Bigwan

I've watched the first 2 parts but not the 3rd yet. The first 2 were enough to push me over the edge to sign up for the SBL Academy yesterday - my wimpy internet connection was a bit of a concern but so far it's holding up just fine!

[quote name='Shonks' timestamp='1440067948' post='2847978'] Owned this and the Boss too...massive performance difference - again, get the Boss I think the the 'made in the same factory' myth was probably stared by the same company...lol The only good thing to say about these knockoffs is the the chassis are solid and as good as the Boss, after that the similarities end. It's a shame, but a fact. [/quote] I love it when folks quote opinion as fact!

[quote name='Shonks' timestamp='1440067827' post='2847977'] i've owned both too and can categorically say they don't perform exactly the the same. Do yourself a favour, get the Boss! [/quote] We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. The HB worked as well for me as the boss had previously and at a quarter of the price, but YMMV.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1439900402' post='2846589'] A new Harley Benton "decoration only" 75 J arrived yesterday from everyones favourite German musical instrument monolith... Plays great, sounds great with the Wilkinson pups and looks great... all £32 of it [/quote] That's just mad... And it's your fault I've just bought a Deko Kahuna uBass clone... Hard not to when you're getting it for £39 delivered. The Aguila strings alone are £25-worth!

We've had quite a lot of similar gear over the years Dave - I used to own your old Lakland 55-01 too! I've been around here long enough to recognise that there are certain people with similar tastes to mine, and if they like something, there's a fair chance I'll like it too (WoT, discrete, Walbassist, you!). Being based, pardon the pun, in Northern Ireland means there's no chance (and I mean zero, nada, zilch) of trying out the majority of new gear people post on here without travelling to do it, and that's not always possible. Basing (again with the puns) buying decisions on other people's taste might seem risky, but it's worked out pretty well for me so far! Unfortunately I haven't had much time with my V7 yet - been a mad few weeks round here - but so far I'm pretty impressed. I want to get rid of the blend control and convert it to 2 volumes but I'll get round to that somewhere along the way. Part of me wishes I'd ordered the 4 string V7, but that's a constant argument I have with myself...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1439896278' post='2846516'] [i] WOT [/i] - fuelling GAS since time immemorial. [/quote] Fixed that for you there!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1439754728' post='2845531'] They sound like a right bunch of a**holes to be honest... I'd not be putting up with that, plenty of other covers bands out there [/quote] This, or [quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1439755124' post='2845539'] Call his bluff, tell him your taking a break next month but your happy to lend him a Bass. [/quote] plus unavailability of said 4x4 and trailer. Let the gits hump their own gear...

Apparently my weighing arm is off - 10lb 1oz on the scales... doesn't feel that heavy! Balance is excellent though, and the preamp does sound good - always wary of "standard" preamps, especially at this price! Photos to follow!

[quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1439767226' post='2845662'] I, for one, greatly appreciate your reviews/opinions (and many other's) - including on these and the Maruszczyk's). [/quote] Make that 2! Between WoT, discreet and Walbassist I'm all GASed out...

I have a 33" scale 5 string ACG - not quite 32", but certainly closer than the 35" scales I'd be more used to. The B string is a thicker gauge than my usual 35" scale, but sounds better than most of the 34" scale Bs and on par with the 35" scalers I've used so I think it's more to do with the construction of the bass than anything. It's one of the bettter B strings I've played after my 37" B Dingwall! Don't know if that's any use to you or not!

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1439393617' post='2842447'] Superb How about Thomann? Do they send via the chunnel or air? Waiting on my bass coming home after repair, they sent it on Thursday of last week. [/quote] Regarding Thomann, my Sire was ordered last Thursday, shipped Monday, arrived yesterday.

