Rayman

Mate…. remember that massive Phil Jones rig you had? Years ago? At some bass bash somewhere? I remember wondering how different that would sound, with a bunch of 8” (?) speakers instead of a couple of 12”s? I suppose it’s all part of the same conversation….. would the audience notice the difference between that and a Fender Rumble? I mean I’m playing devils advocate here as far as the thread goes, but it’s an interesting question.

AHHHHH not what I said 😉….. my (admittedly generalised) point was that they more or less get the same end result. The playing experience would obviously be very different, but for the punter in the audience, the end result is exactly the same. I DO however have an absolutely stellar £50 bass that’s one of my favourites.

Yep, the same formula works for pretty much everything. I’m not saying either are right or wrong, just saying. I suppose it’s all down to the user experience and the performance of the item, but if it achieves the same end result….. I do wonder about the big price difference.

Bass guitars….. You can buy one for fifty quid, you can buy one for fifty grand…. but they all do pretty much exactly the same thing. You can make folks smile, dance and have fun with an instrument that cost less than a tank of fuel…. or you can bore them senseless playing a slap solo on one that could be a deposit on a house instead. Mad eh?

I have one… love it, lovely tone, nice to play. Currently fitted with flats, it’s a great bass. Not the highest output from the pickups, but you can turn the amp up right? Mine was £375 recently, but I shopped around and struck a deal. They are massively overpriced online at the moment. Just saying.

We have tickets for the tour, and cannot wait. I doubt Victor will make the trip though unfortunately.

Recently it was my birthday. I posted a picture of a very cool Ibanez Jet King my Mrs bought, and it’s really awesome. This bass, is from my mum. Mum doesn’t really know about it, because she has advanced dementia, and it’s almost certain that when I went to visit her in the home on my birthday, it will be the last birthday I have with her. I wanted something special. I saw this online, used, and just couldn’t stop going back to it. I loved the looks and loved the history and vibe of the Reverend company. So, I took a punt on it. Today, I got it out finally to set it up, clean it and restring it. It was set up like donkey. I swear many people just do not know how to do setups, including stores. It’s used, 10yrs old actually, but in mint condition. So, a clean, a shim, a truss rod adjustment, a fretboard oil, a substantial bridge saddle adjustment and a new set of strings….. and it’s absolutely sublime. Beautiful piano like tone from the pickups, lovely low action (eventually), it’s fabulous. Thanks mum ❤️

Yep, I'm watching a couple of used ones online.....

Cheers, yeah trying one could be difficult, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled on the used market. I remember Gordon Smith guitars being decent workman like guitars, maybe these are similar, don’t know. I’ll do some more digging.

I guess it’s really only the Esprit bass I’m interested in…. there’s a few on the used market, but are they any good? And what’s all the blue, green, black label stuff all about? Different levels of quality? Dunno

Ooooh the Esprit is what I’m talking about! Love that shape. There’s a Candy Apple Blue version in the new range, that love the look of, coming in under £500. Nothing like the quality of yours of course, but I’d love to try one. I’m not sure if Trev Wilkinson = decent or budget in terms of parts, I don’t know much about him or his company.

Lodestone? Nice…. I don’t know anyone who ever had one…. I’ll be interested to hear what you think

I’m curious, being into my retro and weird looking gear….. does anyone have much experience with Trev Wilkinsons Fret King basses? What’s the difference between Black, blue and silver label models? And are they any good? I love the aesthetics, just wondering what they’re like?

You'll probably get a bunch of different answers, but in my experience start with the Pre. I've transformed the tone on basses by replacing cheaper pots and wiring with good quality parts, while leaving the existing pickup where it is. Many "cheap" pickups are absolutely fine with a decent EQ to get the best out of them. For example, I have two Sunn Mustangs, that are totally original apart from replacing the cheap mini pots and wiring with a @KiOgon loom. The pickups could be described as pretty basic and cheap, but all I can tell you is that they sound absolutely fantastic, just by changing the EQ for better parts. Nowt wrong with the original pickups at all. SO, I always start with the EQ first and take it from there. A lot of money is wasted on expensive pickups when it's neither necessary or financially sensible. EQ and tuners is where I always start with tarting up a bass IF I'm going to keep it. Always bear that in mind when throwing money at guitars, because I was the worlds worst at upgrading then selling gear, and loosing a ton of cash in the process, I've literally lost thousands of pounds in pointless "upgrades" over the years. Anyway.... that's my input. If you're on a budget, don't waste your money on fancy expensive parts, they're often unnecessary. Do the bare minimum to get it playing and sounding nice and stop there.

You’re welcome They’re really superb, and really sensibly priced, at least for now, and yes, made Korea by Mirr. I think Chapman were made there, Italia are definitely made there.

Yep, I was looking at another Warwick, but there was just no way on earth I could afford one, so I went down the Reverend road instead. Reverend seem to be keeping their prices sensible for now.

Cory Wong, Jamiroquai and Sleaford Mods… booked so far….

Pretty sure I’ve answered this before….. I’ve had loads of basses I’ll never sell…. I’ve sold them all

Name and shame

So under all that bubble wrap, there is Reverend Justice bass. There’s no case, no cardboard, just a bass, wrapped in insane amounts of bubble wrap. I don’t think, having had countless basses mailed to me over the years, that I’ve ever seen that before? To be fair, it was all good underneath, once I actually found the bass.

Like Holidays companies, airlines, holiday home owners hiking their prices during peak holiday periods….. when in the off season it’s half the price for the same option….. should be illegal that.

Yep, and it drives up the prices of ok/decent gear in the direction of “high end” prices. There’s no shame in your favourite bass costing a couple of hundred ££s, one of my favourite basses (a Sunn Mustang) was under a hundred quid inc adding a KiOgon loom! I saw a guy online asking for £400 for one…. just because it’s old? I mean I love mine to bits, so much so I have two, identical, but I’m not paying money like that for one.