paul, the

Do you mean British blues-rock? Or separately? blues-rock [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues-rock"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues-rock[/url] I recommend: * Cream/Eric Clapton * Fleetwood Mac (early - Peter Green) * Scott Henderson * Jimi Hendrix * Jethro Tull * Led Zeppelin * John Mayall * Ten Years After * The Rolling Stones * Carlos Santana * Stevie Ray Vaughan * Johnny Winter * The Animals Loads of great American stuff as well which isn't springing to mind. *Canned Heat. Watch the Woodstock DVD. Everyone should passionately love a least a few of those bands at some stage in their life, unless they go straight into jazz. Electric Bassists: Duck Dunn, John Paul Jones, Jack Bruce, Chas Chandler, Noel Redding .. and many more.. and upright players. paul.

[quote name='NAS' post='6734' date='May 25 2007, 07:11 PM']I'm not a great expert on vintage tones having never owned an original period Fender with all original parts (had a P Bass circa '68 with non Fender replacement neck), but I think the Status vintage range, of which I have this exemplar: make some good quasi vintage tones. Lots of pickup combinations available. These ones are passive humbucking so probably a bit "tame" by vintage standards, but the tone is more lively and less middy than lots of modern basses. Nick S[/quote] Very nice! I have a p/j bass, it makes me happier by the day. I know nothing of Status, did it cost a small fortune? paul.

[quote name='paul, the' post='6790' date='May 25 2007, 08:26 PM']According to these definitions... 9. representing the high quality of a past time: vintage cars; vintage movies. 11. being the best of its kind: They praised the play as vintage O'Neill. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. --- What of today's mass produced basses (if any) would be considered the vintage basses of the future? --- paul.[/quote] I'm serious about this, anyone on BC think they're pretty shrewed?

Elite Groundwound Bass? They may well be my next purchase. Thanks for that!

[quote name='Timface' post='6854' date='May 25 2007, 10:12 PM']intresting.... Does this explain party why really old basses are worth loads of cash? apart from them being orinigals or "special" coz that kinda different[/quote] Demand is positively correlated with scarcity of resources. Pre-CBS fenders are renowned for their superior production and quality of build (and thus, sounding better). Over time, with people hanging on to these basses and not parting with them for limbs as well as breakages and parts having to be replaced - an all original vintage Fender is becoming more and more of a rarity and thus, going up and up in market value. Post-CBS basses made in the seventies also have a certain kind of individualism and are owed a lot by their era and emotionally charged place in prolific '70s music history. These, too, are a good £1500 investment if you like the tone and can't afford the six grand price tag on a '60s instrument. So why don't Fender still make to quality instruments(?) I hear you ask - Well I'm not sure. I am, however, sure it's not simply just down to bad principles. The simplest fact is that Fender have a longer established reputation than anyone for electric instruments. They are renowned for being studio ready and highly endorsed. This amalgamation of product history and endorsement equals the Fender brand. Having the esteemed Fender brand name on their instruments means that they have the kind of market elasticity available to them that they can sell basses made all over the world with satisfactory qualit control and still have a consistent high demand. I personally think that this is good short-term business sense and it would not be economical for fender to increase quality control. However, in the long-term, Fender will lose respect and brand loyalty unless they come up with some decent extension strategies or quickly change their ethos. One thing, that is quite specialised to music, is the fact that they can stick on a Hendrix, Floyd, Jamerson track and say "That was played on a Fender." You can't really take that away from them. Still, there's nothing like holding an American made Fender. You instantly become a part of music history... you feel it in your bones.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but my perfect strings would have the feel and flexibility of rounds with the warmth and soft tone of flats. ...I need more basses.

[quote name='Timface' post='6786' date='May 25 2007, 08:18 PM']IS this true, as basses age do they sound/play better? or is it down to preference I've only had my ric for a year and the first 2 months I wasnt sure at all... but now It plays amazingly, But I recon that down to settling to it Timface[/quote] It's all about the mystical deities that worked in the Fender factory in the '50s, 60s and '70s. (another vintage thread here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=748&hl=)"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=748&hl=)[/url] You've probably become accustomed to its unique tone. You've probably worn in the strings a little to your preference. You've probably set the tone knobs just right. You've probably got used to the fact that the bass is yours. You own it, you!.. Give it a hug.

According to those definitions, most of the pre-'80s instruments on Ebay are described wrong. -- An interesting thread: according to these definitions 9. representing the high quality of a past time: vintage cars; vintage movies. 11. being the best of its kind: They praised the play as vintage O'Neill. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. What of today's mass produced basses (if any) would be considered the vintage basses of the future? --- paul.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='6785' date='May 25 2007, 08:14 PM']Well that's what I has asking. How old does an instrument have to be to be considered vintage? Back when I bought my first bass in 1980 any pre-CBS Fender bass would have been considered vintage. That would have included instruments under 20 years old. See what I mean?[/quote] I would have thought it would be subjective for an emotionally charged period of items. Here's what Dictionary.com has to say about it (outside of wine making): vin·tage /ˈvɪntɪdʒ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[vin-tij] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, adjective, verb, -taged, -tag·ing. 9. representing the high quality of a past time: vintage cars; vintage movies. 11. being the best of its kind: They praised the play as vintage O'Neill. adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. 4. 1. Of the best: played songs that were vintage Cole Porter. 2. Of the most distinctive: "Fatalism has coexisted with vintage American overconfidence" (Thomas Oliphant).

