martin8708

I have no problem with the body finish , but the neck looks brand spanking new . Different strokes for different folks , but I think this would be a cool gigging bass.

If you can afford coffee from Cafe Nero with a barrister or a barista , you're still doing pretty well for yourself . I agree with the general sentiment , I think even people with the money are too frightened to spend it due to the gloomy economic climate and fear of job loss , etc . On the flip side , I am now truly grateful for having a job and appreciate the regular pay checks , rather than begrudgingly going into work .

Burgundy Mist Slab board 62 P bass Foam Green Slab board 62 P bass Shell Pink Slab board 62 P bass Surf Green Slab board 62 P bass These seem to be the top - dollar P basses in the Vintage Guitar Price guide . Best of luck finding your bass.

This is probably the best thread I have read in the 2 years i've been on basschat , ( "bigger is better" in the amp section comes close second .) I have been collecting for 25 years , I in no way have the same amount of knowledge and expertise as some members here and my collection is 70% "mongrel " Precisions / Strats that have been refinished and have the occational pot / pickup replaced . I agree the internet has made it very easy to find a vintage instrument , just press the Buy-it-now button and you are part of the club . Most of my instruments still come via good old fashioned classified ads , asking local muso's , asking shops + dealers+friends and taking a bit of a gamble on ebay /gumtree . I find buying from a dealer no safer than buying privately , I have pointed out glaringly obvious modifications to supposedly 100% original instruments . Every bass / guitar is worth well in excess of what I have paid for it , taking into account the cost of Mr Browns magical work in restoring some of them . If unmolested vintage instruments are out of your price range , then a good refin will hold its value better than most modern offerings and you are more likely to be less precious about it and play / gig it more . There is also quite a few on offer on various websites , so the choice is out there . If you get the bass at a good price , your in profit already ! Fenders have a history of being modified + stripped back to natural finish , so it does not bother me as much anymore . As reguards to the differences of opinion , for me personally there is nothing quite like the feel / smell / sound of a well played vintage instrument with a worn neck , I have tried a lot of the new stuff and it just does not flick any switches in my mind. You cannot quantify these qualities in an old instrument , so can everybody put away their clipboards and whitecoats and leave the vintage stuff to the people who enjoy it . Finally managed to load a photo , a trio of 63's

The Vanderkley has two vertically aligned speakers . Mark from Bassdirect was selling the Bergantano 2x12 like hot cakes and asked Marc Vanderkley to build a 2x12 as well. The red is not really a huge problem ,and is watered down by the black grill in front of it . I think it looks better than yellow speakers ( and I really like Markbass stuff ) and in subdued pub lighting it gives the cab a unique appearance , most people remark how clear the bass is without having to really crank up the volume .

Singing with a 6 string is vastly easier than singing whilst playing a bass. There is a huge temptation to sing on the beat of each bass note , you have to separate the vocal from the bass line . Mark King is good at this , but Sting is a true master at singing smoothly over odd time signature bass lines . Like everything in life , it takes practice. Yolanda Charles does a great YouTube tutorial on this subject.

Better late than never . Re-united Jack with his Alleva Copolla 5 Stringer . Top bloke to deal with and very straight forward deal. Apologies for the lateness

Jeans and the " gig T- shirt " , usually something unusual and not music related . I'm not a big fan of people who wear Marshall or Gibson T-shirts , unless they are in another band . No baseball caps , I'm too old to be a Bieber look a like .

My main gigging rig was two Markbass 604's to form a mini 8x10 . There certainly is no lack of depth as these will easily fill the room with a deep "subby " sound which seems to contradict the small 6 inch speakers and they are incredibly loud for their size. Very portable too and a very easy lift. The only issue with Markbass cabs are they tend to get lost or swamped if playing in a busy rock band , hence the purchase of a Vanderkley 2x12 which cuts through the double guitar onslaught . Just my 2p.

John Taylor (Nigel ) of Duran Duran was on Loose women this afternoon plugging his new book , he did not actually mention bass guitar during the interview , the loose women seemed more interested in the drugs and sex . Watched the Pino clip on the one show , great stuff , lovely old fretless Musicman and the delicious Mrs Grant .

There are a few EVH art guitars by Charvel Custom shop on the bay at the moment , I also like their yellow Bengal tiger stripe bass . Sandberg website also has a gallery for their Custom shop airbrush art work if you are looking for ideas and inspiration .

Playing a P-bass through a Peavey TKO or TNT combo is great , they are loud , and tougher than John Wayne , virtually bomb proof gear which can now be bought for peanuts . I think the sound of the 15 " speakers are great , if you can put up with the weight , I'd say go for it .

Record labels ?? I was in a tidy little four piece rock band in North Devon , great line up which went down really well at all the gigs . Singer left the band due to apparently being signed up by a Record label . Obviously the band collapsed . A few months later , saw said singer behind the counter of fast food burger bar. Still haven't seen him hit the big time . ( only the fries counter )

Prohibitive price of beer + Smoking ban + poor economic climate = Staying at home . I have a pretty good job , but I rarely go to the pub anymore , if me + mrs do go out and watch a band and have two beers each , that's £16 , which easily pays for a Sainsbury take away curry and a decent bottle of wine . The only time good audiences are guaranteed is when we have a festival / event which has live music .

A drunk ,orange ,high heeled pissed as a fart platinum blonde slapper ???? Try a pub with a few miserable ,flat cap , jack Russell owning misogynist punters huddled round the bar . Again , I fully empathise with your sentiments , as an " in between bands "bassist " , I just like doing the gig . Zero audience is a great opportunity to try new stuff ( reggae-fy Hey Joe for instance )

You had a crowd ?? Seriously , I empathise with you entirely , have been there and done gigs to bar staff and the dog in the corner , only to be told that the pub is normally packed ,but the young farmers ball / some ones leaving do / wake is in the pub down the road . I just love playing with fellow musicians , for me - that's enough.

Kind of sounds like the London Bass Guitar show . Great slapper , but not my type of thing .

I agree with Clarky , relative to other instruments , basses are dirt cheap . Just sold an Alleva Coppola back to Happy jack for £2k to fund getting a better classical guitar . " Student " models are found around the £2000 to £3000 mark , Luthier built are about £5000 and a Greg Smallman (the Fodera equivilant ? ) are £20 000 to £25 000. I definately would not class the Alleva as a student model bass .