zero9

You could check out "Standing in the Shadows of Motown, the life and music of legendary bassist James Jamerson" by Dr Licks. Got mine from Amazon Wil

Just replaced my standard US precision pickup with a Villex VP pickup (split type only, no bridge pickup). Totally passive system with a mid 'shape' control, usual tone control and volume. The range of sounds is incredible for a passive system. Can go from thunderous lows with crisp highs to a more standard 'p' sound.

www.villex.com

Status graphite make replacement MM style pickups as do others (Bartolini, EMG). If you're looking for a high output passive pickup I could recommend a DiMarzio Model One DP120 or Villex MM style. Wil

[quote name='mrcrow' post='651876' date='Nov 11 2009, 07:04 PM']i think their concept is good is there a uk supplier..[/quote] Not any more. Go direct to www.villex.com (William Villex). Great guy to deal with. I sent him an Email and spoke to him later that day. Had the pup's in about a week. Wil

I think you'll find that the refund will probably take longer than waiting for your order to arrive! It's taken me well over a month to get a refund. Good luck.

I've just had a Villex VP pickup fitted to my P. Comes with a mid control giving a range of sounds from a traditional P to more of a 'scooped' sound. The Villex is much smoother and cleared sounding than the standard US pup. May be worth a look (some sound files on www.villex.com). The output of the Villex pickups is also nearly double that of the standard US pup's. The system is passive. Good luck Wil

[quote name='funkle' post='645953' date='Nov 5 2009, 08:14 AM']Thanks for that. Reassuring information! Let us know what you think of the Clarus head when you get it - what cabinet are you going to be using it with?[/quote] I'll be using 2 phil jones B4's. I've used the B4's already with the AI Coda combo and these sounded great. Very clean sound. I agree that the EQ is minimal on the AI, but that's what I like. I want the natural sound of the bass as much as possible. There is always the option of adding an outboard EQ to the effects send/return if required. I'll let you know what I think once I get the Clarus. Cheers, Wil

I'm waiting for my AI Clarus head to be delivered. I've been using an AI Coda R combo. The AI combo makes my bass sound like my bass, without colouration. The Clarus head is also small & light. Good luck with your search. Wil

A crap bassline is a crap bassline, slapped or otherwise. I like the percussive aspect of playing 'slap', although it doesn't mean that this is restricted to just using your thumb. John Entwistle style, for instance, was tapping the strings with the top of his fingers, which created a similar percussive effect. Maybe it should be illegal below the age of 18? Wil

The Bass Gallery have a nice '78 with maple fretless board... Wil

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with the Toneworks Jazz Bass 'Eliminator' pickups? [url="http://www.toneworks.co.uk/"]http://www.toneworks.co.uk/[/url] They appear to be reasonably priced for a custom pickup. I'm looking for a UK manufacturer of custom wound pickups. Cheers, Wil

Shame you couldn't register at statii.com Have you tried sending them an Email at [email protected]? Apologies if you've already done this. Nice bass btw. Wil

The best place to find out more is the statii forum at www.statii.com Good luck. Wil

Try a Phil Jones Bass Buddy. ticks all the boxes but pushes the price up around £220 new (but worth it IMO). As a bonus, it will also drive a speaker (to give 10 Watts output). Good luck Wil

If you like the smell of leather have a look at www.bulldogproducts.co.uk great service too! Wil

You can get Spirocores for £93 from Thomann. I got some 3/4 size Spirocore 'soft' (English for the German 'Weich') tension strings to replace my Pirastro Obligatos. The Spirocores produce a slightly brighter sound than the Obligatos, which you'd expect for a steel core string. The Obligatos are an excellent choice if you want a more 'organic' sound. Playability of either will depend largely on how well your DB is set up. The Spirocores settle in much quicker than the Obligatos (which probably take a couple of weeks or so). Tension-wise there is little to choose between the two, however, I found that the Spirocores are easier to play moving up into the higher registers. Hope this helps and good luck with getting your DB sorted. Wil

Hi Marti, Got my superspike last Saturday, after ordering it on Thursday. Tony Manson provides great service! Thanks for the recommendation. Wil

Hello L, I suggest you go an check it out and take someone who knows about double basses and what to look for. If you don't know what you're looking for, make sure you take someone who does. £750 may seem reasonable but without knowing what it is or how much it cost new it's impossible to say if it's a good deal. Anyway, good luck. Wil

Hello Marti, I've been considering getting a new endpin / spike. Looks very interesting. Will be giving them a ring soon to discuss my requirements. Btw, did you keep the original endpin/bridge retainer when you fitted the superspike? Wil

Hello, So, you're thinking of buying a Double Bass (DB). I moved from Electric Bass to Electric Upright Bass to Double Bass. Last May I bought a new Stentor Arcadia DB and had it set up by a specialist (new bridge, new post, new strings and action adjusted to my style), total cost about £2k. The DB is made in China and came complete with cover and bow (both reasonable quality). I am extermely happy with the Stentor and it plays and sounds superb. I have never had lessons and found it fairly striaghtforward to get on with the DB. Trust your ears and put in as much practice as you can. You don't necessarily need a teacher (unless you feel this will boost your confidence or your trying to learn proper bowing technique). The important thing is to practice practice practice.... and if that doesn't work, practice some more (read some stuff on Danny Thompson). Good luck with your move to DB. Wil

[quote name='Deanobassist' post='88305' date='Nov 14 2007, 10:59 AM']hi, I know this is a bass forum but it seems that alot of bassists play the chapman stick. I am wondering if you guys knew any where I could buy a chapman stick with in the uk. if any one is selling second hand.[/quote] You'll struggle to find one 2nd hand in the UK. The bass gallery had one in a while ago, but it sold very quickly. Your best bet is to get one imported from the US (stick enterprises), especially given the current exchange rate (it's probably cheaper buying new than 2nd hand). The one major drawback is the wait (about 12 months ish....). Nick Beggs is also a well known UK stick player. Good luck with the hunt. Wil

We don't use a drummer... Wil ^..^