gjones

Hothouse flowers are a great band and one of my favourites but I saw them a few years ago, at the Barrowland in Glasgow, and they were excellent but just didn't know when to call it a day. The gig had hit the 2 and a half hour mark and they were starting to make songs up, improvising over gospel like grooves, in a very self indulgent way. I had to leave. I wouldn't be surprised if they were still there, grooving away

I've never needed a back up amp but a few years ago bought a head, secondhand, which arrived with a fault. I took it apart and put it back together again, and it then worked fine, but I've never 100% trusted it. Since then I always take another head with me, just in case.

I'd like to play with Jim Keltner. He's drummed with many of my favourite bands and artists, over the years. Even with the CV he has, he's still very humble. Hates playing to a click track and understands the concept of playing ahead, or behind the beat.

My MIJ Fender Jazz is the bass I'll probably end up being buried with. Perfect feel, action, sound and looks. I fitted a set of pickups from a Roadworn Jazz, which I picked up on Basschat into it and they sound just perfect. J Retro was the finishing touch.

I have that very fridge magnet, which I bought for £5.50.

Before I discovered Basschat I only had one bass. This question would have been irrelevant. Not any more

I have a wee fiddle with my instrument, occasionally.

Ampeg made a 32x10 cab, just for a laugh. I suggest that this cab was built for the same reason.

Ahhhh......the under rehearsed middle aged band scenario. Gave up playing when they were 17 and returned to it aged 40. What they don't understand is that, what you could get away with at 17, you can't get away with when you're 40. I have nightmares about being in this band.

I've bought a couple of basses from them, including a purchase during the first lockdown in April, both were delivered within a couple of days with minimum fuss.

Yes, the red light is a cruel mistress.

A friend of mine ordered a Sire V3 from Andertons, in October, he still hasn't got it. So be prepared for a looooooong wait, if you order one of these.

I bought a Elite Precision, new in 2018, and when it was delivered I was distinctly underwhelmed. I own a couple of other USA Fenders, a deluxe Jazz and a 75 reissue Jazz and they felt much better to play than the new bass. The neck felt chunkier than previous precisions I'd owned and although the action could be set up pretty low, I didn't like the tension of the Fender strings, so changed them to Rotosounds. I still wasn't convinced and after a few gigs, although I liked the sound and versatility of the Elite, I didn't like the feel and playability. My MIJ Precision has a set of Elixir lights on it and I really like the feel of them, so bought a set for the Elite. What a difference! The bass has come to life and the feel and playability is now where I like it. I think it could now be my favourite bass in the herd and all it took was a change of strings. So don't write off your USA Jazz. Maybe all it also needs is a few tweaks and a change of strings?

I just plug my tv into my hi fi. I also bought a bluetooth sound converter, for not much money, which also allows me to send the signal from my laptop, or phone, to my hi fi too. I feel the average hi fi is cheaper and more versatile than your average tv sound box.

10 years ago I replaced a 200 watt 8 ohm driver, with a 400 watt 4 ohm driver, in an old Ashdown cab. I had no technical knowledge and it shouldn't have worked but sounded great and was a big improvement on the original, in both tone and volume. The only way you'll know if you've been sold a pup, is to play it at band levels. You may be pleasantly surprised.

A local fan has put a few of our full gigs on youtube. When it's time to get back to playing, I'll just play along to those a few times. Hopefully it will all come flooding back....

I own a P bass in Olympic white. In bright light it can look very white. In dimmer light it can look creamy. It depends on the light.

True but I'm sure there will be a hell of a demand for live music, when this thing is over. People will be desperate to party like it's 1999. I know I will be.

That's Homer Simpson's philosophy is it not? If at first you don't succeed..........give up.

Same with me, I liked the sound but couldn't get the level I needed with loud drummers and guitarists. In retrospect I think it was the cab not the amp that was at fault. I was playing it through a ABM 1x15. I now have a Barefaced compact, which is very efficient, and forked out £134 for another ABM 500, that I found on ebay. This time around I doubt the amp will run out of gas as the Barefaced is a lot louder than the old ABM. Just need a gig to test my theory. I'm still waiting.....

Looks like 'Marilyn', Gail Ann Dorsey's Stingray. Same era too.

I plug my laptop into my Barefaced. Sounds great 😀

One of the things I like about Bowie, is that he rarely wrote about cliched subjects.

Ahhhh, but could you pick the TE cab up with a finger?

10 years ago I felt I needed a Jazz Bass in my life. I bought a secondhand standard Squier from Basschat, for £95. I liked it so much that I then went on to buy many more, both MIJ and USA. I recommend that you don't spend silly money, when you don't even know if you will like the Precision sound and feel. I would recommend you dip your toe in the water with a Classic Vibe, or something similar first. Then if you decide you like P basses you can flash the cash.