Linus27

[quote name='Bass Culture' post='536289' date='Jul 9 2009, 11:05 AM']Hi All, Can anyone out there advise as to the value of a 1981 Ibanez Musician that is being offered for sale by a friend of a friend? Being in my mid-forties I'm quite familiar with these basses and, in their day, they were probably seen as on a par with the better Arias - SB 1000's for example. I seem to recall Sting using one for a while too, so they were good quality and popular. Anyway, one's potentially come my way and I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who's more familiar with their value than I as to whether the asking price is reasonable. Here's the seller's description: [b]The Ibanez is full scale, 24 frets, abalone inlays, ebony fingerboard, neck thru construction, active 3 band eq, the works for a live or studio bass guitar. The neck has been repaired and inspected by KGB, it plays great, no issues, lots of marks but then again, it is 1981 and a solid bass guitar.[/b] If I knew how to post a link to the jpeg attachements in the e-mail I've got I could post pictures too. The damage to the neck looks as though it could have been quite bad - possibly as break all the way through just below the nut. That said, if it's been properly repaired (and I guess that's what you'd need to take a chance on) it could end up stronger than it was before the break. Someone's also added a thumb rest just above the neck pickup - I don't recall them having one originally but I could be wrong. Anyway, the seller's after £275. Is this this too much, reasonable or a steal? Thanks, Mark[/quote] I wonder if its my old one. My one had some bad damage just below the nut. The bass fell over on stage and down a pit. It was in its gig bag but the damage was still done. The crack went all the way through and run down the neck, I think starting from one side moving into the centre. I had it properly repaired by Nova Guitar Centre in Guildford and it was fine ever since. I also think mine had a thumb rest as you suggest. I can't for the life of me remember where or who I sold it to but it would had been around 1996 - 1998 ish. I would love to see some pictures of it, especially where the repair has been done so i can confirm if its my old bass.

Lovely Tone he gets out of that bass.

[quote name='Clarky' post='536449' date='Jul 9 2009, 01:51 PM']Its definitely a raised stage as I recall being distracted mid-song several times, looking over people's heads at the TV screens showing the footie![/quote] HAHAHA I've done that at a gig but I think it was something less interesting like Coronation Street or Friends How about 93 Feet East? Anyone played there??

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='536442' date='Jul 9 2009, 01:45 PM']We took our own backline Michael as think their gear they supply is pretty ropey. The stage was smallish and I ended up with the drummer's hi hat just in front of my nose (joys). Still, the crowd were good and it was our first gig in that part of London for ages.[/quote] Cool, thanks Nick.

[quote name='Clarky' post='536437' date='Jul 9 2009, 01:42 PM']We played there last year on a weekday evening - bit quiet TBH (we were competing with Euro 2008). Small stage (basically the corner of the pub) which isn't a problem for us as we are a trio. We used the supplied backline which wasn't the best (Ashdown bass combo IIRC) so I would bring your own. Overall was a pretty good night but there are plenty of nearby venues I prefer (eg, Bull & Gate, Purple Turtle).[/quote] Thanks Clarky. Is there actually a small stage or just on the floor in the corner. There are five of us also.

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='536427' date='Jul 9 2009, 01:29 PM']Played there last December Michael. Very good (Irish) venue and we were well received. We were asked to play there again next month but unfortunately our singer is getting married (selfish). It's a really good venue for originals bands as well too apparently. Toilets are a bit rubbish though and someone spilt a pnt all over my shoes.[/quote] Thanks Nick. How big is the venue/stage and do they have their own back line or take your own?

Has anyone played at Tommy Flynns in Camden? Is it any good and worth playing at?

