White Cloud

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1396789041' post='2417294'] My G&L's From the left, 1993 Climax, 1988 SB1, 1984 SB1 (first gen) 1989 SB2 and a 1997 L1500 (for sale) [attachment=159504:DSC_0029.JPG] [/quote] Lovely collection!

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1396707537' post='2416628'] Why is it unhip? I suppose I'm more the type who likes a bit of tonal variety, but if I decide that the only tone I'll need is a 'ray then I'd get the 5h for the extra string. Tried the am deluxe jazz v - I like fenders but didn't like that at all. Looks and feel beautiful, but the passive tone is poor and I wasn't blown away by the active circuit. Haven't tried a G&L 5 string but would be severely tempted. I get the impression the 1605 would be epic for metal. The ONLY thing didn't like was the matte finish to the body, but everything else was spot on! [/quote] I was just joking about the unhip thing - the Ibanez's are however flying in the face of the current Fender trend that has gripped the bass nation.... My SR1205 has been my gigging weapon of choice for the last two years and it has been a revelation....and I used to play Alembic and Wal basses. It is good for any type of music, is ergonomic, light, tactile and sounds awesome. It's hard to beat for value for money.

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1396704125' post='2416591'] what really surprised me was the Ibanez sr 1605. Never considered myself an Ibanez fan, but that thing sounds ridonculous! . [/quote] That is because they are ridonculously good instruments.....it is however unhip to say so therefore I will now shut my face.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1313229028' post='1338552'] I've got no idea what "industrial rock" is [/quote] Goodness gracious!?!? You need to watch this dude. http://youtu.be/Hreqn9j3PHI

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1396595627' post='2415415'[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1396595627' post='2415415'] It's personal preference, but I've never found a bass that agrees with my ears in the same way a P does. [/quote] I hear where you are coming from....

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1396619842' post='2415756'] sorry i just don't buy it. some alembics are nearly three times the price of a Shuker, or a Sei. and Alembic don't put three times as much effort in to there making there basses than these makers. . they ride on there image, and can get away with the huge prices of there basses on that fact. its nothing to do with capturing peoples imagination. its about very cleverly forming an image, with top players, endorsees etc. and riding the wave and overcharging because the can. just like Fodera, fantastic instruments no doubt, but overpriced. yep. i think its very naive to think otherwise. i personally would feel like a bit of a wally, walking on stage with a Fodera or an Alembic. [/quote] From personal experience I would say that there are an absolute myriad of builders out there that are easily on a par with Alembic regarding wood working, design and construction. The filter based electronics are sublime and are what set Alembic apart once upon a time...but, again, they are no longer peerless in this department in the same way that they once were. I agree. They are, when bought new, extremely over priced. There are some good deals to be had S/H though.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1395647765' post='2404574'] Welcome to the club. You will never leave. [/quote] I was in the club....then left!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1396531780' post='2414730'] Stanley Clarke is a brilliant bass player and all-round superb musician who has indeed produced plenty of crap music over his long career, as well as some sublime moments, too. Funnily enough, that Whistle test clip of Stanley Clarke is from a special one-off program they broadcast in May 1981 featuring Stanley Clarke and George Duke together, and I remember it so well because, by incredible coincidence, it was shown on BBC2 the night that I got my very first bass guitar. It was a revelation to me at the time , not least of all because it struck me at the time that this guy who I had never heard of up to that moment [i]might actually be better than Geddy Lee[/i](!), and it made such a lasting impression on me that I am still under its' influence over thirty years later. The rich twang and growl of Stanley's Alembic bass and his incredulous facial expressions have never really left me. Stan made his best music in the 1970's , when he was one of fusion music's leading lights. His more recent records have all been a huge disappointment by comparison , and he needs to stop buggering about so much playing the tenor bass and piccolo bass and just play the regular bass more in my humble opinion, and preferably not to the kind of awful muzak he far too often churned out for public consumption in recent years. It's worth mentioning that Stan is also a virtuoso double bass player, too, and arguably even better on that instrument than the bass guitar. [/quote] I can relate to this as I had a very similar introduction to SC. I would also assert that I much prefer his double bass playing over his electric work (he just seems to play the same riffs over and over again).

Congrats! I absolutely love the look of Elrick basses...its a beauty!

I have gigged extensively with my SR1205 for the last 2 years and it has been a revelation. Modern, original, sleek design...lightweight (8lbs), nicely put together with quality timbers/parts, infinitely playable and sounds incredible at volume. I have made recordings with it also and it punches way above it's price tag. It balances perfectly ...no neck dive whatsoever. I have owned Wal's, Alembic, Vigier, Jaydee etc etc...but the 1205 is easily the most playable bass I have ever owned. String spacing is 17mm - perfect for fast finger playing. I adapted to slapping with it easily enough also. Highly recommended.

