Sean

I bought one of [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mono_STRAPPS.html"]these MONO straps[/url] and then when it arrived, I bought another. They are the best made strap I've ever seen. The loops are anodised metal and not plastic and the whole is beautifully made and incredibly robust. I did a 2.5 hour gig on Friday and nearly 3 hours on Saturday with a 10.2lb Spector and didn't have any of the aches I get with a Comfort strapp.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='708805' date='Jan 11 2010, 01:44 PM']This is no fun unless you tell us which horrendous bass you bought.[/quote] See my sig, I've got three of 'em. Best instruments I've ever played.

Don't listen to anyone. Just go out into the retail world and play as many instruments as you can and make your own decision when you've found something that's comfortable and sounds right. If I'd have taken advice in this way I'd never have found my favourite instrument as they aren't popular and are definitely uncool (according to the masses here). Remember too that you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince (or princess, or dowager queen or prince consort or whatever it is you prefer). The amp you play it through has a big effect on how you perceive the sound; many of us have sold basses that we should have kept because we didn't like the way they sounded through a particular amp but have found out later that they sound glorious some other amp. A trip to a one of the BC bass basshes is a good idea too, you can play loads of instruments and get a feel for what's what. First instruments tend to be based on one of the standards like a Jazz, Precision, Stingray etc for a good reason, they are very good versatile instruments with huge (almost universal) appeal.

Session 2A very useful. Thanks for all these.

If you fancy posting and want ideas of underrated bassists have a look [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=729&hl=underrated"]here[/url]. If you fancy posting and want ideas of overrated bassists have a look [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18229&hl=overrated"]here[/url]. This thread is very eco-friendly - it takes up half the room of the previous two. You could even look upon it as a Greatest Hits edition of so many other thread(bare)s that we've had.

Jamerson-Kaye enigma? Pah, Jamerson and Kaye are the same shape shifting reptilian inter-dimensional being. Proof 1: No one ever saw them together at the same time. Like Big John, Little John (remember that?) Proof 2: The Jamerson incarnation had a "claw". Proof 3: A lot of people call one of them a mad old dragon. Proof 4: I have a big pile of hurriedly photocopied records of Motown studio logs that I received from Carol Kaye showing dates and times of sessions that she and/or Jamerson played on. If you order a plectrum from her website, she will send you the same photocopies. Proof 5: I once received an email from Carol Kaye on Christmas day telling me that she played the bass line to Bernadette.

Here's another live version of Suspicious Minds - this is the one that's on "Elvis Live". I love how high the bass is in the mix and how The Scheff goes from laying back a bit to just ripping away and then back again and then... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRgZ6ReiWk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRgZ6ReiWk[/url] The way it sort of changes gear at 2:40 gives me goose bumps. The high register phrases at 3.15 - 3.45 are just glorious

[quote name='SteveK' post='693848' date='Dec 26 2009, 05:39 PM']Ordered a SR 5: Candy red (matching head), Rosewood board, black scratchplate, HH, 3 eq, piezo, a couple of months ago. Haven't seen that configuration in the flesh, but hoping it looks a sexy as in my head. Hopefully take delivery in a couple of weeks [/quote] I'd like to see that. It would look even better (in my head) if the bassist had a black tuxedo with a colour co-ordinated red bow tie, black shirt (of course) and shiny black patent shoes. Oooh, suits you, sir. What? Me, dear? Gay, dear? No, dear! How very dare you

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='699088' date='Jan 2 2010, 09:01 PM']Thanks guys. 19mm is a bit wider than im used to but im sure it will be fine.[/quote] 19mm is what it is on most Laklands isn't it? It is on my DJs, just measured em and the bridge is the same on all of em. The 5s are 19mm too, I'm sure, I played one the other day and it felt like a gulf of space compared to my Spector 5s. Just checked: - it's 19.8mm on the Lakland 4s and 19.05 on the 5s, so that might just suit you, Dave.

[quote name='Sean' post='698280' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:20 PM']Spector have also released a range called the [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/forte.htm"]Forte[/url], which they say is a no frills US Spector in a black oiled finish, no inlays, no options. Very RAWK and for the snobs you get a US built instrument at Euro prices. :snob:[/quote] What did anyone make of the Forte stuff?

Look, enough of Spector trying to do a Lakland copy, Fender can't even manage that with all their money... Everyone makes mistakes, let's hope this isn't one [i]and[/i] they learn what we want from a Spector. ...let's have a picture of National Treasure, John East with my Euro 5LX. It should make Barrie all warm too cos it used to be his bass.

[quote name='maxrossell' post='699524' date='Jan 3 2010, 01:54 PM']If someone tells me they think that Pearl Jam are a load of sh*t I'm not going to get all shirty and spit my dummy,[/quote] You should, it's what YouTube's for.

[quote name='wotnwhy' post='699399' date='Jan 3 2010, 12:38 PM']i guess if you don't see a problem, you never will. just because you don't like something shouldn't warrent a rude, blunt and frankly condescending reply. it's obvious the original poster likes, so how do you think your response will make them feel? and was that the intention of your post? if not, and you were merely adding your opinion to a thread there are much more tacful and respectful ways to do it..[/quote] Guys, please use the PM system if you have issues with each other. This bickering doesn't do the forum any good. Just stoppit.

I've had back trouble since I was a kid and have managed to keep on top of it most of the time. Lightweight backline is a help, no doubt but if your bass weighs 10 lb or more and your strap isn't good, you're going to be in trouble playing 2 hour gigs twice a week. Get a light bass (7 lb is good) and get a good wide padded strap. I've always had help and trolleys with gear and, carefully handled, the rigs I've had have been far from an issue. It's the instruments that have done the damage. Check out some of the lighter makes.

