Dingus

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1371048316' post='2109089'] . What's important is that it sounds similar and has a very similar output level to your main bass. [/quote] If , for whatever reason, you decide that you need a backup bass then this is very good advice . If your main bass fails you want to be able to plug in and go with the backup with no fuss or extra hassle - you will have been having enough grief already by virtue of your main bass choking .

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1371047140' post='2109063'] Don't disagree, i personally wouldnt pay £2500 for a late 70's Fender, because i don't want one, and think there are better basses out there for that money, both in playability, and also from an investment perspective. But, if I'd always dreamed of owning a vintage Fender Jazz, and now found myself in a position to buy one, for whatever the reason, and had a budget of £2500, then I would want the best bang for my buck. At the present time, that would be a really nice example of a mid 70's Jazz. if they find a nice one, then its still a good buy. Are there better basses out there for that money?, maybe, but will they scratch the itch you've had to own an old Fender?, No. [/quote] It's interesting to think that the vintage guitar market came into being at the end of the 1960's and really got going in the 1970's because players were dissatisfied with what the major American guitar makers were producing and hankered for the older models . It just seems a little paradioxical to me that people are now hankering for instruments that were the exact ones that supposedly discerning players were rejecting at the time . I have no axe to grind with people who like to buy vintage - I spend plenty of time oggling vintage basses on the internet myself and if I win the lottery my house will be full of them - and I can certainly see the appeal of Fenders up to 1973 , but in the case of mid to late Seventies Fenders it's like people getting romantic over an Austin Allegro as a classic car , i.e it was classically awful at the time and won't have improved with age .

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1371038740' post='2108919'] This is true, certainly with very high end guitars, I remember '59 LP's going for half a million dollars, they can now be bought for around £150k, and a '54 Strat is possibly less than it was 10-15 years ago (relatively at least), when things went crazy for about 5 years. In my experience, that has [i]never[/i] happened with basses though. Firstly, basses have never been in the $50k+ bracket, let alone $500k+ bracket. I havent seen the price of vintage basses drop at all over the last 20 years. For example, a stack knob jazz has continued to increase steadily over the last 15 years, and has gone even more so in the last 3 years. I remember seeing '69 Tele basses 5 years ago for £1200, because they weren't fashionable, or they weren't a P, or a J. Now they are £3k because its an affordable vintage bass alternative. Inflated prices?, don't buy that comment, things are always worth whatever someone is willing to pay, at any given moment in time. Nothing inflated about it. We've all seen a high end instrument advertised at big money, with seemingly no interest for 4 months, then suddenly it sells, people will always want the top gear, its just the higher up the chain you go, there's less people in that market, so it may take a little longer, or they may have gear to sell themselves first to fund it. [i]Your[/i] opinion of an 'inflated' price, is probably someone else's 'I must have that at any price because i've waited 10 years to find one and I'm not gonna miss it'. [/quote] I agree with you , Rick , that the market dictates prices and so things are ultimately worth what people will pay for them subject to the laws of supply and demand , and said exactly that in my earlier post . I descibe particulaly mid to late Seventies Fender basses as being inflated in price because of the dramatic increase in that market price in recent years . My own opinion is that these basses are chronically overpriced considering their generally poor quality as iinstruments in many or even most cases , but people pay their money and take their choice , and good luck to all parties concerned . If someone has one to sell , I am all in favour of whoever it is getting as much as they possibly can for it , but I certainly wouldn't buy one myself in any forseeable circumstances .

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1371027249' post='2108693'] So you could get the same effect by playing the 45s at 33? [/quote] I've never tried it , but it would probably yield those kind of results . I find I can get a similar effect in my own music by eating a very large meal and consuming lots of fizzy drinks before I pick my bass up .

I would think that the term Freak Beat derives from the advent of psychedelic music and the counter - culture that surrounded it at the time , i.e the "freaks " or hippies , and the way in which the Beat groups , whose music had been the dominant musical trend immidiately preceding the advent of psychedelia , responded to try and incorporate this new style into their music . Subsequently , the melodic mainstream pop songs of the groups who had aspired to be part of the British invasion became influenced by a darker and more agressive and disturbing sound . In retrospect this has been christened Freak Beat by some people . In America the same trend was known as Garage Rock , but probably due to the fact that most families at the time still parked in the street in Britain and bands rehearsed in church halls and youth clubs , we had to think of another name , so music raconteur and record collector Phil Smee ( the man who designed the Motorhead logo with the horned beast with chains and the gothic script , among other things ) invented the term " freak beat " to descibe it's U.K counterpart . That is the story of freak beat .

