BassTractor

[quote name='swanbrook' timestamp='1375947511' post='2167670'] One the things I used to love about musicman was the hard case, it was rock solid. I spent €3600 on a ltd about 3 years ago and it came in what could only be described as a cheap copy of the original case. It's flimsy, doesn't close right the clasps feel like they will snap off in your hand. It's not strong enough to go in the back of a van so why bother with it. If its only ment for light use then what's the point of it, surely a hard case is ment for protection. [/quote] Do you mean you spent theat money on an LTD bass or on a Lim.Ed. Music Man? If the latter, I mean especially if the latter, then I concur with the utmost vehemence. I received a 2006/2007 Lim.Ed. Bongo that had cost near € 3,000, and it arrived with the volume knob almost broken off. Why? Simples: the floppy ABS or PP lid allowed the bass to travel through the case during transit, and at one point during the travel, the whole weight of the bass must have rested on the volume pot shaft, bending the shaft beyond the point where bending back was a viable option. To compare: When I received my £170 Hohner, it was inside a plastic bag inside a currogated board box, and obviously that box would not protect it against heavy forces, but as long as the box was undamaged, it wouldn't harm the bass. So if I am to transport my Bongo and my cricket bat in my car, the corrugated board Hohner box actually functions better that the posh MM case when I suddenly have to brake - or other similar impacts. The MM case IMHO was the culprit itself. Annoyed, yes. Very much so. best, bert

Hey Simon, Welcome, in a way! Enjoy the surface! best, bert

Hey Joe, What an amazing stories! Welcome to BC, and enjoy what you find here. best, bert

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1375886554' post='2166974'] His view was a bass IS what's on the headstock. If it says Fender it IS a Fender. [/quote] He's wrong though. It's a Fender only and exclusively when the faking on the headstock is done to a slightly higher quality standard. He should know this. I'm a bit confused. Great story. They come in many formats, don' they? best, bert

[quote name='Wylie' timestamp='1375810159' post='2166025'] with a headstock featuring real (vintage) headlights? [/quote] Yesss!!! If the headlights are from a real (vintage) Cort, I'm in! best, bert (yes, the car brand - not the bass brand)

It's my sad duty to inform you that Alex is dead and buried in e-mail. Almost dead, that is...

Super! Will sit down calmly and listen carefully when I get a few hours for myself. Thanko mucho for posting them. best, bert

See, Kev, the colour is actually not really that important. While, technically, different tone colours will sound proveably different, the impact of the differences is virtually zilch in a band situation. Add to that that red will tend towards black in the dark, and you might even boldly state that yours [b]is[/b] black. Or should I say coloured? Demm, it's hard to be pc. Anyway, your best question now is: "What tone colour's best for metal?" Seriously though: do as I say: get the thang to someone in the know. Before you know it, you have a diamond in your clammy hands, and nobody will stop you from buying the Ibby or the Toby in addition - as a cheap backup! Oh, and before I forget, you'll find that going to a Toby IX is a quite dramatic step. Me, I'd advise you to take your development in smaller steps, and go for the Toby IV instead. That or a fiver. (couldn't resist) best, bert

Hi Simon, Welcome! No stardom? Hm. You sure you wanna hang out here with the stars then? If you are: enjoy the site! best, bert