[quote name='Machines' post='698283' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:24 PM']I'm sure it'll be fantastic quality, but what the world does not need is more Jazz copies. It's a saturated market and no-one has to scratch around finding a high quality Jazz- bass. I'd be more interested to see them coming out with something SOUNDING like a Jazz but with a less carbon copy design.[/quote] I agree. What I'd like to see Spector do is to come out with a new shape and also address the top fret access by making something with a deeper cutaway. I'm a little bit disappointed to see Spector doing a "me too" product. Hopefully there's something a bit more innovative round the corner.

Nothing radically new about this instrument and it seems like a bit of a retrograde step with product development but I suppose it says it all for the popularity of J basses. It'll have to be pretty special if it's going to compete with the other Super-J basses on the market but knowing Spector the build quality will be unbeatable. It's got an interesting headstock and the tangerine colour looks great. [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/Coda.htm"]http://www.spectorworld.com/Coda.htm[/url] Spector have also released a range called the [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/forte.htm"]Forte[/url], which they say is a no frills US Spector in a black oiled finish, no inlays, no options. Very RAWK and for the snobs you get a US built instrument at Euro prices. :snob:

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='697838' date='Jan 1 2010, 12:14 PM']They use the hairbands to stop excess ringing from the strings much like Carole Kaye uses masking tape at the bridge. [/quote] Carol Kaye invented masking tape.

Great stuff, Major. Very useful and easy to take o board. Cheers all round.

I think they're over priced; I reckon around £1500 - £1600 street would be more realistic and more into Sadowsky Metro territory however... The white one with the black plate is bite-the-back-of-your-hand gorgeous though and I love the 3D shaped shoulder on it - I could certainly use that with flats on as my working P bass

[quote name='chilisfan16' post='696729' date='Dec 30 2009, 08:56 PM']I own a really decent '97 sterling, and im a really proud owner. Yesterday, i wasin my local guitar shop, and spotted a stingray in the back, and as i havnt played one for a couple of months, decided to have a little muck about. Upon playing it, i found it had a TERRIBLE sound, even my friends thought that. im not sure if it was through the crappy roland amp, or if it was the actual bass itself, and i just couldn't wait to get back home to my sterling. so what are everyone else's opinions on each bass, and their preferance?[/quote] Save a cyber-tree and read [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67679&st=80&#entry690664"]this thread[/url]. I think you'll find it's pretty comprehensive and saves us regurgitating the wheel.

John East will soon have a retro-fit P-retro preamp for P basses that you can fit without changing the original spec; he's got one on his '62 P. I think they're due for release in January. Thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=13343&st=40&start=40"]here[/url]. If it's as good as the U and J, it'll be another world beater. I'm having one. Stealth Area 51 + P-retro + Serious Valve Amp = tone heaven.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' post='696229' date='Dec 30 2009, 12:03 PM']Here's a bit of an ebay story with a twist and 100% true! My brother in law plays and buys and sells guitars and around 10 years ago saw a valuable sunburst or gold top Les Paul ( it might have been 1959?) on ebay. he bid for it but did not win it, only to get a second chance offer from the seller, I think it was around £2500 which he accepted.(The explanation was the winner was in the USA and postage was too much). He'd checked the provenance of the guitar and spoken to the seller who seemed genuine and knew about guitars. The seller said to get the £ to him ASAP as he was working in Switzerland next week: if he got the money quickly he'd send it before he went. So my BIL sent the money, he'd had a few difficulties getting hold of the guy but always got through in the end. The guitar arrived by courier in a case but not a shaped case, BIL thought "Ok fair enough, it's not a dealbreaker as long as the guitar is OK". He took off the wrapping paper, opened the case to find it filled with 3 bricks! He contacted the seller who said it had been definitely sent with the guitar inside and it was the couriers fault. BIL spoke to the couriers who said it could not have been substituted. BIL contacted the Police ( who did not know what ebay was at this time). To cut a long story short the case went to court in the sellers home town of ......... Day one saw the prosecution make their case, then BIL was called by the prosecution, then the defence. The defence lawyer went thought his bank details trying to prove he'd received the guitar and had sold it on. They then called Chandler Guitars to establish the provenance of the guitar. Then the defence called a little old lady who under questioning said she'd seen the defendant wrapping this guitar up, in a park opposite a guitar shop, where he'd called to get some wrapping materials. She said she sat there every day and noticed this guy wrapping a 1959 sunburst/goldtop Gibson les paul..... Immediately suspicions were raised, how would a little old dear know so much detail? The detective on the case was a local guy and called his girlfriend who worked close by. He asked her if she knew the old lady. "Of course", it was the defendant's girlsfriend/partner's mother! After lunch the detective went to the Judge and the case was halted, ultimately the old woman was charged with perjury and the guitar seller was charged again, fined and made to pay back the money ( which he still has not done). The Judge who knew nothing about ebay castigated BIL for sending off money for something he wasn't sure existed...! The defendant had money troubles and had just copied a photo from US ebay! However the twist in the tale was that on day one, the detective said to BIL, I'll tell you something about the family of the defendant at the end of the trial. Apparently the defendant came from a family of two parents and two brothers, of which he was one. When he was younger his mother left home so they stayed with their father. Then the guitar cheat brother left home. Some time later the remaining son died one day sat on the sofa, and instead of telling the authorities, the father left him sat on the sofa: for some reason he did not decompose and the room was just left closed. Time elapsed and for some reason, people were going to visit the house so the father wrapped dead son's corpse in an old carpet and dumped it in a park. The body was found, the Police thought they had a murder: after investigations in the end the father was just charged with preventing a burial.[/quote] fascinating. Surely that has the makings of one of those three-part ITV Dramas. Any TV Producers in the house?