paul, the

Perhaps we need to look at how these basses became so expensive. Looking at previous examples; Fender were the bees knees and their original early instruments are worth the money they are today because because of the required quality control of the early/setup stages of a business - to gain their rep'. This led to bassists using their equipment. Of course circumstances are very different today. You have more of a choice than, Fender or Gibson or upright. There's masses of competition at every level and probably the only way for one brand to leave the others trailing is big name endorsement. Now I see a lot of the cool soul/RnB bands getting time on Jools playing '62 RI Fender Jazzes. What if a few bassists started to pickup the Lakland US Joe Osbourn jazzes instead as they preferred the tone and were immune to brand superficiality. Soon as demand rises, Lakland gets bought out or they just get greedy and lose their ethos. They decide they want to make more money and move production abroad for economies of scale and cheaper labour costs. After years of trading, Lakland has become quite 'run of the mill' due to their availability, low price and association with less respected bassists. The Lakland brand becomes attenuated and loses its integrity. Now the factory that created the original US Joe Osborn no longer exists and Lakland no longer creates a bass to the same standard. Due to respect, lack of availability (damage, people not wanting to sell) and iconic endorsement, original US Lakland Joe Osborn basses increase in value on a gradient of about £1000 every decade. This is of course hypothetical. I'm aware that Lakland Skyline basses are made to a high standard (although heavy I'm told). And with new technologies, basses made in the far east are becoming increasingly better made. --- I think what will make a vintage bass of the future is a compromise between high standards of production, a price tag low enough to get noticed/be a gigging bassist's staple, innovation in design and use by a pro(s). Although word of mouth can be effective. If you mix that lot with scarcity of availability - then you're on to a winner. Warwick's sound like a perfect example of the preceding criteria. However, I can only imagine Warwick improving or staying at the same level of production competence. - But any LTD. Edition or out of production basses will certainly go up in value. Although I confess to know very little about Warwicks. Quality '70s and '80s Japanese instruments are good and have already been mentioned. The '70s Aria ProIIs were great value - Mastsumoku instruments are sought after. Marcus Miller and heavy metallers have used the Aria Pro II Sb1000 - they're already fetching just under £600 and can only go up. Although I'm not a fan of Japanese design from the evidence I've seen, which will certainly hinder them. I (personally) don't think Arias or Ibanezes have 'classic appeal' in terms of style. 'Though they have their charm. I can see Fender's upper range instruments gaining in popularity. Musicman basses also fit the criteria nicely. However, they're very consistent in what they produce and probably smart enough to know not to ruin a good thing. Perhaps non-stingrays will be phased out in order to manipulate the 80/20. Are early Musicman basses thought of as superior? If they are - they'll go up. Rickenbackers....well. Again, they're very consistent. Just to look out for how they deal with future competition as people catch on. My best advice is to look out for new basses with an interesting styling that might just catch on, break the mold and have 'lasting appeal.' Do you remember that catchy T-Mobile add featuring Bedouin Soundclash? Have you heard of Italia basses? maybe in 5 years you will. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zvBD3CsI0M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zvBD3CsI0M[/url] So look out for new bands or any bands that are playing something a little different. I think electric-acoustics are/will be hot due to their distinctive vintage tone and would suit today's music. If any cheap bass is going to blow your mind it'll be a Korean violin bass copy. Innovations in pickup design are important too. Was there a Musicman style pickup before Musicman? - Any new pickup designs or up and coming pickup makers that have had their pickups fitted as standard will make the bass very sought after. Think Lindy Fralin's in Laklands: [quote name='chris_b' post='7104' date='May 26 2007, 12:49 PM']Several years ago Bass Player magazine compared the pickups on a highly rated early 60's Jazz Bass which had spent it's whole life in a Nashville studio, pumping out hits, with Lindy Fralin JJ vintage replacemants. The Fralins won! If I was going vintage I would start by checking these out.[/quote] Thanks chris b! --- But more than anything, if you get a bass and it's; reliable, it sounds, plays and feels as good as an expensive/well known instrument - hang on to it for dear life.