Hey Kev, Welcome! I liked reading your intro. Anyway, I have no idea about your bass, but very, very often, a setup is the difference between a bad and a good bass, so you might wish to consider keeping ot for the time being, and juts visit one of the other Scots on here to have him/her have a look. There's gazillions of BassScots around, see. [quote name='Kevstein' timestamp='1375698150' post='2164326'] I have been learning Slipknot, Rammstein, Bloodhound Gang, Pink Floyd, Offspring, Metallica and more. [/quote] Of those songs, I only know "Pink Floyd". Great jazz tune! (Jus' pullin' yer leg here ) [quote name='Kevstein' timestamp='1375698150' post='2164326'] I am looking for something under £250 (second hand or new) that would do me to progress with. I have been looking at the Ibanez GSR200 and Epipone Tobias IX Deluxe. Are these any good or are there others to consider? I want something semi-decent looking but that sounds good. [/quote] Supposing the Charvette is a no go, the Ibanez should be OK. (Just to be sure: approach the GSR180 with care, if that one is an alternative. The ones I saw were not as well put together as the similarly styled and priced Yamaha RBX170.) IMS, the Tobias gets mixed reviews here, but you could search the Bass forum in the Gear section for it. Others might chime in too. Other basses that might suit you: - Epiphone (reversed) Thunderbird. Cool as feck, though they come with different views on quality and sound. - Ibanez SR 300 - a classic with a great mid sweep function in its electronics. - Squier VM or CV series basses. Must be mentioned. Good stuff if you can muster the traditionalist looks. - Warwick RockBass Corvette from 2011 or later (it must have the large "W" on the top of the headstock). I think it's stunning. - Yamaha BB if you can find one at that price. BB 414 is good enough. - Yamaha RBX170, RBX270, RBX370 ... That's all I can remember right now that I know a little of. There's some good British basses too that I have no idea about, but others will surely chime in. best, bert

Hey Kemper, Welcome (from one who started at 55) ! May your BC days be covered in bliss. Though, you did nearly ruin it already. Fender P? FENDER P ??? You want a Squier, lad! Enjoy our ... er ... company! best, bert

Congrats! Try and get some sleep every second of the day. Daisy Rock of couse, as mentioned, but don't forget the U-Bass - the thin version - no matter what Skej says. Enjoy the times ahead! best, bert

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1375629176' post='2163610'] Sit at his kit and re-arrange the heights/angles on the cymbals, toms and snare. Then tell him they weren`t set up properly. [/quote] That was some lame advice! Get a grip on yourself! Of course he should adjust the height and angle of the throne as well! (...and, though technically mentioned, just to make sure: he should not forget the tom that is called kick drum and the cymbals that are called hi-hat either.) best, bert

Was that a U-Bass that Bakithi Kumalo used on the 2011 Paul Simon concert that went on TV? In case: great bass tone! I know this, coz my ex walked in whilst I was watching that show, and I pointed her towards the TV set where Bakithi was shown with a curvy cigar box thang with four black ropes on it, uponwhich she exclaimed: - "Great bass tone!" See? best, bert

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' timestamp='1375537549' post='2162656'] It's made me realise I should be grateful for the praise, regardless of who it comes from. It's nice to know that whatever I've done has had an impact on someone, no matter how little. [/quote] Them's wise words, man, and deserve som following. Me, I have been terrible at receiving praise, but I've always played in the hope of one, just at least one please, person in the audience getting it. [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1375539744' post='2162692'] i recieved a few compliments on the fact that i managed that entire feat with missing a note. [/quote] Bah! I call your one note, and up the ante and seeing you (dunno what I'm talking about indeed), by stating that I've been known to do it with missing [b]two[/b] notes! Ha! Your poker face went pale there! OK then. Here's mine. Though I'm hesitant about this, my proud moment is soo damn proud that I'll take the risk. To put my proud moment in perspective, I think I must say something first. For starters, I'm a classical organist and composer, and have done some electronic studio, piano and harpsichord as well. Besides having taught at the music college for a short stint, I've also met quite the list of musicians. Now, though the impact of the following list must not be overrated, and in fact can hardly be underrated, technically I've cooperated, played and/or worked with, or have been student of, guys like Marie-Claire Alain, Bill Bruford, Philip Glass, Ton Koopman, Robert van der Linden, Theo Loevendie, Michael Nyman, Krzysztof Penderecki, Guy Reibel, John Surman, and Iannis Xenakis. Also, one of the more famous recordings of the Bach Christmas Oratorio has me as one of the (probably four) harpsichord players. This is a long list, not so I can boast (which there is absolutely no reason for, I assure you), but just so someone somewhere might actually recognise one or two of these names, and better understand how proud my proud moment was. My proudest and best moment by far was when I was sitting practising one Bach preludium & fugue on a pipe organ in college, and that very day I suddenly really nailed it, giving me one of the best experiences in life as to listening to my own work. That is not the proud part. What I didn't know however, was that a young soprano had silently entered the hall, and had been listening to this. She only made herself visible during the very last bars of the fugue. Somehow, I was able to finish the ting (the fugue, not the soprano - delightfully hot and endearing as she was). The soprano then came up to me, and expressed she finally understood the pipe organ as an instrument, expressing that I had explained it to her, and how she'd previously never gotten that a loudmouthed, boasty instrument like that, totally lacking in dynamics, could even be regarded a musical instrument. Don't know if anyone here can relate, and I must and can accept any lack of understanding, but it moves me to tears even today, thirty years later. Best moment in my musical life. YMMV. best, bert

