StingRayBoy42

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

My OCD is working overtime...

There's a heavy metal band that insists on having everything on stage set up in *exactly* the same way at every gig... they're called OCDC.

2 minutes ago, neepheid said:

The Inevitable Teaspoons (we're on Spotify, by the way )...

And Bandcamp! They're good!

https://theinevitableteaspoons.bandcamp.com/album/money-for-old-rope

1 minute ago, Woodinblack said:

no, I don't 

There's at least three of us!

2 minutes ago, Piers_Williamson said:

 Am I the only person on Basschatt who doesn't do Spotify though?

There's at least two of us!

TONIGHT!

(Technically last night as it's past midnight but it counts as tonight)

Second gig with a new band (Midnight Mayhem (they were already called that when I joined, don't judge me)) at The Rose & Crown in Ludlow.

Lovely old pub that has lots of live music so they're used to it, fairly small stage  place where the band goes, decent mob there by the time we'd set up and soundchecked (The soundcheck (sixteen bars of 'All the small things') had people up dancing (!)) and from the off people were loving it - singing along, dancing and generally enjoying it.

Mid first set, a bloke came up and told me he appreciated my Bass playing (Not 'liked' it, mind you) which I tried to take as a compliment, then he stood right in front of me and watched me intently which meant I completely forgot how to play.

At half time a guy I'd genuinely never seen before came up and greeted me like a long lost friend ("I forgot you said you did this too!" ) so I had to pretend I knew who he was (because I am English and to say "I'm so sorry but I have no idea who you are" is about as appealing as stamping on a newborn kitten) which was...odd.

The set went down really well, it's a mix of (sort of) alt-80s type stuff (Back on the chain gang, couple of Blondie ones, Kids in America (Kim Wilde - absolute BANGER and tonnes of fun to play), There's a guy works down the chipshop swears he's Elvis, Doctor Doctor (Robert Palmer), Echo Beach, Sweet Dreams sort of thing), a few pub-cover chestnuts (Dakota, Teenage Dirtbag, Mr Brightside (which the guitarist started in the wrong key and then got horribly confused when it came to the chorus but he styled it out)), a couple of curveballs (Take another little piece of my heart, Crash (Primitives)) and an ABBA one for good measure.

I went for a wireless wander for the last song (Born to be wild) which got a good reception AND I got to fuss TWO Doggos *AND* a man told me my dreadlocks are "Really Cool".

We played really well, sounded good, went down a treat (Even the bar staff liked us) and the singer said my playing "brought them to another level" which was very gratifying to hear.

Played the StingRay -> Small board (I only used the Soul Food) -> Amp board (Thumpinator -> VTDI) -> Markbass CMD 121, footwear was the bright orange DMs (with glittery black laces).

An absolute corker of a gig!

10 hours ago, pete.young said:

Before my hands toughened up , I used to put surgical spirit on the blisters. I have Presto Lights on now, which seem to be a lot kinder than the Lycon I started off with.

+1 for Surgical Spirit.

I slather it on before playing, it really helps.

Or there's this
http://doublebassfingertape.com/
I bought some but have yet to use it!

I spent a lot of time researching this - I'm the bellend who decided he *had* to have retina-searing, colour-changing LED strips under all his pedalboards.

The ones I use are 12V RGB, so easy to power from a decent Pedalboard PSU (reverse polarity for extra fun!) but they need a lot of mA compared to pedals - approx 1.2A per metre.
https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-strips/current-draw

If you only want one colour, the  draw is about a third of that and the PSU will probably handle it but you'll need to do the maths!

You can run them at 9V, they just won't be cornea-scorchingly bright, which would be a shame.
 

Mike bought some strings from me (or off me, I can never remember which is correct) and he was a pleasure to deal with. 

Instant payment, great comms, a credit to Basschat. Cheers!

Before I read this thread, I knew his name but nothing else about him.

Based on the two videos people have linked, I think he's funny & makes some good points and Mohini (sp?) and her feller are insufferable twunts.


I can see his style might turn some people off (See also: Jimmy Carr, Peter Kay, Stewart Lee etc) but I like his shtick.

ETA: I'm not going to comment on his dress sense... I've worn many, much worse outfits

Half Man Half Biscuit - It's cliched to be cynical at Christmas

Bob Dylan - Must be Santa (Not sure if this counts as 'obvious' but it's an absolute fever dream)

Cracking PSUs these... GLWTS!

