Dingus

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1389987213' post='2340362'] Sorry, been listening to Mark since Level 42s first appearance on OGWT and I completely disagree. His KBs (certainly the ones I've heard, not heard the KB2) sound very different to me, as did the Jaydees. The Jaydees are typically more honky/grunty (technical terms, lol), the Alembics typically more fluid and twangy sounding with that lovely 'Alembicness' with the KBs simply very pingy and graphite-sounding IMO. My favourite-sounding of his Status basses was his red 2000. Of course I'm sure his different amplification was/is a factor as well; if you go back to the earlier days he was far less thin and glassy than now. I have quite a lot of live Level 42 stuff on dvd from throughout the years (including quite a bit transferred from old VHS tapes from performances on the telly) and although his style is far removed from mine, safe to say I've watched an awful lot of it an awful lot of times. Oh, have met him too. Very nice chap indeed. He was the first person I ever saw slap (that selfsame OGWT performance); scared the daylights out of me. Absolutely fell in love with the Starchild Jaydee though, still one of my favourite-looking basses. Always find it a bit weird when people criticise his slapping, which is integral to the music he plays; I vastly prefer his style to say Marcus's, which I personally find a bit leaden (yes, I know he's [i]laying it down[/i]). To me he plays bass almost like a jazz drummer, which I prefer (jazz drummers are the only real drummers IMO ). [/quote] Suffice to say that I don't agree with your assessment of Mark King's playing ability or indeed your description of his style - I think he is at his best constructing inventive basslines , which he does very well, rather than his slap histrionics- but any comparison between Mark King with Marcus Miller is a step too far for me to let pass without comment. Marcus Miller is in a different dimension as a musician to Mark King, and is so superior in terms of taste , feel and overall intellectual and emotional depth that it's not really fair to Mark King to make the mention him in the same context.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1390229675' post='2342854'] Neil Murray's 20th Ann Alembic is still up on Bass Direct... [/quote] [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1390234679' post='2342931'] .................but it's Neil Murrays bass! [/quote] It used to be Neil Murray's bass a[i] long [/i]time ago. I've seen that bass for sale at least once before, many years ago, I think at The Gallery, where I know Neil is a regular customer. I nearly bought one of those Alembic 20th Anniversary basses new in the summer of 1992 .They had one identical to Neil Murray's ( could even have been Neil that ended up buying it ) in the Bass Centre at Wapping and it was epic. It was just over two grand at the time , which was a lot of money in those days compared to most other basses , but in retrospect it would probably have been money well spent. I have never owned an Alembic due mainly to the fact that they are, for the most part, designed with overall playing comfort as an afterthought, but I am still just as fascinated and fixated by them as when I first saw them . At their best, they have got such a unique tone that nothing else will substitute for.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1390152553' post='2342002'] I'm just glad I'm not a keyboard player. [/quote] Wouldn't bother me. Elton John and David Furnish seem very happy.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1390153138' post='2342011'] I travel overseas a lot, so only one in Essex, the other three scattered around the world - The neighbours are convinced I am a MI6 spy, so know better than to poke their noses into my shoe fetish. [/quote] Clever stuff! You are the jazz funk James Bond.

I play bass and I get unwanted attention from loads of women . Admittedly, a lot of them are in receipt of some form of community care, but even women who are not living in sheltered accommodation can tell at an instinctive level that I have been blessed with the gifts to make their most intimate womanly fantasies come true . Playing the bass guitar in a such a compelling fashion is only part of it , in the same way that being so good looking and having such great fashion sense is only part of it. . It is combination of many factors that make me so appealing to the collective erotic imagination of womankind, and being a bass player is just part of the overall package, and what a package it is!

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1390134744' post='2341748'] Unfortunately this analysis has been applied to those who don't play.............. Bongo basses. All toilet humour aside (especially those who play the biggest toilet context bass ever......the 'I only play a P, bob' brigade), the Bongo is the biggest chick magnet guitar ever - I've had far more 'may I touch your instrument' moments from women using that bass than any other!!!! The other basses usually attract gentleman admirers (of the instrument....bass.......) well you knew what I meant!!! [/quote] If I had a pound for every woman who has come up to me and asked for a feel of my Bongos then I would probably( almost )have enough money for a set of Ernie Ball Cobalts!

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1390141984' post='2341833'] I don't attract many women. [/quote] You probably attract more than you realise , Shelly.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1390128905' post='2341652'] I am a Bass player who sings as well - My four wives are happy with that. [/quote] Do you find being polygamous in Essex much of a problem, Gary? Four wives must cost you a fortune in white stilettos, never mind what the neighbours say .

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1390129564' post='2341670'] I play bass, sing and play flute, fighting them off with a sh*tty stick. [/quote] Beat them off with a sh*tty flute and make it part of the act, kind of like a misogynistic Jethro Tull tribute act.

