grandad

Mine has flats, (make unknown), but is quite bright, not muddy, the tone control is very effective. Overall very well made and setup for a lovely action. I'm the 2nd owner and it was well looked after so a fine example. The reason I posted the ad' was you don't see many lefties and if mine is typical then judging by the photos this may be a nice instrument. I paid £150 for mine several years ago. It would be good to try before buy. Just found this old photo of my Aria & my Tokai. The 2 share the same shape but sound completely different.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roy-orbisons-triumphs-and-tragedies-103421/

Just spotted: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Left-Handed-Aria-Pro-II-CSB-380-Cardinal-Bass-1981-mij/124473752141?hash=item1cfb36ba4d:g:fBcAAOSwOXBfzMrv I have one exactly the same but RH fitted with flats, built 1981. It has a superb neck with a 32" scale. Medium weight, not too heavy.

I've just bought a 2nd hand Tanglewood violin bass. Scratchplate removed, screws all tightened, cleaned, polished & oiled, it came up pretty good. The binding is yellowed so I guess it's about 20 years old but I guess little played as the frets are good. My attempt at a setup turned out well with a medium to low action and close intonation. Pickup height was a bit hit & miss but I think it's OK now. The control plate may be faulty so I'll have to get round to checking it out at some time in the future. It doesn't do what the Hofner controls do. I've owned an Ignition & own a HCT so here is my take on them - the Ignition does the plinky plonk very well, especially with a pick. The HCT is more plonk than plink. Sustain is shorter on the fully hollow Ignition. Both Hofners have a clean tone from powerful pickups. The 5 and 1/2 lb Tanglewood has a bit of a bark to the tone but it has got toaster pickups. It doesn't do the clear Hofner tone. I've had various violin basses and all have their own sound albeit similar in some respects, those with a sustain block do sound less "acoustic" than the fully hollow, and of course weight a tad more. I certainly appreciate shorter scale and lighter weight basses as I've gotten older and also suffer an achy left shoulder. A poor image but does show the softer waist of the Tanglewood, larger control panel & more reddish wood. So for £200 a nice cheap instrument. As for ever getting a German Hofner - I think not. It would be to valuable to enjoy. I enjoy & take care of my instruments but if dinged then OK that's wear & tear. The most expensive was the HCT at £237 a couple of years ago if I remember correctly, and I'm a bit precious about that one.

Current noodling tunes - BLUE SKIES, Irving Berlin & LA VIE EN ROSE, Lois Armstrong & ON THE ROAD AGAIN, Willie Nelson. All for no apparent reason and then I expect It'll be something else next week.

I'm afraid I fall in the lazy camp. Just my bass, amp & cab. I dial in the tone I like and set the volume to suit the venue. That's it. Can't be bothered with faffing around with this, that and the other. And that is why I have a TC BH250, (tuner & comp' built in). I briefly owned a Zoom B3N and was impressed, good value for money. So although I am a "good bass into a good amp" chap, I encourage those inclined to try out whatever they fancy and enjoy the ride.

Happened to come across this today. Not bad for a 66 year old.

STRAPLOCKS ON THE SETTEE.

How strange, on my BH250 the aux in plays through the speaker as is usual. That would annoy me.

Starting to get itchy about trying an Elf. I could sell one of my TC BH250. I blame STEWBLACK.

Thank you for an easy transaction.

Sometimes I will then again I think I won't, Sometimes I do then again I think I don't.

All of my 6 instruments are 2nd hand and the most expensive was my Hofner HCT violin bass which was I think £232. The others were around the £150 mark. I have gigged with a £1000 borrowed Fender P special of my brothers but felt very nervous about knocking it or causing damage. So for me I feel comfortable with a cheaper instrument. My basses are still precious and I look after them but a very expensive instrument I find intimidating, I'm too worried about dings. I think I'm the same about cars.

I gigged for many years with a Peavey Max160 into a B115E in pubs & clubs. Well made, strong, good handles and castors. Warm deep sound. Weight 46lbs, fairly easy lift. Not made anymore.

I don't think I could cope with that. My compressor is the white knob.

All of mine feel and sound very different. Tokai SG 32" (flats make unknown 15-20 years old) - very smooth, deep sound, bridge PU brings in some treble and grit. Aria CSB380 32" (flats make unknown possibly been on since 1983) - rich in harmonics. Hofner HCT Violin 30" (flats Labella 760FHB2) - the most hi-fi sounding. 2 Squire Mustangs 30" (flats Labella 760F-MUS) - sort of P bass I would say. I think you can get all sorts of sounding SSs, just the same as long scales.

Laptop bags are very useful, especially for bits and bobs with all their compartments. But I highly recommend one of these: I do carry a lot of cables, spares + PA. I think they are the heaviest item I have to lug about. So, having gone lightweight on everything else I bought one of these. Then when I downsized my PA to an EMX2 I got another. Then another for the EV S-40 monitors.