[quote name='Black Coffee' timestamp='1439413375' post='2842736'] Mmm. I've been toying with the idea of one of these on sale here on BC What's it like now you've had a couple of hours ? [/quote] Only really got an hour unplugged with it while Bakeoff was on last night! Very impressed so far! It's lighter than I expected - was prepared for a boat anchor going by some reviews, but it's closer to 9lbs than 10. It is a little neck heavy though so we'll have to see how it sits on a strap. Talking about the neck it feels quite 'vintage' (not the brand) with the tight fingerboard radius - very strange going from your old ACG with no radius at all to this! The blocks and binding are really nicely done. I'm not 100% on the gloss finish on the back of the neck, but that's easily sorted if needs be. The body seems to be 2 pieces of alder which aren't particularly well matched, but I didn't expect them to be for this money anyway! I've seen much bigger money instruments with the same problem. You're welcome to call round for a spin on it Michael! [quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1439414082' post='2842746'] Congratulations! I hope you enjoy it. Did one of your other basses sell then or did GAS take over? (I have a few of mine on gumtree now too, hoping for a local sale to save the trouble of packing and shipping.) Frank. [/quote] Ordering this is what forced me to start a clearout Frank - I'm into double figures! There'll be a few more going up for sale once they've been fettled with a little. The P-bass sold and the ATK has had LOTS of interest. Not much for the ACG though so I might put it up on here. As with you, Gumtree saves the shipping woes! Saw your G&L Tribute on Gumtree too. [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1439421494' post='2842832'] Pics please!! [/quote] All in good time! I'll hopefully get a chance to tweak the action a bit,try it through my PJB Headphone setup, weigh it and get a few pics tonight.

New toy arrived! Have literally just had seconds with it acoustically, but I have to say that from that I'm pretty impressed! Doesn't feel like a boat anchor either - I'd guess it's under 9.5lbs.

I've never played a Combustion, but look at it this way - Sheldon Dingwall refused to release the first shipment of Combustion NG-2s because the quality wasn't up to his standard. This was probably THE most anticipated basses of the last few years and they didn't go out until he was happy. The Canadian safety net would take any doubt out of it for me. I've owned a Canadian Dingwall and wouldn't hesitate to own anything Sheldon puts his name on - been GASing for a black NG-2 myself the past while. I've never played a B string as good as the one on my Dingwall and the Combustions I've heard online seem to be up there.

Owned both Korean and Indonesian Skylines (3 Korean and 2 Indonesian now I think about it!) and couldn't see any difference in the quality from one country of production to the other. My old ltd ed JO4 was my fav by quite some way (traded for an Indonesian 55-02dlx which was also nice). Lakland 5 strings have the best neck shape I've ever tried. I've been GASing for a Korean Skyline Hollowbody for a while after playing one of the older Bartolini equipped ones.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1438859121' post='2838064'] I think i posted some pics of the internals, along with Mark earlier in this thread, although it might have been another thread. [/quote] Can't see your pic Dave (could be 'cos I'm using my work pc... Shhhhh!), but discrete's pic is visible and confirms it should be possible.

Has anyone carried out any mods yet? I'll be changing the volume/blend/tone for volume/volume/tone if I can! Hopefully just use the current tone control on the stacked pot as the second volume and replace the blend pot (probably a stereo pot with a detent at centre position) with a suitable tone pot. It'll depend on how the whole thing preamp is built though - haven't seen any pics of the preamp as yet. EDIT: a quick Google search reveals that my v/v/t plan will work! Pics of the rear of the control plate are up on a for sale site somewhere!

Folded. Just ordered the tobacco burst alder 5 from Thomann. I blame Paul Turner for this! Had sworn off jazz basses until I saw his masterclass in Dublin on Saturday... It'll hardly compare to his AC, but the YouTube videos sound excellent!

ABMs are brilliant amps. So much so I think my walkabout might also fall victim to my serial amp killer abm combo! There's been orange, thunderfunk, aguilar, mesa and a couple of others through my hands in the time I've owned the ABM and it's usurped them all...

Maybe if you could get hold of an ACG EQ02 you could install it (or have somebody else install it) in a pedal enclosure? The EQ01 wouldn't be ideal as it has 2 bass stacks, one per pickup, so with a single jack input one would be unused. The EQ02 has global bass and treble filter stacks and was available in single pickup versions - all you'd need is to attach a jack to the preamp's pickup input and you'd be good to go.

[quote name='bassbora' timestamp='1438331368' post='2833554'] Thanks guys. I think I might look for a small cab but use the Streamliner. No point getting more gear when both I don't want to and don't need to. I am one for keeping it simple. [/quote] Now there's a contradiction in terms!!! But we know what you mean!