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I like mine .

I pronounce it correctly as 'Epiphone'

Yes good bass tone does matter. *edited* If your band mates don’t care about tone they’re not tuned in to being in a band. If you’re not constructively listening to your band as a unit and aiming for consistency in your sound then you’re not fully engaging. To the point about simple set up we’re all capable of going bass>amp>speaker and we could all make that work but once we start trying to find our ‘voice’ with our instrument we do consider effects and enhancements to be more unique and distinguish is from others Why is tone important and why would punters care? Well we’ve all been conditioned by listening to professionally mixed music our whole lives to understand what sounds good and the human ear knows when things sound right or wrong. Too shrill we wince too boomy etc we know it’s wrong. A well mixed/good sounding band just feels and sounds right. Within that context we (irrespective of instrument) have a responsibility to play well, sound good and serve the song irrespective of genre. Why do live venues have a sound engineer? To make sure it sounds good of course so the punters come back! What I found with most musicians once they get some proficiency and begin to understand ‘how’ to play their instrument they take an active role in the sound as much as the technique. They know where they fit in the context of the song and they give a damn about making it work in the band. If these people are not in your band then it’s a sad day for you and the audience. Yes punters will dance to a bad band, they’ll even dance to bad musicianship. They may not know that that shrill noise is too much 2k but watch their faces when the feedback kicks in. Good sound should be a priority as should a good groove. If a musician is not considering their tone and the bands tone then they’re not really engaging in the process. Sure it can get ridiculous but as I’ve said elsewhere if we know how to use our gear, understand what makes a good mix and our place in it then we’re informed enough to get by and sometimes that’s the best we can hope for. I do know that I’d hate to be the one person in my bands who was ruining the vibe or the mix because I didn’t care enough to take an interest.

Be careful with that kind of gig, it's a slippery slope.

I agree that it is nice for someone to just let rip and say what they want in an interview, without some press agent or handler stepping in and stopping comments from being printed etc. He is a big hitter in his industry, has a vast fortune, he’s 85 and he doesn’t give a damn about whether his opinions offend anyone, and I can’t help but admire his Candour. He has probably seen and been exposed to a lot of things behind closed doors, and I would bet he knows a lot of secrets that aren’t his to tell the world. I think some individuals are getting a little too upset just because he says a few mean things about people they hold in high esteem. It’s only opinion, he’s not forcing you to believe the same against your will, just take the interview as a piece of entertainment, at the end of the day that’s basically what QJ is. I agree and disagree with a few things he says, but it’s sill funny and refreshing to me.

Well nobody asked for it and now I've done it. I found myself at a loose end yesterday (actually there were several things I could have been doing instead) so without any forethought or planning I fired up my iPad and recorded this little video. I'm sure there's a better way of doing it but I did the video on the iPad, audio on my iMac with garage band then bounced them together and added some text. Seemed to go ok so now I may do some better ones. Anyway here you can enjoy the sound of my mini bass and the VB99 which I love for it's flexibility. I've had it (and the previous version before it) for about 10 years now and I'm still finding new things to do with it. Hope you enjoy! ped

What a fortunate lady Jane is. In my family you might get a new jumper commissioned; if you're lucky.

I played my first gig with the dean 8 string last night, it went so well in practice and now I have lowered the action is it an absolute joy to play. Don't get me wrong, it is still more effort to play but only just. It is a faff changing bass, more so because I am wired up with wireless sender and IEM, so those leads are in the way, so I didn't do it that much (mostly the iem). As a result of that, there were some songs I would have liked to play with the 8 string that I didn't, and some things I wouldn't have picked the 8 string for that I did. So, come together by the beatles, really doesn't work for, you need a dull paul mccartny tone and it doesn't have that, plus the strings are in the way - especially as I play the whole thing up around the 10th fret. Some songs though, 'does your mother know', "20th century boy', 'crazy horses', 'who knew', 'fight for your right' and anything rocky, fantastic. I also ended up playing it on 'saturday nights alright for fighting' which I had already decided I wouldn't due to the effort requred, because it was between 'baker street' and 'fortunate son', and it worked ok, if a bit more work than I would like - ditto 'turning Japanese'. Some songs in the second half I would have liked to use it for, but too much ska in that half to pick it up. Need to work out a quick changeover without the leads! I really do like this bass. Regarding the pitch shifter, I have used one of those many times in the past, as well as the Akai unibass and fishman powerchord effects pedals, both now sold. They are ultimately nothing like this. I wouldn't mind trying a sub-n-up, see if it is any good, but it won't be the same. I wish I had this in my last group. I think the main difference is that with an 8 string, the way you play it dictates how much of which octave you get, so you can if you want play just the low strings, or just the high, playing with a downstroke sounds different to playing with an upstroke, playing fingerstyle sounds very different to with a pick etc, its really versatile within its niche. Dont' think it is ever going to replace the ibanezes for general stuff, and also it *is* a doubled 4 string, so it is missing a string (or umm.. 2 strings), so I really could do with a 10 (or umm.. a 15!) but I am really happy I got it.

