Brave Sir Robin

well worth the effort.

Yeah, my Thumb BO was awkward. The balance was horizontal, the body and upper horn very small so the access to the nut was difficult, the pickup placement wasn't ideal for a thumb anchor (I had a 5 string), and it was heavy. A good quality thick padded strap helps a lot to control the balance and weight.

The corvette $$ is a nice bass, worth the money. The streamers are more expensive due to the contoured body (harder to machine) andf they are in general neckthrough. I dont know any bad warwick model tbh. They are all solid quality and each pretty unique compared to the other manuafcturers. It's a love / hate thing. The Streamer Stage 1 is brighter (maple bass), less low-mid oriented than the others, the Thumb is a very peculiar beast, the corvettes are the meat and potatoes of the line. The corvette standard bubinga has more attack and sharpness than the ash version, which is mellower and more fender-like. The $$ is a great sort of 'swiss' army knife' and then some. The jazzmans are similar in some way, but I'd prefer a $$. They all come with strap locks as standard, and the gigbag is well padded. imo, things that are not so good in general with warwicks are their passive pickups (not a fan of the mecs they are a bit bland), the jan2 nut is fragile and the string spacing on the 5ers is on the tight side. In general, they are on the heavy side (heavy woods). The finish is stained so light, and the natural models require regular maintenance. The neck profile is relatively thick (which doesn't bother me). You can get great deals on them second hand. Two models of my interest, the corvette $$ neckthrough, and the old Streamer pro-m.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='244657' date='Jul 21 2008, 06:21 PM']Yeah that's what i was thinking, i might have a punt on the chaos 4 or 5 some time... looks like it could have some real growl with those dual MM buckers, though the lack of active circuitry on that one is a bit disappointing. EDIT: that chaos 4 does have active circuitry, but GAK have put it in the passive section (not the first time), sounds like a good deal for £170[/quote] Yeah, the core version has a differnet body wood, and an aguilar obp-3. That's the ticket

I had a Thumb BO 5. Beautiful instrument (they look much better in the flesh), but weird balance (horizontal, some call it neck dive), and a very unique sound. I didn't like much how the high notes sounded especially when popping, but the lows were incredible. Bucketloads of thick low mids and definition. Very heavy too for such a small body. I've heard the 4 string has better balance. Definitely a try before you buy, and with a strap. I also had a Corvette $$ for a while, after trying a 4 string I liked very much. But was a bit dissapointed by the B (that was after the Thumb, so there was really no competition ). The Thumb is a heavy metal machine and has great lows that complement heavy downtuned guitars. It's good for other stuff too. [url="http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6356"]http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6356[/url] That's typical thumb sound (with highs cut a bit). my 20 pence.

thx for the heads up. I'll contact them about the posher chaos core.

Portsmouth, interesting. I'm taking the ferry there next week. As for the Traben looks, I agree, but the Chaos Core doesn't have that sort of bridge and is a lot more conservative.

No need to wax it. a clean cloth for the dirt and grime, but no product (I think Warwick recommends a slightly damped cloth?). Some wax the neck, but the feel of the neck changes (stickier). hey, how about that [url="http://www.warwick.de/media/manuals/Basses/WWBassManual_EN.pdf"]http://www.warwick.de/media/manuals/Basses...ssManual_EN.pdf[/url]

[quote name='Machines' post='242383' date='Jul 18 2008, 09:09 AM']Did they refer you to a dealer ?[/quote] no not specifically. I'll have a shitloads of calls to make. They have a list of retailers as long as my leg. And none of those I search import Trabens so far. How much are the Trabens in the UK? Typical dollar for a pound, or more reasonable? I haven't even found one for comparaison. I remember a shop back home in France used to sell them (that was 5 years ago iirc), and found them too flash for my taste, but that Chaos Core looks awesome. I'd love to try it first though. If it's any luck, it would be in the region of an ATK305 (another one in my sights), but I'm not holding my breath. I've used to have a Corvette $$, which was good, but not completely awesome (especially the B ). That could cure my gas for an aggressive bass.

[quote name='Machines' post='242343' date='Jul 18 2008, 07:24 AM']Traben are now lined up for review from Rosetti .[/quote] I was enquiring for a Chaos Core 5, and I got a mail from Rosetti. [url="http://www.rosetti.co.uk/"]http://www.rosetti.co.uk/[/url] I'm still looking for a chaos core 5 With the current exchange rate, I'm seriously tempted buying from the US.