[quote name='mhuk' post='6771' date='May 25 2007, 07:51 PM']Hell's teeth! Is that considered vintage? Surely not?[/quote] No, I don't personally consider that vintage - but it had the visual and feel of a vintage bass. In my opinion 1980-present day is non-vintage. But I don't know if vintage refers to a specific period in time or anything about 30 years old or more.

I've been thinking about vintage instruments recently. I used to own a 20 year old bass and I loved the fact that I could see the end of the truss-rod and that I couldn't see my reflection in the machine heads. Now I have a 1997 Precision special. And although it's nicer to play and probably sounds better, it doesn't have the things above that I liked about the old bass. Sadly, I can't really afford vintage basses [u]and[/u] a giggable amp that will do them justice. But I certainly miss their character, personality and charm collated from brand and the bass as an individual. To be honest, I think I passionately dislike modern basses. But hopefully I'll make some money when I'm older and join you as a collector, and a player.

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='6645' date='May 25 2007, 04:48 PM']Hi Guys, I had the first rehearsal with my new funk band last night - minus one guitarist. I decided to get together with a guy I work with and two friends, and although I knew Lee (drummer) was awesome, I had no idea how good my work friend would be. My mate Kris is mad on funk and soul music, and he is a professionally trained vocalist, so he was a natural choice. So, we met up with a lineup of Drums, Bass, Keyboards and vocals - and despite missing a guitarist, we seemed to "gel" really well together. We played Jamiroquai's "Runaway" and "Too Young to Die", Tower Of Power's "Soul With a Capital S" and "Diggin on James Brown", and the classic "Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. I havent had so much fun in my life! It was tight and groovey, and everyone was left excited and eager to get together again and continue - I think I am onto something with these guys! I cant wait for the next one - we have got the next 3 weeks booked up for rehearsals and we are going to learn about 10-15 songs for covers, and then work on writing our own songs. We even had a little play around with some ideas I have been working on for ages, and I think we have at least 2-3 ideas for originals - I will keep you all informed but I wanted to share the joy![/quote] Sounds fantastic. I'm proper FO jealous. Get a cheap recording on BC quick!

[quote name='steve-norris' post='6336' date='May 25 2007, 10:53 AM']Well they are based on a vintage design ( Hagstrom bi-sonics as used on the Guild starfire and M85) but they sound far from retro, have a listen here [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papi84CXQ5U"]jefferson airplane[/url] also they may look like humbuckers but are in fact single coils with large magnets, the 'other poles' are in fact pole piece adjusters (wait untill the 2 min mark for the solo) [url="http://www.basspickup.com"]Darkstar pickups website[/url][/quote] I think I see what you mean. That sounded like a modern bass with effects with a bit of vintage woody semi-acousticness thrown in, despite being 1970 - must have been very interesting at the time. --- So what's the difference between vintage pickups like on Fender RI and modern one. I can see this going into why pickups sound different from each other - which I would like to know. --- I'd still like to hear other vintage ideas, if there are any. paul.

This sort of thing does my nut in! The first emotion that overcame me wasn't sympathy, but pure, unmitigated anger. Your heart must have sank when you heard about this. I recently sent a bass with PF, insured for £1500. Aside from the fact it cost about £45 to send, you're saying hat if it was damaged I would only have received £150? What if an item is lost/stolen in transit? Why can't guitars be fully insured? --- Who can we use to fully insure expensive guitars? --- I hope you get this sorted out and compensated OG. To be honest, I just want to start cracking skulls. £150 my arse.

[quote name='Bushmaster' post='6576' date='May 25 2007, 03:29 PM']Actually, I very much like that sort of toying around with ideas. You can always still give things a second thought. But if you just put up with things as they allegedly are, and always have been that way, blah..., you're helplessly stuck with it. I can't post sound samples but if I may just mention a few recommendable alternatives not yet discussed so far:[list] [*]Dean Markley Ground Round Wound™ Bass (2626 MED .049 - .062 - .084 - .108) [overall powerful sound, mild highs, yet good pick click] [*]Ken Smith Slick Round Medium (.044 - .062 - .084 - .106) [smooth bass, live mids, semi-bright, cuts through played pizz or with a pick] [*]Rickenbacker 95577 Round Ground (.048 - .062 - .077 - .098) [just as expected: a mellower version of their classy pure nickel rounds] [/list]Maybe bass_ferret would be the one to comment on the sound and feel etc. of Status halfrounds -? <expectantly>[/quote] Cheers, brilliant!

