eude

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1333104341' post='1597383'] I'm now wondering what the gross margins look like on a £200 Fender-alike, a £1k Fender USA and a £2k+ high end Fender alike. I suspect the MIA Fenders will have the best GM as a percentage. Does anybody know - come on you whistle blowers!? All imho of course!!! [/quote] I really don't have a clue what it would be, but given the price of the MIA Fenders, or Musicmans for that matter, factoring in the non fancy woods and the bulk they'll be bought in multiplied by the amount of demand, I imagine it will be a fairly large percentage of the list price. These kinds of manufacturers will likely spend a lot of cash on R&D, where a independent luthier will evolve slowly as they build more and more instruments, so I guess that will account for some of the overall profit but having said that, I haven't seen any real evidence of R&D from Fender for a very VERY long time, MM on the other hand do seem to try new things fairly often. Eude

[quote name='peterjam' timestamp='1333096368' post='1597172'] I'm collecting my ACG J Type 4SU, (serial number 0096), this morning. I met Alan at this year's Moffat Bass Bash - along with some other fine, upstanding members of the bass community - and I was hugely impressed by the built quality of his basses. As you'll see in my signature below, I don't have a 'conventional' arsenal of basses. I've always liked the shape and feel of the Fender Jazz, but I don't think you get a lot of instrument for the money unless you go down the Mexican route. I'll post some pics and a review once I've had it for a few days, but my initial impression was a bass with a wide tonal palette that sits very comfortably under your hands. Stay tuned for further developments! [/quote] Fantastic news Peter, 0096 is a really classy looking beast, and I know it will play and sound as good as it looks. Can't wait to hear how you get on and congratulations! [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1333097165' post='1597182'] not trolling here, just intrigued.... I can go on the ACG website and buy an amazing jazz influenced bass- and the ones listed at the mo come in at £1600 or so. I can go on the overwater website and their take on a Jazz bass is about £2100 starting price... both are made in the UK, both have pickups and pre's from the same makers (different specs) and admittedly Alan doesn't have to pay for any medicine or eye checks up here but what's the difference? [/quote] I guess like a lot of business people, there are a lot of factors in play, but the main ones in my opinion here are "how much the item actually costs to make" and "how much you can get away with charging". I think a lot of luthiers overcharge, but their instruments are essentially worth what people are willing to pay for them. ACGs are still fairly new when compared with the majority of successful UK builders, the main ones having been around 10 years +, so I guess the price reflects that a little too. Having said that, I've had a go on more boutique bass guitars than I can remember and ACG's blow most of them all out of the water, bar a couple which they where easily a match for with regards to design, ergonomics, fit and finish, and when it comes to tone and flexibility, you'll struggle to get more options than you get with an ACG EQ, so they win hands down where that's concerned. It's highly unlikely I'll ever go anywhere else for bass guitars from now on, I've got two ACG's so far and plans for many many more, plans that I'm keeping hidden from my wife of course. I really hope Alan doesn't read this thread, he might put his prices up!... Eude

I imagine it's straight out of their new TE 500 head by the looks of it. Still no reply to my message asking for some more info, but I guess I'm one of 1000's of bass gear geeks bugging them right now. Can't wait to try out the MiBass through 2 of those Mi12 Cabs though, although I found a really cool pic of the new ABM 1000 head, the one with the digital power section, it looks really small, at least compared to the 2000W version or any of the valve series, I guess 1000 Watts might be a bit overkill though...

[quote name='Mattbass97' timestamp='1333005638' post='1595959'] What pedals have they released? [/quote] Don't quote me, but I think there's a Nate Mendel dual distortion pedal, a Pino Palladino Octaver and a 12 band EQ pedal...

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1332942460' post='1595210']The more small british builders are doing well the better for us all [/quote] I'm proud as punch to play Scottish bass guitars! Eude

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1332928108' post='1594890'] I'll simplify it for you, Eude: [/quote] Ha ha, nice one, but surely early Homo-sapiens would have played P Basses?...

