Rayman

Yes, I agree Chris, but I guess what I'm asking is, is "your tone", in your head... The sound you like to find, regardless of the gear.... whether you're playing an Ibanez, Fodera, Fender whatever? Obviously the gear provides the actual "sound", but do you dial in YOUR tone, regardless of the gear?

As I've gotten older, I listen to less and less... which is a bit depressing. I have predominantly podcasts now in the car.... it's been a long time since I've discovered and got excited about anything new.... 🤨

Yeah, and regarding the "not all expensive basses are better" theme... Scott Devine was talking about Victor Wootens Fodera on his podcast..... "Meh" was Scotts opinion after playing it.... a bit bland and uninteresting apparently, but in the hands of Victor, it's sounds amazing. The bass? Or the player?

I recently bought a Yamaha RBX460, stuck TI flats on it, and it sounds fabulous. £150, and honestly, to me it sounds as good as basses I've had 3 or 4 times the price. The Hohner B Bass sounds immense, and again only £175..... But STILL, they sound like me, like the Stingray did, like the Marcus Jazz did, etc..... I just think whatever the bass, I search for and find MY sound. Is there any point in buying something expensive? Even though I still plan to 😆

Yeah ok, it IS important, but HOW important. How many of you and your favourite players, GENERALLY get your/their sound WHATEVER gear you're using? I, always seem to find MY sound, regardless of the gear, there or thereabouts.......and I don't believe that expensive gear will make you a better player at all, in fact I've always deviated towards modest gear, even when I could afford something more expensive (not often). You can find an amazing tone, YOUR tone, on a £100 bass, it doesn't need to be £1K or over does it? So I believe, that it's NOT all about the bass, I think its all about YOU. The funk's in the fingers, not the instrument, isn't it?? Or am I very wrong?

Yeah, pics mate. I'm sure P bass experts, such as WOT will give you an idea of what to look for

Hangin' around, Peaches.... anything by the Stranglers. Also check out Stuart Morrows amazing pick playing with New Model Army. The Vengeance album is immense.

One of the reasons I started playing bass, and definitely why I love simple, deep grooves. I've never been a fan of basslines that are complicated and fussy, and Robbie is one of the reasons why.

Oh no!! ☹️

Yeah we watched the final part last night, and I really enjoyed it, much more than the first part. Fascinating insight, and sad to know how many of those in it are no longer with us. Despite my struggle with the length of the documentary, I just can't concentrate that long.... I really got into the final part. The police were hilarious.

I wonder how many people, like me, have spent wedge, on putting new electrics, tuners etc into an instrument, when it really wasn't necessary? I've done it..... Nordstrand into an OLP Tony Levin.... Villex pups into a jazz copy..... EMG pup and EQ into a Fleabass (water bass) etc etc, there are SO many .... all affordable basses with expensive upgrades, and all moved on shortly later, because I STILL didn't like them. Now.... IF the upgrade turned an ok bass into a great one, and you KEPT it...... then fair enough, good move ..... but, there MUST be a ton of money spent out there for no reason? I can't be the only one?

I'm sure someone has already pointed out that: A: We'll all have a different answer B: There's no such thing as "Best". "Your 10 FAVOURITE bass players" would be a better option.

Easily the best purchase has been this Hohner B Bass..... Tbh, I wasn't expecting a lot.... I fully expected to be upgrading the electrics with fingers crossed that the bass itself would be worth the effort. With a setup, new strings etc.... it's blown me away. Lovely clear tones, plenty of lows and highs when active, and even better, a nice clear honky punch when passive. Absolutely no need at all for ANY upgrades. The action is nice and low with no drastic dead spots, even up the dusty end. Superb thing.

Jack bass was introduced in '88, the B Bass came in '90. Mine turns out to be one of the first ones from 1990. Absolutely loving it. The sound is awesome, even passive. Very weighty though? I've heard quite a few people say they were light.... maybe the later ones were? Dunno. Anyway, I've already decided to look for a 6er in the new year.

I'm sure it's stunning and an amazing instrument, but I just can't get past spending that much on a bass.... I just don't know how anyone could afford or justify it. I've often wondered how many of us have Foderas and the like sitting in the corner of the bedroom..... how many of us would take a 6K bass to a gig? Maybe that's not the point.

Fascinating, enthralling etc... until my ADD kicked in halfway through part 2.... I just can't concentrate for that long, not been back to it since. Don't hate me.. I tried reading a book last week.... got 6 pages in and fell asleep. Edit; Mrs Rayman has just put it on again.... so I'm on here

There's a couple of Jack's for sale at nearly a grand on the bay?? Is that the going rate?

Any earlier fernandes basses are brilliant. I've had a couple. The gravity basses are stunning.

IMO Instruments, generally, are all different, even 10 of the same model, made by the same factory, will vary in some small way. Even premium products, certainly not just affordable ones, need tweeks sometimes, to the neck, the electrics or whatever to get them just how you want them. An other variable of course is the player themselves and their requirements. I see no problem with a shim, if it gets the instrument how you want it.... IF you know what you're doing.... AND it's actually required and not just bunged in for the sake of it. So I agree with the OP , when its not necessary its obviously been done by someone "clutching at straws" rather than knowing what they're doing, how ever I'd rather that, than filing or cutting stuff out.... at least a shim is reversible, anything more drastic isn't.

Reminds me of the Peavey Rudy Sarzo bass? Anyone remember those?

PS..... No need for ANY mods on this thing. It sings like a piano. Lovely.

Total setup later, straightened the neck, lowered the action, new D'Addario strings, switch cleaner, oiled fretboard..... etc..... It's a beast. Plays beautifully, sounds massive. I've had to lower the pentometer output as it was almost as in your face as my Spector Euro 5 used to be. It's a fabulous thing, very modern sounding, punchy, and weirdly, turned to passive, sounds quite P bass like. Love it. Total bargain.

Yeah, or maybe a U retro.... we'll see after new strings and a setup tomorrow. The EQ is Vol/Vol/tone - bass/treble yes?