Get a high-quality studio photo of each bass printed up, full size. Frame and hang those on the walls, optionally with attractive lighting; leave the basses in their cases in a secure, temperate room (not the attic...), to be taken out and checked up on regularly (quarterly..?). That's how museums and art galleries keep their produce intact for so many decades.

OK.. in that case, how far back do you want to go?

I think Bubinga has a valid point in as much as Mars's music is a pastiche of things that have been successful in the past and seems to lack any original creativity, granted he is hugely popular which i'm sure his record label love but he is never going to be the next Marvin ,Curtis ,Smokey ,James Brown or the hip hop artist's he's parodying of late... more Jimmy Osmond than James Brown i would say ,he even has the teeth

In the entertainment industry it's a job very well done.

After all that the shop didnt have one in stock. So after big consideration ive ordered a spectracomp. I like the idea of the one knob so i dont mess my settings up, and the amount of toneprints available. Should receive it on monday.

The dude is 84 and claims to have ten movies, six albums, four Broadway shows and a number of other projects on the horizon! Hardly someone who’s no longer relevant and has it ‘all behind him’. The thing is that he has had a pop at a few sacred cows (Macca, Jackson, Prince et al), which has upset a few people when their heroes are being dissed by someone of his undoubted pedigree.

Perhaps the Christmas break has impaired your recollection of events during the course of this year. For indeed, you have form for jumping into sales threads to point out logo transgressions: Prior to the 'triggering' incident of a week or two ago, you commented in a sales thread in October: Ped replied to you saying: On June 18th you replied to an ad for a bitsa Jazz saying: Then on Jan 17th you expatiated in a more general sense on logos: THAT! There are so many fake/counterfeit "Fender"s around, selling with a "Fender" logo is dishonest, just waiting for some poor mug to buy one thinking they've got the real thing. (I also think Fender have muddied the waters a bit by branding Squiers as "Squier by Fender", so that people can advertise them as Fenders. Funnily enough, only three days before you had described taking delivery of a Rickenfaker with a fake Ric logo. Fair play for removing it as you did. But surely in buying it you were party to a transaction where intellectual copyright was infringed. So basically, you want to stop people selling basses with fake logos but it's OK for you to buy one? I put it to you that your unhappiness with fake logos in sales ads is nothing new. You have repeatedly broken forum rules by posting in sales threads where you should have PM'd. You have already had a discussion about fake logos with one of the forum's owners who has made his position clear. I suggest that far from being a spontaneous expression of concern you started this thread in an attempt to change forum policy. You want to stop people selling items with fake logos but you're happy to buy them. Shall I go on?

The name "Epiphone" is a combination of proprietor Epaminondas Stathopoulos' (Επαμεινώνδας Σταθόπουλος) nickname "Epi" and "phone" (from Greek phon- (φωνή), "voice").[4]

Probably best to avoid those people in future.

Here you go!

Welcome Rich.

Looking very nice 👍

Thanks folks.

Debatable. If you back off the strings shouldn't you also back off the truss rod? I say this, because the purpose of the TR is to counter against the tension of the strings. If the strung tension is reduced, then maybe the TR could be pulling in a non-helpful way?

Hard rock cafe... Ok I get it. It's more about making sure the instrument is kept in best condition, not just displaying

That finish looks awesome!