[quote name='steve-norris' post='6095' date='May 24 2007, 10:24 PM']The surfcasters did indeed have two lipsticks but they were only produced until around 89-90, not sure if that counts as modern. Tonally they do have a retro sound, warm and friendly. Mine ( my second) now has a Darkstar in the bridge + a HAS sound varitone. Which brings me neatly onto the Lakland Decade, it's got a retro body shape and a pair of darkstars so ticks all the retro boxes, unless you have played a bass with darkstars. They can do the retro tone with the right EQ but a lot more, they have massive output both in terms of volume and tonal range and are very far from being a one trick pony. Check out the darkstar forum over on the dudepit for more including sound clips. I think the reason they are perceived as a vintage pickup is due to looks, I believe Fred is working on a version with more modern looking plastic surrounds which may bring them to a wider audience. Kent Armstrongs lipsticks are a more of a tribute to vintage lipsticks pickups, they have higher output and are much punchier, they do have that 'smoothness' but are more similar to a standard jazz pickup. I had a pair in my Jaguar and it could ( unlike me) sound good slapped. If you really want a modern bass with vintage tone it's got to be a passive p or j fender really.[/quote] Sure 89-90 is modern, anything post '79 I guess I class as modern. I perceive darkstars as vintage because they were described as bing so on the Lakland site. I'm sure Jefferson Airplane were mentioned. I imagine them looking and sounding great with nylon strings and being a modern humbucker - have I been deceived? [quote name='steve-norris' post='6095' date='May 24 2007, 10:24 PM']If you really want a modern bass with vintage tone it's got to be a passive p or j fender really.[/quote] I'm not looking for a bass, I'm just curious and would be astonished if that is true. I'll try and find those sound clips and give them a listen.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='5198' date='May 23 2007, 04:08 PM']I don't know anything about 'parcelnow' but the payment made to senditnow is the Royal Mail on my bank statement and the guy who collects around our way categorically state they are one and the same not a reseller. Either way I've had good service from them and they are cheaper than most others considering they collect from the door and will handle cab sized parcels up to 30kg.[/quote] Do they insure over a grand?

A Tobias Toby Pro 6 sold on Ebay BIN for under £140. I would have bought it had I seen it in time.

Beedster, for someone who professes such disdain for collecting instruments, why do you hold such an intimate eye to vintage basses? Or are you just a guardian angel to prospective Fender buyers? If so, good on ya!

It looks ok to me. I don't think it's expensive, it's a stunner. I sold my '80s P for over a grand. Looks are worth a lot of money with these basses, I bet this will go at least £300 above its lesser looking contemporaries. Pictures could have been better though! - they seem a bit selective to me, can anyone make out the 'fender' on the machine heads?

[quote name='simon73' post='6194' date='May 25 2007, 12:34 AM']Oh yeah. Now I see. Its me after night shifts. Its like having jetlag. My brain feels scrambled.[/quote] It's so depressing, I'm an armchair Kayaker, I've had a saved Ebay search for two years. Let some beauts go for 50 quid.

[quote name='paul, the' post='6048' date='May 24 2007, 09:15 PM']Couldn't you just turn the string around?[/quote] I think that's just about the silliest thing I've ever written. Why do I feel somewhat proud?

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='6069' date='May 24 2007, 09:42 PM']Well I guess it depends on how exactly you define feel. They do vary but the ones I currently use are very smooth, nearly flat smooth. But they dont have the stiffness of flats. This is what Status say about the ones I use: "This design of string is ideal for use on a fretless bass where you want to retain the clarity of the note but reduce the possibility of marking the fretboard. It starts life as a round-wound string then has the outer wrap ground down slightly to produce a small flat on the outer surface." Rotosound Solo Bass Stainless Pressurewound - The original pressure wound bass string designed in the mid 70's. The strings are rolled to flatten the surface. This process produces a brighter tone than flatwound strings whilst still eliminating finger noise & reducing fret wear. These work well on fretless basses. D'Addario ENR Half Round Bass - Half Round bass strings are wound with pure nickel, then precision ground, leaving the outer surface semi-smooth. They retain the flexibility and most of the tonal characteristics of round wound strings. Try them for their flatwound feel and a vintage roundwound tone. These are the ones I found sounded most like flats: Elite Groundwound Bass - Quality Groundwound Strings ideal for that worn in feel and sound to your strings.[/quote] Thanks for the informative thread! I might look into getting some half rounds. Do you know any bassists/youtube/audio clips that use them? Cheers, Paul.

[quote name='simon73' post='5820' date='May 24 2007, 03:31 PM']Great pic of you paul. I need more pics like that of me[/quote] That's not me!!! sorry. It's a quote, that's BeLow. Sorry for the mixup.

If you're the average 4 string conventional lover. I think two basses is enough. If you're more flamboyant, then 2 basses of each type at the most. --- Luckily, I'm in category one - although I only use one bass. Although I'd love to have two nice fretted basses. And maybe a fretless and an URB.