BassAgent

Not the usual lightweight Eich rig last weekend; played a festival in Leipzig (Germany) and the organisation provided an amp. But I did bring the Eich head It was LOUD.

Honestly, I would ask your luthier. If you have a good one that knows about vintage Fenders he'll advise you what is best for your bass.

Thanks for the advice My bones are mended. Got a call from the doctor last week after an X-ray and it's healed just fine, and I can put strain on my shoulder as usual. I was looking for a new strap because the metal plate is still on the bone and it's still sensitive. I have bought a Slinger strap a few weeks back, that was designed for your right shoulder and that works perfectly!

Well, the Gruvgear is going back to Thomann. It's too short and too wide. The edge of the strap presses exactly on the edge of the metal plate in my shoulder. So nope, not for me. The 2.5 inch wide version could have worked but the 4" is too wide.

I received the Richter Ultra Comfort strap and it feels really nice. The leather is good, the padding is very comfortable. The Gruvgear should arrive today, I wonder how they compare.

Thanks! I bought it a few years ago from Andy Baxter's, just after Scott Devine was there and was very impressed with it. I didn't know that when I bought it, though, but he was right. It's possibly the best Jazz I've ever owned (or even played?). Better than the Celinder Skarbee bass I had.

This would be my advice too.

Just to have choice, I've also ordered the Richter Ultra Comfort Ergo strap. That should arrive tomorrow.

I'm not surprised. If Fender's goal was to acquire Leo's workplace and his name and likeness, it's not more than logical that they don't "need" the G&L stock. They won't sell Fender-branded basses with G&L branded bridges and MDF pickups, anyway. It's a lot cheaper to sell or dispose of that stuff than to try to re-purpose it.

But if it includes 40s RnB and jazz it's double weird. Ska and blue beat evolved from RnB and mento being squashed together. I bought the book anyway🙃

It was probably originally sunburst. CAR was a custom colour in those years AFAIK, which would have meant it had a white pickguard. But it looks amazing! Love the wear on the neck, and the fact you have photos of the original owner add to its mojo. Enjoy that beautiful instrument.

Took both my USA Lakies for a swing last weekend with my ABBA tribute. Still can't get over how incredible these two basses are.

Found it! It's Johnny Heartsman. Bay Area blues artist.

Well, best gear is an ex aequo between a childhood dream and a vintage gem. First off a bass I've wanted to own since I was 12 (which is over 20 years ago): a walnut JB5 Custom by André van der End, a Dutch luthier. It popped up on a Belgian website and shortly after New Year I drove there to pick it up. It's heavy, it doesn't play as smoothly as my Lakland JO5 but I love it. Amazing feeling to own that bass now. I've replaced the black hardware with chrome since buying it. The other one is the 1973 Mustang I bought from the original owner. Excellent condition, excellent sound. Took it on tour to Germany in May and it fit perfectly into the Northern soul band sound. I don't think I've bought bad gear this year. Maybe the Optogate that I still haven't figured out how to use yet.

That guy with the Strat...I know that photo. At first I thought it might be Buddy Guy, but it isn't. It also isn't BB King. I have to google this extensively.

Thanks for the idea David I have considered that; the seams are slightly off and I can feel the pressure of the strap on my collarbone. I've ordered a Gruvgear today, also because of the availability and length. Very curious.

I broke my collarbone recently and although it's healed (yay!) and I can play again (yay!) I still struggle with straps. I used a regular strap on a rehearsal yesterday and it doesn't feel great. The metal plate is still in my left shoulder and it presse a bit against the skin. I'm looking for a soft, comfortable strap. I have a Mono Betty, but the ends of that aren't at all durable so I don't want another one I need padding, but I don't need stretch. I was looking at the Levy Comfort Strap, the GruvGear Solo and the classic Comfort Strapp. Any experiences? Am I missing one?

If you ask me, the JMJ is peak Mustang. But this is pretty too. The logo is a bit too small for me, but the dakota red one looks very tasty.

Yep, agreed. The original colour is still visible under the control plate:

Proud owner of my all original Mustang from 1973. Bought it from the first owner and sounds the absolute business.

Trying one might turn out to be difficult: USA Laklands are not widely in stock in music shops. I know of about 2 or 3 shops in Europe that have them. And yes, you can see the differences (but you have to know what to look for): the USA Osborns have stacked knobs, the Skylines have 3 black knobs (like a "regular" Jazz). The Skylines have the skyline logo on the headstock: These are my current JO5 and my ex-55-60 next to each other:

Well, if it's some consolation: the bass he's playing is a USA Joe Osborn. I've owned both the Skyline 55-60 and the USA JO5 (still own that) and although they're both great basses, the USA is something else. It might be the best 5 string Jazz I've ever played, and I've played dozens. The Skyline is véry very good, especially for the price. But it's not a USA.

Yeah that's what I'm also considering but playing a set of Green Day covers on a bar stool... Meh.