Shockwave

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1350171531' post='1835519'] I'd say to try a Spector, but issue is the spacing is narrow and they are mostly 35" scale length. Your search for "the one", or at least a style of bass you feel 100% with sounds much like my journey until I got my ESP LTD F-series 5-string...If only they made 6ers. :-( Other that Spector, it sounds like a custom jobby for you. Either by a luthier or you could build from parts? Get a maple body blank, shape it as you like. As for the neck, either get someone who's good with em to make you one or places like Warmoth are good, again in maple. (I did read it right you like all maple?) Can't fault low, lazy action. Only have one pair of hands, after all. :-D Until you find what you really like it's a pain constantly buying, only to know you will need to sell it again. [/quote] My Warmoth/Fender P-J I selected from parts and is probably one of the top 5 basses I have owned. Its fantastic, and half the reason is because I didnt build it! (Oli Foxen did) And that I chose all the parts. Sure there are niggles with it, but I like it. I would love to try a Ken Smith. From what I have heard of other people playing them is that they have a natural growl tone to them which has little to do with the amp, it is cleaner then many passive growls I have heard, yet still is very much present in the mix. They probably play very nicely too!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1350190088' post='1835570'] Rob, if you can't do this with the equipment you've already had, then I don't think the problem is with the equipment. Also, you talk of 'the mix' like it's immutable. It isn't. 'Cutting through the mix' is a much overused and meaningless phrase. You can do that by adding volume. You don't say whether this is your live or recorded mix, but I imagine you mean in rehearsal and on stage. If you want to be audible, there has to be a frequency range available in 'the mix' that is not as heavily occupied as others, and where your bass frequencies can sit. You say you can't rely on guitarists. They are possibly inexperienced and don't know how to EQ for a balanced live band sound, they may have EQed on their own at home and don't understand the concept that their amazing soloed tones are not suitable in a band setting. IME amateur guitarists can be guilty of adding far too much low mid, especially in overdrive tones. Then you have drums and keys to deal with. All this can render most of your bass playing near inaudible. Let me tell you, maple/maple, maple/mahogany, ebony/maple, maple/alder, maple/rosewood/bubinga, hi-mass bridge, bent tin bridge, Wizard pups, bolt on, neck through, and all that sh*t is not going to help you in the slightest. It's the band you need to sort out. You know what I think your real problem is? Your shyness. Playing with the people you do currently, you need to have the confidence to approach them and suggest they give your bass some room. If you can't do that, or if they won't accede to your request, then yet another bass is a waste of cost time and effort. Spend your money on a short course that teaches you assertiveness and diplomacy instead. EDIT: I have just read you are not in a band. So whose 'mix' are you trying to 'cut through' ? [/quote] Maybe it is an overused phrase. I guess I mean low mid growl? As far is equipment is concerned, I hope the new Super 12T I will be recieving can help me out in that respect. It is the most aggresive cab out of Alex's range. I am not the most assertive person, but since moving to London in every band I have spoken to and auditioned for I have told them about my previous experiences in bands where I just am not heard on recordings beforehand. (I am not being selfish in this, it's just true!) But giving advice to people on how to get a nice mix when I havent even joined the band, falls on deaf ears and labels me as a troublemaker trying to muck around with "Their" sound and I have to struggle through a 4 audition unable to hear. Which is a waste of time. It may seem like that I am asking for advice that I probably wont follow, but thats not the case! I am trying to start up my own band, with another Basschatter, where I might be able to have a bit more sonic space. So you never know! I just want a bass which is nice to play, has more then 4 strings, look good and "Sounds right" to me. Something that says "Yup, that Shockwaves bass, no mistaking that". My green pedulla served me well in that respect, however lacked the sound and string spacing I wanted.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1350155862' post='1835329'] I'd swap it for your Kramer [/quote] I am getting quite a few people telling me to try Spector. Though I doubt the Kramer is worth as much as your Speccy!

