Roland Rock

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357102973' post='1917501'] Some people have said a P bass. surly it can't achieve that many different tones with one pickup and tone control? I mean, that is what we are talking about, isn't it? how many variants a bass can pull off well? well, the P does have a distinct tone that anybody could spot a mile off, and you could play anything on it (like any other bass) but i don't think you could call it an all-rounder. [/quote] The title of the thread covers a couple of different areas ..... - 'Classic' meaning iconic and has stood the test of time - 'all rounder' meaning really versatile. This can be achieved by being able to create a variety of tones to suit whatever genre (J) or to have a limited range of tones which will fit in any genre (P) IMO, suggestions like an ACG six string can't satisfy the first of these criteria (although who knows, it could be a future classic), and a Stingray can't satisfy the second.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1356902607' post='1915031'] Zon VB is, in my opionion, a far better all round bass than the XL2, especially from an ergonomic perspective (both seated and standing). The XL2 is one of the few rare high end bases I've never fancied owning - and I like headless basses as well! As Kiwi has mentioned, Kubickis are great value at the moment and the ergonomics of these are great [/quote] All very true, but since when did practicality = cool? ;-)

[quote name='loushort' timestamp='1356986317' post='1916175'] A strange take on a cutaway design [/quote] Yeah, a bit odd. It seems to have the look of a SC without the benefits? I'd be interested to know the thought behind this design

[quote name='basslondon' timestamp='1356987718' post='1916190'] I dont see anyone telling this man that playing a five string would be a problem..... Id like to see a precision/jazz 4 with flatwounds sound that harmonically rich.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBWY8oAnnww"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBWY8oAnnww[/url] [/quote] What if he was auditioning for a Sex Pistols tribute band?

[quote name='mushers' timestamp='1356976330' post='1915975'] gotta say you get a lot for your money with any ibanez even more so second hand, the atk sale thats been linked is mine it never made it to ebay i picked it up played it and thought it was worth way more than the current value so decided to keep it [/quote] Ah, so maybe not within price range after all :-) it's a lovely bass

How about an Ibanez ATK 5 string? They have a great retro look, are well regarded, and within your price range - if one comes up for sale! Example of previous sale... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/167905-ibanez-atk-305-for-sale/page__p__1842141__hl__atk__fromsearch__1#entry1842141

Great picture! Have a good one BRX - I'm sure you'll see in the new year in style :-)

Welcome to Basschat Mark :-)

Welcome to Basschat Juliet :-)

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1356950123' post='1915396'] Yeah! Stick it to the man! I bet you're a hoot at parties. [/quote] :-D Yeah, WOT, what you doing on a forum for musicians anyway? Get your ass over to Entertainerchat ;-)

Yes, he's on Basschat under his own name. He's notoriously erratic at getting back to emails, but also, it's the holiday season and I'm not replying to emails this week either. Personally, I'd wait till the new year, then ring on the number on the website

Mog's posts are entirely logical and understandable. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the band you played with were 'tolerating' the six string as it's just for that night. Also, from my experience, for every one punter who understands the logic of you having a six string, it's likely that there are several thinking what the hell a six string bass is doing at a 50s - 70s rock gig! I'm not saying that these views are right, only that they exist.

[quote name='MrTaff' timestamp='1356920462' post='1915239'] Are people really gigging without a backup? [/quote] Sure. Maybe if I was going on a tour I'd take a backup, but not for gigging around town. I was a monobassist for all of my playing life, then fell off the wagon this year. I spotted a bass on Basschat for a great price and pounced. I haven't played the four string since, but I'm keeping it for sentimental reasons, also, it may come in useful if I want a different tone when recording, or a different look in future projects.

Can't decide between sub zero and seriously uncool. Either way, I'd love to have one as a backup bass.

Funnily enough, I encountered some quite strong five string prejudice last night at the pub, just in conversation. A friend, who has always been quite strongly in the punk/alternative rock camp, commented that he'd seen a pic of me on Facebook, and that I was playing a bass which had "one too many strings". The others (one an alt rock drummer, and a Drum n Bass producer) all agreed that a five string is "not a proper bass". I made some quite convincing arguments, where the reply was a mere "you're still not going to convince me". :-) So, I'm now revising my opinion that people have preconceived ideas about which instrument should go with which genre. Some people are so into their chosen genre, that they think all genres should adhere to that aesthetic!

A modified Jazz http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f28/move-bassists-bass-sound-329527/

It kind of looks like it says "Tone Works" on the headstock, but that doesn't make much sense. Sorry Edit. Chaypup agrees!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1356785858' post='1913560'] So why does anyone have anything more than 100watts? [/quote] Because they can't be arsed lugging big cabs around? I love my 100w so much, I've paired it up with a 6x10 and couldn't be happier. Alex C makes a good analogy where the cone area is like the sails of a boat. In the same amount of wind (power), a boat with more/bigger sails (cone area) will travel faster (have more volume)

I wish I owned this one... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/171513-my-new-shuker-bass/page__p__1587582__hl__shuker%20sparkle__fromsearch__1#entry1587582

That's very, very nice Sean. I love the finish and uncluttered look. The maple looks the business, and I'd never have thought to specify a reverse headstock, but it works really well. You going to put any kind of decal on it?

People have pre-existing ideas about genres, forged by what they have seen and felt throughout their lives, and these tend to create 'rules' which determine when a five string bass is, and is not acceptable (these 'rules' extend to clothes style, hair length, spikiness of instrument etc.) A fiver is 'accepted' in some more modern or 'progressive' genres - metal, fusion, dubstep etc. In genres which have closer roots to the early days of electric bass (blues, soul, rhythm and blues etc.), people have a strong image of a four string in mind, and would rather see that maintained. Of course, there are all sorts if exceptions to this, for example, no one bats an eyelid when a reggae player plays a five string, and old-school four strings seem to be mandatory in indie/rock bands. The way I see it, in a logical world, people shouldn't care if a bass has four, five or even more strings. In the real world, however, when many people people see a band, it's not just about the music, but about whether they look the part, based on their pre-conceived notions of the genre. Personally, I play a fiver as it's best for the music I play. If it doesn't fit with people's mental pigeonholing, I say in my most mature, measured and logical manner, "tough titty".

Voted. The talent is so impressive!

A few nights ago at the Jam Cafe, Nottingham. We were supplying the kit, and although the guitarist and I delivered all the gear in plenty of time, the drummer was about an hour late for no good reason, leaving the other band's drummer to assemble it - a bit embarrassing and frustrating. A lesson for future that crystal clear instructions are necessary! A decent crowd and atmosphere, and thankfully the rain didn't keep people away. It was a good opportunity to gig my new cab without PA support, and I loved the sound! The other band, We Are Avengers, were great. BC's Lee-Man was depping and did a Stirling job (both the way he played, and the bass he played with) - an obviously proficient, experienced and talented chap.

How about a Nissan Pathfinder? A big, proper 4x4. Load space was a big reason for buying this; the back is more square, rather than curving down coupe style like today's estates/more sporty SUVs, meaning you can pack it high right to the back. Fold flat seats. The downsides are fuel and tax, although the post-2011model is much better for that aparently. For me, it's the perfect balance between ruggedness and comfort.