mart

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1354872939' post='1891380'].... Neither the Polytune nor Polytune Mini manuals mention a poly mode for bass, .... [/quote] Huh? The manual online for the big Polytune sure mentions poly mode for bass - look on page 10 here: http://www.tcelectronic.com/media/Polytune_DD_US.pdf This seems to be for the most recent version, that does Drop D tunings. I've got the original, which doesn't do drop D, but it certainly does bass in poly mode. The mini manual doesn't say anything about poly for bass though. And, to be fair, I agree with those who find the poly mode less accurate. So all this is a bit moot!

Yup, it's on volume 3 of the Whistle Test DVDs (which are highly recommended, although pretty eclectic, and only really the tip of the WT iceberg). And yes, as BotB said, it's a Mutron 3 they used. And after going through the details of this, Edwyn pauses for a moment and then makes some embarrassed comment about his geekiness. It's absolutely wonderful viewing!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1354813345' post='1890779'] No, my initial thought is completely bollocks because it's the electrical connection between the string and the player that is important. Not that between the string and the bridge. [/quote] It's both connections that matter, isn't it? You need an electrical path between player and the grounding in the electrics, which is connected to the bridge.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1353024240' post='1870802'] I remember seeing an old BBC performance of it, followed by an interview with Edwyn Collins where he reminisced about how they couldn't get the synth to work live and used a Mutron on the bass instead. It sounded not spot-on, but close enough, and you could get there with a modern equivalent like the Qtron - any envelope filter with a reverse sweep, really. [/quote] I'm 99% sure that interview is on one of the Whistle Test DVDs. I'll try and dig my copy out later and see exactly what he says.

I've never seen any Fender, and certainly not a Tele, with such a figured neck. but then I wouldn't expect the cheaper copies to have very figured necks either, which is making me think it's a bitsa. Oh, and a dumb question: <question deleted cos I found the answer in a book!>

Another wholehearted recommendation for String Express. Great folks, great service, and some great prices. Got my Pedalboard from there at a stunning price, and they are a consistently cheap TI supplier.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1354380816' post='1885410'] Lots of people say that a maple board will give a brighter tone than a rosewood one, others will say there's little difference &amp; that the choice is more aesthetic than anything else. [/quote] This. In 2 lines Rhys has captured the sum total of human knowledge on this question. There really isn't anything to add to it.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1353953448' post='1880217] Flatwound strings have a far higher tension than the corresponding gauge of roundwounds . Pino Palladino tunes down his Precision Basses strung with flats , partly because he likes a lower tension feel , but also to avoid putting such a strain on the necks of his beautiful vintage Precision Basses . Those Chromes in that gauge wil be very tight , by anybodies standards . The Thomastics are pretty pricey , but they are the best on the market and will last for years . Ask a rich relative to buy you some for Christmas , or failing that we could have a Basschat whip round . Have you thought about looking for some in the Basschat For Sale ads ? I've seen them on there now and again at bargain prices from people who just don't get on with flats and want rid of hardly used sets .. [/quote] +1 to buying them used on here - usually seem to go for £15-20. But they go very quick, so you really have to keep a close eye to catch them. But if there's going to be a BC whip round to buy som TIs, count me in, as I think everybody ought to experience them.

[quote name='LemonCello' timestamp='1353694206' post='1877618'] On the inside cover of this months (John Taylor on the front) BGM is a piccie of a new Corvette special edish - block inlays if you please! I'm not keen on Warwicks having owned one in the past but that does look rather nice! [/quote] Sounds like the 2010 special edition: http://warwick.de/modules/produkte/produkt.php?submenuID=14667&katID=22951&cl=EN

So, what do we all think about this then: http://www.johnnyshredfreak.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=409

You are in France, right? I guess it must be a territory thing - DV can't, or won't, reduce the price that much in the UK? It's either that or an extreme example of personalized pricing.