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1350157913' post='1835363'] IME cutting through the mix is a combination of tone woods on the bass, a quality amp and above all for front of house - a decent sound engineer. The first two on that list are in your control and perhaps the only reason to consider going for a custom bass is it's not just about the look of the instrument but what it's made from and what pickups and pre-amp you have onboard. Obviously this topic had been covered ad nauseum on BC but very simply put a classic and guaranteed recipe for a punchy tone is a maple neck, maple fingerboard, ash body - bolt on - with a poky pre installed and a couple of kick ass pups, get those basics right - wrapped up with a neck that plays beautifully and a comfortable body shape and you have a bass that can should be able to do anything. Personally my three custom basses do so much between them that I know I can get pretty much any tone I want, they all sound and play great and look lovely too... but they are just high spec tools to do a job and that's pretty much all I want to do now - make music. There are a few basses I would love to own and maybe I will own them one day - for now I'm not buying - just looking [/quote] Thats a very informative post thankyou! Why would a mixture of Ash and Maple be brighter/cutting more so then maple/maple? [quote name='Graham' timestamp='1350158315' post='1835368'] Shame you don't like Warwicks as I'd have thought a Streamer Stage 1 would tick those boxes. [/quote] I have tried, I love what other people can do with them, they just don't sound right when I play them!

Look the one thing I said I was definite about is that I like a cutting tone. If you don't agree or like that tone, then that's your problem.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1350153319' post='1835291'] You said you didn't like Geddy Lees. [/quote] I don't like the way they play, sounds pretty good though.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1350152696' post='1835282'] Why would you want this ?, do you think an audience wants to hear a mix where instruments "cut through" or one where everything is nicely blended ?. [/quote] Because I want to hear myself and I cant rely on guitarists to sort their sound out. Its how I like to play. Geddy Lee's tone cuts through and sounds awesome. [quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1350152696' post='1835282'] Make a resolution to never spend more that half as much time thinking about / messing with gear than you do actually playing. [/quote] No. Because I play bass more then "mess around".

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1350141890' post='1835099'] How do you feel about graphite? I'm thinking St4tus Gr..... . Ticks the boxes on cutting tone, growl, low action etc. [/quote] I have had 3 Status Graphite basses. Sounded pretty dead to my ears, action was good but not as good as the Vigier Passion II's

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1350140945' post='1835086'] Make a list of the reasons you off-loaded all of your previous basses; a) it'll tell you more about what options are still open to you & if you picture all those things together it'll be a pig of bass ............ to you! [/quote] For that I would have to count what basses I have had! What I have really liked. Pre-EB Stingray, 2 band Stingrays, Early Vigier Passion II, Ken Smiths for sound and feel. Gibson RD Artist for Sound, Gibson Grabber for sound. Pedulla Pentabuzz for feel. Sounds and feels I have hated. Geddy Lee Jazz bass, Active Jazz basses, Dull sounding P basses, Thunderbirds, PRS basses, Most warwicks. I am sure there are more!

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1350139971' post='1835063'] one of the early TRB 5's with the P/J pups [/quote] Hmm.. Nah! I like the TRB 6 with humbuckers. P/J for me should be stuck on a passive Fender.

[quote name='BassPimp66' timestamp='1350140271' post='1835072'] What about taking a break? Play drums for a while and let the cravings come to you. After you been bass starved for while, pick the bass that most appeal to you. I bet that's the ONE! [/quote] I am picking up a cheap guitar on Monday, probably wont be playing a bass for 6/8 weeks as I have no cab. I have done this before though, I think I came out with a Barefaced Vintage....

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1350138967' post='1835051'] Exactly this. You can make almost any bass sound like almost any bass anyway, the importance of the inherent tone of a bass is largely complete bollocks. Feel and looks are another matter, and they are very important. Keep your best basses, have a grand set aside to play with buying and selling. [/quote] I am looking for a long term relationship basswise. But I am not sure if I could handle it! I want to change! I think going custom might make me settle down, by going. "You picked the parts, the wood, the shape that you wanted exactly, now you best like it, even if you don't because it's best your gonna get!". In the past, the more I have spent modifying a bass, the longer I keep it. (Though the Gibson RD is the exception to the rule)

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1350138627' post='1835046'] You're not looking for a long-term relationship. The thrill of the chase and the honeymoon period seems to be what drives you on, so just keep doing what you’re doing. [/quote] Thats what I am afraid of. Then again, I doubt my All maple bodied precision is going anytime soon I don't think I need another precision, so that's something! [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1350135956' post='1835000'] Dingwall? [/quote] Never tried one, though aesthetically it displeases me [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1350134749' post='1834982'] See if Shuker will make an "exactly right for Shockwave bass"? [/quote] Then he would ask me what I wanted!