Found this clip on YT and it features the aforementioned Vigier Arpege, and it turns out to be fretless with a metal fingerboard! Could this get any more '80's? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ihi9bkxomE That bass , the white jumpsuit, that hair. That is just about everything was aiming for as a young man , and probably still am now . No wonder I am such a disappointment to myself when I look in the mirror . All I need now is Findus French Bread frozen pizza that tastes like polystyrene with a bit of cheese and tomato on it and I will be transported back to those days.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1389789797' post='2337874'] I've always been a fan of the large semi-hollow basses and guitars, such as the Gibson E335 shape/etc, and I've recently been craving a very thuddy 'upright-meets-bass-guitar' type tone from a bass with a fat neck pickup strung with flats. I've been looking at new Gibson basses, and they mainly seem to be finished in nitro. Being how I am, this might not be a wise move! Some players love the checking/wear, and whilst honest wear is fine with me, I'm not sure I could be doing with having to put dusters on stands/not opening the case after its been outside for a while. I do not think checking looks good! Just how fragile is it??! Thanks [/quote] I don't think you would encounter those problems with a modern Gibson nitro finish, Gareth. The nitrocellulose they use today is very different to that which was available in the 1950's and 1960's. The chemical companies have had decades to refine and develop their products and, as with modern paints, they are far more robust and stable overall. There will be a big difference between the robustness of these current finishes and how vintage instruments have worn .

[quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1389950576' post='2339774'] Lets not get off topic [/quote] [quote name='4000' timestamp='1389964602' post='2340027'] Let's not change the habits of a lifetime... . [/quote] Relax, Marcus, it's very relevant. I would beg to differ in so much as MK's tone suffers so much from using such skinny strings and his complete absence of taste and judgement of that he gets the same anaemic , percussive rattle out of anything. I've been listening to Mark King play since 1981 and he sounded just the same then as he does now. In the studio his tone might be processed slightly differently from album to album, or even track to track, but in a live scenario he hammers out the same sound regardless of what bass he favours. I honestly believe if you shut your eyes you wouldn't be able to differentiate between his Status and his Alembic. In many ways, that's a testament to how good his Status and various other basses sound because, when it comes to that modern hifi bass sound , Alembic will always be the top of the tree in my estimation, , but it's also a bit ( a lot) of an indictment of Mark King as a musician.

[quote name='donkelley' timestamp='1389932974' post='2339698'] I'm glad that people have been pointing this out. The problem with the 3 eq is the exact opposite of what was originally described... it actually WAS redesigned from scratch and completely screwed up as a result. The John East is an example of a real stingray 2 band with an extra circuit add-on for mid sweep, and it's outstanding. I use similar add on mid sweep modules myself these days (have an emg one added onto the 2band in my carvin bass) and intend on doing the same thing to my fretless ebmm 5 string USA sub (which is effectively a 5 string version of a 4 string vintage 2 band stingray). [/quote] That preamp may have been redesigned from scratch , but the point is that whoever did it- if indeed their brief was to retain the same Stingray tone- didn't take into account the degree of interactivity between the controls. Maybe because that three band preamp was created primarily for the Stingray 5, which is a very different beast overall, that explains why it changes the overall characteristic of a regular four string version . I think the preamp on the three band Stingray is perfectly adequate ( especially on the five string version ) , and I personally don't particularly mind the current three EQ version as a four string - it sounds close enough to a Stingray for my tastes- but there is no doubt that the old two band basses sound different, especially pre-EBMM. If I had a three band Stingray I wouldn't be chopping it up for firewood, that's for sure, but , for whatever reason , in use the two band is a different proposition overall.

[quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1389813977' post='2338251'] Thanks for the opinions so far guys , one might be on it's way later in the year, so just thought I'd build up expectations [/quote] Bear in mind Marcus, if you are Mark King aficionado, that the Alembic MK model bears only a scant relationship to the actual Alembics Mark King plays. His basses are far more upmarket examples. The only thing the more standard versions of his signature model have in common is that, for some reason, they have his name associated with them . Not that any of that makes much difference because, lets face it, Mark King makes all his basses sound the same, anyway. His playing style is a great leveller.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1389815784' post='2338300'] If I had my time again (assuming I still had back problems) I'd get a Balanced K shape. All the goodness but lighter and better balanced. [/quote] That Balance K Omega body shape is a huge improvement on the older ones in terms of balance, weight and ergonomics. Looks beautiful, too.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1389877662' post='2338962'] I love Alembic basses - they're really 'as good as it gets' in my opinion - but I've never played the signature models I'm afriad. I have no reason to believe they would be anything less than stunning. I wish they could be run in stereo though! [/quote] You can run Alembics in stereo, via an Alembic stereo preamp. As you would expect, not cheap, though.

I haven't played the Emperor 5 Standard , but I have played a couple of earlier Fodera bolt-on, 4 and 5 string, and they were superb instruments, in no way inferior to the set-neck or neck-thru models ( I actually preferred them) , and what I also remember vividly is that the five string was substantially lighter in weight than the very weighty neck-thru models I played at the same time. How typical that weight difference is , however, I couldn't really say. This Standard range looks in essence to a be a production run of same-spec bolt on models, and if they are made by Fodera then all the essential aspects of lutherie that make a bass perform properly will almost certainly have been done with the highest standard of craftsmanship. That is the secret of Fodera basses, and most other revered high-end bass makers, for that matter . The simple, basic aspects of guitar making are done precisely and correctly, and that makes all the difference when you pick them up and play them . I'm not a big fan of Fodera basses myself- just not my cup of tea, I'm afraid- but they are undeniably top quality , albeit at a very high retail price.

