police squad

A really nice looking CIJ has turned up in the classifieds. It's sunburst and a 70s model. (I've got a 70s fretless CIJ and my mrs has a white fretted 70s one. Excellent basses)

what's wrong with your Tokai jazz. Just use the neck pick up on its own, it should sound good enough. The CIJ basses feel better made (to me) than the standard USA things. They look almost anemic. The maple is always really pale. Plus I like the laquer on the necks on the CIJ stuff. Still, enjoy looking for whatever, it's great fun

here you go

cool, thanks for that. It seems to work ok (not that it'll get much use, I just wanted one)

As some of you may remember I recently bought an old Aria SBR-150. Over the weekend I finally soldered a new battery lead and cleaned up the 3 way switch. My question is, when I plug the guitar lead in, the LED just flashes on and off, whether active or passive. Is this normal or should it be on when active and off when passive. The electrics work how they should though The bass's serial number suggests it's from 1981. I've read this model was made 83-84. your help would be muchly appreciated.

great article.I love Steinbergers.

yes it was on gumtree £440 and its now mine

Love the Aria. I've just picked up an SBR-150. good scores well done

bathroom scales say it's 11 pounds. that's only 2 pounds heavier than my old '75 P bass

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1359056484' post='1949249'] Now that is rather fetching, would I be right in saying its of solid construction and not particularly lightweight? [/quote] bang on. although it's not quite as heavy as I thought. (must get it on the scales)

it was on gumtree yes. I'm over the moon with it

Finally found one. I bought one of these from Peter Cooks shop in Hanwell (from Peter himself) in about 1986/7. Traded it in at my local store a few years later and missed it so much that I bought it back. Finally traded it in London in 1990 for an old white P bass (that I've still got). I decided that I wanted another but they weren't made for long and they really are few and far between. Of course I've found one, literally, on my door step. Previous owner did his last gig 10 years ago and removed the batteries to stop them leaking. So it's been in its original case, unused, for the last ten years. It's in incredibly good condition. neck pickup not working (not when I tried it but it's ok now) and not checking the actives means I got it for £440. He was happy that it's gone to a good home. Pics to follow, (it's still a bit dark) It plays like butter. Seriously low action. It was last given a set up and fret dress by the late Tony Zematis. Can't think when I'm going to get any chance to gig it because it won't work in my Police Tribute!! (perhaps I should start a Duran Duran tribute, I know a bloke who looks just like Simon le Bon and can't sing, so he'd be perfect---it's a joke BTW , I love D/D)

For just over the price of a boss octave pedal is the ME20B any good. Started a new band and have found the need to play below bottom E. Don't use/have or even want a 5 string to get that low, and so fancy using an octave pedal. (I did in the early 90s and was great for fattening up the sound) what are the rest of the effects like. We're playing mainly 80s rock duets cos we've got 2 singers and no one is doing it (not on my local scene anyway) your thoughts on this pedal would be appreciated

welcome to you from East Kent

sold Pete an old rockbag 2 unit case. Easy to deal with and a really nice guy. Highly recommended

great shop, nice people.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357241799' post='1919780'] A bass is a classic when people start saying things like "Sounds a bit like a *enter classic bass here*". They also have to be fairly common, otherwise, they aren't that classic. I'm sure everyone could point to a bass that sounds/looks fantastic, and they wished they owned, but because they price is many many thousands of hard earned pounds, and there are only 100 being made, it would be difficult for it to become a classic. Classics tend to be the ones that change everything. The P has it's own unique tone, and changed bass indefinitely. It made bass easy, transportable, loud and relatively cheap. That's isn't the formula for a classic, but again, you can point to a stingray and say it's a classic, because of it's tone. [/quote] I think this is poor reasoning. Ford GT40......classic, but not many made. I understand what you mean, but just because it's rare, doesn't mean it's not a classic. It's a funny one really. Now, us bass players really do push the boundries with our guitars. We have active, coil taps, fan frets, very different scale lenghts. All this is deemed great and it surely is BUT does it make them classic. (me, I just love P basses but I have an XL2 which I consider classic because it pushed the boundaries and a violin bass, same again) If you think about guitars for a minute, all the biggest makers tend to keep it simple and most stuff really is, tele, strat, les paul, SG ish. Dean ML = Explorer. Aria PE = Les Paul. Guitars don't really change from the 'classic' designs. the only really active thing that goes on with guitars is the EMG thing. waffling again. So, I reckon it's a classic IF it's been copied by someone else on a grand scale OR if if I've got one (ho ho), OR if it's totally limited for example the status buzzard. Just my rubbish opinion, for what it's worth. I love guitars and basses and could stare at them all day. Good thread BTW

Yes that looks like one of the Phil range. Phil Hadler from Whitsable in Kent, commisioned and imported some guitars starting about 10 years ago (I think). My local store in Folkestone, Kent had loads. The electric basses I played were truly amazing. Through neck, 2 pickups and active. They retailed at about £250. Looks like you've got yourself a geat bass enjoy

[quote name='Benplaysbass' timestamp='1356516786' post='1910605'] My Bravewood is as new, I sort of like the relicing on Johns Guitars but I wanted to wear mine out on my own. Yours looks pretty good and being used in the way you are using it just looks the part. I would love to get another Bravewood but think the Mrs would soon stop that idea in its tracks. [/quote] agreed. What colour is yours and what style? I've got another on order with him that's not to be reliced. For my wife's 50th birthday. (she plays bass in my pub rock band and she really likes my Sting bass) . A daphne blue '63 (year of her birth)

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1356515816' post='1910594'] Nice, but the drummer needs to up his game. No octobans, no gong drum. Shocking [/quote] actually the octobans are to the side, on his left. They are clear acrylic and not so easy to see (and belong to the guitarist) But the gong drum would be fab. Poor bloke can't afford to do it. Even the Andy Summers tele (that's on it stand and not being played) belongs to me. If only Stewart and Andy would join!! (I tweeted Stewart about us and he replied, so at least he knows about us)

My mother-in-law bought me a mandolin and a book on how to play. Great pressie as I've been thinking about one for ages. I can play a G chord, so far. should keep me busy for hours

Here's a few pictures of the Bravewood in action I think it really looks the part

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1356176668' post='1907628'] So I was in london yesterday and saw some nashes in the flesh - the finishing was awful - I could do a more authentic looking relic finish with £12 of spray cans- and it wouldn't be so matt finish. anyway rant over. each to their own [/quote] I agree I'm afraid. I thought they looked terrible (close up anyway) I've now got my bravewood (Sting style '57 P bass) and it looks and feels incredible

thanks for the kind words. It's a fun band to do because The police always were and still are my favourite band