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I noticed today that another bass forum I frequent has instituted a policy of no sales of fake instruments, ie. ones which are manufactured with, or have subsequently had applied, logos of a different manufacturer; the most common one being Fender (because aftermarket waterslide logos are easy peasy), but there are also the ones which are produced as fakes (the "Chibson"s, etc.). Some of them can be quite difficult to spot, as the "ebay weird & wonderful" forum often highlights. Would it be an appropriate policy to institute here too? As a corollary, it's illegal in the UK to sell an item bearing the trademark of another company, but some folks seem to think it's alright, buyer beware, it's OK if you say it's a fake, or it doesn't apply to personal sales. I think that, in allowing them to be sold via here, the site is tacitly approving forgeries.

Your Yamaha would be ideal because of The Selecter.

Well you probably don't want me to say this...but...just turn the treble down on your Yamaha. Unless you want an excuse for a new bass? In which case I'd say you definitely need a precision.

The Thomastik Jazz Rounds are remarkable strings indeed! I read about them and a friend challenged me to try them. When reading the specs, they looked very peculiar, with very odd dimensions compared to what I normally use. Here are the dimensions for 34" scale strings: C .029, G .043, D .051, A .068, E .89, B .118 The winding wire is also very thin compared to other bass strings, more like a guitar string. The E- and B-string, and maybe the A-string have double winding. The core is also softer than other strings, so the feel is very, very different. You have to adapt your playing technique to a softer touch with these strings, but the reward is a very nice, big, full and round tone. Almost upright bass like when played in the right way. Nice deep bass, full mid, no shrill and harsh highs, very balanced. More bite than flats. Not for slapping! I use the Thomastik Jazz Rounds on my hollowbody and chambered basses, a Lakland Hollowbody and my Tom Clement "Anne" six string. I will try a set on my acoustic bass guitar too, when it is time for new strings. Anyway, I hope my little review/reflection plays on someone's strings...

About an hour ago through gumtree I picked up this little beauty, a decent gig bag, a fender cable, and a leather strap (a cheapo one, but still...) all for only £200. There's not a mark on it, not even on the protective plastic which is still on the scratchplate. Just put on an old set of flats that I've had sat in the cupboard for a while, and OMG this thing sounds flipping amazing.

Thought as I'd been away so long I ought to start at the intro page. I'm Stew, North East Somerset bass player of many years standing. Gave up a few years back after mountain bike accident trashed my left shoulder. Also got fed up playing with drunken musicians! Decided to dip the toe back in and after nearly despairing of finding a band have landed a couple of dep spots beginning with a covers band on New Years Eve. Learned 40 songs for the gig and had a rehearsal to find out where they differ from the originals and all is set for the big night. First gig in a few years and I'm looking forward to it. Solved the shoulder problem by the addition of two extra strap buttons to my bass, and two short straps attached to a wide weight lifter's belt. No pressure on the destroyed rotator cuff and assorted painful tendons. Works like a charm but takes some getting used to as the bass is static in relation to my body and I hadn't realised the subtle movements one makes while playing. Anyhoo that's me. I shall be asking some questions on the appropriate pages with reference to small amps and cabs, as at my age, and having lost the nice big car in my recent marriage bust up, I need to consider back and neck problems and limited boot space. If you remember me then hello again if not, it's nice to meet you.

The problem with new products like this is that it is almost impossible to tell if it was designed to run hot and remain within safe design parameters, or it was badly designed and will start to fail if run long and hard enough. Only time will tell. We'll know in a year or so 🤔

So... we ban the sale of overt replicas, and allow only the sale of either genuine basses, or the surreptitious sale of fakes. I'm really not sure what the benefit of this approach is...?

Some great tonal references here:

Smart @ss

Trusted courier = contradiction in terms. Sorry.

As I've got used again to standing up with my bass the back pains have gone. And though Adrenochome is clearly right to say that you don't actually have to play a heavy or unergonomic bass, when they're good it's a joy to do so. I'd forgotten how wonderful jazz bass pickups sound. How could I have ever stopped playing the thing?

Exactly this. I really don't like the cliché, 'Age is just a number', but it is true. I'll do whatever I feel like doing for as long as I feel like it. Life's too short to be constrained by some bizarre time counting system someone felt the need to dream up centuries ago.

Good point about the amp... The OP may just not be getting *the sound* using his practice amp at home. I'd wait until you use your 424 with the band, at high volumes with a beefy amp and see how it feels. It would be nothing like you're experiencing with the practice amp. As for the 'Orange Sound' not being ska-friendly... I don't know... a local music venue provides an Orange Bass Terror and 410, and it works very very well.

I like the finish - couple of things wrong for me though; 5 string Fender Other than that it's perfect..

I'll let you know in 20 years time.

Orange amps are perfect for dub/reggae/ska, just not the 50W ones! I agree your money would be better spent on a new amp rather then a new bass, the BB will do the job just fine and if it's too bright, that's what the tone control is for.

Have you tried UPS? I rate them highly. But don’t touch Hermes with a bargepole.

Welcome @Fulkram , yes Markbass get a lot of love on here, but bass players have never had a bigger choice of great-sounding gear that won't break the bank or your back!