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1371026697' post='2108684'] Disagree. Even 5 years ago, 70's fenders were available for just over a grand for an original finish one in reasonable nick, its not unusual to see a nice '73 sunburst Jazz available now for £2500+. There's one available now for £3200!! This is because 50's stuff has gone through the roof, 60's stuff is now going for £5k+, and double that on early J's, therefore those wanting a vintage Fender, will go to the best within their budget, this pushes up the price of 70's instruments accordingly. The reputation alone shouldnt be a big consideration anyway, sure, there are some heavy examples out there, but there are also some really nice examples, so i would always advise buying on inspection, having played it, and not buying blind. As has been mentioned before, originality is everything though when it comes to 'investment', I'd advise paying a little more to get one that's 'right'. I know many players/collectors who simply wouldnt entertain a refin'd bass/guitar for example. But you shouldn't buy an instrument solely for this reason, buy it because you love it, it plays great, sounds gorgeous, and turns you on, if it also happens to be rare, original, and desirable, then you get to tick all the boxes. [/quote] I know for certain that in America , which is ultimately where the market value is decided because that's where the vast majority of examples are located , the prices of vintage guitars have fallen dramatically in the last six or seven years . Even vintage guitar dealers are acknowledging that in the early 2000's instruments were trading for silly money , far more than they were really worth . However , quite interestingly , the reduction in prices lately has been evident at the higher end of the market , so a 1959 Strat in mint condition will probably cost you less than ten years ago but a 1970's Jazz Bass with some wear and tear will still be an expensive proposition for what it is . Maybe if the market hadn't crashed then '70's stuff would be selling at even dafter prices now . I expect that that is largely due to the fact that 1970's stuff is still just within the realms of affordability for most people who are serious enthusiasts - it costs about the same as a high quality new instrument - and so as long as it maintains that relationship with peoples real spending power , and as long they stay in vogue , it will continue to sell at inflated prices .

Just googled it . Panic over . It turns out it's old timers music from the Sixties . From what I just read , it's kind of like The Shadows with clinical depression . For a minute then I thought I might be out of touch with youth culture . Thank God it's a retro thing .

Never heard of it . Does that mean I am not hip any more ? Does not compute ! Does not compute !

Most people still didn't even have video recorders when the first series of Rockschool was on in 1983 , so you had to watch it and then try and remember what you had seen . I can easily get a bit emotional when I watch it again now .

I too used to love Rockschool back in the day , and have revisited it more than once on YT . I think it most cetainly would work today . The only problem would be that television has to compete with material on new media such as Youtube , so that might be a sticking point regarding it's commissioning . Another thing to consider is that a lot of kids who would have aspired to play drums , bass , guitar , keyboards or be a singer in our day now want to be a DJ/mixer/ producer , and so you are more likely to get a series showing kids how to do scratching on the turntables and a bit of break dancing than how to play chord inversions or do a bit of thumb slapping . Young people nowadays seem to lack the dedication it takes to learn how to play . That makes me sound old , doesn't it ?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1370976014' post='2108226'] We only play new age southern bluegrass death metal ragga hip hop rather than fusion so its not an issue [/quote] Purist .

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1370959027' post='2107941'] They are just proper basses that cover all genres IMO. [/quote] Oh , yeah ? Try playing death metal ragga hip hop fusion on one and you will find it sorely lacking in certain areas .

These are indeed very fine basses . I would go so far as to say that the sound they produce is the equal of many exotic boutique basses costing much more . In many ways , they are the best five string I have ever played . I haven't got one myself because certain things about them don't suit me and would prohibit me from ever buying one , but they are undeniably great - sounding basses , and for £650 you have got yourself a mega - bargain that should make playing it all the sweeter . Enjoy it .

I cannot help but wonder whether Marcus has some master plan regarding buying and selling basses that is so brilliant that I am unable to understand it .

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1370849970' post='2106154'] I think 'those in the know whom label things' call this the [i][b]Halo[/b][/i] effect....sorta happens with most things when the original gets over priced for Joe Public so they have to go to the next affordable example that basks in the light of the original. .....I first saw this with old US muscle cars of all things, but also seen it with old English shotguns. With all the stick those old 70's Fenders seem to get from now old original owners these bass's are possibly a good example too....although I would be interested to know if they are worth what they originally cost in real terms? Wasn't a 50's Fender P the equivilent of over £2k when new in todays money? I thought, probably incorrectly, that the market for the top end 50/60's Fender's was softening up a tad, more sellors than buyers so a 'price correction' maybe on the cards this will/may effect the lessen brethen more so? 80's headless stuff seems to be creeping up and finding buyers, then a little dip then up again, 3 steps up, 2 back down...possibly a gentle trend there but still very small beer indeed? [/quote] The thing about mid to late 1970's Fenders is that they are overpriced[i] in terms of their value as instruments . [/i]The market dictates the final price that things sell at , so if there is demand for 1970's Fenders and the supply is limited ( which it is , and becoming more so all the time ) then the price will be high and no one can really argue with that . However , that is not to say that the increased demand is as a result of what you could descibe as any particulaly desirable or exclusive quality in those basses beyond the romantic associations they hold for some people . If you pay £1500 - £2000 for a mid -Seventies Fender you are not getting a bass that was ever the equivalent in quality to a lot of basses that you can buy new today for that kind of money , or the slew of high - end basses you can buy used for that kind of money . For the most part , you are paying for something completely notional . That is the buyers prerogative , of course , and we are all free to spend our money on whatever we choose for whatever reason , but it's important to go into the deal with your eyes open .

