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Hi folks Call it what you will but after passively looking for a Stingray for a long time I was delighted to see a birth year ray come up on BC. Now I don't go in for YOB basses and think it's borderline weird but a bright white pre EB was always going to pique my interest. I know there has been quite some discussion here recently regarding the values and relative bargains of the EB Stingrays and I know all too well that the pre EB rays to some may seem over priced - the thinking here though is that the instrument will hold it's value better, whether that is based on a ill judged notion of pre-EB rays sounding better/different is not for me to say! Having tried many Ray's in the past (mostly 5ers) and finding my favourite of them all was in fact an OLP with a status neck I have an open mind about what I think sounds good and judge each bass on it's sound (and I guess visual appeal too). This one just sounds very 'full' and 'chunky' - with that 'slapping a power line' kind of taught attack to the sound which to my ears sounds quite different to others. The treble control in particular sounds very nice and adds a great 'click' to the sound which seems to affect frequencies above the norm, even the enhance setting on my pre. I rarely find a bass arrives to me setup to my liking (super flat neck, super low action) - but after slapping on Elixir 40-95s and loosening the rod a bit to compensate, I only had to drop the G saddle a tiny bit and adjust the intonation on the low E (Which I always tune to D) and it was spot on and I played it happily all through a zoom meeting just now (camera off!) For an instrument the same age as yours truly I can say it's worn the years better than I have - a couple of small bashes here and there and some wear to the scratch-plate but the white hasn't faded one bit (I think they used a different paint latterly which doesn't yellow like before?) and the neck is great, exhibiting that nice balance between chunk and manoeuvrability. Of course the Basschat strap locks look fabulous on it too!! Cheers and thanks to the seller who was great to deal with and UPS who although a day late didn't lose it and/or smash it up. ped

Looking at myself in the mirror

I’ve been after a Celinder J-Update for a long time but never found one for sale. Earlier today I was just browsing some sites whilst I was waiting for something to download and I couldn’t quite believe that this was staring back at me from the Bass Gallery site. Got it bought immediately - I’ll figure out how to afford it later!

Will Lee posted the below video on his Facebook page. Bassist Paul Thompson, looking at the players and their Basslines on Donald Fagen's 'The Nightfly' album. Paul Thompson has also put up transcriptions for the selected examples he analysed. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xmLx4nDuhoAK1317GLWXFvm-aF-OcK-C Enjoy..!!

Only just came across these guys and found them pretty impressive. Check the frets on that bass.

I’ve only finally gone and done it, as in written a book! It’s all about my many years as a bassist mainly in covers bands, what made me do it, how many basses and amps I’ve bought and sold (gulp) mainly on here, but mainly about the fun I’ve had, and funny things that have happened along the way. I’ve tried also to share some of the advice and knowledge I’ve acquired that might prove useful, IMHO, obvs, as da kids say. Ultimately though, I hope it makes you smile, and you find it enjoyable. A big thank you to @Dave Vader bassist and author of this very parish, who provided some wise words and guidance. He said he enjoyed it, as have a few other of my selected guinea pigs / test pilots. Some even said it was very funny indeed, but I’ll let you guys be the judges. It’s in Kindle format at the bargain price of £4.99 (link below), or paperback format direct from me at £8 inc. postage and packing (which is cheaper than it is on Amazon, although it’s up there too if you want to shop there). If you prefer the paperback format, PM me your name and address, and payment preference (Paypal or bank transfer), and I’ll advise accordingly. I’ll even write a signed dedication inside the front cover if you let me know what you want, which may be worth millions when one of my bands finally makes it big.........there again, most likely not! https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fdp%2FB08CGY1V9X%2Fref%3Dcm_sw_r_em_api_wI0GFbPQ7NSBD&data=02|01||99808ebee8c844256c1608d86e0fd55a|84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa|1|0|637380361560219122&sdata=RmtiUEgYmJOF0HNZAVyeZ%2BFc4y818DMraO%2FBzpL9Z7w%3D&reserved=0

UPS they did it again....?

Just about to post up the following video review which might interest some of you. All the best, Mike

Sounds super crisp, I've seen a couple of their videos around and some of Henriks interviews and vlog type videos. I'm not a fan of that particular bass personally, he has a more traditional looking signature one that I like. I think Janek Gwizdala owns the prototype or first production model, he was playing it on his twitch stream the other day..seems versatile. I just had a search, I think this was the first videos of theirs I saw..never heard a bass used in a bluegrass type way before this, great song.

