LukeFRC

[quote name='Gamble' timestamp='1380571923' post='2227378'] Thanks chaps! You're right, it's one that's popped up in a local shop - I very nearly handed over my credit card when I played it but I've calmed down a bit now, 2 grand does seem like a lot of money. I knew it was expensive but wasn't sure if it was overpriced as I haven't seen many 80's Thumbs for sale, of course there's the argument that any bass is worth what you're prepared to pay but I never like to hand over my hard earned without checking to see if it could be better spent first. Any further comments or advice will still be gratefully received, I might see if I can raise some money before I buy it and just call it fate if it sells before I get there. [/quote] check out the one in bass gear too... £500 cheaper

Yum! looks great! How does it sound?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1380556787' post='2227037'] I honestly believe that 99% of players ( myself included) could be perfectly well-served by a decent quality off the shelf, mass-produced bass. From my own experience, the difference between a good mass produced bass and a custom built job in terms of the usefullness of the final product is often minimal . I'm not saying this to be inflamatory or provocative , but a good Fender Jazz Bass, for example, will do just the same job for you as a custom -made Celinder or Alleeva Coppolo or whatever, and you can have just as much fun playing it . Of course lots of high end basses have their own strengths and are great instruments to own and use , but a whole industry has grown up around the questionable idea that ditching one perfectly good bass for a subjectively better one will make you a more satisfied player and therefore a happier person . Listen to some of the bass comparisons that crop up on Basschat every so often and there is no automatic direct correlation between top priced boutique basses and the best overall sound . There are players out there who have discovered that their own individual style does actually neccessitate a custom -made instrument , but they are few and far between . [/quote] What I don't understand is the business model most these UK based guys work on. With few exceptions I can't work out what their unique selling point is. I mean when I first started on basschat everyone was going mad about Shuker - and I'm sure they're good basses but I can't work out what makes them any different than a similar super jazz that someone else could make. ACG have their preamp and a bit more considered body shapes (I'm a designer/visual artist so that's where that opinion comes from) which sets them apart a bit, ... but apart from that I can't think of many who stand out of the "newer" builders - If you think of the slightly older UK builders if I said JD, Wal, Status or Overwater, then you can Imagine what the bass would look, and to a certain extent sound like. Some of the newer lot.... I don't get what it is that they are doing particularly. IMO it would make more sense to come up with something exceptional and sell that, rather than make whatever the (uneducated) punter wants. I guess I also think that a hand built bass isn't nesserally better than a 3D CNDed bass fretted by a robot (a la Warwick) when it comes down to the finished product... I'm guessing the tolerances on a computer can be far far smaller.... [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1380559426' post='2227087'] Are people not reading my comments properly? It's not about going elsewhere or chosing other vendors... I am guessing Shockwave's choices for going with those manufacturers are because they offer something that other vendors dont. Jon Lett's guitars are certainly unique looking and not something that is readily available off the shelf and are in a style that is not typical or other luthiers. SGD pickups certainly have a rep over on talkbass - and I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if Shockwave had ordered one of those Wal inspired pickups. Now you tell me where you can readily get hold of a set of those. I know another certain luthier was working on getting some manufactured, but I know he wouldn't sell them outside of his basses, as they form part of the unique selling point of his basses. I would certainly suggest that people do their homework. Find you perfect luthier. Find your perfect pickup maker. Great. But if you want a XYZ product that is only available from Mr ABC, then you are in a put up or shut up situation (there's that phrase again for me to be misquoted on again). There are many luthiers that have certain reputations... but the top and tale of it, you have to deal with them if you want their product that badly. Jeez. You want something like a Morgan car? You join the (long) queue... you don't know exactly when it will be made... you just sit and wait until your number comes up? Not good enough? Buy one second hand or put up and shut up? You aren't going to get a new Morgan any other way. Yes, you can buy something else and take your money elsewhere... but you won't have a new Morgan. It doesn't matter what stories good or bad you are told... if you want something, in a way, you have to play their game despite you being the customer (and of course, the customer is always right). Totally wrong I know... but that's how it is when the seller has something that you want that you can't just pluck off the shelf. Yes, you shouldn't have to play the BS games... just depends how much you want that final product. Do you get it now? [/quote] I get it. As an apendium, Most electric bass guitars are a bit more low tech than a new Morgan, and something like Wal inspired pickups could be built at home if you wanted too and put in the time/effort.

Just on the flipside of your letter.... Alan at ACG, Chris and the Guys at Overwater, Rob and Dawn at Status Chris at Alpher, Aaron at whatever Aaron armstrong's pickup making business, Alex at barefaced apart from Alpher and ACG I've not bought from them, but in talking to all of them and the way they conducted themselves, I would trust them 100% in their integrity and communications. The good guys should be celebrated I think!

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1380521578' post='2226394'] is there such a thing as a treble cut? there must be one somewhere and undoubtedly a whole degree of magnitude better than a double cut ... i bet it's good for metal [/quote] count them cuts, one, two, three. not sure what it's good for playing sorry, but I bet orangatangs can get the most from them

what you call this then?

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1380403852' post='2224958'] Before I had one I wasn't a big fan...I got one, now I can see why people are...not adding much to the debate though... [/quote] did you get hold of the bass i think you did? ... [quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1380465132' post='2225640'] Ok, ok, 'Singlecut' is a misnomer. Can we just get over the fact and accept that we all know what kind of basses we are discussing as' singlecuts'? Or should we start calling them Extended Body Range Basses for the avoidance of doubt? 'Bolt on' necks are actually screwed on, but we all seem to be cool with that. [/quote] the alpher singlecut that's been meantioned above would have a bolt on neck then... hex bolts and threaded inserts I think they use

custom made UK cabs at the technological high end.... but cheaper than my cab if I had paid the ticket price..... I don't think that they are that daft a price new.

alt rock

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1380300673' post='2223553'] Putting a link to your advert is fine, no problem there at all. Listing stuff you haven't advertised isn't. Linking to items on Gumtree\Ebay etc. isn't either. HTH [/quote] cool - thought I should ask

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1380286617' post='2223291'] The APX series are good stage guitars, and the 8 should be one of the better models. As a bedroom guitar it would be OK, but un-amplified they can struggle a little with a crowd. Shame about the SG (I can mention it) and it's one I'd love to own, but have neither need nor cash for such an instrument right now. [/quote] Well I just paid my dues so I guess I can say now.... yep it's a lovely japanese Yamaha SG. I'm thinking that more stuff isn't the way to go, well guitar stuff anyway, two guitars sat not being played and needing to be sold is worse than one.... I've played the lower end of the APX range and wasn't blown away - I think I may stick the SG up on here again, see if anyone's interested and see what happens

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1380296625' post='2223467'] I'm possibly being a bit thick here: my excuse is that I was on a sabbatical from BC when the marketplace rules changed. I (of course) love BC, and also want to "thin out" the collection... but how do I "subscribe"? I don't want to dive in with listings and run up a bill of ad-hoc listing fees. [/quote] click the support basschat tab at the top of the page under the banner and all will become clear.... I've just subbed! woo but - can we put sales listings in our sigs? I remember it was against the rules, but folk still do it....

I'm thinking as the reason i'm selling is to clear out space that swapping one thing for 3 things that are hard to sell wouldn't be a good idea