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1375529125' post='2162533'] has anyone said Mr Bungle yet? if not why not? [/quote] Nope. Never crossed my mind. Sorry, man! I really meant no harm. You're right of course: any reason, any reason at all, to mention Mr Bungle is a good reason. They're bloody awesome. best, bert

I found a Hohner B2B, and I'm perfectly happy with its PJ configuration. Does a good P and does a good J (not that I can achieve the J, but my nephew did with a flick of the wrist). Would like the B2A in addition, myself, but just wanted to say there's nowt wrong with the B2B. As to the ergonomics, in my case changing the length of the strap to ultra short was exactly what was needed to move the bass to the right and the neck up, so that one gets less reach on the neck. For many others though, a good idea would be a tiny, matte black semi horn mounted on the body. Good luck with the hunt! best, bert

Short! Powerful! Humouristic! Me like. Welcome! Enjoy! best, bert resident classical boy (other classicals exist here too, but they're grown ups)

[quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375536139' post='2162628'] Bert I would love the opportunity to connect with you and get to know you better. I love your sense of humor. [/quote] Aw. That was nce. Just come over and sleep in my bed for the week-end. I mean: it's never been used. I never make it from the sofa to the sleeping room door. Belgian ales, mind. [quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375536139' post='2162628'] And for the record you can use me as a reference.... [/quote] Thanks, Tom, but I'm not too sure about that. In my circles, I'd be looked down upon for just knowing your name! ... [quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375536854' post='2162647'] However, you guys really do need to sing your praises a bit more. [/quote] No, not me. As you've already gathered, I try to stay modest. best, bert

Bah, you're just a bunch of losers all of you. But I .. I know Tom Richards! Oh, yes! We're virtually best buddies on BC, we are. best, bert

No-one mentioned a campervan or motorhome yet? Great stuff, if you can find one at a reasonable price. I'm aware they [b]are[/b] pricey, but still thought it worthwile to mention. My company had one of those with a "garage": a large bulkroom under the "master bedroom". I just took out this double bed, and thus got a 25 sq.ft. room with two large doors on the sides (appr. 3 ft wide and 4 ft high). Loading platform roughly 1.5 ft above the road - maybe not perfect, but immensely much better than all these quirky regular car solutions. Also comes with ramp for your moped. Get an extra one of those ramps, and you rolls you's cabs into you's van! Oh, and as to regular estate cars, maybe it has been mentioned, but get one with squarish doors for the rear seats, like the Ford Sierra estate was, and many of these modern and cheapish combi things are that resemble little Transits (don't know the term). Luvverly. best, bert

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1375011674' post='2155663'] Must admit I lost interest with Aja although it contains some brilliant songs, but Goucho, wow. [/quote] Sorry for the off-topic derailment, but just out of interest, why would you spell that "Goucho" - exactly like I did too originally? I did it because I was convinced it was the correct title, and then I was corrected, but now I wonder whether the Dutch word for "gaucho" was "goucho" back in the days. Was or is "goucho" a word in English? best, bert

Hey Shane, Welcome to the surface, man ... and ... breathe ... ! I've said it often before: surfacers is the best: they've been around here but still wanna say hello. Anyway, talk to us nows you're up here. Er ... down here. best, bert

[quote name='TomDuff' timestamp='1375132315' post='2157164'] in fact I may have done if you ever played it out doors in Britain at any point. [/quote] Class!

Third Reichenbacher, Jazz, Steinberger, StingRay, Bongo. Meaning: in an ideal world. In this world, however: Jazz, Steinberger, StingRay, Bongo, 58 Longhorn. That was today. Ask again tomorrow for a slightly different list, but please don't ask. best, bert