Since there currently isn't a single Warwick dealer in the country, that might be a brand to explore.

[quote name='Benplaysbass' timestamp='1353163261' post='1872287'] Thats odd it says £101.37 on my screen. [/quote] Curious, it's £239 for me.

[quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1352999753' post='1870370'] ... Seconds out is for me a great album played real loud. Cheers Paul. [/quote] +1. Side 4 particularly, is just fantastic

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1352729807' post='1866597'].... The thing that's playing on my mind, is whether a bass or instrument is the right thing, or is just my wishful thinking that they will be into it? I would hope they would, but am not gonna force it on them, just surround them with it and hope it takes lol [/quote] I'll add my congratulations (and the recommendation that you stock up on sleep now!), but I do have reservations about a bass, certainly when compared with some wine. I know we're all bass players on here, but out there in the big bad world, from what I recall of the last time I ventured out ... there's a lot more wine drinkers than bass players. Of course, the fact of having a yob bass laid down for you by your dad is a sweet thing that might make you inclined to learn the instrument where you otherwise wouldn't, but I wouldn't want to count on that happening. To be honest I think a guitar would be a slightly better bet. Probably a good, timeless acoustic like a D28 or J45 if you can stretch that far. And I really think getting something that's very 2013 would be a disaster. Who would thank their dad for, say, the sort of 80s bass that you couldn't play except in a Wham tribute band? By the way, I don't mean to pry, but ... going from your sig ... are you really only just 12 years old?

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1352310671' post='1861480'] Put a blanket over the cab! [/quote] That is exactly what I was thinking.

There isn't really a "best/correct" way - just choose for yourself. You should be able to tame the high volume when using the passive input (either using the volume control on the bass or the preamp gain on the amp), and you may be able to bring up the volume when using the active input sufficiently to be loud enough. Each will change the sound in very slightly different ways, one of which, if they are noticeably different, you may prefer.

Yes, I couldn't really help you on that. A long time ago I had a Kramer Ferrington, which was quite trendy at the time, but had a weird headstock that pulled the nut sideways off the neck. Much more recently I got a Warwick Alien (not the Rockbass one, because I was fairly flush at the time); and it's quite good but some way from your budget. Mind you, since the W branded ones are made in Asia, like the RB ones, maybe the RB ones might not be very different in quality, just with a different shape of cutaway. So you could take that as a roundabout recommendation of the Alien Edited to compensate for the auto-correct inflicted typos.

What they said. A baffling bit of design fail.

I'm pretty sure there are a few acoustic basses in the classifieds on here for under £400, and second hand will, of course, get you more bass for your money than buying new.

You're on the right lines, I think, but it's not quite so simple. Some active basses have lower levels than some passives. But the hi/lo inputs are there so you can take down the level of an active bass, if that is necessary. I often play actives and have never needed to use the lo input. If your amp only has the one input, then the preamp volume control should achieve the same thing.

Depending on the price, I'd be tempted to just buy the 5-way and cut off the 3 you don't want. (And tape up the loose end just to play safe).

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1351767804' post='1855050'] Not one, but 3 TL sigs then. ... [/quote] Is one of them a 3-string?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1351688628' post='1854147'] I would be very wary about buying one unseen/unplayed. I tried one of the original German made ones when they first appeared at one of the musical instrument shows. It had the sharpest fingerboard edges of any bass I have ever played! Considering this was a show model that I would expect to have been as close to perfect as Warwick could manage, I have little faith in a general retail one being any better..... [/quote] I'm pretty sure if you bought a new one now it would have nice rolled edges. I bought a Thumb new in 2008 and it had the ultra-sharp edges; even now I almost expect to cut myself on it. But from about 2010 they switched to a thinner neck and lovely rolled edges - I got a Corvette from 2010 and the neck and fingerboard on it just feel great. It would still be nice to not have to buy blind though, especially on a bass where a lot of us have suspicions about the level of neck-dive.