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1370877709' post='2106741'] Ha, when I managed to, ahem, break my Audi they were superb at fixing it up for me - all under warranty, no questions or issues, thank you sir for being a great customer. They even valeted the thing, and the shop mechanic spent ten mins when handing me the keys telling how great my particular car was. Brilliant, I felt like a million pounds. The best thing? Rupert Stadler never e-mailed me to call me a liar. Caught in the gap between admiring the product, but having no time for John Hall. [/quote] ...and presumably we can take it as read that you would be[i][u] very [/u][/i]favourably disposed towards Audi as a brand when considering any future purchases ? That is why customer service is so essential for companies selling quality consumer goods . Brand loyalty is of inestimable value in terms of future sales . What's the point of going to great lengths to create and market a quality product and then alienate your customers ? It's far more profitable to charm people than it is to chastise them .

If this incident happened in Norfolk , don't be surprised if even after the poor chap manages to track the culprits down and take them to task , they use the " diminished responsibility due to inbreeding " defence in court . What you really need is for this woman to get involved : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnJnA_mt_UA I'm sure if she was aware just how many great sounds you can get with that Wal preamp she would want to tear the culprits a new asshole .

According to older musos who were around at the time , Clive Charman ( along with Alan Spenner ) was considered by many to be the best bass player on the scene in London in the early 1970's . After he was in the Jeff Beck Group he ended up playing in a band called Hummingbird , with the truly great Bernard Purdie on drums and Bobby Tench on guitar : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8yxyYor-w8 Pretty sure this track features Clive on bass . , too : [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BY4i9ZTm0s&list=PL15CC90C3001C47E3[/media] Clive Charman was also a kind of mentor to Neil Murray ( Whitesnake ect .) when Neil first became a pro player in the early 70's . He used to dep for Clive in Cozy Powell's Hammer , and I think he replaced him in a band called Hanson . Last I heard , Clive was living a quiet life in Florida .

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1370815139' post='2106013'] Would be inclined to this advice, if thinking short- to medium-term. In buying a vintage Fender now you are buying high in the hope of selling even higher; you could probably better that return by finding something currently undervalued and which might increase in value - at least in percentage terms. In the long-term you're banking on all kinds of trends, and perhaps a vintage Fender would work - if the cachet remains, amidst a whole host of provisos; and possibly carry more certainly than some of the more obscure, or lesser, brands over that time frame.7 No guarantees, of course, as with all investments. Just because Fender's have increased in value doesn't mean they always will, or at such a rate, etc. The world could go to sh*t and it could just be worth firewood [/quote] A case in point proving this hypothesis is what has happened with Wal basses . Fifteen years ago you could pick up used Wal Custom Basses for £500 - 650 , no problem . They were not that easy to sell at that time , either . Nowadays it's a sellers market and the same basses are regulaly changing hands at around the three grand mark and they sell very easily indeed . Who could have forseen that ? Not me , that's for sure - I had three Wal's that I sold for peanuts .

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1370798425' post='2105690'] Which brings me to an odd thought, should tribute acts use copies? [/quote] If it's a Police tribute act they could use coppers . I've got my coat on and I'm off ...

I like Morrisey . I can see why he might rub some people up the wrong way , but I think as a a lot of the things he has to say about certain things are spot-on , and as a creative artist his body of work is pretty imporessive by most standards . The Smiths couldn't have been The Smiths without Morrisey .

Lakland did actually experiment with a protype Fenderbird . This is it :

I won't bother reiterating a lot of the good advice on the bass itself folks have given already , but just to focus on the future value , I personally think vintage Fenders from the mid - Seventies onwards are currently chronically over - valued and I seriouslly doubt whether they will ever achieve the high values that older Fenders trade for . I say this for a variety of reasons , and not just born out of my own prejudices and my memories of playing and owning numerous Fender basses from this era . You are never going to get ten grand or the equivalent for this bass in fifteen years time . Besides which , trends in musical equipment come and go . Fender reign supreme now and you can get very good money for them , but I remember a time when no one particulaly wanted to buy late 70's Fender basses . What's to say that exotic wood basses with active electronics won't be what are fetching the best money in the future ? The fact that Marcus Miller plays a 77 Jazz is a huge contributory factor in the inflated prices of these basses . When a new bass superhero comes along who champions fretless basses with graphite necks or something equally different to what the trend is now , expect the market to change in emphasis again . If you like this bass and it 's a good example then it's worth a punt at around the stated price , but I wouldn't expect to make too much of a profit on it in real terms even in the distant future .

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1370791628' post='2105539'] But I'm not concerned, as no amount of fancy tv's or flash cars makes up for breeding or of a true gentleman! [/quote] True :

Isn't Daisy Rock a girls bass ?