Lfalex v1.1

[quote name='henry norton' post='1366336' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:08 PM']That's interesting in that some people go for something that has less kudos than a US instrument (Unless it's something like a Wal) yet cost more than something made in the Far East (asides from some high-end stuff), yet your personal experience with these UK custom basses has been less than perfect. I'd imagine that's quite disappointing as you'd think the UK makers would really be setting out to prove themselves.[/quote] And they're both well-respected. One particularly so. One issue was a neck, which whilst lovely to play, tended to "wander" out of shape, irrespective of the truss-rod. I could NEVER get the intonation right on the thing, either, and I'm not that cack-handed! The second/third are inexplicable cracks appearing in the finish (and I look after my basses well-no bashing them about) in a very odd place, and a phenolic fretboard that REALLY doesn't like my sweat- it's permanently stained it really oddly. Neither my Vigier (owned from new since '97) nor my Yamaha (owned from new since '03) have this issue. They both have phenolic 'boards. Needless to say, neither of these UK-sourced instruments were exactly "cheap"(And they were bought new direct from the makers concerned..)

Hi there, mate! Power amps. Nearly all will accomodate a 2Ohm load, but not in "bridged mode", so you'll have to run it via just one channel (assuming it's a two channel power amp, which most are) In Bridged mode, the minimum load most will tolerate is 4Ohm. As for heads, I have no idea!

If I pass a music shop, I'll drop in. If they've got something "interesting" (Think Big Red X sort of interesting) or something I've never tried before, I might have a little go. Realistically, my collection means I'm increasingly less likely to buy a bass unless it is really distinctive or does something unusual- My last two were a Status Streamline and a Warwick Fortress Masterman 5. I don't really get too much hassle. Someone I'd never met asked me if I played an instrument in a restaurant the other day. And I wasn't displaying any giveaway signs. So I guess I look the part. Or something.

And the winner is; A purpose-built cross-handed tapping instrument that Joe Public doesn't even know exists and that the unknowing would mock until someone does what the guy in the YouTube clip did with it- The Chapman stick!

All I get is TC electronic ads and TradeTang Cheap far eastern guitars... I have yet to stray from the path of truth and light. Unless I purchase a cheap far eastern guitar, of course.

[quote name='cd_david' post='1363772' date='Sep 6 2011, 08:56 AM']Wow "Dry hump the sh*t outta ya bass" Damm thats where I have been going wrong. I know what Im doing next gig.[/quote] Sounds like a recipe for bucklerash if ever I heard one.

When searching for Status Nirvana, I booked an appointment at the Factory and tried out everything of interest; Streamline Kingbass S2 (not a "fancy"one) Just to see how they "sat" on a strap when worn. All were headless. The Kingbass just didn't sit right on me. Top horn too short and kept digging into my sternum. I need the upper strap fixing further to my left than the body shape allows. I guess that'll save me money on certain Alembic, Jaydee and Gibson models, too. As for the tone, I often think my Streamline sounds a bit odd, even when jamming along to songs. Put it in a mix where it's the only bass and it shines. Clarity and Bottom end. (And I'm ignoring its main strengths of stability and portability)

[quote name='dc2009' post='1363099' date='Sep 5 2011, 05:08 PM']Having been to their currently place, they're online only because they're not paying for rental for a space that's large enough to allow for walls of guitars and amps, along with the power usage etc. They are just running three blokes in an office, i.e. three PCs and a kettle. All the gear is in boxes below, there isn't the space for playing![/quote] All well and good. Call me old-fashioned, but if I'm spending what they're asking, I'd like to try before I buy. Power usage isn't any greater for a musical instrument shop than a regular retail unit, and pales when compared to what Comet or a Sony Centre must burn their way through. Don't let your heart bleed for the once-great Centre of Bass. They're a shadow of their former selves and don't deserve it. I had two bad experiences on the two occasions I visited the Brune Street store, but nothing but the best from the Wapping boys.

