UPDATED for 2022!

Blog Updates!

Spent the afternoon on blog maintenance, and added quite a few goodies.  Here are a few highlights & quick links to a few of the more popular pages:

Clatter rocking the stage

"Reviews"

- Page has been updated and organized for easier access

"Rigs & Tips" 

- Page updated & dead links removed.  

- Added a rig-rundown for Amy Humphrey of Clatter 
(Don't miss this one!) 

- Added a rig-rundown for Tim Starace of the YYNOT; "We're an original progressive rock band, with a penchant for vintage RUSH."  

Original music with a touch of RUSH

"Links"

- Page updated & dead links removed.  

- Goodies added to videos, gear, and shops.  

Be sure to let me know if you have any suggestions for additions-- I've been thinking about creating a "reader's corner" to collect & share.

As always, keep checking back for updates, new material and more bass adventures...

                ...Stay tuned & in tune!

A Little Catching Up

It's been a while since we've last talked, eh?!

A lot has happened during the last few years, while at the same time very little has happened-- thanks to COVID.  Let's do a little catching up:

Downsizing

A collection of redundancy

Previously, my collection of basses hovered around 10 or 12.  In the insane summer of 2020 (Covid, riots, elections, fires, etc.) I reevaluated-- among other things-- my bass collection, and decided to make some changes.  

During that year I realized I was playing only a few, while the others hung on the wall collecting dust.  Also, my preference to have two examples of each bass was unnecessary.  We're not dealing with Jaguars here, where it's wise to have two; one to drive while the other is in the shop.  Yes, it was nice to have two of each, but I would actually only play my favorite of the two.  

Two of these would be wise, and fun!

So, I began selling a few basses.  Psychologically, it was not an easy thing to do; each bass had a sentimental attachment to one degree or another.  Most of the people I met along the way were super excited to become the new owner of my once cherished instrument.  Meeting these people, visiting with them, handing off my old bass to them... helped me stay positive during those tough times and was a reminder of the importance of human interaction.  While the internet, Zoom, and online forums have their place, nothing can replace in-person interactions.            

String Theory

Just a few string changes...

Last year I spent quite a bit of time (and money) experimenting with different strings.  New basses almost always ship with round-wound strings.  Over the years I developed a preference for a certain type & gauge that instantly replaced whatever the bass came with.  Having an abundance of time on my hands, and a little extra money from downsizing my bass collection, it was time to embark on a string adventure.

Round-wounds from DR, Ernie Ball, and others, soon branched out to flat-wound strings.  Only once before had I even held a bass with flats.  One of our local music stores had an early model G&L L-1000 strung equally old flat-wounds.  About 15-seconds after freeing the bass from its wall hanger, realizing it was wearing flats-- then reading it's freakishly high price, I returned it to the wall.  Fast forward to 2021 and my sting adventure entered the world of flat-wounds.  What a ride, I must say!

Building, Standing, Maintaining   

As with many things in life, interests overlap.  Part of my reevaluation mentioned above, was my practice space.  Previously, the heart of my music room was an old office desk.  It was cluttered with practice materials, notebooks, and a variety of tools used for string changes and such.  Sitting at that desk was always a pain-- literally a pain!  Long periods of sitting is terrible for those of us with back problems.  Add playing a bass to the mix only exaggerated the problem.  So, the problem solver in me went to work.

No use sitting around!

Identifying the problems, I used my woodworking skills to build a desk capable of serving multiple needs.  Sitting is a problem, so it should be a desk tall enough for me to stand at.  Clutter is a problem, so it should be capable of storing practice materials, and maintenance tools, yet retain quick & easy access to both.  Oh, and it will live upstairs, so I need to be able to transport such a thing without much trouble.  No problem!  I've got the time, tools, and know-how to make it happen.

A Gift And Inspiration

Downsizing the collection created a nice music-gear fund.  In the evenings while watching TV with my wife, I sometimes 

Review on the way!

surf the net, reading about the latest preamps and effects units.  No matter how much I tried, just couldn't bring myself to buy anything new with my extra cash-- I'm happy with what I have. Quite happy indeed!

Meanwhile, my wife wanted to do something special for me; something I wouldn't do for myself.  Gotta say, am I glad she did!  So it happened that I went out on a limb and took a chance on a used example of a bass I've long admired, but never was adventurous enough to even test drive...

2022 & Beyond...

With a new year underway, I'll be writing more about the adventures mentioned above, along with gear reviews, gig notes, and a few surprises.  There is a special planned adventure that will take us across the country-- twice!

...Stay tuned & in tune!