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='239208' date='Jul 14 2008, 02:51 PM']Is 10-15 mins really that taxing every 6 months? [/quote] you're right... Jeez, am I lazy! I wish they made transprent white finish. high gloss, black hardware, ebony board...

Tobacco is nice, especially with the ovankol / wenge neck. If you like natural-ish colours without the maintenance, I'd go for that (I almost did, but went for red. silly). Honey violin is too orange for my taste. Waxing can be a bit of a chore, especially if you want to be thorough (wax between the pickups, pots, bridge...). I dont mind it myself but I can see some do.

It would work great with one of these

Nothing wrong with the SR500, plenty right. Stock strings are Elixirs, I dont like much (I prefer DR HiBeams). You made the right choice, solid bass all round, easy to play.

[quote name='Galilee' post='227793' date='Jun 27 2008, 09:17 AM']Fabulous. I notice you have a brass nut on that. I am in the process of thinking about taking the broken (of course) JANII out of my Thumb and fitting a JANIII, but maybe I should go for a brass nut (JANI?). Is it adjustable for height at all?[/quote] each string is adjustable. The individual string saddles basically sit on top of a screw.

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='227775' date='Jun 27 2008, 08:52 AM']great result mate...where did you buy the hardware from? and do you think the 4 string equivalent is likely to be cheaper?[/quote] You can get it all straight from the Warwick shop [url="http://shop.warwick.de/index.php/cat/c58_Warwick-Parts.html"]http://shop.warwick.de/index.php/cat/c58_Warwick-Parts.html[/url] I got a couple of bits and bobs like that. It's not very expensive, and the 4 string stuff is a little bit cheaper. You can even get the JAN 1 and MEC electronics from them It's like a trip to their supply department.

aaaah yes much better. That's a sweet bass. Wenge neck!

Cant beat black hardware on natural. I'm mulling over the idea of doing that myself on my bubinga, although I already have the black knobs.

ibanez SR 506. Tight spacing though (16.5 mm). Also the BTB range. Not sure if they have a BTB six strings under 500. Yamaha must have a TRB in your budget. here you go. That looks lovely (more like £600). [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_btb676_ntf.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_btb676_ntf.htm[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr506_bm.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr506_bm.htm[/url] ESP's arent bad. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/espltd_b206.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/espltd_b206.htm[/url]

[quote name='Leowasright' post='224806' date='Jun 23 2008, 10:48 AM']You can have two MIA Fender Jazz basses![/quote] I meant the deluxe models.

there are just too many of great to choose from at this price tag. Clover, Sandberg, Musicman, Fender USA, Spectors, Warwicks, you can even go custom at this price.

Or a ATK. Similar to a Stingray tone-wise, sort of the dimensions of a P bass, they are supposed to have necks on the thick side (it's even a selling point in their ad). Warwick corvettes (not Rockbass) have pretty thick necks in general, and they have plenty of low mid punch. Worth a try.

[quote name='molan' post='218758' date='Jun 14 2008, 11:00 AM']My new (to me) Lakland JO came with a J-Retro from new but has been converted to passive. I'd like to re-fit the J-Retro but have never wielded a soldering iron in my life, although we do have one lurking in the garage! Is this something I could take on myself or should I just get the bass into a proper tech shop & get it sorted properly?[/quote] I'm not even sure the J-retro needs soldering at all. It should have screw-on connectors, all you should need is a tiny screwdriver. But soldering a couple a wires is easy, you just need the equipment. I'm sure you can find some article on the web if you want to be sure, but there is nothing to it. Just make sure you dont start melting plastic (they run pretty hot, and metal conducts heat very well).

The £1000 price range is just on the edge of good basses, and pedigree basses, so it's tricky. Second hand, you can get some exceptional gear... Spectors, Musicmans, Thumbs, Streamers... as for warwicks, consider these.... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette5_nt_natural_ofc.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette5...natural_ofc.htm[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvetteltd_zebrano_2008_2.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvettel...rano_2008_2.htm[/url] [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71997"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71997[/url] A bit over the price cap, but that would be some tempting targets.

I can see my bass at the back I really hope I'll be able to free some time and visit Alan to pickup my baby this summer.