Welcome! Any links to any of your stuff?

Hi everyone. Wow, some good suggestions here, thank you! (Just to shed some light on the matter) I know my major, minor and blues pentatonic scales (very basic); incidentally, a couple of the suggestions on here so far have mentioned pentatonics, so thats great. Pentatonics seem to be some of the most widely used amongst players, and musically, tend to work in a multitude of playing styles and situations- so it seems like a good place to focus on for the time being. Until now, a lot of my musical ‘vocabulary’ has been built up through watching friends play, the odd youtube video and from listening to my favourite records; but you can never underestimate a good book either, hence why I’m asking for tried and tested recommendations. I love funk, disco and hip hop (to name a few). I practice what I know religiously, but ‘what I know’ feels relatively limited, which is why I’m looking for some new licks/patterns to get inspired by. Thanks again all!

Oh and something nice for @Sibob and @Bergantino Audioin there too :]

Helix does not do polyphonic octaves. The octave effects don't come close to any of the POG varieties, be they 2, Micro or Nano. I have the Pitch Fork and Micro POG in a send/return which helps the Helix sound amazing.

The seller seems to be inviting you to scam him! Paypal payment and collect only, you pay via Paypal, you send someone to collect the bass, a few minutes after it is collected message him to say you can't make it today and will pick it up in a couple of days.....he says "it's already been collected"....you say "not by me it wasn't"......you open a case with Ebay who always seem to side with the buyer, you get your money back and a free Rickenbacker....sadly it's a well known Ebay scam, I will never accept Paypal on a collection only item. I am not suggesting for a moment you scam him but he is laying himself wide open to it

I got a J&D jazz as a backup / pub gig bass last year from DV24/7 (Musicstire de) for £114 (I believe) was really impressed with it .. so much so I upgraded the hardware / pickups & had a fret level as I thought it was worth it ....

Decided to fit the gold one as it changes the look of the bass depending on the light.

I’m thinking of listing this as genuine Fender do you reckon I’ll get away with it??? I think I’d better get the logo police to make a ruling on it

Could someone refer me to an instance where a fake Fender has been sold on Basschat as legit, to someone who believed it to be real?

We've just got an early Xmas present! The Contour is one of 5 instruments cited in the 'Best Acoustic Basses' category of Bass Guitar Magazine's 'Gear of the Year' round-up for 2017. According to the citation: "...the tones can't be denied." The Contour is the only electro-acoustic bass guitar to be selected from the premium £1500-plus price bracket. We're well chuffed with that!

I purchased a Vanderklay MNT 1x12 cab from Steve and the transaction went very well.

Bought one of steve's speakon cables , a pleasure to deal with , all good Thanks Steve

I bought a USA Musicman Stingray from Steve and he's a fantastic guy to deal with. The bass was exactly as described and arrived promptly and very well packaged. Can't ask for more than that! Scott

Steve recently bought a set of Nordstrand pickups from me. Great communication and all round smooth transaction. Great guy. I'd have no hesitation buying anything from him or selling to him again. Thanks Steve! I hope you like them!

Just bought an Orange OB1 Bass Head from Steve in a real smooth and easy transaction -- Great Comms, Rapid delivery and Bombproof packaging! The Amp is just like new and I am absolutely delighted with it, -- Steve is a top guy and a real pleasure to do business with! Will.

Did a deal with Steve. Stellar chap straightforward great communications and super trustworthy. A Good Guy.

Steve sold me a Markbass Mark Stand. Great comms, arrived in very good time, smooth transaction. Recommended!

Steve and I traded gear. He's a nice and friendly guy and in the end we're both happy with the trade. Thanks Steve.

Steve is a great Guy and an absolute pleasure to deal with Amp arrived in perfect, as new condition with all the goodies and original packaging:) and I would heartily recommended him to anyone!! Thank you again Steve, you are a credit to our Forum Cheers Tim

I bought a GK MB800 from Steve. The amp arrived in immaculate condition packed in its original box with all the bits and pieces. Another textbook BC transaction - good comms, no hassle.

Mikan is a great guy and really easy to deal with, I would not hesitate to deal with him again. Enjoy the cab Mikan.