alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Well, I was 14 (back in '75) and although played guitar (had a Jedson Les Paul copy) got into my first band who was looking for a bass player. My dad couldn't afford a new bass but had a friend who bought a bass back in the '60's. So I got this, although I was really jealous of my friend who had a shiny new Shaftsbury Rick copy - and being a Yes fan boy was I jealous. Anyhow, I had this old '62 Fender that dad got me (complete with a strap that screwed onto the back and let the bass spin!). Still got it and it's been round the world with me, all original and unmolested. Edited November 7, 2010 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 So, toward the end of the 70'S I got into touring and needed a second bass. I was looking out for a second P bass and came across a Musicman Stingray. I instantly fell in love with the sound and the neck felt familiar so this too followed me around the world. It's also the lightest Stingray I have ever played - very comfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 Well, I did a good seven years on the road and then got a proper job. In the 90's got back into playing with a band for fun and in the 000's picked up a Warwick from the Bass Centre when it was still in Wapping. They had a few but this one had something the others lacked...can't explain but it is a real nice bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Popped into Bassdirect not so long ago, always a problem for me as I tend to end up buying. This time it was one of those new BB2024X's Edited October 9, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) I've always been a Mark King fan, although could never play that style. But what the heck, I ordered this from Rob Green and asked him to put on a matching back, I believe the only one he's done like this - also got pretty green lights: Edited August 17, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Been trying to get into 5 string and bought a Spector NS5XL Redwood from Molan. But along came Greeneking with the bass of my childhood hero, and the chance to get rid of my childhood agony of seeing my friend with his Shaftbury! So a trade was swiftly done. I have since passed on my Greeneking acquired 4001CS. But before I did I picked up Stacker's CS: [IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m187/alanbass1/Bass%20Collection/RickenbackerCS2Full.jpg[/IMG] But I got a picture of them together first: Edited October 9, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) So, after trying several times I can confirm that I'm a four string man through and through, as such I traded my Clover for that 'special' Jazz I have been looking for for an awfully long time, it's a Custom Shop '64 with a Brazilian Rosewood 'board... Edited March 22, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Here's some that I let go on the way: My first 4001CS that I got from Greeneking now resides with Dusty: And the Wal which was going to be the one, but I just didn't play it over my Thumb Bass: [IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m187/alanbass1/Bass%20Collection/Full.jpg[/IMG] Edited October 9, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Some others that got away.... Biggest regret getting rid of my Alembic: A couple of Sadowsky\'s: The NYC: And a Metro: I got this Iceni Zoot made. Eventually it came out OK but had serious issues with the builder which put me off the bass, shame really: I also had a \'63 P bass for a time, but my \'62 was so much better so I let this one go: Well, after many years of childhood anguish I finally got a Rick this year from Peter Cookes. But then came along the CS and it had to go!!!! The Spector NS5 that was the gateway to the Ricky CS: The Celinder Jazz Update that I traded with Molan to get the Maple Neck 72 P Bass - a very nice \'very Marcus Miller\' bass but I really want an old passive jazz. And in my search for that \'special\' fretless I have owned, and let go: A \'77 Stingray: and a Wal: Edited October 9, 2011 by alanbass1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 [quote name='alanbass1' post='652584' date='Nov 12 2009, 01:05 PM']Well, I was 14 (back in '75) and although played guitar (had a Jedson Les Paul copy) got into my first band who was looking for a bass player. My dad couldn't afford a new bass but had a friend who bought a bass back in the '60's. So I got this, although I was really jealous of my friend who had a shiny new Shaftsbury Rick copy - and being a Yes fan boy was I jealous. Anyhow, I had this old '62 Fender that dad got me (complete with a strap that screwed onto the back and let the bass spin!). Still got it and it's been round the world with me, all original and unmolested. [/quote] :wub: :wub: :wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 'Enjoyed the story immensely and some absolutely beautiful basses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 The Alembic that got away is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madman Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Im with so much GAS, and....i think i wet myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I love those early 90s thumb basses - for some reason they just look much better than the current Thumb basses. If I was in the market fo a new bass, a 90s thumb would be very high on my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 A cracking read, excellent pics and every bass a winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Great post - thanks! And a very fine collection of basses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 A stunning CS there Alan. I'm loving the NS though, it's a bit special. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Some awesome basses there, esp. the Wal and the Thumb What issues did the Zoot have? Would like to know as it currently resides at lemmywinks towers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Oh my... Wonderful reading, smashing pics of amazing basses - thanks a lot for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I suppose they're ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Some amazing instruments you have there Alan, especially the Spector NS5 which Peter now has. I've played that one & it's a lovely bass. Thanks for sharing your collection with us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 One of the best Gear Porn threads in a long while. A very nice collection, including the ones that got away. Good reading too. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 [quote name='lemmywinks' post='652967' date='Nov 12 2009, 07:55 PM']Some awesome basses there, esp. the Wal and the Thumb What issues did the Zoot have? Would like to know as it currently resides at lemmywinks towers![/quote] As I said it turned out quite a nice bass (eventually) but not worth the two grand I paid. I think the pre amp let's it down. But my experience with the maker was what turned me off the bass and why I offloaded it. I was angry at the time and wrote the following review on Harmony Central: [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Iceni/Zootbass+Custom+Shop/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...ustom+Shop/10/1[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 [quote name='alanbass1' post='653333' date='Nov 13 2009, 08:38 AM']As I said it turned out quite a nice bass (eventually) but not worth the two grand I paid. I think the pre amp let's it down. But my experience with the maker was what turned me off the bass and why I offloaded it. I was angry at the time and wrote the following review on Harmony Central: [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Iceni/Zootbass+Custom+Shop/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...ustom+Shop/10/1[/url][/quote] Eeek! Have to say i'm totally happy with the bass as it is now, i was watching it for ages on eBay thinking "one day, i'll have that!". Never noticed any shortcomings in the preamp, mind i don't really push it. I just get a good clean, balanced signal and let the Markbass do the rest That's terrible customer service though, i've never heard anything like that associated with Shuker, ACG et al. Not surprised you were unhappy with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Stunning, though I'd have stopped after the first two. And maybe the Alembic. And....... You're bass to the bone, alanbass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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