After playing primarily guitar for 54 years the past 2 years I've been playing bass on virtually all gigs and at home. I've been using a Fender Player Series Jazz Bass, and although it's a great bass between the long scale causing issues with my hand due to stubby fingers and the weight of the JB on my shoulder during 3 hour gigs I decided to look at getting a short scale bass, preferably hollow. Tried out a friend's Hofner Violin Bass but it felt like a toy. I was interested in trying out a Starfire Bass but no one in my area had one. Making a long story short, on a trip to the coast last Friday I wandered into Lightning Joe's Guitar Heaven in Arroyo Grande. Lo and behold they had a mint 2013 Starfire I w/factory hard case on hand. So, I gave it a whirl...30 minutes went by in no time, the missus says, "They're getting ready to close, you better hurry up and buy it." Perfectly setup with my preferred flatwounds. Took it home, played it on a 3 hour gig yesterday. Band leader loved it almost as much as I do. Had to lighten up my touch a bit but that's a good thing.
I really have to thank the staff at Lightning Joe's...if you've never been there you need to go if you're ever in the area of Arroyo Grande, CA. It really is guitar (and bass) heaven!
I really have to thank the staff at Lightning Joe's...if you've never been there you need to go if you're ever in the area of Arroyo Grande, CA. It really is guitar (and bass) heaven!
