Kevin Lilley

You have a lot of good input and mine will mirror most. Ignore the “Ibanez is only for rock” I play a Ric 4003 for church and have played a Thunderbird when I wanted to, never let anyone tell what your bass can play. My first bass was a used Fender P and it is still in my collection. Try several out, and, my advice, buy the one that you don’t want to put down. Fender Play is a great tool, so is SBL (start with their free stuff and their YouTube content, deep rabbit hole you’ll never regret. Do looks matter? Yes, because the way it looks, the more you are drawn to it, the more you’ll play. Enjoy the journey!

First Bass Owned: Fender P Bass 'Go To' Bass: Rickenbacker 4003 'Your' Bass: Rickenbacker 4003

My Ric 4003 is my number one, and it’s on my gigs more than it’s not. I spend more time practicing with that bass and my comfort level, all things considered, is too high to leave it home.

I was conscious of that when I replaced the bridge on my 4003 Rickenbacker. It’s an 87 and I replaced the bridge with a Hipshot, but kept the original, including the screws. If I ever sell the Ric, which today is my number 1, both bridges will go with it. To me it was an upgrade, but to another, they may want the original bridge.

I’ll be seeing Walter Trout playing the Blue Note Grill in Durham, North Carolina, April 4. Legendary blues guitarist with John Mayal’s Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat.

Thursday night we saw Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel in Raleigh at the Rialto, incredible show, third time I have seen Duane and Johnny Satchela, and each time he continues to impress. Berry Duane Oakley was the original bass player, son of Allman Brothers Bass Legend Berry Oakley, today that role falls to Pedro Arevalo.

Slash came through Raleigh on his SERPENT tour with Eric Gales, Larkin Poe, Robert Randolph and ZZ Ward, awesome show during Tropical Storm Debbie.

I was a huge Allman Brothers Band fan, loving the music of Charlie Daniel’s, Marshall Tucker, Skynyrd and other Southern Rockers. Today I am listening to the next generation with the sons of members of the Allman Brothers in Allman Betts Band. Others? Blackberry Smoke, Larkin Poe and Bonamassa.

EnoFest in Durham, North Carolina

Michael Kelly is better known for their acoustics than their solid body electrics. I have played a few at local shops but never connected with any.

I play an 1987 4003 Ric and have sat with plenty of both the 4001s and 4003s. This particular 4003 just felt right, both amped and not, and with anything made of wood, you have to play it, bond with it, and accept that it’ll never be “perfect”.

Drove to Greensboro to see Peter Frampton play this past Sunday on his Never Ever Say Never tour. The last time I saw him play was in his Premonition tour, he still sounds and plays great.

I hadn’t given up, but I had taken breaks from time to time, more just time between bands. Now, at 60 years of age, playing is my release from work, and it keeps my mind sharp and me active.

February is Joe Bonamassa, March is Peter Frampton, haven’t see Frampton since 1986

Thank y’all