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='10340' date='Jun 1 2007, 01:14 AM']Thought I'd post pics of this to see what you think. I've always thought the colour was unusual and it's recently occured to me it might actually be rare and valuable. Anyone know what this finish is called ? It's a slightly opaque red, that gets slightly more opaque towards the edges of the body. Unfortunately this isn't seeing a lot of action at the moment. I'm thinking I might find an alternate neck, unlined fretless, so it'll be more likely be played.[/quote] It's lookin' scrummy. A real rocker. You're right, get a fretless neck on it.

[quote name='setekh' post='10343' date='Jun 1 2007, 01:26 AM']now I'm confused...there are actually 3 Bill Lawrences? hope you got the real thing mate...its gotta be annoying to think you're getting something good and it ends up being a knock-off [/quote] Don't worry the man. -- THE pickups you're receiving will be perfect. They will be lovely and snuggly and they will wholeheartedly satisfy your bassy muse.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='10071' date='May 31 2007, 06:29 PM']Bootsy slaps I'm afraid.[/quote] Heh, I must have repressed that. I know him for his fingerstyle funk. - He's one of the best in my opinion as well. "Bootsy is one of the kings of funk. His approach is minimal, not flashy, but he knows how to add just the right emphasis to make people move." -Wheat on Bootsy's playing with James Brown on the JB CD.

[quote name='ali-stare' post='10073' date='May 31 2007, 06:30 PM']looks dont matter as the bridge pup is covered by the ashtray[/quote] What bass is this?

[quote name='chris_b' post='7104' date='May 26 2007, 12:49 PM']Several years ago Bass Player magazine compared the pickups on a highly rated early 60's Jazz Bass which had spent it's whole life in a Nashville studio, pumping out hits, with Lindy Fralin JJ vintage replacemants. The Fralins won! If I was going vintage I would start by checking these out.[/quote] Lindy Fralin do p/j set if you're after a vintage tone. By no means cheap though. I don't know how much pickups generally cost but these would cost about £160 to bring over to the UK - but that's a guess. --- Question: ARE p/j pickups special in anyway? Or can you throw any p-set with any jazz bridge pickup? Cheers, Paul.

[quote name='Hamster' post='9926' date='May 31 2007, 03:06 PM']FC - added into new Australian Luthiers section!! - Thanks Paul - I presume you're looking at using Ben Crowe at Crimson Guitars, It's only up the road from you so pop in and see if he can do voodoo on the banana bass. Hamster[/quote] You sir, are a one in a million.

Cheers Hamster! I had no idea I had a luthier near me. Do you think they'd do a setup. My friend's bass has gone seriously concave and his action is ridiculously high. Do you think they'd sort it all out and re-string? This is like...epihpany. Thanks again, Paul.

[quote name='Brandonh' post='9685' date='May 31 2007, 03:32 AM']Well I looked up Duck and im pretty happy hearing him I will check out some others tommorow.[/quote] What kind of music do you like to listen to, or would like to further explore? I can assure you that our recommendations are top-notch but if you're not interested in the style, you won't be motivated to play. I'm still uncertain about what you're looking for and I'd like to help. The best medicine would probably be to get hold of a lot of different music, try and play along and see what rhythms come (and don't come) naturally to you. I think the best (well known) fingerstyle players have been mentioned that you can get material on - James Jamerson being my personal favourite.

[quote name='OldGit' post='9364' date='May 30 2007, 05:57 PM']Just read the Interparcel website and t&c's very thoroughly and spoke to a human and they all confirmed they do ship and insure basses ... [url="http://www.interparcel.com"]http://www.interparcel.com[/url] We will see ....[/quote] They don't insure beyond £1000 - which is understandable, but annoying.

[quote name='spike' post='9443' date='May 30 2007, 08:31 PM']This does it for me! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_BnJM_apS8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_BnJM_apS8[/url][/quote] ooo she fine

CK's list is great. Plenty of material there to keep anyone interested. As far as new, up and coming group bassists with a solid, creative, interesting finegrstyle technique... I'm at a loss. Perhaps Nizlopi, Bedouin Soundclash (would love to hear others). I think it's more to do with fashion than talent. You might be better off looking towards hip-hop, modern soul and RnB for some creative, grooving basslines. To add to CK's list: Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, Duck Dunn, Tommy Cogbill, David Hood, Willie Weeks, Ronnie Baker, George Porter Jr., and Bootsy Collins. As well as the bassists I mentioned on your blues & rock thread.

This was the thread I was after from BT. Ta very much.

Isn't it like a tinted window?

