Rich

Agreed, that seems absolutely ridiculous. Presumably said Grade 8er can read, but it seems to me that having the mechanical skills and the chart knowledge without any of the underpinning basics is pretty ridiculous. Having said that, I can't read a note and my theory knowledge is non-existent, but there y'go... Still, it could have been so much worse than Ed Sheeran. "What do you want to learn, who's your favourite artist?" "Errm, I'd like to do some Kanye West stuff..." *awaits wave of "god you're so old" derision*

Nice (both the amp and Django ), I look forward to hearing this wee beastie in action (the amp, not Django). A good excuse for me to deliver the Hubbard book in person?

Yes, it's not quite right is it..?

I like bebop and modern jazz. Fusion, I love in a big way. I even like smooth/dinner jazz -- well some of it, anyway. A good jazz big-band is a thing of beauty, although I prefer it instrumental. Not mad keen on jazz singers -- Cleo Laine, bless her, drives me up the wall. 'Trad' Dixieland/ragtime type jazz? I hate, loathe and detest it. All you can ever hear is the feckin clarinet, wailing away and playing a totally different tune to everyone else, and the bloody banjo going donk-donk-donk-donkadonk-donkadonk. Arrrggh. Given the choice between a} listening to a Kenny Ball album, and b} dragging my fingernails down a blackboard repeatedly whilst listening to a Nigel Faraj speech on an endless loop, I'd say bring on the blackboard.

"This is to take with me? Oh right. Well, errm, thank you, it's... very... umm, striking... you shouldn't have. No, you REALLY shouldn't have..."

Let us not forget his dalliance with the godawful dog's breakfast tasteful and restrained Loewenherz instruments.

Wow. Thank you for introducing me to something genuinely new: a Warwick I'd actually like to own

Fleabay is your friend here. Most of the control knobs I've ever bought have come either from there or from Fuzzdog.

Zombie thread alert! My GAS basses are still two: Wal fretted five-string, and 1965 Fender Jazz. Maybe one day... As far as fan frets are concerned, there is this thread: ...but I suspect you're after something rather less specialised than this appears to be. Might be worth starting a new thread.

Another total Elixirs convert here. Absolutely amazing things. I used to baulk at the cost, until I realized just how much I was saving in the long run. Plus the feel is just soooooo smooth, it almost feels like they are playing themselves. I would never let WD40 within a bazillion miles of my fretboards, not even the glossy maple ones. The product info says to avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin and untreated woods, and that's enough warning for me.

Oh stop procrastinating and just buy one already. You know you want it. Tell your missus we made you do it.

I'll give it a trial run. Tb3 is quite PVA-like in some ways -- water-solubility etc -- so hopefully it 'll work. I'll let you know!

Fabulous stuff, just what i need as I'm planning to have a bash at this sort of thing myself on an old and massively beaten up short scale mahogany Overwater. @Andyjr1515 , is PVA definitely the thing to use or would Titebond 3 be ok? I only ask because I have some TB3 but no PVA.

Looks ok and is no doubt v.well made. Not my cuppa char at all though.

Another strength of yours: the ability To make up rhyming poetry on the flea. Is that better?

My strengths: reliable; punctual to an almost anal degree; cheerful and friendly; decent singing voice; blessed with a good ear, and as a consequence I pick things up really quickly. Weaknesses: my theory knowledge sucks; can't do walking basslines; hate soloing and am quite dreadful at it; can't read a note (although I can follow a chart); and my hands are gradually succumbing to arthritis -- it will be a miracle if I am still playing in 10 years.

Another strength of yours: the ability to make up rhyming poetry on the fly

I recall popping into The Old Duke in Bristol many moons ago on one of their jazz nights. There was a band playing and it quickly became apparent that the bassist (old Fender Jazz, sounded glorious) was, shall we say, a bijou bit busy. They took solos, bassist went first and credit where it's due, he was awesome. Then the sax took a solo... and the bassist kept soloing... drummer next... yup, bass was still going... he trampled on everything. By the end of the tune I just wanted him to FSTFU.

Fugghedaboudit.

About time you got here bro Witters here is my bestie, a marvellous guitardist and rapidly becoming an excellent bassist too. (will that do? You can give me the tenner next week)

I've always been a singing bassist, mostly BVs but I did shared lead in a blues-rock trio years ago. I've always found it relatively straightforward to sing and play (never done any Rush or Level 42 covers though!), but the one thing I cannot do for the life of me is talk and play. Just normal conversational stuff or chatting to punters, band intros etc. Nope. Can't do it.

Nope. Sixth post on the first page

Very uncomfortable when one sits down, however.

Oh, and 4. Buy as many 50s and 60s Fenders as you can now, while they are still relatively cheap... and when you see that pre-Ernie Stingray for £250, snap that one up too. THERE's your pension plan.