Oooh going to take some time to get this dialled in 🤩

Hi all, Tonight I thought I would try and list my Modulus Flea bass on a few Facebook Bass sale related groups. I wish I hadn't. A diabolical experience, full of snide, idiotic (and clueless) people with no respect. So I pulled the ad. Made me long for the warm hug of Basschat and it's superb community, spirit and conduct. Selling (and buying, oh so much buying!) here has always been a great experience. Thanks to all that run Basschat and moderate it!

Just a word of caution if anyone is foolhardy enough to use this 'courier'. I sent a bass to Spain, took pictures of the package with dimensions. I entered the details correctly on the online form and paid the required price. The parcel was delivered - several days late even though I had paid for the priority service. I then find UPS have taken an additional £75 from my bank account. The first customer service advisor hadn't a clue why the amount had been taken and I then received an email saying someone would call the3 next day...two days later and no call. I rang again and was told the extra charge was because the item weighed 30kgs! I can't lift 30kg let alone pack it and then the UPS driver carry it under his arm to the truck. I informed UPS of their incorrect weight assessment. I was then informed the item exceeded 100cm in length...yes it did and the correct length entered onto the form. I have sent several similar sized parcels with UPS before and never had a problem. I informed UPS that I had entered the correct dimensions and they had charged me accordingly - I had sent them the pictures by this time. I then receive an email with a convoluted explanation of how they calculate cubic size and my parcel came into the 'large' category hence the additional charge. Their email then suggests that I had knowingly entered the incorrect dimensions and weight - or at best made a miscalculated guess. I await they fourth excuse after I referred them , again, to the pictures and also asked why the online form didn't recognise the dimensions as 'large', or were they still insisting I had entered the figures incorrectly. So, case raised with Resolver, emails to UPS CEO UK, emails to their Customer Service Team (there's a misnomer), and messages on their Facebook page. I strongly recommend that you use an alternative courier service. I have not had one response where the supposed Customer Service took an objective stance and said that there might be an issue on the side of UPS, oh no! it's me that is in error and UPS are determined to say they are in the right. So, please be warned.

I have to love cheap basses, no choice lol

In that case, me, Bootsy and Flea watching Larry Graham with Graham Central Station,being supported by Big Tony Fisher and Trouble Funk. We'd need plenty of Bootsy Brewski as well....

Different basses sound different. But in the context of a band sound they all sound like bass guitars.

Is it coincidence that a new bass arrives the day after the Basschat straps locks invoices go out....?😉 Obviously not!

Bassist Heaven for me isn't hanging round with other bass players... As it says in Highlander - there can be only one! I realise that others exist but if they're all pedantic misanthropes like me I wouldn't want to spend time with 'em. We'd all be looking down our noses at whoever's on stage and saying: "he's got the fingering wrong" "I wouldn't have played that" "She should be using a pick" "What a terrible tone" "They're playing far too many notes" "Can they only do root and fifth?" So Bassist Heaven is finding a drummer who is rock-solid, grooves and actually listens to the other players, plus guitar that's tight, right on time and doesn't smear sloppy notes everywhere. And we'd be playing in front of an audience who are knowledgeably and appreciative, who ply me with beer after (and during!) the show. I'd even tolerate some mild inappropriate touching!

Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you....

Me on stage being watched by Ron Carter, Robert Trujillo and Anthony Jackson. They each paid for their own tickets!

They say laughter is the best medicine. Just sit me in the front to get the best view of Este Haim's bassface and I could fight off covid and all his chums together

Nice things but overkill if it’s purely for home rehearsal IMO. Try one of the Fender Rumble combos, the 25 watt would probably be ideal for you. Great sound, not expensive, lighter than a light thing etc. Generally I’ve gone for small combos for practice use and separate head and cab for stage. Purely on grounds of ease of use, functionality and adaptability. Doesn’t make sense to me lugging heavy combos around when you can split the load by having separates. I know some of the more recent lightweight combos have challenged this, but for me it’s just as easy to carry a class d amp head and a lightweight cab . (I currently use a GKMB800 and a Barefaced Compact.)

why cant people spell squier ? right now ive got that out the way ,,,,,,,,,,, can anyone tell me the difference between the squier cv 60's and the cv 70's please ? and any thoughts on either are most welcome thank you .

