Dingus

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1384630433' post='2278988'] I thought it was a bloke. [/quote] [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1384630527' post='2278991'] I did, too - oops! [/quote] When I say things like that I get banned.

If you are going to emulate a particular era in popular music then the early 1980's is as good a time as any. I love a lot of the music from that time, and there are a lot of parrallels between then and now in what is happening in British society , so maybe the style and attitude of this music and this band reflects that. Bearing that in mind, I can understand how if Lowender was living in the States and doesn't quite get the references that his perception of this band and their music is a bit different to those of us who were in the U.K . The music has to be seen within the context of that culture. All this brings to mind something I heard Boy George say not too long ago about how if people can get nostalgic for the 1980's then they can get nostalgic for anything , because at the time most people talked about how awful it was. We were mostly skint at the start of it, and many of us were a bit richer by the end of it, but no one ever suspected we would be looking back at it as a [i]belle epoque,[/i] because it really never was one in reality . That decade was epitomised by a rejection of sentimentality and the embracing of everything[i] moderne[/i], and so it seems perverse to romanticise it now., but that is human nature , I suppose.

The World is full of chancers, my friend. I suppose you can't blame people for trying , and it's up to the vendor to assess if a trade offer is a good deal or not and accept or reject it on that basis. . That is how commerce works. It does sound like some people are being a bit over-optimistic there, though, to put it politely.

Wow, watching that is like a timewarp back to Whistle Test thirty-odd years ago ! The only thing missing is that in those days the song would have probably have been about nuclear armageddon , as I'm sure you will remember well., Nigel . I admire this band and their rather than enjoy them myself , to be honest with you, but I can certainly see their appeal . I find it a very uncomfortable listen , but that it the effect they are going for . I really enjoyed the Punk Brittania series on BBC 4 last year and it made me revisit a lot of music from that Post -Punk era that this lot are so reminiscent of , and a lot of it still sounds great. They certainly look the part, too. It's as if they have carefully studied photographs of students at Liverpool Polytechnic circa 1981 to copy their clothes and hairstyles . All they need to do now is find a peace camp to do a benefit concert for. Those were the days...

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1384552868' post='2278222'] I would sell my left nut for a KingBass. [/quote] Probably best not to put ideas like that into Marcus' head...

[quote name='Left Foot' timestamp='1384533112' post='2277871'] Good topic. My two cents (probably a penny short): As technology changes the culture and understanding of music has changed with it creating sounds we never expected in previous generations. The problem here is that what was once a rebellious and aggressive art form, metal is now a exponent of 'traditional' instruments. For traditional music the instruments all have their part to play and the music maker, producer and consumer have clearly defined and understood expectations and parameters that these instruments should meet. Hence why Sneap is selling the actual instrument tones, to reinforce the tradition. But, metal needs to stay sharp, aggressive and relevant today to fill the quota of 'rebellion'. Unfortunately it has does this through numerous 'cut your noise off to spite your own face' type exercises. The music maker, producer and even consumer are all slightly tired of it, its reached a plateau of expression and so after we're saturated with the metal image and tattoo's, long hair and ggrrrrrrr (what?) there's only one chance to re-invent rebellion, that's by mocking the tradition (which shows the lack of ambition in the plateau). I always thought that metal, punk and grunge where always about fighting against established forms of thought, yet its now compounding them to suit its own aesthetic. ...but whatever right? rant off. [/quote] Great post. Left Foot has put his finger on it when he says that metal has become conformist and contrived in its' non-conformity. One uniform has replaced another. Regarding the role of the bass in metal though, trends in heavy rock music come and go , but you can't get away from just how much [i]all[/i] these bands owe to Black Sabbath , and Geezer Butler contributes hugely to the sound of that band.. In the extremely unlikely eventuality he was ever hired to produce, them I would like to see this record producer tell Sabbath that the bass player was only there to make up the numbers . He would get a frank and forthright response involving sex and travel as well as his P45 , I expect .

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1384464465' post='2277156'] And the rosewood neck Reflex with rosewood top!!!! An available option!! [/quote] I had a look at these . A bit too much rosewood for me personally -I'm a solid colour man myself nowadays - but they do look pretty stunning and I can certainly see their appeal . For anyone thinking about buying a Reflex , I can honestly say that if you are into EBMM, they are pretty epic basses, but be warned that they have got a different feel to them in terms of ergonomics because of the shape. They certainly balance and feel comfortable , but when you first strap them on everything feels a bit weirdly -placed if you are used to a more conventionally -shaped bass. That said , once you get used to the Reflex shape , it feels funny going back to a Fender bass with a top horn that digs in your chest. Despite having the same preamp as the Bongo, they sound very different in terms of the basic tone. With the Bongo I always think that you are primarily hearing the tone of the pickups and electronics, whereas on the Reflex you get far more of a sense of an organic "woodiness" to the sound. I expect the rosewood top would only add to that.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1384468162' post='2277205'] seriously? A BC'er posts a photo displaying not only two top quality basses (no matter what you think of the design) that he and his Dad have a common interest in and all we can do is take the piss? Pffft. [/quote] Besides, if you think this is taking the piss, you should have been around here when I asked for some hairdressing advice...

[quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1384470016' post='2277221'] Doesn't bother me too much. You can all say what you want, at least me and my old man share an interest and get on really well, that means me to me than all the bass guitars on the planet. [/quote] That's the weird bit for people of my generation and older. Dads are supposed to say " That's not music , it's just a bloody racket. Frank Sinatra , that's music..." etcetera., not have a funked-up three hour Mark King slapathon with their son and then go buy out and buy a Status . Someone was talking on Basschat a while ago about their grandparents taking them to an Iron Maiden gig ! The world has changed , and I feel lost in it . Having said that , Marcus is of the age that he could be my son , so we could have the same common interest , but if he lived under my roof , bass or no bass, that hair and the sleeveless t -shirt would have to go., I'm afraid.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384456361' post='2277019'] Rugby Taliban release two more bodies. Status reveal new custom hair-matching service. [/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1384465295' post='2277170'] Flea finds long-lost son - gives him ginger wig for a laugh [/quote] Laughed out loud!

