uk_lefty

I was tempted on that one, might still be if mine is beyond saving.

It's been a while since I contributed to this thread... My jazz basses, a Sire and an MIM Fender, were sold off at the end of 2018 when I felt guilty about splashing out on a brand new Stingray. I regret being jazz-less now though have to admit the Stingray is just SO good and versatile and perfect for live gigs I need to remind myself you can only play one at a time! I have very recently acquired a beaten up Aria SB Elite 1 that needs lots of attention. If its financially viable this 1984 monster may be resurrected as a Fretless... I also bought myself a Squier CV Tele as a Christmas present to myself, seen with the Ray!

You and I are in agreement here. I maybe didn't phrase my post correctly. I was saying the fact that on release some high profile players, who could if they wanted to get most of their stuff for free, have chosen to place orders for Ashdown basses is surely a confirmation that the basses are good quality regardless of whether they are fender "clones" or not.

So the reports from NAMM that some high profile players have placed orders is not a good indication that they will be at least OK? (there's a video somewhere with Mark Gooday talking about these at NAMM and he names them) People who could just phone up most guitar companies and get given stuff for free have chosen these basses... Just saying.

If you already have effects at your disposal then you can get a lot more out of a cheap Fretless by using say the enhancer settings on a Boss bass limiter/ enhancer, a bit of digital delay or reverb, a bit of chorus, or variants of a lot of presets on a multi fx. Even just plucking the strings over the last few frets rather than over the pickups makes a difference. Plus different string choices. In short, even if you have to settle for something cheaper and with hardware and electronics you aren't happy with there is still so much you can do to coax good sounds out! Good luck with the search.

Sorry to jump on the thread but this is something I'm also looking in to. Regarding the interface, before I spend cash, I've got various bits of kit that may work for bass and guitar to get the sound in to the PC: blackstar BEAM amp, Boss GT10B multifx bass pedal, Zoom HN4, Zoom acoustic guitar pedal... What is "best"? I can record using the Zoom HN4 and put the memory card in the PC, or I can link one of the FX boxes in directly... But then do I need an interface in between an FX box and the PC?

They are awesome! They occasionally come up on ebay for a steal and I have been tempted to get one again.

No probs hope it lives up to my review for you! Good deal there, I paid 125 second hand.

I've been following Harley Benton on Facebook for a while and their whole range looks great! Not just basses but pedals, guitars, everything. Glad this is floating your boat.

Depends on your perspective I suppose?! Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. While it can't be played I'm a bit deflated by the whole thing tbh

Sorry, to add, I'm looking to get the lacquer off to see what damage there is underneath. I'm OK with there being a bit of bare wood on the neck as long as I can sand in such a way that there isn't a lip or ramp that will be uncomfortable to play over. Or maybe the neck goes naked. Whichever...

OK so lockdown is making me reluctant to make the non essential trip to get this professionally looked at or even posted. So, if I want to find out what's going on under that lacquer crack is 80grit sandpaper a good way to get through this sensibly? It's all I've got at the moment... Another view of the neck crack...

I've had various acoustic guitars since the age of 17. Started bass at 15. Wanted acoustics for writing... So I had a cheap acoustic, then a good solid top Tanglewood electro acoustic that stayed with me for a lot of years until buying a Fender Sonoran electro acoustic (the one with the start style headstock) which I've had for something like 6 years now. It's sound isn't as sophisticated as the old Tanglewood but it feels much nicer on the neck. I don't do much other than open chords and a bit of fingerpicking, I've avoided trying to play any kind of lead guitar. I've recently bought a Squier CV Tele after hearing rave reviews. It's pretty good but I don't quite get the fuss, maybe because I'm not a guitarist! I might do a bit of rhythm guitar in a mates band when the virus situation changes but would need to really up my game. Also toyed with using it for a project I wanted to do but not sure will ever happen!

I've bought from them before and they've been good. There's a notice on their website today saying some deliveries may be delayed due to the virus, also some things have an estimated restocking time on them, some are 20+ weeks.

Still not great for colour options etc. for lefties. Having said that, it's a Stingray, that balls-out monster tone makes up for a lot of minor points you might not be happy with!

Well, this must be an acquired taste. Eastwood Left Handed EB-1 4 String Electric Bass https://reverb.com/item/33306815-eastwood-left-handed-eb-1-4-string-electric-bass?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=33306815

Well, now had chance. Fender P through it on both actual bass amp settings this time, not guitar amp settings! Very pleased. Adequate volume for nodding about or playing along with mp3s. The BEAM does everything I want it to, small practice amp for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. All the amp sounds are good if you've read the instructions and used them correctly!! The effects are adequate for messing about but I don't know if you get access to more by plugging in to a PC. Volume would be OK for playing bass along with an acoustic guitarist in the same room. I'd rate the sound quality for bass the same as a Fender Rumble 15. Criticisms... Bluetooth music play has a bit of hiss to it but it's not too bad. Other features: I would like to see the software for it and hope it's easy to use. Apparently it can be used for recording but I'm not sure how, and I would hope that there are other effects you can download and or save so that you can have settings you like stored up on the unit. What would be great would be to have a vocal input too so you could use it as a true acoustic performance amp thingy, there isn't a vocal channel on it sadly but I guess that would create more complexity and cost. Overall I am (now!!) happy with it and won't look for another practice amp. The oxblood colour is cool too.

I did gig it when I was 18. Half my life ago. It got used a lot since but I didn't get back it to proper gigging until about four years ago and then I was using separate pedals. I wouldn't use a BFX708 now because I have better quality basses and amps these days, though I have used the smaller units from the same era as good spares because you can turn up to an open mic and line out to the PA with them if you need. In fact I recently bought an old zoom two pedal thingy for my electro acoustic guitar.

Firstly, thanks for bringing me in to this thread, Al. Secondly, I've also heard an ebay ad ripping the pedal too, think it was linked through the site. To be fair, and I think you were joking anyway, every tit on ebay calls things "rare", "vintage" and "custom". Even if they're new, in box, and easily available. It's like it's part of the ad template for music gear.

I had the BFX-708 for years! I think things have moved on a lot since those days. How are the amp sisms? I think I'd miss my trace elliot and "super flat" amp sims that I get on the Boss.

Yeah this is what I want to avoid, creating complexity! I went from individual pedals to the GT10B thinking I'd never need to change back, but it's just so big, heavy, and needs a lot of time spent on tweaking. I think the Helix should be more intuitive to change patches and so on?

I would go for the smallest form factor, just worried I'd miss my wah pedal. Then again for about six months I have used no effects at all, just a tuner/ mute!

Will watch this keenly in case there are more contributions... I have a Boss Gt10b which is old tech but it does billions more things than I need, I just know its all there in case I ever need it. However it is old tech, it's big and its heavy. I also mainly like the amp sims and don't really use the effects, looper etc. Was thinking of going for the new boss, though heard its just "OK", that might be enough for me! But am drawn to the possibilities of the Helix, even though I might only use 2 or 3 percent of what it does!

I got one on here for a reply good price second hand, immaculate condition with manual, the works! It just does what it needs to do. Apparently they're good for guitar too. Moved it on because I got a Blackstar BEAM as it doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker in addition to being a one-for-all amp. I wasn't too impressed with the bass sounds from the BEAM (guitar sounds are v good) until I realised earlier this week I wasn't actually selecting the bass amp properly... Will try it on the actual bass amp setting over this long weekend I think!