The Last Bass Outpost

One of my favourite venues downtown has just completed the move. Our nickname for the old dive was the Land of Dreams. The original building was falling apart , the move was inevitable , and turned out to take longer than anticipated. They took the old bar and many of the fixtures and appointments from the original. I've done the weekly blues jam for about 27 years and tonight will be my first return to the new digs. It's right in the downtown core so parking will be more of a challenge , but there might well be more street traffic. We'll see tonight , I'm looking forward to it. I'm curious to hearing the new room. We used to generally just put vocals in the PA , so your stage mix was the room sound. With experienced players the old room could sound gorgeous. Or if you crossed a certain volume threshold it could become a bag of noise.
I used to play that location when it was a coffeehouse in the 70's. It's like coming full circle.

For many years all I had was a light 72 Pbass , I thought it was all I'd ever need.
I was an idiot.
I passed on a number of opportunities to pick up EB3s really cheap. Today I favour short scales and would love an EB3 , and really regret my stupidity. I did get an SG , and that has become a favourite bass , but I'd love the original too. Especially a traditional red one.

I had been hearing things about the Elf amp for ages and a new shop opened across the harbour. I had an older SWR Headlite , I had picked up for a hundred bucks and made a straight trade for the Elf. The SWR was probably worth more than, but I didn't have much invested in it so we were both happy.
And then right after I got the Elf I saw Korg was selling off the 200 watt amps. I really like those little 200 watt heads for home use and rehearsals. My main practice head has been a Darkglass e500 ... so I quite like Darkglass. I'm mostly looking for a fairly clean old school thump so I'm not after the distortion and gain they're famous for , but they do clean well.
I contacted Korg , they would not ship to Canada , so I had an old friend forward it to me. And I really like the little head. Several friends in the US picked them up and all have been delighted with them. Heck of a deal on a nice little rig.

I've just picked up one bass so far this year , so I'm quite overdue. Traded one amp I wasn't using for another I haven't used much. Bought one new amp I couldn't pass on.

I'm due.

I did that putting a chrome surround on my LPDC Jr Tbird pickup after putting on a chrome cover. After some time playing Rics I have no aversion to a big chunk of chrome around there. I didn't want to drill six holes.

I've somehow managed without a Jazz bass. Quickly sold the ones I've had , they've never stayed , I don't know why.
 
Great video.

The reissues placed the pickups closer into Jazz bass territory , and simplified the knobs. I think they were made in Singapore rather than Japan too.

Korg USA were selling off Darkglass MicroTube 200 amps for $200 , US only , but I managed to have a friend in the US forward one here. I didn't need any more amps , but I like Darkglass amps and couldn't resist the deal.I like little 200 watt size heads for rehearsals/home practice. I,ve picked up several at this point.
That's the only gear purchase I've made in the recent past. Sold one bass , might sell several more , might sell some extra amps ... we'll see. Not under any pressure to downsize , other than room.

Mine are reissues with the standard vvt controls. And 34 scale.
A friend described one as a Jazz bass on steroids , and regretted selling the one he had.

I'm mostly using short scales , but whenever I pick up a Samurai I'm impressed with how comfortable they feel and play.  TI flats on one , well broken in rounds on the other.

How's that Samurai ilan?

It's been several months now , haven't bought another bass since I picked up the two Gretsches.

amazing!

Quote from: Son of Dave W on November 08, 2024, 08:01:19 AMI think I added that functionality yesterday.

Sweet guitars, on top of that.

Looking for that "like" button , haven't quite found it yet ...

We need a like button. Nice scores ilan.

Those are such great little basses!

Beauty! I'd love to find one someday to augment that SG.