Black Coffee

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1427222696' post='2727544'] You said it not me [/quote] I was thinking fender...

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1427211706' post='2727258'] Surely coming from around these parts you were probably in the same boat buying your first Dingwall too?! I certainly was and, as you say, GAS is a strange mistress! Was THIS close (holds thumb and forefinger VERY close together) to flashing the credit card in Bassdirect's direction last night when they posted a sunburst super P4 on Facebook... But I remembered I actually quite like my man parts and wouldn't like having them removed by my wife with something blunt and rusty... [/quote] I should block that website from my device. I have struggled with the wood and tronics 33" five string on there second hand, and just today there's the most amazin 75 reissue fender jazz has appeared. Oh man this isn't good. Never mind the rest, and the two SR4's which are calling me too. I've had a bit of a domestic crisis in terms of rubbish fortune lately and a back ended car by some muppet at the weekend has put me on ice for buying until I'm sure that's all sorted out. My missus is the sort who wouldn't go for the castration approach, it would be more the slow painful silent treatment, (which she would normally struggle with keeping up). However it can turn out worse whenever those dreaded words,"do you really need that" ring true after a month of all picture and mute.

I know what you mean.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1427149043' post='2726572'] Keep me posted - interested in your thoughts if you decide to go down the Ibanez route! [/quote] Im in the "id like to play before buying" camp as ive never played an ibanez other than a btb 6 string over a period of a couple of weeks. Having said that gas does strange things. Its either the ff or the single cut. But i will give u a shout and u can call for a coffee and a play if i pull the trigger.

This looks like a possible purchase in the near future. I've had three Dingwalls but I've struggled with justifying thousands of quid tied up in one bass, so I let them go. So it's GAK then.

Could there be complacency even in the US workshops then just as easy as the further afield sites ? Surely it's your reputation your dicing with when you take your eye off the ball. Leo's crew have a bit of a rep of play it before you buy it but I suppose you could say that about any brand.

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1427019508' post='2724660'] Rickenbacker- obviously. [/quote] Unfortunately, an expensive lesson learned already with that brand. Owned three, one had a shabby loose vibrating truss rod, one had a dodgy bridge pickup and one was ok. Two out of three ain't good when it's broken basses at £1500 a pop. Less said the better.

If you are coping ok with the fifth string and frankly needing it, go with a narrower neck don't go with a four or you will be bass hopping all night. Remember string spacing plays a large part once you go up to a fiver or a sixer unless you have large hands. Peavey grind is a narrow neck, cheap as chips and rock solid too. I've heard good things about ibanez too.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1426887123' post='2723250'] Oh come on! No-one will even be able to see the West Ham sticker when you're playing it, anyway. [/quote] But I would know its there and I couldn't have that sitting on a stand in my home.

I love 'arry and his choice of bass, but it's West Ham. . . . . . I'd get slated for that.

[quote name='Thump' timestamp='1426845972' post='2722538'] I tried one from a brand called Redwood , and it was pretty bad even for £130 brand new. The Squier Vintage Modern series are well worth a look in my opinion [/quote] I tried a redwood in a shop locally and it was shabby and nasty. Woodwork was rough to say the least. The squire vintage modern series always seem to attract positive comments and as I'm in a vein of playing cheaper basses through an expensive amp currently I might be tempted.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1426846432' post='2722545'] I remember lusting after those Axe basses... I would have been about six at the time. [/quote] I was about fifteen, and I'd have been better continuing to lust after it until I got my Charvel/Jackson. Then I would have avoided the shocking experience.

Posts like this are unhelpful with GAS. If I put lots of brackets on the wall it would look empty and you know what that means..

With the modern era of CNC machining and better cheaper electronics, are there any basses which are absolute garbage. My first bass was an 'Axe' brand four string which I enthusiastically bought form an ad in Kerrang magazine after saving paper round money for about five months. Never in tune as the bridge pulled away from body when the strings were tightened for tuning. Weighed a ton, you could drive a truck under the strings at the fifth fret, horrible instrument. I actually put black insulating tape over the name on the headstock in case someone recognised it from a distance i was so embarrassed by it. But it made me caress and cherish my next bass, a Charvel/Jackson pointy headstock frosted white beauty. So, almost thirty years after my axe experience are there any that we should totally avoid? I'm tempted to try the squire range as I've not recently read anything bad about them, is this the case ? Any other brands to avoid like Katie price on a night out ?

I'd be happy with a box room to myself to start with. . . .

I'd love a spare room to be able to even plan for this. I'd need another few basses too - which is no bad thing. . . .

I went on a journey through multi effects and several OD and dist pedals to land back with an EHX big muff deluxe just dirtying the sound a little. Just enough to know that it's there and it works for me better than what id tried previously namely darkglass and tech21 and some boss gear. It works for what I need and sounds clear, big and bassy but not boomy. I can't comment on the others there's you've asked about as I've not had the chance to try em, yet.

[quote name='mikegatward' timestamp='1426541520' post='2719208'] i love the bass in terms of its feel and playability. Will take up some of the suggestions, especially the use of the gain switch on the Streamliner I'm running at the moment Mind you , that new East preamp is 15% off at the moment [/quote] The East p retro I had on my ACG was a gem. Took a minute or two to get to grips with for quick adjustments on the hop but worth every penny. You wouldn't regret an investment in an East product.

I've owned three DWs and I personally never had a problem with the tone, through my genz amp it sounds incredible. Is it actually the individual bass itself isn't right or is Dingwall just not for you? I love the fan frets at the lower frets and grin like an idiot as I'm playin them but I can't chord as easy as with parallel frets at the higher end so it doesn't work for me, obviously for different reasons than you. This of course is only my humble opinion and input.

That bass is older than I am. But it looks like a total gem. I've been to Wunjos and nearly bought one of those basses we are not allowed to discuss on here in case somebody gets thick at it.