cloudburst

I've been pleased with my Bose MIE2i earphones. They have a neat silicon device that stops them falling out of your ears without having to jam them up to the hilt into your posterior temporal lobe. So comfortable that you pretty much forget you're wearing them. I'll stop now, as I'm starting to sound like a tampon advert. CB

I'm really hoping to avoid offending people here - so (sincere) apologies in advance. I find Rickenbacker basses a bit confusing. As an example- they seem to be renowned for their unique clunky tone, however, some of my favourite Paul McCartney lines in the psychedelic period, apparently played on a Rickenbacker, have a warm smooth honey tone. My summary understanding (based on only a little experience) of Rickenbackers would be as follows: - Most bass players like the look of a Ric - A small number of bass players love the Ric sound (an important group with a valid opinion, but still a minority) - Almost no bass players rate Rics for their playability Again, I don't want to offend. But how far am I off beam with the above generalisation? And how come Macca's lines sounded so un-Ric? CB

I never took them off my 1974 Jazz from new. Ever. Lucky I never wanted to change the strings. Lucky I never needed any adjustments either. Got so used to playing all styles with them on. Never got in the way for me at all. You folks will probably think this is strange behaviour. CB

Or if you want something for the iPhone/iPad - I've started using Anytune Pro HQ which is £10.49 - there's also a free version which seems to do quite a lot too. CB

I checked the midnight blue one they had a while ago. It didn't seem too bad. Perhaps that's why it was first to go. Have you looked at the midnight blue 4003 in the other shop nearby? Check out the bubbled chrome plating on the bridge. Very poor QC at RIC was what I thought to myself. CB

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1342630901' post='1738322'] Christ! Done the rounds, hasn't it?! Is there any paint left on it? [/quote] The really strange thing is that it is as close to mint as you could get! Perhaps this is actually the only Bongo 4HH that has been made in this colour and everyone just thinks there are loads of them :-) CB

That's nice Eljay. A man with taste. CB

The Bongo love just grows and grows. This particular instrument is so beautiful to play. I'm genuinely mystified at how many sets of hands it has gone through on both sides of the Atlantic (see the list of owners in my earlier post). Question for regular forum GASers --- Is it normal for basses to get moved around so much? I really don't get it at all. CB

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1342437919' post='1734777'] Having spent some time working in a psychiatric hospital... er I've no idea but I wouldn't want to take the piss out of this guy. certain things you just leave. [/quote] I'm with Luke on this. Let's show ourselves as nice upright bass-players :-) and not overstep the Internet bullying mark eh. CB

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1342399002' post='1734403'] Do you think he'd like my SWR Baby Baby Blue? [/quote] We could ask him. :-) http://basschat.co.uk/user/3888-mark-percy/ CB PS: If you are in need of Summer reading material: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/24876-free-bass-tuition-manual-created-by-mark-percy/

38 years and counting. Loved it then. Love it more now. Love it more every day. Always learning. CB

I think this may be the person in question. Worth a read. http://www.markpercy.co.uk/ CB

Love the way he spelt 'professional' unprofessionally. CB

Welcome, from another NIrelander. CB

Precision - Ford Cortina Jazz - Ford Capri I trust that's the matter settled. CB

+1 on Graceland and Chic. I've been listening to "The Definitive Groove Collection" which is available for each of Chic and Sister Sledge. Also: Shalamar - The Ultimate Best Of Gail Ann Dorsey - Rude Blue Gary Numan - I, Assassin Phil Collins - But Seriously Paul Young - No Parlez Paul Young - The Secret Of Association CB

In terms of the controls on the Bongo: I've found the low-mid control and the bass control to be particularly powerful when boosting. I can get closest to a vintage precision as follows (bearing in mind that we all hear things differently). Pickup pan - centre detent Low-mid - centre detent High-mid - full off (cut) Bass - full off (cut) and then roll on about 2mm max Treble - full off (cut) Hope this helps. Would be interested to hear your trials, disagreements, tweaks. CB

@BassTractor - feel free to paraphrase and flatter. As some of the forum members who have seen my RBS 'Glitch' cartoon will testify, I have no issue with copyright. Now if only my music were worth protecting... And ref colour, mine is Sapphire Black. @Gusto - I had a StingRay in the late 80's. Now admittedly it was a 4H (before the 4HH existed I think) and had the jack socket in the front control plate (however many eqs that represents). But it was really nothing like this Bongo at all. Actually - in terms of sound, tonal range and power, IIRC I reckon my StingRay had more in common with my Jazz Bass than my Bongo would have in common with my StingRay. CB

Used the Bongo in the studio tonight for the first time. By far the easiest bass to play - it plays itself really. However, found myself cutting right through the mix. So the Bongo requires discipline. All that power and all those tones. Just because it can, doesn't mean you should. But oh - it's so so tempting. It's a bit like trying to drive a Ferrari slowly. Singer - she loved it. Wanted it even further up the mix. Further up the mix indeed - it's almost a bass concerto ffs! The drummer was complaining he couldn't hear the guitarist :-) And the guitarist seemed a bit put out. CB

If it makes you feel any better, the serial number of my Bongo is F12647. CB

Assuming you know your bass and the serial number doesn't turn up anything random like it's been previously stolen at some time or that it's a different year than you think, then I'd see it as follows: 1) Provide serial number to buyer. Risk: buyer uses it to clone your bass and this causes confusion in the future. Probability: Low. 2) Refuse to provide serial number to buyer. Risk: you lose the sale. Probability: High. Personally - I'd just give the buyer the serial number if he sounds like he's genuine and interested. CB

No worries. Thanks Jay. Look forward to trying/buying the new kit. CB

This initiative has gone mighty quiet. Do you still want us to review? What's the expected timescale? Quite keen to hang on to my old Bass Baby Studio-60 and compare with the new one side-by-side. CB