Simon.

I had my first major experience of being badly sacked a few months back, and it did come as rather a shock! We had been playing together for well over 7 years, were all good mates in and out of a band situation, had just completed recording and mixing of a new album, the band was working well with a reasonable number of gigs on the go, including a successful UK tour. Get an e-mail from the drummer one day saying I was out, due to a number of reasons - availability, feel, even equipment (they wanted that P-bass+Ampeg sound)! Every one of the arguments they used had so many substantial holes in them, that it was obviously just a load of BS. However, it did amuse me that it took them nearly 8 months to find a replacement - at least two guys I know as very decent players knocked them back, and I ended up being replaced by a converted guitarist playing a Squire tele bass through a Laney combo (no offence, but it's hardly the P-bass/Ampeg set-up they were demanding! ) The fact that he is long time mates with the drummer and pedal steel player might have had more to do with things... Hey ho, onwards and upwards.

Well, thanks to basschat, I have now discovered that Guy is back at the Fringe this year, and promptly booked two tickets for the show on Monday. Anyone else planning to go on that day? Saw his show back in 2007 when he was last here and thought it highly amusing and a lot of fun. £5 well spent.

[quote name='The Admiral' post='936405' date='Aug 25 2010, 09:02 PM']and 2. what happened to Phil's bass?[/quote] I'm pretty sure I read somewhere, possibly on here, that Phil's 2 iconic Fenders basses are now residing with his Mum.

I've had a 2115 combo (200W head + 1x15) for about 15 years now, and really can't find too much fault with it, other than it not having an XLR DI-out built in, which I believe the later ones do/did. It did suffer from some poor quality control early on, which lead to a number of blown cones, but they were all covered under warranty and £20 to a local amp tech finally fixed the issue. It's been uber reliable ever since. I do occasionally think about upgrading to an Ampeg rig, but can never really justify the extra cost over the improvement in tone. Volume wise, it's 140W into the 1x15 and 200W if you add an extension cab. It does loud, very, very nicely, thank you very much.

Would something like this be of use? [url="http://www.911tabs.com/tabs/p/paul_weller/bass_tabs/you_do_something_to_me_bass_tab.htm"] You Do Something To Me Bass Tab[/url] Good luck!

Holla folks, Just wondering if anyone knows if the Japanese version of Amazon will ship to the UK? I've noticed that they carry a number of the MIJ Fenders that don't often come up on the 2nd-hand market and the like of Ishibashi can't/won't ship new. And at not too unreasonable prices, too. [url="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Fender-Japan-JB75PJ-%EF%BC%88OCR%EF%BC%89-%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A6%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E5%93%81/dp/B003K66P6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1277802914&sr=1-1"]MIJ 75 RI JP Bass[/url] Cheers.

[quote name='bh2' post='850974' date='May 29 2010, 10:53 AM']I especially like... [url="http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/goods_detail.php?offset=12&category_id=2&sub_category_id=19&brand=70&view=1&count=12&sort=1&search_status=1&id=159555"]http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/...1&id=159555[/url] Around £800[/quote] Wow, I'm really loving that bass! Almost exactly what I'm after. However, at current exchange rates it weighs in at just shy of £800, and that's before shipping & taxes! Ouch. I love my CIJ 75 RI Jazz, but for that kind of money you're not far off being able to get something very similar custom built ... which, hopefully, is what I'll be asking the nice Mr Shuker to do for me in a couple of months time...] Edit - 'cause I can't do maths...

Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Herbie Flowers were the guys who really got me started on bass. Latterly James Jamerson and Duck Dunn have added a lot, and probably dozens of other guys who I listen to a lot, without even knowing their names!

Kind of in a similar situation HMX. Was punted from my last band in October for reasons which were never properly explained (7 1/2 years together, one e-mail informing me of the decision), and after a bit of a break I'm really looking forward to getting out and playing again. However, so far I'm getting naff all response from most of the people I've contacted! Why advertise for a bass player, and then not even bother to reply - even if only to say 'thanks but no-thanks'? Presently I shall become vexed with the situation.

I would agree with Derren - a P-Lyte would be a really good option. Light weight, good balance, very, very playable, and yes, the pick-ups probably could do with an upgrade. Still, all in all, a nice bass. It does sound like weight distribution/balance is something to take into account, if a P-bass is sitting more comfortably for long, than the Squier VMJ.