I owned a Persuader for a couple of years. It was a nice bass, Supremely well made and very playable....but heavy. The necks are an acquired taste. I loved the filter based electronics - always my preference over standard 3 band cut/boost electrics. Live in a band situation it was good...but ultimately it just wasn't for me. Alembics are wonderful instruments though ...

Great basses, not too uncommon and often available at extremely reasonable prices.

[quote name='Buzzardist' timestamp='1396122017' post='2410226'] Cant see the attraction or reasoning. I find the Fender 'relic' industry rather silly too. The Rory Gallagher signature even has one of the tone pots no longer working. I just don't get it. For Rory? He toured hard and played that instrument to its state with sweat, blood and tears. When he walked into his local shop to buy his first Fender I'll bet my last bass that he went home and just touched and played with it whilst marvelling at its beauty, quality and the craftsmanship behind it. He didnt plan the damage or want a scruffy guitar, his working conditions created that. Its like buying Rolling stones Tshirts from Next, just a passing vanity fad. Our signature sound is in our hands, the instrument is the medium for expression. I love my basses and get that horrible feeling in my gut if anything happens to them, once that passes it becomes a part of the guitar but if i had the choice these war wounds wouldn't be there. This is a stupid fad and once the said fad has passed this guy is going to realise he just threw the value and allure of his beautiful instrument away in the name of vanity. Maybe I'm just boring [/quote] Well if you are wrong I don't want to be right. And... if you were boring then why did I find your post so interesting? Great post.

How to ruin a perfectly good guitar in several easy steps. Horrible.

The PJ production model is particularly nice looking. I have owned three Lakland basses....they were all particularly good.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1396032743' post='2409321'] Ok, on the whole players of a certain style do tend to sway towards a certain type of guitar. I may have chosen my wording wrong. My instrument options are not limited as I play in a covers band who are not signed to a label. If I was in a heavy metal band, appearing on stage at a festival, I might avoid using a P bass, then again in a country and Western band, I might avoid using a Spector. I am merely saying, as someone asked about fashions of guitars, that players tend to use what suits their type of music [/quote] No you haven't chosen your wording wrong at all...in relation to your honestly held belief you have chosen your wording right and that is your prerogative. The vast majority of players probably hold a very similar belief.... I'm not criticising you. Whether or not a belief is true or not is irrelevant - the real question is...is the belief [i]useful [/i]or not to the individual? In the cold light of day I always try to avoid placing limitations upon my freedom to do what is best in any given situation....but that is just me being me. I cant be anyone else, and I have tried!

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1396030506' post='2409285'] Point one: Fair enough, but when have you ever seen a c/w guitarist using a flying V? Or for that matter, as mentioned above, a Steinberger bass...just saying [/quote] I don't dispute that [i]those players have made that choice[/i]...but [i]could they [/i]play C/W with a flying V or a Steinberger? Is it [i]possible[/i]? [quote name='ubit' timestamp='1396030506' post='2409285'] Point two: If you choose to think of my beliefs as limiting, then so be it but as mentioned above, you see c/w players MAINLY using Fenders. I never said it was a hard and fast rule [/quote] Well, you were the one who said that you believed that "surely the type of music that you play must determine the instrument you make said music with" - not me. That is a belief that will undoubtedly limit your instrument options....[i]yes[/i]?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1396028945' post='2409260'] I've heard a lot of people say that. [/quote] ......indeed, many people may well include me and I...can it not?

[quote name='Ziphoblat' timestamp='1396027939' post='2409252'] There seems to be a lack of "fashionable" basses at the moment, which results in most people "defaulting" to Fenders [/quote] Most people are defaulting to Fenders because most people are defaulting to Fenders. Many people are like sheep....

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1395998043' post='2408721'] Surely the type of music you play must influence what type of bass or guitar you use [/quote] Must = a verb that implies a mandatory compliance to a rule. There are no rules in music...music is art. You can play whatever bass you want no matter what the musical circumstances. If you choose to abide by popular unwritten convention you are merely limiting yourself! [quote name='ubit' timestamp='1395998043' post='2408721'] I know I am just asking for loads of examples proving me wrong, but its my opinion [/quote] Its your belief. Beliefs are in actual fact emotionally based opinions. Whether or not you choose to embrace limiting beliefs is of course entirely your choice.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1396009409' post='2408945'] Nice hack! Fingers crossed it doesn't snap and take your eye out! [/quote] The knot will never snap...it's a sheep bend and is perfect for this type of application. Trust me I am an old sea dog!

[quote name='dincz' timestamp='1395997198' post='2408702'] Well, apart from having to use that leg brace thingy to play sitting down [/quote] Yes...but the leg brace is an integral part of the sheer ingenuity of the design.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]GAS;[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"[/font][/color][i]Lack of contentment sows the seed of envy and leads to a culture of excessive materialism[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]" - Dalai Lama [/font][/color]

GAS; "[i]Lack of contentment sows the seed of envy and leads to a culture of excessive materialism[/i]" - Dalai Lama