Recent content by JohnN

It depends on the song and style. I prefer to use my fingers but sometimes you need a pick, especially when playing punk rock. But what do I know. I’m only a hack bassist who has been playing for 48 years to very small audiences. Why be divisive?

I loved him to listen to and have since the 60s but didn’t really appreciate him until my cover band started doing Beatles songs. His timing, note choice and groove are awesome. Plus he sings on top of it.

I definitely don’t need an amp but if I insisted, I could probably get one miked up. But I don’t want to buy or carry a monster. Our guitarists still prefer to mike up their amps and there is never a problem doing that. When we do street parties I use an amp usually rented or loaned. In...

Last three? Oh lord, there were oh so many. 1. A Boss SY-1 synthesizer pedal (wrapped under the tree, and yeah I bought it for me). 2. MXR bass envelop filter 3. Fender Custom 62 pickups and the associated switchcraft jack, CTS pots and an orange drop cap to completely rewire my 2018 MiM P...

I play a Jazz V and use my low Bb a lot (we tune down). I very rarely play the Bb note but I like the sound of the 5th fret on the low string, and I use the 3rd fret a LOT. When I play up the neck, it’s nice to have that string handy. Occasionally, I will play a song in the set which doesn’t use...

I bought a 2018 Player series P-bass from a friend because my Jazz V is getting a bit heavy for 3 hour rehearsals (chemo was a b***h to my stamina) plus the neck on this bass felt so good to play. I had not used a 4-string live in years but apart from a few oopses on the A string thinking its an...

I recently bought a 2018 MiM P bass. While I love the neck and the general feel of the bass, I *hate* the pickups, especially when I play it in the same set as my Jazz V. So when you test your newly-found potential bass, plug it in unless you figure on a pickup swap down the track.

I usually refuse to wear clothes endorsing any company (music or otherwise), sports team etc, except for bands I like. Technically, I guess rock bands are companies but you get the drift. Except for Fender. I hold them in such regard that I wear Fender t-shirts and caps.

Haha. I still have (and occasionally use) one, which is kept in my acoustic guitar case.

Started playing guitar at 16, bass 6 months later. Always preferred playing bass in bands because I like the feel of a groove. I’m 61 and feel like I’m learning every show I do, every practice I have.

Then they can look at our very flamboyant lead guitarist and singers.

No, you got the second part right. I’d rather be heard than seen.

How many pedals do I own? Too many. My guitar board is crammed. And it changes according to my whim. I have severe GAS. But I don’t play guitar in bands, just for my own enjoyment. But for the bass, where I do play in a band, I have a tuner, compressor, envelope filter and Sansamp. That’s it...

Black jeans, black boots, usually a black T-shirt of my current fave band (Toska from the U.K.) and a black Jazz V with a black pick guard. Last time also black strings. I guess there’s a theme.

I wish it weren’t true, and it is not true to most of us. I play in a cover band, and I doubt my band mates would know or care what I dragged out to play as long as I “sound good”. Fortunately I do care so it’s all good.