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1332924760' post='1594817'] According to the concept of transformational evolution, first clearly articulated by Lamarck, evolution consists of the gradual transformation of one bass guitar state to another. [/quote] This is getting too highbrow for me , I've gone forwards and backwards through my "evolution", 4 strings, 5 strings, 6 string, 6 string fretless, 4 strings, 5 strings, 6 strings, 4 strings, 5 strings, 6 strings... No "claw" yet, but there's still time I guess Eude

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1332923812' post='1594801'] Well, any evolutionary biologist would agree you can't create a model of evolutionary divergence without first considering the impact of the bass guitar. [/quote] Surely we must also consider the socio-cultural anthropological reasons for choosing the bass guitar before we can truly consider the impact on the musicians in question...?

Good spot dude, most of the new stuff is listed on there now, but all without pricing or piccies, like your link. I've rather cheekily emailed Ashdown to ask for a bit more info if they can share it, sent it via Facebook this time as I've yet to ever receive a response from them via their contact form on their website (which is VERY disappointing...). Will keep you posted if I hear anything. Eude

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1332875277' post='1594368'] Yeah, but carpal tunnel syndrome is an elegant solution to a neck with a symmetrical profile. [/quote] Ha ha, I guess some would argue the development of "the claw" is the body evolving to fit the bass...

[quote name='phatbass787' timestamp='1332849569' post='1593861'] Some nice looking bits there, damn you Ashdown I can feel more GAS coming [/quote] I know, I never really had much GAS for Ashdown kit, but lately they've really stepped it up. Still, I'm going to be going for 2 x 1x12 cabs and a micro head set up later this year, so I might just end up "Buying British" Eude

I'd seriously recommend trying out a flat board and the asymmetrical profile, I have them on both my basses and it feels very natural. Even if the flat board isn't for you, the asymmetrical profile is much better for your hand as it allows it to fall into a much more natural shape while playing, great for avoiding things like carpal tunnel syndrome etc. Eude

[quote name='BassApprentice' timestamp='1332804157' post='1593502'] I highly doubt he has to 'resort' to this. I imagine he designed them due to demand rather than necessity. Players love J basses due to their heritage but just want to change some things from the original that you can't do yourself i.e. neck radius or body wood. [/quote] I agree entirely, it's not "resorting" to anything, it's simply adding another option for the customer, it's sound business sense... The original designs might not be for the more traditional bass player, so now there's an ACG for them too. ACG's are indeed some of the nicest original designs out there, and now they also do one of the nicest Jazz Bass designs. Eude

Totally agree mate, Ashdown definitely seem to be upping their game of late. My only experience of them really, has been using an original ABM head when they first came on the scene at a brilliant rehearsal spot in Glasgow years back, which was very VERY impressive, and blew away the Ampeg SVT it replaced, after I blew it up a bit. And, more recently, playing through a MAG rig, that was fine, but nothing special. It's hard to ignore all the folks moaning about the Ashdown tone being a bit wooly or flat, but from what I've heard more recently, that has been more than addressed in all but the lower end equipment. The new gear looks fantastic, and I agree the valve stuff in particular, but I fear that gear will always be out of my price range, but I'm particularly interested in the MiBass gear. Here's some more pics nicked off Dan Gooday's Facebook page (apologies if I've stepped on any toes by posting these). Lovey pic of a MiBass Combo [attachment=103429:522380_10151419171485394_560445393_23348023_1572089805_n.jpg] MiBass heads on top of MiBass Cabs, Mi10 on top, Mi12 at the bottom, I think... [attachment=103430:545987_10151419179315394_560445393_23348097_1606468597_n.jpg] TE 500 head and some MiBass Combos [attachment=103432:564564_10151419178980394_560445393_23348093_1286722489_n.jpg] Can't agree more with you about Trace gear either, they were "THEE" amp when I was bit a nipper and it took a while before I could afford some, but when I finally got a Trace Combo, I couldn't have been happier, till I discovered lightweight gear that is They're definitely up there as one of the classic amps, with the Ampeg SVT etc. Cheers, Eude

[quote name='Dread Bass' timestamp='1332676921' post='1591428'] Bet you cant wait [/quote] He clearly can, this thread is evidence of it Glad you're finally getting them mate, really hope they're worth the wait Eude

Any news mate?...

