Kev

So, I figured it was time to start a new build thread! I have long been found to be drooling over the Instagram/Facebook feeds of Alpher Instruments, and after much deliberation I have an amazing build commissioned! Had some good chats with Chris and we are slowly hammering out the final spec, at present it reads as follows: [b]Updated 16.05.2015[/b] 5 String Mako Elite - 24 Fret Body: AAAAA Marbled/Curly 1 Piece Claro Walnut Top: 'Specialist Grade' 1 piece Buckeye Burl Neck Wood: 'Ribbon' figured Two-Tone Indian Rosewood Fingerboard: Ziricote Pickups: 2 x Nordstrand Bigman Preamp: Nordstrand 2 Band EQ with Coil Pan Hipshot A Bridge and Ultralite Tuners Carved Wooden Control Knobs A few pictures of the (uncut) woods chosen so far. They look incredible in the raw form as it is, I cannot wait to see them oiled! Claro Walnut: Buckeye Top and Ziricote Board: Early days, but I intend to keep this thread fully updated

I am tempted to grab an acoustic if one comes up, but by the time I get round to checking they are long gone!

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1424467336' post='2696776'] Because you're buying goods unseen is why. Perfectly morally acceptable. [/quote] It really is not that black and white. But this isn't the thread for the conversation so I will leave it here

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1424465387' post='2696735'] any item bought online can be returned within 14 days without having to give a reason [/quote] To me, that just isn't morally right. I know it doesn't mean much to companies like Thomann, but why should a buyer have that right? Faulty, of course, wrong size, understandable, but simply because you changed your mind or another reason that is just down to your decision making? Why should a shop have to accept that?

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1424199563' post='2693800'] My bass ukulele came today. So that was an order placed at 9.30 on Saturday, shipped and delivered for when I got into the office 9am this morning (Tuesday). That's pretty good. The uke is bigger than I expected. I've put a pic below of it resting against my Squier VM jazz. There's an ever so slight mark on the front of the bass which is barely noticeable. If I'd bought a "proper" version I'd probably not notice it nor would I send it back for that. The A string rattles a lot. I'd call it fret buzz but rubber strings don't buzz, they kinda boing off the frets a bit. The E string is a little like that, and the D and G to a much lesser extent. It came with a truss-rod tool so I tried loosening off the truss rod as there's a bit of back bow on the neck. The neck doesn't seem to be moving at all though. Also 5-6 of the frets are too high up the neck but I've got the tools to fix that. I plugged it in and the D and G strings sound great but you can barely hear the E and A strings. It's not a slight difference, it's a "is it on? oh wait, yes, that's loud" difference when going from the A to the D string. I read about someone having an issue in the reviews of the non-deko ones. A quick read of the B-band website (the pickup/preamp maker) says that an incorrectly sat pickup can do this. So at the moment it's unplayable due to the rattly A string and can't be amped due to the difference in string volumes. At the moment though, I think I can solve these. For £42 delivered it's probably not worth sending back if I think I can turn it into a bit of a project. I could even rip the frets out and turn it fretless. Not sure if that would solve the rattly A string though. Reckon I should try and fix the issues or send it back? I've got the (huge) box it came in at work still but will have to recycle it in the next day or two so I'll need to decide today or tomorrow. Here's the pic: [attachment=184154:DSC_0459.JPG] [/quote] Sorry If I am missing something, but on what grounds could you return it anyway? I would have thought these would be strictly no returns given they are sold as defect items?

I can't honestly bring myself to bid a £1. I think I would regret it!

That would be a ABI 5/3 in Ferrari Yellow. My dream dingwall, if you make it an all wenge neck

Mobile site working fine for me (Android). Can you not see the option to switch to mobile version on the bottom left of the homepage?

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1423646011' post='2687301'] The information in this thread about the Pro series isn't technically correct. I'm not sure if it's 'allowed' to be released yet though. I'll try and find out and update things if it's approved Prices are available as well (and have been for some time) but again it may be that Warwick are not releasing them to the public yet. I'll try and find this out as well. [/quote] I remember reading somewhere that the new German Pro Series are actually being assembled in different factories throughout Germany, rather than in Markneukirchin, is this what you mean?

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1423680957' post='2687914'] Not read it for ages IMO I really think it is to expensive for what is in it [/quote] It is very expensive indeed, I haven't bought it for a good while. There is so little content for the money, just look at other magazines on the shelves and the thickness vs price. Its full of ads too...

Just sold a preamp pedal to this rather sound chap, paid quickly and he seems to be happy, great basschatter as always!

[quote name='Drax' timestamp='1423594822' post='2686859'] Thanks Kev for spelling that out, didn't wholly appreciate the difference (or lack thereof) in the Pro models. I'm sure the broad message of German made = quality will flow through to all their marketing and in store sell. Agree good news all round for retailers. [/quote] It will make a huge difference, I feel. German built Warwick's available at that price should be very popular indeed. I'm sure it has cost Warwick a little to manufacture them this way, and they have dropped some models as a result, but I think this could be a good move for them. It also further makes those top end German models that little bit more special.

Looking again, I can still see they offer the Streamer Stage I on the Rockbass line, but to have an NT Warwick now you will otherwise still need a full blown model. They offered NT models on the Pro Series of previous years, did they not?

There may be a little confusion here. Basically, the only thing that has changed is the Pro Series is now being produced in Germany, rather than overseas. The Warwick 'Custom Shop' series are still the same german basses that were built last year, and those prices I believe have gone up slightly as would be expected. There hasn't been a climb down in price, simply a relocation of where the Pro Series is made, which will appeal to many. The woods and such are not the quality of the 'proper' german Warwicks (Ovangkol rather than Wenge, lower grade maple, BO rather than NT e.t.c.) and they have limited options, hence the lower price still being offered. I think as a result we will see some stockists in the UK again, which will be great to see

Yup, the prices they still are second hand it is still worth buying new for the warranty and such. They have come down to £109 in the UK, tempted to buy but also wondering when Zoom will release the new version for bass?

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1423346358' post='2683838'] if it had a microphone ring would it not also have a microphone? also if that was the case you would have sound in one ear and not the other [/quote] An in-line microphone, very common these days due to smartphones e.t.c. They function as normal headphones normally, but they struggle with mono jacks.

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1423343106' post='2683797'] Anyone had problems getting stereo phones to work in a mono socket, for example an amp? I've got Behringer phones with the dual size stereo jack, and when using as 1/4" or the smaller size I have to fiddle around and get the plug an exactly the right position for them to work, ie they don't work when pushed right in and have to be sort of halfway in to work. Perhaps the phone are rubbish, they weren't expensive but it would still be nice if they worked ok. Thanks Phil [/quote] Does it have a microphone ring, too? If so, this isn't Behringer QC, it just has a plug that is not made to work with mono outputs