I recently realised I knew nothing about my bass, so I thought I would do some research. I think my bass would be a contender if anyone knew they existed. --- It's a 1997 Californian Series Precision special. The model was only made for two years between 1996 and 1998 and features passive vintage p/j pickups and a jazz neck. So it has a vintage (RI) tone, with a little extra versatility and ease of playability. And it receives healthy reviews on harmony-central [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Fender/California+Precision+Bass+Special/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...ss+Special/10/1[/url] This one isn't mine, but I hope to spray it this colour or dark brown. Would putting covers on detract from its value? Does anyone know where you can get those spots/inserts shown on the first picture to cover the drill holes for the bridge cover? Cheers, Paul.

[quote name='NickThomas' post='7483' date='May 27 2007, 08:38 AM']Leo's final and arguably best creation .. G&L basses [/quote] Completely overlooked G&L - I can't say I'm a big fan of their appearance, but they sound great.

Bump -I too would think about taking a plunge into valvedom.

It seems very well thought out. I expect they'll make a lot of money out of it. Is there one for guitar?

[quote name='Brandonh' post='7470' date='May 27 2007, 04:17 AM']No lol I mean the band im in we play stuff like that. I like jazz, If thats what you mean? I like jaco jamerson graham bands like miles davis john coltrane weather report.[/quote] Oh right, then you're in good company. Just don't let your band on to the fact that you have superior music taste

Ah! the Laklands do! As previously mentioned by bass ferret, which I foolishly overlooked. They're Fender rips so they're not ideal for the thread. But they're modern, with a vintage tone. I may open a new thread for this after some more research, but does anyone know: The weight and used prices for; Joe Osborn Skylines and Bob Glaub US ?? Cheers, Paul.

I knew that wouldn't go down well, I've tried it before. [quote name='chris_b' post='7104' date='May 26 2007, 12:49 PM']Several years ago Bass Player magazine compared the pickups on a highly rated early 60's Jazz Bass which had spent it's whole life in a Nashville studio, pumping out hits, with Lindy Fralin JJ vintage replacemants. The Fralins won! If I was going vintage I would start by checking these out.[/quote] Wow, now that's interesting, were they aiming for a vintage tone? do you know if any basses stock them as standard? I'll look into those.

Wow, some really great and informative posts. I wasn't on planning on changing any of my equipment, I just wanted to throw around some ideas for myself and others to learn from. But this thread has been quite successful so I might consider a mix around. To be very upfront and non-conservative; I've been very lucky with some of my previous purchases and I have made about £550 net profit from two previous bassy purchases. I think all my gear is worth around £1400, probably a bit less. But I have no reference as to how much my '70s Kustom Charger would fetch, or if I'd be willing to part with it - I've never seen another in England and the speaker's slightly buggered. I did see a 50th anniversary '60s RI jazz in vintage white and tortoiseshell that I slightly regret not buying on Ebay. But if I'm serious about having a mix around for tonal benefit then it would; A, have to sound brilliant and B, have some investment potential (obviously hard to judge, please don't slay me on this) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=770&hl="]Vintage basses of tomorrow thread[/url] I'm also not gigging, so that could be taken advantage of - I'd love an irresistible, dream tone to entice me to practice hard. Cheers guys, paul.

[quote name='Brandonh' post='6980' date='May 26 2007, 04:08 AM']U.s.a[/quote] I wish our NA was as catchy. Relax and listen to some Zeppelin.

Wow, some fantastic stuff on there. Time well spent looking through those, thanks a bunch.

[quote name='Brandonh' post='6977' date='May 26 2007, 03:39 AM']I mean any rock or blues thanks. Im not even from the Uk you guys are just all good people.[/quote] Oh right, sorry. Just my prejudices showing. Should have known by the time Where are you from, if you don't me asking? --- If you like Geddy Lee (Rush?) and Steve Harris, then you'll probably prefer straight rock/classic Heavy-metal to blues-rock. Although I hope you change and evolve Stuff like: AC/DC Black Sabbath (great riffs!) - Geezer Butler Deep Purple Judas Priest Motorhead Queen Thin Lizzy Although this isn't really my comfort zone. VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VH1%27s_100_Greatest_Artists_of_Hard_Rock"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VH1%27s_100_G...ts_of_Hard_Rock[/url]