It is indeed the VAT that makes buying abroad so expensive, but then again ,VAT makes buying good available in the U.K akin to sucking lemons, too. Blame the Tories. I do, and it makes me feel a little bit better. I blame them for so much more besides VAT , too.

That colour is actually called Crimson Transparent , and it was indeed very nice. The American Deluxe range first came out in 1996/97 , and originally had pickups with single 1/4 inch magnet slugs and a preamp designed by John Suhr, who was working for Fender at that time. I seem to remember that the transparent finishes on the first model had an ash veneer with an alder body wood as the core. It sounds like your bass is the second incarnation that came out in 1999 with new colour options, new design noiseless pickups, lightweight tuners and solid alder or ash bodies, depending on the chosen finish. There was another revamp sometime in the mid-2000's, with a host of new colour options again and the new Samarium Cobalt pickups. The current version came out in 2010, I think.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1389541017' post='2335261'] At risk of alienating myself (again) to suggest that bassists who have low slung instruments can't play and having a high slung instrument means the bassist can play their instrument and go widdly widdly all over all the frets which is in some way seen as better,frankly, is outrageous snobbery. [/quote] It would be snobbery if it were that simple, but that's not what I am saying. There are two different but interrelated issues. Firstly, regardless of what is" cool" , for most people slinging the bass very low on a strap makes it harder to play with good technique. Whether you play fancy, widdly stuff with that technique is up to the individual, but you will probably have a better chance of playing any style of music properly and with greater ease. Secondly, how , why and with what validity did it pass into folk law that wearing a guitar slung low is cool , anyway? Is that assumption universally adhered to, and if so, why? Do the majority of people really believe that, and if they do, why do they do so , are they right to think that way , and should we all subscribe to that belief ?

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1389542669' post='2335277'] Parcel Force is the UK appointed international receiver. Parcel Force's insurance categories specifically exclude musical instruments. USPS terms and conditions state, with respect to "value limits" "or a lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value". The value limit on cover for musical instruments in the UK is zero. Your goods, when entering Parcel Force's network carried no insurance, other than at the discretion of Parcel Force - usually limited to 100 times the value of a standard first class postage stamp (currently £0.60). [/quote] This is not so. The exclusion only applies in certain circumstances, and is circumvented by Parcel Force's contract with the U.S.P.S . If the U.S Postal Service accept the goods for shipping insurance then they are covered similarly on U.K soil . By the same token, it is possible to insure musical instruments with Parcel Force to be shipped overseas if you use a shipping agent brokering Parcel Force's services who has their own insurance arrangements . I insured and sent a bass to the U.S.A using Parcel Force a few months ago using that option.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1389537407' post='2335208'] USPS insurance only applies while the item is in the possession of USPS, which, in practice, means until the goods are loaded to its appointed air/sea carrier. The same scenario applies to items shipped with Royal Mail to destinations outside of the UK. You have to be careful with state postal services, particularly with insurance provision. [/quote] I've shipped five basses this last year, all fully insured and .as far as I know,USPS are partnered with the Royal Mail who are participants in a reciprocal agreement , and the insurance is valid up to the point of delivery in the U.K .I have never heard of any such a limitation in the cover , although there is a maximum limit of $5000 to the insurance value .

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1389536141' post='2335181'] I thought USPS had a maximum length restriction? I'm sure I've looked into it in the past and with neck on, in a case, with box, it exceeded their max dimensions... they could have amended it of late mind. [/quote] I've used them since the mid-1980s with no such problems. The Priority Mail has different regulations than the even cheaper budget services, that may well have such restrictions. I have never dismantled a bass, or anything else for that matter, to ship it.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1389375526' post='2333597'] In that case, have you thought about joining the circus and becoming a clown ? You get to do all those things a lot more than you do being a bass player. [/quote] Just read that again and it sounds like a bit of a snotty thing to say... sorry ! I didn't mean it to be. Just be careful you don't wear your bass so low you fall over with it. I've seen that happen , and that new flying V won't be helping your centre of gravity. I've got a very poor sense of balance myself, and, funnily enough, it seems to get worse after drinking alcohol .Maybe that is why I prefer my bass at waist height.

[quote name='antnee' timestamp='1389473377' post='2334617'] Looks fairly badass to me! [/quote] Right on! Timmy C is a badass because he is a terrific bass player, not because of his posing skills. He wears it that height so he can play it better, and it works. I seriously doubt that Rage Against The Machine's music would be such a serious threat to the establishment were it not for his inventive, well-executed and cleanly-played basslines. He couldn't do that with his bass slung round his knees, and capitalism and social injustice of various kinds would go unchallenged as a result.