Rayman

Homerplaysbass had an absolutely [i]beautiful[/i] Bongo 5 a handful of years back, still, I think, one of the best basses he's had. It sounded immense and played itself, it was truly stunning. I remember Paul C had/has one too which was also outstanding. Me? I think they look superb. Some colours look more attractive than others, granted, but the shape is just great IMO. Very nearly bought the one on sale from the Netherlands here recently, but just didn't have the brass.

I had the camera out today, so I thought I'd take a couple of pics of my two basses (for this week) together. Kinal MK-5 "Mike" : Aero pickups, Bartolini EQ, Ebony pickup covers & Fretboard, sex on a stick. Even the jack socket cover is made from wood: OLP Tony Levin "Tony" : HEAVILY modded; Nordstrand 5.2 pickup, John East 3 band EQ, 3 way switch for series/parallel etc, Brass nut & Musicman battery compartment, and fully shielded inside. Both absolutely unbelievable basses. The Kinal of course was handmade by Mike Kinal, and speaks for itself. The OLP however, started life as a decent budget bass, bought for me by my wife a couple of years ago, and has been transformed into [i]easily[/i] the best sounding stingray I've ever had my hands on, regardless of who made it. Why spend £400+ pimping an OLP Tony Levin?? Well, as I say, it was a gift from my missus, and I'm a big time Tony Levin fan, so why not eh? Over the moon with them both. Jaw dropping tones and they play themselves, very very happy.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='551134' date='Jul 25 2009, 02:39 PM']Not sure what's going to fit what is quite a narrow B saddle[/quote] I'm well impressed with the DR Low Riders I've put on the Kinal. I bought what I thought were Sunbeams as that's what the box said, but the inner packets all said Low Riders on them, a mistake during packing apparently, but I'm very happy with them all the same. No idea on the gauges and whether or not there's a lighter B available. I'll definately be putting some High Beams on the OLP when it's finished. It's going in on Monday to have the Nordstrand pickup fitted. There can't be many OLP Tony Levins with an East 3 band EQ and a Nordstrand pickup dropped in, and the brass nut is a work of art, it's going to be monster in its own right.

Al, that's just stunning, I can't wait to try it out, you must be over the moon.

[quote name='Bay Splayer' post='550350' date='Jul 24 2009, 04:15 PM']claret and blue.....quality colours [/quote] I thought you might say that . It's a pity there isn't a bass with red and white stripes, just like the mighty potters.

Holly has started her bass playing future by trying to learn some of Tina Weymouths basslines on Talking Heads' album Remain In Light. How cool is that?

Yeah, never even seen one in the flesh, I'd been interested to try one.

Thanks for all that. Well it was only 40 quid from the bay, so I wasn't expecting much Yes the neck shim had already occured to me, I'll get around to that. It needs new strings, so when I get some I'll shim it then. Sanding the nut down is an idea too. Like I say, it doesn't have to be of the highest quality at this point, and if she keeps up with playing it, I'll get her something better. The most important thing to her was the fact that it had to be pink .

I've bought my daughter her first bass. She's only 8, but I've forced the bass upon her before the dark side of the lead guitar gets her first. She's had a half sized bass on loan from Tayste2000 for a while, and I bought her a Peavey Micro bass amp. It's er......pink.......and it's made by Swift. OK, OK she's 8... I wasn't about to invest in a Fodera to get her started was I? It [i]looks[/i] nice...and....er....pink, but you could drive a bus under the action, even with the truss tightened up to it's limits and the bridge saddles as low as they'll go, but hey ho, I'm sure she'll love it, she's got to start somewhere eh? Maybe I'll post pics in the porn section?

[quote name='steve-soar' post='550016' date='Jul 24 2009, 11:44 AM']Hi Rayman, it sounds great, can't wait to play it on Monday at rehearsals. Off topic a bit, Stockport is a nightmare to get through, heading to Buxton, I've never seen so many traffic lights and speed cameras.[/quote] yeah it's a nightmare isn't it? I hate the place to be honest. I live just off the A6 near the hospital, but I avoid the main drag like the plague, it's like a car park at the best of times. I'd much rather be out in the sticks somewhere, in fact I wouldn't mind Buxton.

Yowza!! Very tasty indeed. I do like a nice Stingray. Love the old logo, it's so much nicer than the modern one. I bet it sounds superb.

I was tempted to buy one recently, but why is this CIJ Precision a grand? Custom paint maybe? It looks like a great bass, and plays nicely (there's one in Sounds Great in Heald Green), but pricey for a Japanese bass surely?

I miss it already , great bass.

Oh what a nightmare, I'm sorry to hear that. All I could think about while I was away on holiday in Spain was whether or not my gear was safe at home. Hope you can get it repaired.

Now [i]that's[/i] quality. Imagine pulling that bugger out for a set down at the Dog and Duck on a Saturday night.

Yeah we played in a large sports hall kind of venue last night. The sound was like mush, bouncing off the brick walls and high metal ceiling, but by boosting mids and highs I had a really great tone to my ears. I did find myself dropping a bit more bottom end in later on too as the sound was a bit thin for a couple of songs, but then I like a nice bright click anyway. I feel that those who like a low end thump type tone struggle more than those of us who like it a bit brighter.

Yeah I'm up for whatever, Alan's OK too hopefully, I'll PM him.

[quote name='ped' post='543469' date='Jul 17 2009, 06:49 PM']Just let me have a go on that soon![/quote] You're most welcome any time mate.

Why thank you sir. I owe you a contribution post sale actually......

Rubbish pictures from my phone, but I assure you the bass itself is magnificent. Outstanding build quality and detail, Swamp Ash body, Quilted Maple top, Ebony Pickup covers and fretboard, Aero pickups and Bartolini pre. Think Adam Nitti in terms of tone and you're about there. Punchy, fantastic scooped mids for some jazz funk, but plenty of mids to drop back in for a rockier type of tone. Nice and light, and ergonomically perfect for me with great access all the way up and down the board. Beautiful, beautiful bass. I regretted letting my Overwater go recently, but this makes up for that and then some. Wish I could afford the fretless version Eubassix has for sale too, but alas not.

Outstanding transaction and another outstanding bass as usual. David is a top chap and is highly recommended to all.