(It fits under a Pedaltrain nano if you get angled leads!)

2 hours ago, carlsim said:

Here is my recently refurbished 1998 Stingray 5... was originally a trans red finish but has been stripped and professionally finished with a buffed open pore nitro clear coat with a subtle brown wash. Tuners and bridge changed to black to match in with the scratch plate and knobs (3 months wait for the bridge from EB!!) Well chuffed with the finished result. Finally strung it up and played it today and it made me realise why I love a SRay5! 

LOVE the black hardware!

Eyeing up my natural SR5 now...
 

On 21/11/2025 at 20:54, Richard R said:

If anyone is up for helping out on the day then let me know. We'll divvy up jobs closer to the day.

 

Last bash @Andyjr1515 gave us an excellent lesson on how to set up a bass properly. I have an idea for a different guest speaker this year, but I'e not made contact yet. Any suggestions welcome.

 

I think I'm free and up for this!

I'd be happy to help out if you need.

Personally, I'd LOVE a masterclass on setting up a Bass!


EDIT: I don't have any Wals or Alembics or anything... happy to bring my MusicMans/MusicMen and pedalboard if they're of any interest to anyone...

Absolute bombshell.

Mani's one of the reasons I started playing Bass.

 

The Markbass CMD 101 is a lovely little amp.

60 Watts, sounds great, tiny little thing with a big sound, I got mine used for about £175.

I've got half an eye on getting an Aguilar Tonehammer amp (probably twinned with a Barefaced cab), mainly for normal electric Bass but I play upright as well and if I do take the plunge, I could do with getting rid of my current (Markbass) amps.
Has anyone used an Aguilar TH with DB? Did it sound any good?
I'd be using a Fishamn Platinum Pro EQ before the amp.

All and any input gratefully recieved!
 

Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Flatwounds 45 65 80 100

Well used, cut for a StingRay

They've been on my Bass for a year or two so they're just getting going.

Fifty quid and upwards new, so... a tenner posted?
Knock a fiver off if you collect from Bewdley DY12

I bought Nick's copy of 'Standing in the shadows of Motown' and he was a pleasure to deal with - good comms and quick postage.
TOP Basschattist!

I sold Tom a bag, he was a pleasure to deal with all the way.

On 03/08/2025 at 21:33, wavemaker said:

Last November, I couldn’t believe my luck to find a Classic Sterling this side of the pond:

 

 

In May, I found another one - and with a maple fingerboard, to boot:

 

 

A plan took shape, a deal was made, a beautiful bass received - and two necks were swapped:

 

 

 

Such cool basses. 

Are those 2 band EQs?

I thought the Sterling only came with 3 band EQ and the pickup selector switch... Shows what I know!

36 minutes ago, Owen said:

Everyone should own a copy of this. 

I think you're right... PM'd!

(PM'd the seller, not you)

Gator bag for small keyboards, controllers, multi-FX, pedalboards or just tonnes of 'stuff' for gigs.

I think it's the GK2110.
 

Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 57 x 29 x 10 cm

Outside dimensions (L x W x H): 59 x 33 x 11 cm
According to Thomann

It's been my 'Everything I could possibly need and lots of things I will never *ever* need but they're good to have as spares' bag for years, you can cram a mind-boggling amount of things in there.
It's done somewhere in the region of eleventy billion gigs, so it's very well used and a bit tatty in places naturally relic'd which adds tonnes of mojo.

It's structurally sound, decent padding, no holes, zips work well... years of life left in it.

Front pocket for even more (slightly smaller) crap that you won't need but you're going to take anyway because you're a bit OCD.

Great for butter, plays like metal, will only increase in value etc etc

Would consider trade for a Wal (with cash my way)

The picture is upside down, but the bag is the right way up in real life.

£17 posted or a tenner collected from Bewdley DY12

Isn't 'Tokai Hardpuncher' a Dickens character? 

Gorgeous Bass, GLWTS!

If only there was a dedicated thread for selling amps!
 

Anyone who plays (or prefers) the single version of 'Heroes' by Derek Bowie (or the horrible version of 'I am the Resurrection' that's on the (laughably named) Complete Stone Roses) gets put in the stocks, then beaten, then tarred & feathered, then Hung, drawn & quartered, then their remains are fed to rabid dogs and the dogs' poop gets burnt.