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1350134463' post='1834973'] Nope. 35" is an option but most of their 4 stringers are 34" [/quote] Ahh, Sorta lookng for something with 5+ strings! I were to get a 4 stringer it would be something 70's Gibbo/Guild alike.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1350134022' post='1834963'] Sounds like you need one of the newer Spector Euro basses [/quote] Pretty sure they mostly make only 35" inches. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1350134102' post='1834967'] Wishbass. [/quote] Zen

Keep it serious guys!

Hey guys. I appear to have come to impasse with my buying and selling of basses. I have owned very many basses, none of which have stuck around for more then 3 years (And those were only ones that were in the workshop getting modifications for a year!) I sort of don't know what to do! I sometimes gain money by buying shrewdly and selling on at a profit, but often I buy something for a reasonable price, upgrade it, then decide its not for me. So with the sale of my Gibson RD I want to step back and take a look at what is next! Currently I have A Warmoth/Fender P-J Antigua bass, which has been very good for me, lovely tone, all maple construction and in Antigua burst! I also have my Grabber which to me is eye candy. I love my Sansamp Tech 21 VT Deluxe, My Ampeg PF-500 I only use for the power section and I have just ordered a Barefaced Super 12T which should be my perfect cab! (Touch wood). I also have a no name Chinese 7 string fretless at a workshop getting chopped and changed about (SGD lutherie KD style pickups, Glockenlang pre-amp etc). I also have a Kramer 8 String XL-8 aluminium neck bass coming in. I hope I like it, though it might end up on the chopping block. One of my issues apart from serial GAS, is that I love playing lots of genres. I am not in a band because I get bored of playing one genre for too long. This affects my bass tastes and collection. The one thing that does not change is my want to cut through the mix like a knife. I love Funk, Noise rock, doom, punk, death metal, gospel, prog etc. I have the noise/doom/punk aspect covered with my Grabber, precision and possibly Kramer. The 7 String I could use for death metal and prog, though it is going to be a while til it's finished and at the end of the day its still a fretless so it's usefulness is limited. So in my heart, I know I need something with 5+ strings with a hi-fi sound. However I cant help but want more oddball heavy 70's stuff! I have tried and bought many different styles of basses. I have made a list below of basses I haven't tried at all and want to try, or have tried and want to buy.[list] [*] A GOOD Rickenbacker (Very rare) [*] 1970's Musicman Stingray [*] A good quality wide string spaced 6 string [*] Vigier Passion II [*] A Wal [*] Guild B301 [*]BC Rich Wave [/list] Things I KNOW I WANT in a bass.[list] [*]Cutting Tone/distinct growl [*]34" scale [*]Slightly oddball, but not too much! [*]Generally like Maple or ebony fingerboards [*]I like predominantly all maple basses [*]Really low EFFORTLESS/Lazy action [/list] So I get to point of thread. The one thing I have never done is order a custom bass. I have owned many custom shop basses, nicest of which was a Pedulla Pentabuzz. But never had one built for me. There is a builder in Bristol who I trust quite well, he will build me ANYTHING I want (Though maybe not direct copies). This means any Body/Neck Design, string amount, hardware etc. Maybe it is time I had this done? I might not be able to cover all the bases that I like in basses, but maybe it will finally prove to me that I'll never find the perfect bass and I should be happy with my lot. What would suggest I do? Carry on buying other peoples basses to get even more of an idea of what I want (Which I have been doing for years unsuccessfully!), finally go custom shop? What made you stop your GAS? Will I ever be happy considering how I am addicted to chopping and changing? Either way I'll be taking a little time thinking about this and holding onto my money! Budget is £1500-£2500 for a custom bass (£1500 now, and the extra when it is built). I don't mind investing in something even though it will lose value, I am about the perfect bass here, not how much I'll lose on it. Thanks for listening Rob. [size=5][b]PS, if anyone in London area really wants to help me out and let me try their high end/expensive basses, please let me know! Too shy at the bassbash to ask to try em out![/b][/size]