In 2014, Lea was diagnosed with, and treated for, prostate cancer, which he revealed publicly the following year. Musical equipment Basses Lea started off with a Framus Star bass, similar to that used by Bill Wyman and later used a cherry Gibson EB-3 from the late 1960s until it was stolen in the mid 1970s. It is seen in Slade's (probably) first TV performance in 1969. Lea got the bass in exchange for a Gibson EB-0 that he owned. The EB-3 was refinished in white when Lea put it in with John Birch to get some minor circuit and servicing work done. Lea said that he only mentioned the refinish idea in passing some time previously, then John Birch went ahead with it without checking with him. The instrument was also modified with a third pickup located between its standard neck and bridge pickups. After the EB-3 was stolen in 1976 from the John Birch workshop, Lea's main bass was a similarly styled custom-made sunburst John Birch bass, given as a replacement. He also carried a John Birch J2 bass as a backup bass on some tours. Other notable basses that Lea owns include a Jaydee bass (which, uncommonly for a bass guitar, has a tremolo arm fitted), a pre-1981 Gibson Flying-V bass (which was used a lot in the studio in the 1970s). Slade often used hired/borrowed instruments in mimed TV performances. Lea used a Fender Precision Bass, Fender Jazz bass and a Rickenbacker style bass, made by John Birch, as well as a Shaftesbury replica of a 4001 bass for TV and video shoots. Guitars In the early 1960s Lea used a Höfner Colorama before turning to bass. He has also said that he used to compose a lot of songs on his wife's old Spanish guitar. Synthesisers Lea owned an ARP 2600 synthesiser. He sold it on eBay in 2003. Discography Albums 1992 The Dummies – A Day in the Life of the Dummies (Receiver Records RRLP 155 & RRCD 155) 2007 James Whild Lea – Therapy (Jim Jam Records) 2007 Jim Lea – Replugged/Official Bootleg of Jim Jam Live at the Robin 2 16 November 2002+ 2016 Jim Lea - Therapy (reissue - 2 CDs including three new tracks and Live from the Robin 2 CD) (Wienerworld WNRCD5098) Singles 1979 The Dummies – "When The Lights Are Out" / "She's The Only Woman" (Cheapskate Records FWL