent off (off of what are already very good prices, considering the quality). Again, not sure what access you have from your end but thought it worth mentioning.

A stunner. Good buy!

Try WD Music: https://www.wdmusic.com I bought a good quality jazz pickguard from them for about $30. Of course I don't know if they deal to the UK.

Craigslist is tricky (I live in the US). There are great buys (and loads of junk), but sellers have to beware of scammers and of intentional slips, like Squiers being advertised as Fenders.

Yes, an earlier edition, as I recall, was blue, and a very lightweight bass. I wonder if that one was pulled in favor of this one. I wonder as I wander . . .

Nice-looking bass. They sell over here in the US for $399 through Musician's Friend. No indication they've been discontinued.

Those are damned nice looking basses. Congrats!

+1

My trio plays farmers' markets summer and winter. Great gigs: you get paid, and farmers give you food.

Why not leave off scratch plates altogether? Let the scratching begin!