Matt, I must take some pics of the Promethean for comparison. Yours look fairly neat though

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1332583717' post='1590237'] Looks like they will. [/quote] Yup, you're right. I read that original article a bit quickly, as I was having a mare at work, and it was quite badly written, but here's another one confirming the 1x10 and 1x12 extension cabs >> http://www.gear4music.com/news/article/Musikmesse-2012-Ashdown-Announce-New-Bass-Amps/57S/2012-03-23 Eude

When I first saw the MiBass stuff I thought it would work really well in that capacity. I love my Promethean 1x10 Combo, but want for a little bit more natural low end, something a 1x12 would deliver nicely. I also would love to be using British gear, albeit British designed gear - built in China or wherever. I was considering maybe getting a MiBass head with 2 of their VS112 cabs, but I wonder if they'll be doing anything cab-wise to match up specifically with the MiBass heads and combos?... Eude

There's a 2x10 Combo with the TE 500 head in it too. That and the TE 500 head have a dull silver faceplate like the old Trace Twin/Quadra/Hexa-Valve Heads had - very nice Eude

Seems Ashdown have a raft of new kit launching at Musikmesse 2012 Lots of bad iPhone pics on Facebook, but the only real info I can find so far is this link >> [url="http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/musikmesse-2012-ashdown-launches-raft-of-new-gear/016385"]http://www.mi-pro.co...new-gear/016385[/url] A few products are really interesting... [b]Tonal Emphasis 500 head[/b] 12 band EQ with regular and XLR inputs Apparently it's nicknamed the "TE 500", a little more than a nod to Trace Elliot there me thinks. [b]MiBass Combos[/b] These seem to have a one of the two proper MiBass head mounted on the back of a front ported cab, which is removable just like the Ibanez Promethean design, and I assume you would need an additional cab to put out the full wattage, available in the following setups >> MiBass 550 1x15 weighing in at 21kg MiBass 220 1x10 weighing in at 16.2kg MiBass 220 2x8 weighing in at 20.1kg MiBass 220 1x12 weighing in at 17.8kg There's some other improvements to some of the lower end lines and some effects pedals too. I'll add more info as I find it. Eude

Not a huge mistake mate, I guess that's quite a minute detail in the grand scheme of things, one I would probably overlook myself, so I'll keep that in mind. Dots, lines or otherwise, you can really make that bass sing mate

Subtle Ivory?

Awesome bass, and awesome playing Meester Spoombung

Yup, heavier strings are you friend. I used to use 120 - 100 - 80 - 60 - 40 on my 5ers when I played regular scale basses, now I've shifted to 33" basses, 5 and 6 strings, I've moved up to 130/125 - 105 - 85 - 65 - 45 and a 30 C where applicable. The C can be zingy, like dunc says, but you'll find that on any bass, it's just the nature of the lighter gauge string, but you'll find it sounds thicker than the equivalent would on a 34" or 35". If you're used to lighter strings and a softer feel, DRs are a great choice for your setup too, as the heavier gauge feel really good on the 33" scale. I'm keen to try Fodera nickel strings too in the same gauge, they're meant to be very good for this set up as well. You'll need to share some photos of your new bass here too >> [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/140476-the-acg-thread/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/140476-the-acg-thread/[/url] P.S. if you find DRs a bit pricey here in the UK, I get mine from here >> [url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bassspecialties"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bassspecialties[/url] Eude