Yeah I'm going to spend some quality time with it over a couple of weeks then post my findings!

Dear Friends, attached a few pics-of my new EVO5 Bass bridge , showing how to adjust the string height; put the allen key in the hole & by turning the Allen key, you can easily adjust the string height...

I am 6'4" and I use a 28,6" Ibanez Mikro Bass as my main instrument. I don't think it looks silly, and even if it did I wouldn't care, cause I prefer playing that over anything else. Playing music tends to get a lot easier when you use your ears instead of eyes. I honestly don't get the "I better stop doing what I enjoy cause someone might think I'll look silly doing it" mentality.

I was once accused of both overplaying and having too much bass in the amp when I had the volume off!

It's amusing to talk to my children in their late teens early 20s. They weigh in kg, measure in metres, drive in miles, run in km, drink in pints and have no idea what inches or ounces are. I measure as above, except I estimate people in feet and inches, babies in pounds and basses in kg.

I've owned many high end basses but was always too precious with them. Inexpensive basses mean that you don't have to worry about losing £200 off the price when it inevitably gets a knock.

Other thing worth a mention is the exceptional drummer. Very impressive too. Plays a nice neat and sharp sounding kit. Dave

Well, I suppose being maiden Germany must be pushing the price up. Though I still think that's a slip.

Can't sing the praises of my Vintera Mustang tone enough. Been trying to get to grips with my new 5 string recently, so have avoided playing my other basses (as recommended by the good folk here on BC). Gave in today and had a cheeky blast on the Mustang....still produces an absolute wow moment when I dig in with a plectrum.

Get a status neck and IMHO get the jazz one unless you like chunky-it’s without doubt made from unicorn horns and is probably the best thing I have played. Follow the instructions to install and drill etc and everything will be fine and you can have something like this - but better in your case.

It seems sensible for people who have differing opinions to amicably disagree. As long as people with short scale or medium scales are happy, it’s all good.

Looks like Ped Junior's college fund is taking a bashing and poor old Sybil will be on kibble and water for the foreseeable future. 😂

David Bowie :

P = G&L SB1'91 MM = Stingray '83 70s J = Atelier-Z / Celinder The Musician only arrived today but I have in all honestly found 2 band rays to sound pretty consistent - this '83 is a birth year bass and will likely hold it's value well. Will post an NBD shortly!!

Peter Cetera on stage...... Tiran Porter to my left and John Deacon to my right with Rutger Gunnarsson (RIP) & Dee Murray (RIP) sitting behind me...

Incomplete list of the stuff that is wrong with this music: - On the one, two, three and four, it doesn't go THUMP, THUMP, etc. - More than two different chords - Oh, and BTW, where in fact IS the one? - They're not playing in a pub - before a bored audience that rather would've gone home already and do that person they now have to dance with some more - They seem to enjoy themselves - Jaco, well known purveyor of two-chord Thump, only needed four. I know this very well. I learn it from a forum. 😉

I saw a lefty in green at Anderton's and bought it. Not a bad bass at all, me thinks. Changed the strings for Newtone and it sounds and plays a lot better. I've not been able to play it loud yet, and probably not in the foreseeable future, and the string spacing is taking some getting used to, but I'm liking it a lot!

Yes. Possibly the last place on Earth I would hand my Stingray over to. I might, after careful consideration, let them have a go at setting up a couple of my ‘air guitars’, but they would probably fnck that up!

JJ Burnel on my left. Bruce Foxton on my right. We’re all watching Steve Hanley of the Fall. Would be good Bruce and JJ to see the greatest bass player, but safe in the knowledge that their brilliance paved the way for him.

Bryan Beller on my left. Geddy Lee on my right. We’re all watching Lemmy. I would be happy.

I think you'll love the La Bellas.

It doesn’t matter what the saddles are doing. To check the relief, you take the saddles out of the equation anyway. Capo first fret, fret the string where it joins the body and measure the gap between string and fret around midway. Adjust accordingly.

I've been gigging with a Veyrom 1001T up until lockdown and can thoroughly recommend. Bigger than the Elf but still light and transportable. Huge volume and nice warm tone. For a more modern sound the MOSFET version might appeal.

Another vote here for LaBella flats although I've never tried them on a Mustang cos I've never had one.