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1384457049' post='2277027'] I've just gotten a pack of Overwater string today and they have Made in UK on them if that helps place the factory they're made in. Heh, kinda does place it really, it's in the UK! I meant, if GHS have a factory in the UK that would corroborate. [/quote] They must have changed supplier at some point then , because they were [u]definitely[/u] made by GHS when they first introduced them back in the late 1990's .

Speaking of strings, this thread has just inspired me to ge through my string box and do some tidying up . As a result , I have realised that I have got several sets of brand new strings that I will never use now for one reason or another , so I am going to sell them all for an incredibly reasonable price here on Basschat . I need to get them sorted out and buy some jiffy bags to post them ect , but there are at least three brand new sets of Lakland stainless steel roundwounds gauged 45-105 , a set of DR Sumbeams 45-105, a couple of sets of Fender nickel and a set of D'Addario XL's that I got two days ago . All the strings are brand new with a maximum of an hours playing time , but mostly about ten minutes use unti once again l I realise I have wasted more money on strings I don't like , and they are all cut for a strings- thru- body Fender- style bass. It will take me a while to get organised enough to post them , but if anyone wants first refusal on anything mentioned , drop me a P.M . Doubtless , when I sell them I will then spend that money on more strings I don't like very much and keep this thread going .

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1384454896' post='2276989'] I actually really like these. I mainly use Overwater lights now which I swear are the same strings as they sound similar and have the same drop-off rate of brightness. I find on my basses they have an overly sharp zing that dies off quickly and then settle in the sweet post (for me) for a long time before falling off dead. I don't like over-zingy strings though so maybe what you don't like about them is what I love about them! How do the Fenders compare against them? Are they brighter for longer? Do they give you more cutting mids? I've never tried them and at least one of my basses needs restringing soon... [/quote] I know that GHS make Overwater's strings for them , ( as well as many other companies strings , besides), so maybe they are essentially the same string after all .

I find Sunbeams to be one of the very best strings , full stop. Long life and all- round great tone .

Wow, they are doing the rosewood neck option again ? That would be something special . Not sure about how an all-rosewood rosewood would look on a Bongo , though. I suppose it would all depend on the colour of the bass. The black basses with the roasted maple looked sumptious to me, and I wish they would offer that option again. I was sure they would do a Tenth Anniversary Bongo this year , maybe with series/parrallel switching or some othe such r novelty , but nothing transpired.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1384448655' post='2276866'] Agreed. I bought one, then bought another as I liked it so much. One of the most radical and interesting bass designs in the past 10 years or more. Funnily enough, it has been said that the Bongo wouldn't last. Funny that, but its eventually infiltrated the lives of most Musicman owners that I know. The build quality is absolute perfect on mine....nice weight, beautifully carved/machined body shape, perfect paintwork, and a killer sound. That is exactly what they wanted, a killer tone. They absolutely nailed it. [/quote] I want a single H now , in lieu of a Stingray Classic. If I could get a nice Stingray Classic that weighed 9 pounds or less then I would snap it up , but I think I am unlikely to be that lucky , so my next best choice would be a Bongo H . How long before you get the same urge, Gareth ?

Your dad looks a bit like Ross Kemp, and that photo is crying out to be used in a caption competition . Enjoy your basses, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that your car keeps working O.K . If I were a betting man , however...

Maybe that is why so many Nu Metal bands use such a scooped out bass sound , i.e so the bass is deliberately inaudible. When Quincy Jones starts saying that the bass guitar is redundant then I will start paying attention . This chap specialises in making records with bands who look like they are the kind of men who grow mushrooms up their arse, so I am not too worried what he thinks about anything.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1384445401' post='2276819'] Do you assign a letter to all your parcels ;-) [/quote] No , only my chromosomes.

I have just had a package delivered that took the longest of any USPS express parcel I have ever received . Now that it has arrived , there is void in my life where I used tio check the tracking updates on the internet.

I think the Bongo looks great, and they sound unique . Definitely my favourite EBMM bass, by far.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1384379424' post='2276074'] So that was you..? I was there so that no-one would find out I wrote the entire works of Shakespeare. On the moon. [/quote] Cosmic.

That's impressive work , Pete. I know very little about how electricity works , and I can't understand why Mrs Dingus seems to spend so much money on batteries nowadays . Dissapointing to know that your gizmo is going to Thailand to be used in a factory, though. It would have been nice if your handiwork was going to power some pumped-up fleshpot of a go go bar or simliar humanitariian project. Maybe next time.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1384376402' post='2276007'] Delusion is endemic in the music business. [/quote] No it isn't . I really am the illegitimate son of King of Belgium and [i] I [/i]wrote all the songs for the Beatles while Lennon and McCartney took all the credit . That is why they had me put in this hospital to make sure no one finds out .

Generally speaking , to make buying basses from the U.S.A worthwhile, you are wasting your time dealing with retailers . You need too deal with individuals or companies who will sell to you directly and can offer more substantial discounts on their goods than a retailer ever would unless they were trying to shift unwanted stock . To offset the potential pitfalls you need have the added incentive that you are getting the goods at a much cheaper price and therefore able to offset the risk with an exit strategy by which you can always sell on the goods in the U.K for at least their total cost to yourself. Otherwise , it can be a false economy in many cases . The only caveat is if you are trying to buy goods unavailable in the U.K. then shopping in the States can be the only option.