Welcome Fulkram. The subtlety element gets increasingly fun and intriguing as you go along. What others in a band often don‘t realise is just how much you‘re running the show. As for better basses, these days really usable kit does not have to be expensive, so there‘s plenty to look forward to there too. enjoy the ride, Paul.

Telecaster Bass with flats

I use Phil Jones Bass headphones to go with their headphone amp. Great quality audio but they do feel a bit flimsy. http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Headphones.html

only three, in a six week period recently. But they were my first gigs since 1995 why did I leave it so long? Enjoyed it so much I reformed my old originals psych-punk band from 1986 too 2018 is gonna be all about FUN

IMO, if you have the chops then any bass will do. I was playing Reggae, Ska and Blues on Xmas eve using my Mike Lull PJ5 with flats.

Good evening, Fulkram, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

My brother's technique on his Fender Jazz Bass was to balance the pickup volume controls to get the "honk". Then, roll away the tone most (or all) of the way off. The BB424X controls are Master Vol., Master Tone and a three-way pickup selector. Therefore, the Jazz Bass "honk" is unlikely to happen without reconfiguring the controls to Vol., Vol., Tone and, perhaps, a pickup upgrade.

This would be my choice. Clearly Designed for Ska!

Practically any bass is suitable for any music. You only need to look at photos of different bands playing in a style of music, and you'll see a variety of instruments being used. As has been said, turn the treble down and favour the neck pickup, play nearer the neck, maybe use flat wound strings.

I play in a ska band - 3 band HH Stingray works great.

I bought mine without hearing one, partly due to the fact that you can return it if you buy online. However, I'm keeping it. It's such a powerful and warm sounding amp. I've gigged the Quilter four times and have received unsolicited positive comments on each gig. That only ever happened previously with my Thundefunk 550. The EQ is simple, but you have to learn how to use it in conjunction with the gain and volume knobs. It sounds wonderful with the two EQ knobs at 12 o'clock anyway. I might write a review after a few months and many more gigs. So far, I'm very impressed and really like it. EDIT: I'm in Belfast otherwise you'd be welcome to try mine. I have a BB2 as well. Frank.

Whilst my first recommendation would be Fender Precision or Jazz, I do agree with the other posts that the Yammy should be fine for this. Neck pickup, and flats or worn-in roundwounds, away you go. Bear in mind that what sounds trebly/bright on its own usually translates into a good presence-type bass in the mix. Check out some isolated bass tracks re this - they`ve usually got much more top-end on them than would seem evident from the final mix.

The Greek loves Status Hotwires black nylon tapewounds. As do many others. Status-Graphite sell them but long scale have been out of stock, but you'll find that medium scale will fit as they have a long tuner end for winding on. The Greek will confirm D'addario Chromes are loved by many

You have to wonder who will pay decent money for one of those old lumps of plywood toot; they were utter crap when they were new and they're not going to have improved with age.

Thanks for posting about the Ojai. I was in a shop on Sat getting my Cali76 CB and was shown one of these, but I instantly forgot the name and have been trying to search for this brand. Still going to get a Cioks DC-5 but I’m glad I finally tracked Ojai down. I’m sure the one in the shop was orange though.

His real name is Seasick Dave.

If they had made it larger it could no longer be called an Elf. The next size up would have to be a Gnome, according to my extensive knowledge and research of Ben and Holly on CBEEBIES. Trace Elliot Gnome? No way José. Marketing would never allow such design principles to win through...

There's a huge difference between picking up a bass at 60, after a 30-year break, and picking up a bass for the first time at 60, 45 years after your mother beat it into your head that you would never be able to play. I desperately resent and regret the 45 wasted years. The important thing is that I've defeated the "you will never be able to do this" demons and I am actually now playing bass. The demons are still there - I grabbed the chance to play in the jam at Carlisle Blues Festival a couple of months ago with two of the best blues singers in the UK, Connie Lush and Kaz Hawkins, and pretty much turned to jelly. Held down a basic 12-bar, which was enough - and far more than I would have dared to dream for most of my life. It's too late for some of the dreams, but it's not too late to achieve some of them. Go for it.

I've asked our dog to have a look at the pic to see if she could spot anything. She gave me this look: That will be a no then.

I identified very much with this band growing up in Thatcher's Britain and could've chosen anything but this is the closest:

Took charge of these two last night Wishbass Lobes, previously owned by @Billy Apple One's ambrosia maple and other is bloodwood. Never owned a single cut before so why not start with 2 Very thick necks on them but surprisingly comfortable. Wish basses come in a fairly raw state so some sanding and filling will get done.

Wrong website again, I think. *Hides in shed and attaches car battery to nipples with jump leads* Ow! Oww! Ow! Ooh, yeah.

Two pics One is 1969 the other is 2017. Why stop Blue

This is my Alpine White Jack Casaday Signature and I love it.

I got the FS version and the key bed was not worth the extra £500, I sold it straight away and intend to get the module version.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1392935280' post='2374563'] Here's mine [/quote] Your Ritter is just beautiful !

I don't but it may be worth going on YouTube and finding someone who has covered it accurately and finding it out by watching that. Sometimes they actually put tabs in the description/annotated onto the video. Edit : This one looks decent but haven't actually listened along! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCmuL43KmfM