gjones

No photo of truss rod access on the headstock. If it's natural then it's an Affinity Squier, or a cheapo copy.

Really great basses. I played one at my local GuitarGuitar and it was an excellent sounding and playing bass. Nice jazz neck if remember correctly.

I couldn't resist the lure of a Markbass CMD 121P combo for £400. It's the brand new version, with the leather handle. I've been wanting one for a while but couldn't justify buying one (as I have plenty of amps and cabs). But at £400 I couldn't resist. I just need gigs to start, so I can hear what it sounds like at a decent volume (sounds good in my living room but that's not why I bought it).

What I see professionals doing (ie not me), is clip it onto the back of the headstock and then the audience can't see it.

I'm sure everything sounds pretty good through an Ampeg fridge

The MIJ Silver Squiers, from back in the early 90s, have increased significantly in price since I bought one about 10 years ago. Very good basses but then all MIJ Fender/Squier basses are top notch, in my experience..

A cruise? A thousand people all packed together like sardines for a week (or more). You are a brave chap.

I bought the red version of this, after hearing it played live at a gig, back in the early 90s. It played and sounded fantastic but I just couldn't get used to the pointiness. I sold it and bought a sensible looking Yamaha.

Even a big name from the past doesn't sell very many albums these days. Bryan would probably make more money, for his band and crew, by selling his Bentley.

A secondhand barefaced compact, is capable of going very loud. I've gigged mine with a 500w head, with some shed builder drummers and it was more than loud enough on it's own. It was advertised as being as loud as a 4x10. If you bought one, you probably won't need another cab.

I thought about buying a ticket but doubted that it would go ahead, so didn't. I'd love to see them live, they're all amazing at what they do and Cameron is a phenomenal bass player. I'm feeling confident that live gigs will be back next year..............sometime?

Interesting video, on how a band called Mamas Gun from Brighton, managed to gig online while under lockdown.

As far as cabs are concerned a secondhand, Barefaced Compact will do everything you want. It's light, has a great sound, is very, very loud and can be bought for about £300 on Basschat. The compact, with a decent amp, will keep up with any loud drummer. As far as heads are concerned, I own a couple of Gallien Kruegers D class heads, a MB500 and a MB800. They are about the size of a paperback book, are very powerful, made in the USA and have been very reliable. They're also ridiculously cheap secondhand. Ashdowns are also loud, reliable and within your budget, secondhand. If you buy one of the new Fender Rumble 500 combos, you'll get all of the above as well.

It's a vibrator for bassplayers. Ooooh matron!

Having just checked the metal corners on my BF Super Compact and I wouldn't say they're totally blunt. Are they sharp enough to cut my hand? Well I won't try that experiment for obvious reasons. I don't know why barefaced didn't stick with the plastic ones? They do the job on my Markbass combo.

Taxes on fags probably. ....don't forget, somebody has to pay for the nuclear missiles and MPs pay rises.

Pino married a 'Wealthy Tart'.

Good points: It's light, small, cheap (bought £165 secondhand), sounds great and loud enough to gig with, as long as your drummer is not an animal. Bad points: I can't think of any bad points.

I have a Hartke Hydrive 112, which has a high frequency horn fitted, which is very 'fizzy'. if you know what I mean (I usually switch it off when I'm playing bass through it). That and my Gallien-Krueger MB500, makes a very effective guitar amp. The clean sound is crystal clear but you need to use a pedal to get a dirty sound.

I have a USA vintage 75 reissue and a MIM 70s classic too. If I was asked which one had the shallower neck, I would probably say it was the 75. Interesting to know it's just the shape of the neck that gives that impression.

Can I ask if that's a Sterling Ray 4 you're playing, or a USA Musicman Stingray? They both sound great.

That's a Japanese Standard. The Japanese version of a Mexican Standard I suppose. Most of the MIJ basses I've owned were reissues of 50s, 60s or 70s Fender basses.

Yes

Looks like a Squier standard. They usually have the serial number on the back of the headstock. I used to have one, they are decent basses.

To show how optimistic I am, that by this time next year this covid 19 malarky will be over and done with, I just bought myself a Markbass CMD Mini 121P. I got it secondhand and it's brand new, with the new leather handle (possibly from somebody who isn't quite so optimistic as I am). Sounds good at livingroom levels, let's hope one day soon(ish) I'll be playing it at gig level.