[quote name='guyl' post='535646' date='Jul 8 2009, 01:13 PM']Sounds like she wants you to have a new bass![/quote] No, don't say that, I have two kids as it is. I don't want any more

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='535596' date='Jul 8 2009, 12:26 PM']Is she active or passive? S.P.[/quote] Judging by last night, very active

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='535585' date='Jul 8 2009, 12:19 PM']Would you be interested in trades? S.P.[/quote] HAHAHA sure, what basses you got I'll throw my wife in also if you got something nice

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='535561' date='Jul 8 2009, 11:53 AM']IF you get the 212 by the weekend, bring it over Michael. My wife is away this weekend and the neighbours are pretty deaf [/quote] I don't think I will. Bass Merchant don't have them in stock and it will take about a week for delivery gggrrrrrrr Thanks for the offer and when I do get it, I can bring around another time. Just don't bring that Fender Jazz out. My wife will kill me if I start talking about it. We have a deal at the moment. A new baby for every new bass

[quote name='obbm' post='535534' date='Jul 8 2009, 11:20 AM']ideally you should terminate the amp input with a short circuit and then see what noise/hum is generated by the amp itself. If it's different when you plug different basses in then the extra is coming from the basses/cables. The amp is just making that noise louder. A pick-up coil is a very efficient aerial and will attract all sorts of interference. Check your doemstic environment for noise sources such as motors, lighting dimmers, fluorescent tubes, etc. try taking it to the bottom of the garden ad see what happens. [/quote] Not sure my back could cope lugging the amp and speaker to the end of the garden. After all the rain we have had, I have a feeling that the speaker may also sink into the garden due to its weight :) So far I tried turning all the lights etc off and no difference. The one thing I need to try is plugging into a different mains socket. Thanks again for the help.

[quote name='obbm' post='535522' date='Jul 8 2009, 11:06 AM']An unterminated instrument lead, i.e. no bass, acts like an aerial and will just pick-up noise and amplify it. That is not a realistic test. Either put a bass on the end or short circuit the connector.[/quote] Thanks Dave. I will give it a test tonight. I think my thinking behind it was that it was noisy with the different basses plugged in so to eliminate something, I would try it without the basses plugged in and it was no different. However, I will double check tonight again.

I have an Ashdown ABM EVO III Rack Mounted head that seems to have a hum but only when I turn on the EQ. It also only does it when the guitar lead is plugged in despite no bass plugged in on the other end. If no lead is plugged in, then the amp is silent. I have tried about 5 different leads and they all do the same, including brand new ones from OBHM. It also hisses quite loud when I turn the treble up. The Input dial also makes a whooshing noise when I turn it from zero to half way. I did speak to the guy at Ashdown but he said the hissing is normal and was not really interested in the humming noise. Pretty dissapointed especially as its only 6 weeks old. Before I take a trip over to Ashdown, just wondering if anyone else has this head and finds it noisy. I want to sell it as I have just got a Shuttle 6 but don't want to pass it onto someone if its faulty.

Just to say that I like Old Horse Murphy's Shuttle 6.0 so much, I bought it from him :) No problem with lack of bottom end either. A killer amp head. I can't wait to get it at the weekend and hopefully get the Genz Benz NEO 212T by the weekend also.

[quote name='51m0n' post='534942' date='Jul 7 2009, 05:35 PM']Epifani have rep for having a deep pillowy bass sound and not much in the way of agression (esp comparing like for like 410s) I think this may tick a lot of the boxes you have, except the final tone. Just a thought.... Not knocking Epifani one bit btw, just not sure they are right for you, I think you should definitely try before you buy if at all possible![/quote] How do the Genz Benz NEO cabs compare to the Epi cabs? Currently testing an Epi 310 and its a very nice tight punchy sound with the Shuttle 6. Not sure to get the Epi cab or the Genz Benz Neo 212 cab.

[quote name='silddx' post='534838' date='Jul 7 2009, 04:04 PM']Many, many times .. I sing lines in my head and try to play them, naturally I disappear up my own arse half the time But I find it really beneficial to write this way. Having a bass in my hands is so restrictive. I have to write a bunch of bass lines for this new band and I am going to work out the lines without a bass first, so they should be reflective of me as a musician, not just a bass player. If I can't play them at first, I'll learn how to.[/quote] I pretty much do the same. I find singing the bass line in your head does not give you the restriction that working one out on the bass does. Its easy to fall into the trap of following the same patterns or routes when writing on a bass. Singing it in your head is a lot more free flowing. It just means it might be a bit harder to transpose when you do try it on the bass but its worth it in the end.