Woah that's very interesting! I should try that when I get to a bass shop. That's pretty cool. Back in the day when amps weren't available, did you guys put a mic to the bass or anything? Or was it just the raw sound of the acoustics? Won't that be hard to hear over a loud big band?

Yeah I know you shouldn't go cheap when buying instruments of this sort. The investment in a good one is always worth it. I have a better idea now of what to avoid. Yes there's no big hurry. Thanks for everything!
P.S. Haha! I don't exactly take care of myself either! I'll be lucky enough if I even reach 73!!

Hello! I'm doing good! Yourself? No, I haven't got an upright yet. It's gonna be a while until I can come up with the money. However I've been looking at local ads and found a guy in my state who's selling a used imported one for $500 (£315). The ad is more than a year old, but I emailed him and waiting for his reply anyway. Btw you're looking pretty sharp in that photo haha. Take care, too.

No dis, man, but I had to share your funny anecdote with Jack Sheldon. He's a Facebook friend o' mine. :)

And, what's this? Seeing me in the spring? Are you swimming across the Channel to visit Nederland at tulip-time? If so, then we must do lunch, drinks, dinner and whatever other mischief we can find! U game, dude? :)

P.S. I currently play an Ibanez bass guitar, however it's fretless. I'm planning to transition to upright when finances allows me. Nothing can substitute the beauty and sound of an upright.

Wait wait you're teacher was a bassist for the D'Oyly Carte Opera??? Oh man! That is serious!!! Weee!!! You were blessed to have a wonderful teacher. Although it might have been better to have continued lessons with him, I'm sure you've further developed and grew musically while being on the road, no? I think one of the the best things for a musician is to have is a good, solid instructor. Unfortunately for me I don't have one yet. That's because I don't know anyone in my area that currently teaches, and they don't offer bass studies at my community college. They do however have bass studies at the university I'm planning to transfer to, but until then I basically "taught" myself how to play bass. I'm well enough to play at my college jazz band, but I'm sure I have bad technique. I'm still longing for the day when I can have lessons.

Oh man your musical career during your days sounds so thrilling! And to be able to play with the top flyers........aw man! I know of Marco, but I'll be sure to check the other guys out! Thanks! Yes, I was also very saddened to hear the passing of Sir Shearing. God needed some entertainment up there hah. He was kind of a big figure for me when I played jazz piano for a very short time before I moved to bass. Even now I still look up to him. Bless him.

Out of shear curiosity, how did you come about learning how to play jazz bass for the first time? As I'm still learning myself, I'm very eager to hear about your musical development!

Oh and thank you!

Ah I see now. I know of an album that Feldman recorded with Lafaro and drummer Stan Levey called "The Arrival of Victor Feldman", and now that I think about it that was recorded in Los Angeles, USA. There's also two rare videos I saw of Lafaro, Feldman and Levey playing with a band for a jazz program which was also filmed in L.A.. I took your advice and looked up Tubby Hayes just now, and I have to say that he knows how to kick some serious butt hehehe! He's my new celebrity now!

as far as i know scott la faro never got to gb but victor feldman was born here.he emigrated tu the usa in the fifties.he played with miles and even turned down a world tour with him.check out our greatest ever tenor player.TUBBY HAYES on utube he was a monster up with the likes of coltrane and the rest.