I have been seriously GASsing for a Duck Dunn Lakland recently, but given that current price of a new Skyline model, the fact that nowhere seems to have one in stock, the restriction in colour choice and a potential further price rise, I'm changing my mind rapidly. I'm now seriously looking at going down the custom build route, getting something which has all the elements I like from the DD, but with a bit more flexibility. Jon Shuker, here I come....

[quote name='BassBunny' post='807451' date='Apr 15 2010, 06:12 PM']Don't be a "wuss" bring her along. That's what I am doing.... [/quote] To be fair, she is uber supportive of my playing and if I was able to come along she would be there as well, along with the two mini-me's! In fact we are currently having a discussion about whether I should take the plunge and get a custom build done - and so far it seems I'm the one more against the idea, which seems to be all wrong! Cancelling the holiday would be an excommunication offense, though.

I had a few lesson when I first started playing and looking back they were quite useful, but apart from that have been self taught for 20 years. However, having recently split from my long term band, I have now begun to realise that for the last 7 years of so, I've not really progressed or developed as a player. I was living in a comfort zone and now am beginning to discover that there is an awful lot more out there that could & will make me a better player - even if I go back to playing a similar genre. If you can find a teacher who give you lessons that interest you, then it's got to be good, IMO. Any lesson which is a chore is pointless in my book.

'That' section in the middle of the chorus on She Caught the Katy. I have the tab, I have the sheet music. I just can not nail the timing of it. Grrrr.

I bought my 75 re-issue jazz from John @ Far East guitars a few years back, and I love it to bits. Great quality, great sound and has never let me down. It was technically 2nd hand, but I'm struggling to remember what, if any, cosmetic damage there was – it looked immaculate. Like yourself lojo I'm currently in the market for a P-bass and will probably go down the Japanese route again. I've tried a few off the shelf US P-basses, and they are nice (better than I was expecting), but I don't think they justify the asking price. I'm also after a 70's model with the thinner neck. If it's a sunburn 62 p-bass you are after, you could do a lot worse than having a gander at [url="http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedpb2.htm"]>> this! <<[/url]

Another Scandinavian outfit going for the retro/prog approach are the [url="http://www.myspace.com/catosalsaexperience"]Cato Salsa Experience[/url]. Lots of good, fun tunes to be had!

In my home town and I can't make it! Phooey. Can't imagine Mrs Simon. would be too impressed if I tried to cancel the holiday... Oh well. Good luck & enjoy, folks.

[quote name='tom1946' post='799869' date='Apr 8 2010, 03:10 PM']I have the same problem! I've just bought a Jap P bass from 1993: this one: [url="http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedpb1.htm"]http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedpb1.htm[/url] It weighs 7.7 lbs! light as a feather after my US models so they are out there if you search a bit. I'm also waiting for a Fender P bass Lyte to arrive that I bought off ebay.[/quote] So ... it was Mr Tom1946, on the internet with a speedy transaction! Curses. I was angling after that very same bass from Far East, and missed out by about an hour. 3rd bass in the last month I've been 2nd in the queue for - must learn to act faster. Enjoy it, it looks a beauty. And a P-Lyte! Good taste that man. Mind if I ask what you paid for the P-Lyte? I have mine on my insurance, but I've no idea of what it would realistically cost to replace it. Cheers.

Nice one Big J! I spent a chunk of yesterday afternoon listening to the tracks on the website - I'm liking the sound and the tunes. Enjoy!

Another wanting to add in a bit of love for the P-Lyte! I have one of the original Japan models (1986, if memory serves), in the cherry red with the gold hardware. It was my first 'proper' bass and I can remember every hour that I slugged away to pay for it! Sound wise - great for rock/pop/indie stuff, but didn't do too well in either jazz or americana settings. Sounds nothing like a P-bass, but it's a very light, very fun bass to play, and the neck is ridiculously thin and fast - even my CIJ 75 Jazz feels a bit chunky afterwards. Only downside I found (other than the aforementioned battery & jack issues) was the finish - it took to dents like a moth to a flame! Even with the best of care, the bottom edge of mine looks a tad chewed. Even in the worst of scenarios, I'll never sell it. Can't understand why there's never been a re-issue.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='790312' date='Mar 30 2010, 09:59 AM']I once did a wedding with Bobby Orr. Who? says everyone.[/quote] I thought you meant this guy -> [url="http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4085"]Bobby Orr[/url]! One of the greatest player to ever play the game. I was seriously impressed. lol.