BigRedX

The problem with on-board pre-amps on the whole is that until you hit J-Retro quality and prices, they simply aren't very good in comparison with what even the most basic of amps can offer in terms of tone-shaping.

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record the only pre-amp that I'd consider fitting to a bass now would be the ACG because it offers something that can't be done at the amp.

Mine was £400 down at the start of the build and the rest on completion. The prices have gone up since then so the initial payment might be more now.

In my limited experience - a morning playing the demo models in the Sadowsky Brooklyn showroom - I didn't find the built-in pre-amp much use. However that might have been because the basses themselves and the rig I was playing through were so good no more tonal help was required.

As others have said get out there and play as many basses as you can. I was on a quest to find a really good fretless a couple of years back and I played literally everything I can across that didn't have frets to find what I like and what i didn't. As a Mick Karn fan also I have to say that Warwicks didn't do it for me at all until you got into the silly money territory - my custom- built Sei cost less than either of the 2 Warwicks that I actually liked.

As well as ACG which I linked in my first post you should also try a Pedulla Buzz and any Marleaux fretless before making any purchasing decissions.

I believe WoT has one. I was impressed by the (lack of) weight when I saw them at last year's LGS, but the looks and added bulk slightly put me off. However I'm looking at the 6U version and lack of size is important for transport. However looking at the current prices of the competition, it'll probably be the one I go for.

[url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/123/"]Fretless ACG[/url]

But would you want to live there with getting the builders in to sort it out first?

Sounds like it's picking up some digital crap from somewhere. Tubes going microphonic?

The weird thing about the relic look is that it seems to apply only to 'modern' electric stringed musical instruments. I can't think of any other case where "worn" is an acceptable look for something old and collectable. Certainly if you turned up to a classic car rally in something that had the same amount of wear as the average pre-1980 Fender you'd be a complete laughing stock.

Maybe it is because these instruments are still relatively young, in terms of human history and this is just a passing phase the market is going through.

Personally I prefer modern designs but if I did come across an old worn instrument that turned out to be "the one" for me, I have no qualms about having it visually brought back to an 'as new' condition.

Cool stuff!

Not as musically immediate as Pandora, but it'll do for now.

As others have said it's all down to taste.

Personally I don't like the worn/battered look whether it's real or fake. To me it doesn't look 'old' it looks neglected or a cheap finish that hasn't been able to stand up to simple playing use.

I have a second hand Gus G3 that I bought last year in a very worn condition, refinished by Simon Farmer; and when money allows I'll also get my early 80s Overwater fretless restored back to it's new condition, because I want it to look as beautiful as it plays and sounds.

[quote name='Kongo' post='481542' date='May 7 2009, 12:06 AM']The Array is nice too...Smaller than the others but still the same.[/quote]

The Array is probably my least favourite of the Traben 'bigger bridges' It reminds me too much of naff 'metal' tattoos.

Ta!

The Harkte looks like a thin brushed metal film over black plastic. The Talbo is aluminium sheet. The Traben is part of the bridge so chromed whatever the bridge is made of. The Reverend is the strangest - it looks like a thin semi-opaque white over black which just happens to look silver in certain lights.

Has it got to be pointy?

If not, how about a Gus G3?

[quote name='OldGit' post='480462' date='May 5 2009, 10:33 PM']Any contenders in your weird and wonderful collections?[/quote]

From my personal basses....

Hartke XL-4


Tokai Talbo


Traben Phoenix


and my favourite, Reverend Rumblefish

Hi Tony and welcome to BassChat

Completely off-topic (for this thread), but I'd just like to say that you are one of my favourite bass players, and I loved your work with Greenslade!

Many thanks for the info too.

At least three switchable inputs each with their own gain control.

Programability of all the controls (except the input gains) with at least 40 memories for storing your favourite sounds.

[quote name='chris_b' post='480559' date='May 6 2009, 12:05 AM']Why aren't you getting the digital copy?[/quote]

I like printed matter. You can take it and read it anywhere.

Digital stuff is simply too ephemeral. I don't have any downloaded music for the same reason.

Just got an email announcing the publication of issue 3.

Apart from esoteric designs like the ACG filter pre-amp, electronics on basses offer nothing that your amp's controls ought to be able to do better.

By the time I bought my first bass I'd been playing guitar for 7 years, and had dabbled with borrowed basses for a couple of years. However it took me almost a year from my first guitar lesson until I could actually strum my way through a song in a way that was recognisable to other people.

Thunderbird.

I'm also a fan of the look of the Traban Basses with the "bigger bridge" where it takes on much the same aesthetic features as a scratch plate, particularly the Phoenix and the Tribal Sun designs.

I get mine from Alan at ACG. He posts here as [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showuser=156"]skelf[/url].

TBH I don't remember, but it was at least a couple of months ago.

Simon does some very nice work indeed.

Personally I'd have gone with an EB0 large style humbucker at the neck even if it was just cosmetic to fit in looks-wise with the wider J and P pups. The plate around the bridge is an inspired move!

Now I've got GAS for a modified Europa Bass in either the new version or one of the few original models made with the Gibson-esque pups, to complement my Esprit V Custom guitar.

Good luck with you quest for a Gus G3 - what configuration are you after?