LukeFRC

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1340705727' post='1708236'] String spacing is standard 19mm at the bridge but it's a J type neck profile and nut width of 1.5" as opposed to Fodera's morew usual 1.625" on a 4 string. I'm not sure what the finish is but it certainly oozes class Here's what Fodera said about it when it went in to be 're-furbished' "[color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We don't build 'em like this anymore! It has been quite a number of years since a Custom Shop Fodera has been built with a colored finish (in this case Tobacco Burst), but every time we see one of them we love the way the instruments seem like a synthesis of old and new.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In the tone department, this Monarch Elite has got that punchy, articulate 70's vintage vibe in spades. Of course with our onboard Custom Shop Preamp, you can dial in exactly the right sound no matter what gig you are out on...and have we mentioned that this Monarch Elite is a joy to play??[/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/font][/color] [/quote] it must be quite good if you build basses of consistently high quality, cos every so often you will get one back a few years old and get the "flip we made a good one there" vibe. Lovely looking thing. but as someone who's owned a fair few basses... we want a better review!

where are the screw holes for the ashtrays? and tug bar? I agree with Happy Jack on the wear on the neck too... and also comparing the two... something to do with the pick guard looks odd. Possibly a really really good bass, just not sure I get the relicing unless you go down the accuracy route... in which case you would go for Gil Yaron...

Heres something to try next practice.... when you are playing something substitute say half the notes in a pattern/riff/chord sequence with random ones. Or do the "Play the song without using any root notes" game. You'll probably find, that if what you play is in time then it will sound ok. different maybe, but ok You play all the "right notes" out of time slightly, or even just on the changes, it will sound bad.

except going against him is the fact that they have "upgraded" the american standard twice since that was made. why not see if he wants to sell it on here?

my thoughts.... if the thing doesn't jump out at you... then maybe leave it. It could be the strings,it could be the wenge, it could be a combination of the woods and the barts.... find an old streamer stage one, I found mine uber responsive and quick on the attack

[quote name='Ruck' timestamp='1340467771' post='1704902'] its just an observation ive come to see very frequently recently thats is all... I even said very clearly in OP that ive just been spending the 20% more... *headslap* but anyway I didnt say people should not do it. Im just finding it very strange thats all. [/quote] Do you make them lower offers? If you do and they arnt taking them and the pedal sells for the price, the thing i find strange is more that people pay 20% off new rather than what price folk set.

Best bet is to look through the sale forums here and on warwick forum. The prices over the last 6 years or si have been quite low, but you don't see many dolphin about. 1000 or so and it was a good bass I would jump on it. Over 1500 and maybe but would be looking what else it got me warwick wise Depending on condition All in my own opinion etc

people can ask what they want. If you don't want to pay that much buy it off someone else. If you can't find anyone else selling and there is only one then they can set the broad secondhand price. If you don't like that then pay 20% more. .... what are you moaning about?

[quote name='alloy70' timestamp='1340456308' post='1704673'] Ok the plot thickens,ive finally seen the bass in the flesh,the story is the gentleman who owns the bass since 2006 is now 65years old,as he has back problems he cant play this bass and he only uses the alembic on rare recordings,He has given me the alembic for a lend for a couple of days to try out,in exchange ive given him a 5string musicman to try out which he has fallen in love with,He maintains the stingray is much lighter,personly i cant feel any difference.but im a happy bunny at the moment here goes the bass has all solid brass fittings,bridge,tailpeice nut,same on back of bass all solid brass,looks like two purpleheart stripes down back of maple neck ,same on front,chrome schaller tuners?anyone know are they normally fitted on an alembic,should they not be alembic tuners?finish on top and back looks like either indian rosewood or mahogany,and finally the big suprise is it is fitted with red side leds very unusual me thinks for a 1981 bass no?i shall put photos up shortly,which shall greatly help in identifing the bass,serial number 81 1860 USA,Ive loked on the alembic site,and i nearly passed out at first i thought the bass was stolen,but mine is 1860,the the one on the stolen list is 1810.thank god for that it looks like i will be swapping my stingray with small amount of cash my way,sounds like a no brainer to me if you check out the old level 42 video,man it looks very similar to marks first alembic before the got his specifications right.the back pick up screw housing is broken but the pickup is still held in place.any help in how to mend that problem would be appreciated.will keep you guys posted,any help or advice greatly appreciated... [/quote] so a stingray... which have been as low as £600 on here recently for an alembic AND cash..... go for it, if you ever want to sell the alembic you can buy 2 stingrays! but really.... pictures.....!

and add to that... special edition with matching headstock AAAAAAAA grade quilted maple the idea that a 2mm laminate of some wood will make a massive difference over another 2mm laminate. vintage capacitors go faster stripes etc etc

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1340450556' post='1704572'] Also depends on how the basses are played and recorded. Too many variables for a meaningful comparison, imho. [/quote] [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1340450943' post='1704578'] Precisions and Jazzes (and I imagine Rays, but I've never played one, and Rickenbackers too) are both (or all) capable of a very wide range of tones so there is no way you can ever be certain about what you're listening to even if you could get it right sometimes. [/quote] but of course you will probably want an example of each in your collection

he's got stuff he's played on up on youtube.... http://youtu.be/7qLa9Ixa95w

they are parrael in that diagram me. if you follow that you will be OK. TBH I wouldn't see any benefit in switching the pups from 18 to 9 volt.

banzai are good for knobs http://www.banzaimusic.com/Knobs/

spot the difference boys and girls http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Thumbrest-Black-Plastic-Screws/dp/B002MWOA3M

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1340379737' post='1703795'] I think that there has been a downturn in modding because there is so much variety now, you can probably find the exact bass you want without having to buy something like it then mod it to suit. I don't mod basses much these days because I think they're just fine the way they are. The only modded one I own now is my G&L Tribute L-2000, and that's a reversible, do no harm mod as it's just a replaced switch and a wiring change. Furthermore, it was worth it because it unlocked a setting not normally available which I happen to think is the nicest sounding one (single inner coils in parallel). There is an element of preserving future value, I won't deny it. But have you seen some of the abortions of stripped and ronsealed P basses from back in the day? Seemed like a good idea at the time? D'oh! Perhaps you have seen how my Gibson Victory Artist arrived - horrible blue refin, silver hammerite on the pickguard, push button mounted in the battery cover which cuts off the battery (which you can't help pressing when playing), and to cap it all off - a "roasted" neck, but done with a blowtorch instead of an oven. So I "unmodded" it. Now it's probably worthless, but to me it's priceless. [/quote]is the worth from the fact you did the work on it? and maybe the other fella derived worth from it's modding.

i think, but the way the attack sounds also affects how we perceive sustain.

something I realised today. Sat in uni library at lunch flicking through the NME for the first time in years.... and lots of guitars and basses there. But unlike years back where folk would have some old strat that they modded themselves... it all seemed to be stock guitars. I wonder if we've just become more used to going out and buying another bass or a different bass than just modding/fixing/refreting the one we have?

I thought your "tiny issue" was the other complaint you had.

or bridge

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1340364090' post='1703314'] Way Huge Red Llama. I guess it's technically not considered a fuzz but I love it for high gain stuff I would personally describe as fuzz. Mine is a clone so I hope it's the same as the pedal i'm recommending! [/quote] also a simple build isn't it? that's the one with one ic chip?