stewblack

what would you like to see?

possibly the best thing I've read on basschat

@Dan Dare has the answer.

Pics:

Oh wow. Love that colour combination. Really cool looking shortie. Enjoy!

A lot of you know I enjoy a bass or two, and if I can have one without breaking the bank so much the better. Well I've surpassed myself. I have just had a foray into the bargain basement of the bargain basement. I've already bored you with how nice I think my Harley Benton collection is, but even I hadn't particularly high expectations of this one. The 'Progressive' series doesn't really catch the eye on Thomann's Pornhub. The shape appears a bit blobby and nondescript. The fretboard is neither light nor dark,the finish unremarkable. And it is cheap. Cheaper than an effects pedal. Cheaper than a replacement neck. But looking at it, so to speak, in the flesh and above all playing it, is a different ball game. I may have been dismissive about the aesthetics but this thing is all about the playing, not the looks. I use a little bass run to test a new bass. The opening run up of the solo in Sir Duke, to be precise. If I'm contorting my wrist to reach the top few notes then the bass needs to be sexier than Felicity Kendall playing Twister with Kate Humble, or I don't keep it. I flew up and down the neck on this one with laughable ease. It really is a joy to play. The back of said neck does not look pretty. I can see where different pieces of timber have been joined and there's a couple of unsightly dark blemishes in the wood. But it isn't a 1k bass it isn't a 500 quid bass, heck it's not even a 150 quid bass. And the neck is smooth. And it's straight. And the low action and perfect intonation tell their own story. And my hands glide over it like greased WD40 in a vacuum. The bass has a pre-amp. Another reason to pass in my book. Never got on with active basses. But it switches off and the passive tone is great. And actually, so is the active tone. And the two (again unattractive) humbuckers blend really sweetly. The pots have that tactile centre point and I would describe them as subtle but effective. No huge sweeping tonal variation but enough for me. The balance is excellent sat or standing, the weight is negligible. Not worth checking on the scales, you just smile when you pick it up. It isn't polystyrene light like some basses, you don't want to pass it round the band to see the look on people's faces but you barely know it's there when playing. Oh and as for the uninspiring finish. That solid black actually has a subtle purple tiger stripe quilty thing going on. I know many reviews will say, great for the price, be useful to give to a student and so forth. But I am gigging with this and recording with it. No question. Totally blown away. Decent pictures and sound clips will follow.

Just cleared a space on John's shelf by buying his elf. Deal could not have gone more smoothly. Heartily recommended Basschatter.

Can you indulge me? Take me through how this works would you? Is it for studio work? Surely you can't be expected to lug a laptop onto the stage? Or can you programme sounds at home then store stuff on it? I'm intrigued... and very, very new to all this midi stuff. (I have already 4X'd someone off asking questions about this kind of thing, so please let me know if I get annoying)

I think there is a better choice than the one I made. I have to say Musescore is an astonishing achievement. And to be given away for free too! The deeper I delve into transcribing the more I discover in the programme. They set themselves a heck of a task creating useable software to cope with the myriad possibilities thrown up when creating a score. Bravo!

And damn. £500 for Both! Nice work. Especially like the look of the Aria, but then I am a long time fan.

Great line.

This is exactly why I was unhappy at using a courier when trying to sell my SVT.

So sorry I didn't see that post. In fact I still can't see it. I'll stop bothering you now I only looked at models specifically listed in the manual.

I have the m'audio midisport 4x4 en-route from a guy on FB market place but couldn't get an answer as to what cables I will need. Any ideas?

Got a spare hour and 50 something going? You could do a hell of a lot worse. https://youtu.be/KSS_F5QcfHU Among much else Lee tells us that the best movie score is one you wouldn't be aware of - unless it wasn't there. And if it wasn't there the experience of the movie wouldn't be as good. A wonderful description of the less is more approach to bass.

🙉

Not bothered by the order, hardly worth getting my hair off about someone had a page to fill and as every journo knows a list is your go to when you're stuck for ideas. Many I've never heard of so that's great, I shall enjoy discovering them. My personal list would include JJ Burnel, Phil Lynott, Bruce Foxton, Norman Watt-Roy and my all time favourite Bruce Thomas. Simply because they inspired me and still do.