Gust0o

In in the inevitable "who would win" round of the world's top film fighters, I still plumb for Jackie Chan. Sure, Bruce Lee would be a contender, but Jackie would be chucking the cutlery at him and bagging it on the slapstick. I think I may the only person in the world of this mind.

Recent favourite, this one - Kasabian "Fire". Fun with an awesome grove you can really lock into. Plenty of space for doing your own thing with it too.

If you'd pulled out the stuff in brackets from your last sentence, OTPJ, you'd have nailed my career

Odd that comment about the suit, now that I dwell on it. Being a man of many contrasts, it started me thinking - and there is often a world of difference between what people will do when I'm suited and booted, with my work voice on; than when I'm in my civvies with my jeans around my arse. I don't think that's necessarily limited to music shops mind! From taking the wife shopping around the various boutiques which seem to bankrupt me, I'll note that not many fashionistas love ripped Levis and Onitsukas. Shame! The few shops we have around York have left me with a mixed bag of impressions. Awesome service and banter to disdain and a quick exit. Odd spectrum.

I'm sure your average pro could turn his/her hand to anything, with some delightful results. After all, isn't this a requirement for most, especially in a session capacity? Could I do it? Yes and no. I do think you put a lot of yourself into your playing. I could make the notes, but I think you could tell I wasn't in it. I don't think it's necessarily style for me, mind, but more the music and the song. For example, there are very few occasions where I think I can slap and sound like I'm actually enjoying it.

The Classic Vibe deserves it's plaudits, it's a really well put together piece of kit - and the saving over a genuine Fender will pay for this weekend's boozing, bonus! If it doesn't have to be Fender, but simply a top-quality Jazz, then I would have said look at something like the Laklands. I had Molan's DJ4 the other month and I think I've played it every day since, it's impressed me that much. If you're wanting to spend less, then the used market must be a lure - more bang for the buck, and we always seem to have a few listed on here.

Wow, now that is nice!

Very nice work.

I'm a Programme Manager. At work I know everything and bark the orders. At home I know nothing and do what the wife tells me. Who'd have thought, eh?! I've always wondered how many pros practice. Flicking through Bassist mag it would seem that many interviewees profess not to.

After a few beers I once got into a fight over a game of air hockey, to much the same effect as the above.

Woah, let's not bring Slayer into this!!!

There are always some great bargains on here. We've had a whole host of basses posted within your price range - and some, like the £125 Epiphone Thunderbird, with enough of a saving to get a few rounds in. I'd really recommend having a look in our 'For Sale' section - it'll give you chance to chat to the people who've owned the gear, talk about set-up, etc. It's something you simply won't find in most shops. From the list, if I had to pick from those you've posted, I'd be drawn to the Squier Jazz. The Classic Vibe Jazz has an RRP of around £309 but is definitely a beauty, but the other models aren't far behind. I'm pretty sure there's been a couple of good looking Squier Vintage Modified Jazzes for sale here and within budget. Your list of 'beginners' basses are a hell of a lot better than the crap I started with; from good beginnings and all that! Welcome in chief.

Haha, a great advert for the power of Blackberry and the iPhone! Still, what better use of company time, sat in a hotel on a business trip, than to purchase a fine Lakland. Many thanks for the deal.

Just had Barrie's black Lakland DJ4 through the post. Everything as described, and packed with the kind of mastery which can only come with experience. Great communications throughout the deal; plenty of patter and a real pleasure to deal with. Would happily deal with Barrie again, and genuinely hope I have the pleasure in meeting at some stage. Top guy.

Haha, love it! I think we all have moments where we'd hope to be so 'honest' with others!

I'll admit, I go for the tab first - it's ideal if you're attempting to pick something up quickly. A useful little tool I use is Guitar Pro. It's great for working out how the various parts fit together and the interplay of the instruments. It's not pure tab, as it does also display the music - which I find is essential for nailing timings, and is a useful bit of discipline. I tend to find that I'll see what people have come up with, then listen to the track, and blend the two together. Ultimately, you've got to play it; so you need to make it yours. I think people tend to just opt for replaying the original.

Finally, having bought house, car and wedding the wife has allowed me back my wallet I was feeling relatively flush, so I dived into our local music house. I'd been flirting with their MIM Fender Jazz for some time. Could this be the day? But... The Classic Vibe intervened. I'd struggle to smuggle a grand's worth of bass past the wife, but the £400-odd of the MIM is manageable; the £300 of the Vibe is genius! It's s great player, loved it; loved them both. But I couldn't tell them apart. At this rate I'll be keeping the money. I can't work it out.