Kiwi

I'd swap it for your Kramer

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1350134243' post='1834969'] Pretty sure they mostly make only 35" inches. [/quote] They do now. I have a Spector NS5CR which is 34", all maple construction, wider string spacing and a thicker neck than the post 2000 models and I'd be interested in selling it. Shipping would be a killer though.

Its not up to him to judge whether its a legacy or not.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1350032966' post='1833681'] Quote from Plant ; "It would be precocious of me to walk to the front of the stage and take on a kind of rock singer pose, at that time in my being – and that's five years ago. I could only send it up, and I don't want to do that." I think he has a perfectly valid point and applaud his attitude when there are so many ageing rockers still grinding out tours to an ever diminishing audience.[/quote] I think its selfish at worst and self depreciating at best. The band has already acknowledged their impact on popular music, they're every bit as significant as The Beatles. They should share it...if nothing it would cement their place in musical immortality.

Three originals and one drummer.

Me too.

Thanks I love Led Zep and I'm not into rock at all. But there was something magical about them. So much power and professionalism from three people. I REALLY wish they'd reform and do a few more concerts. I'd fly from NZ for a ticket. I disagree with Plants perception of raking over the coals. Its more about sharing a legacy with a new generation. I wasn't able to attend concerts when Led Zep were in their prime. They could be cementing their legacy rather than being a shadow of their former selves. This is about being generous, not about protecting integrity.

Not interested in subscribing to the Guardian on Facebook.

Looks like someone's just unearthed it on a beach somewhere.

Taurus pedals would be the most practical option. MIDI them up to the module of your choice, and your hands stay free.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1349710422' post='1829431'] It'd be ace if you could do a bass-themed interview for Basschat! [/quote] No promises but I'm making enquiries as I type...

Neat, he'll be over in my neck of the woods next month to support one of our projects at work. I'll see if I can grab some time with him.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1348358599' post='1812800'] I don't know who makes Hartke bass strings and I don't care - I love how they sound, how they feel, they have no silks and they're ridiculously inexpensive [/quote] Plus the one on this. I also like Olympus strings, they're identical to the ones offered by EBS. Both made in Sweden.

I find jazz basses very comfortable and the sound of a 70's ash bodied jazz with a maple board is very evocative. But those scooped mids make playing one in a live situation challenging. There are other basses that can do the job better. In my experience, there's a lot to be said for either single pick up basses or onboard electronics with buffered input channels.

Just buy a multi effects unit capable of routing. Lexicon MPXG2's can be had for a song these days and offer four channels (two paths in stereo) which can be combined any way you like. There are probably more recent floor units that can do the same thing, like the TC Electronic Nova system.

I've noticed an ever-so perceptible increase of graduate vacancies in my industry - the planning/construction sector. I think things are turning a corner but its like watching a fully laden Panamanian supertanker do a three point turn while laden down with the snagged ships of a Spanish fishing fleet. God I miss the UK though. I never truly appreciated how intelligent the average English person was until I worked in NZ local authority. Yes there are some stupid people in the UK but whatever examples you can think of, I'm fairly confident I can find better examples in NZ. Economically though, NZ has been well managed considering how small and vulnerable to overseas markets it is.

[quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1348858104' post='1819293'] If you can afford to drink coffee with barristers in Cafe Nero you can't be that skint. At least you're keeping well paid company. My mum knows a lawyer whose kitchen floor area is bigger than the footprint of my entire house. I obviously went into the wrong profession. [/quote] Maybe he meant Barista?

I thought Cliff Richard had died when I read the title.

If I'm just sitting down to enjoy the act of playing bass, I tend to go for fretless. It feels so much more expressive.

Dammit, I'm looking for a comedic power trio and I have an Alembic. So close but gonna have to sit this one out.

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348432885' post='1813646'] Arr, defending your bass choice now i see, don't you like it when someone points out issues with something you may own?? This is why I don't make posts on things that may be disrespectful to owners, so i steer clear of being critical of others choices, as it's not neccessary. I could happily post to all sorts of threads on here being negative about all sorts of instruments, but they would serve no purpose, and show little respect. Personally I don't give a hoot what you think, especially when it comes to vintage Fenders, as you are clearly out of your depth. But you obviously enjoy it, so I'll humour you.[/quote] I'm not brand loyal at all. Most instruments disappoint me in one way or another, including Alembic. It's very interesting that you read so much into what I typed though. [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348432885' post='1813646'] OK, there are two Series 1 Alembics on eBay.com at the moment, so not much to demonstrate my point at this very moment, however, one of which has lamination issues. The seller, who appears to know what he's talikng about (I'm sure you'll have something to say on that), even makes reference to this being a common issue in the ad. Thats 50% of those listed, with lamination issues, which, is not opinion. Here's the link. And yes, I've seen countless others, many in person, with significant delamination. [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-vintage-Alembic-series-1-bass-rare-very-collectible-year-model-KOA-BEAUTY-/280954016459?pt=Guitar&hash=item416a2a12cb"]http://www.ebay.com/...=item416a2a12cb[/url] [/quote] It's not really a clear example of the issues you talk about. The seller just mentions laminations as part of wear and tear but there's no indication of what has happened and where. We'll just have to take your word for the rest of it. Alembic wouldn't never admit to there being a problem unless they had no choice but if the lamination issue was as significant as you say, I'd expect to see a lot more online discussion about it. However I'm open minded about the issue and would love to learn more.

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348424358' post='1813470'] Vintage Alembics, great basses, great quality when they were made, and the Series 1's & 2's have been considered collectable for a number of years. The last few years however, has shown major faults that occur long term. I've been interested in these for years, and owned 2, great basses to play. 90% of examples you see now, have laminate issues, particularly on the neck. the multi-layering used, or adhesives, do not appear to stand the test of time. These examples have typically been around the £3k mark for the last 5 years, and have not been appreciating as well as many other brands. Collectors are now being wary of these, because of the quality issues. This has made mint examples rise in value, but I for one, wouldnt buy one anymore, because you could pay £3k for a Series 1, with no issues, only to keep it for 2 years, then it starts delaminating, as many others have experienced. [/quote] "Many others"? I'd be really interested to know your source(s) for this. The only laminating issues I'm aware of with Alembic have been with the headstock joint but those have result in a crack in the finish rather than delamination due to shrinkage. Its not a big deal. They're very solid, well engineered instruments.