[quote name='fragglefart' post='1361674' date='Sep 4 2011, 12:07 PM']Don't mind where a bass comes from but would have different price expectations based on labour costs. I would love to have a UK hand-built bass one day, and yeah, an American Fender 'just because'.[/quote] I have an MIA Fender. It's lovely. I've had and currently own UK-sourced hand-made basses. They're ok, though I have had issues of one sort or another with both. The continental European manufacturers are good- look at the quality that's there - Vigier/Warwick/BassLab/Esh/GMR/Ritter and so on (and on) I have a Japanese Westone and Japanese Yamaha- The latter really is something in terms of fit, finish and build quality. I've owned 2 Korean Ibanez, and they were fine. Let down more by penny-pinching on the electrics than by manufacturing prowess. Even my Indonesian Squier is very well made. Good basses come from all over the place these days. It's finding them that's the hard part. Even so, it's not the lottery it once was.

[quote name='fender73' post='1361554' date='Sep 4 2011, 09:56 AM']Nothing wrong as such, just that they are no longer a physical shop, now just a virtual one! I miss the days of travelling to Wapping to spend ages looking around the incredible stock they used to have in the Golden Era of Bass![/quote] [rose coloured spectacles] Ah.. those WERE the days. Yes, Grant. I want to try all 37 of your Fender Jazzes and still not buy one because none of them are quite right, whether they're a '72 or a '98 or in between. "No Worries mate! try 'em all!" [/rose coloured spectacles] Ultimately, I only spent about er.... lots there. [quote name='Batfastard' post='1362316' date='Sep 4 2011, 10:02 PM']There is the fact that some of the sales people will be working just for the money and have only a vague interest in what they are selling. And also that they are being paid a very low wage, so there is a lack of motivation.[/quote] Yep. I work in food retail and don't give a flying f-word about "MisterX 10,0001"' s next can of beans. I get paid a squeak over minimum wage these days, and still serve people correctly, giving them my time and full attention. Even if they start off being utterly rude, they'll thank me when we're done. I am paid to serve customers to the best of my ability, so that is what I do. Give me a subject I care about, and I'll probably do better still. No excuse, guitar/bass shoppe staff. Denmark Street needs i) pedestrianising (is that a verb nowadays?) ii) filling with "trendy wine bars" That's all it's good for. Just go to the Gallery instead.

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='1362855' date='Sep 5 2011, 01:45 PM']surely a double bass has a much bigger scale length?[/quote] What's 7 or 8 inches among friends?! The different scale length and increased vibrating mass of any given string (whether fingered or not) for a given pitch considerably shifts the balance of fundamental/harmonic output of the instrument. You might get an approximation, but that'd be it. 34" scale electric fretless bass has the potential to have a voice all of its own. Just as a Full scale EUB or Double bass does.

There are other French members on the forum, plus some UK ex-pats domiciled in France, so you are not alone! Bienvenue a BassChat.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1362598' date='Sep 5 2011, 09:07 AM']If this is supposed to be list of [i][b]GOOD[/b][/i] on-line shops you will probably need to take Bass Centre out of there.[/quote] Ah, back in the day it was the nuts. More quality basses than you could shake a (chapman) stick at. Alas, no more. I note that the Bass Cellar is conspicuous by its absence. Let's keep it that way

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1362484' date='Sep 5 2011, 12:37 AM']I realise the economy hasn't been that strong for years, but over on talkbass you see offers like '100 dollars off' even sale items, for certain holiday periods. I know it's mainly US gear, but you even see it on Markbass equipment. Why can't we have a few sales over here (and I mean decent sales)?[/quote] Have you been on the "for sale" section recently? Now that's cheaper!

One band I was in (which unfortunately dissolved due to band member emmigrating) was pretty good. Our frontman was superb, and took all of the pressure of the rest of the band. He could even massage a partisan crowd into liking us more than they'd have liked. This meant we always performed at least well, and sometimes very well indeed, just from a musical perspective. We'd try to suss the other bands/audience/the venue out and tailor our performance/song choices to suit. We'd go on first or second (out of 4 or 5) and a lot of bands grew to dislike going on after us. It's all relative.

I still have Trace stuff. AH 300SMX 1153 1048h 2103h Mix and match depending on gig. Donkeys years old and still running fine, which is more than can be said for the Ampeg/QSC pre/power bought to "replace" the head... I'm middle-aged now (I guess) and can still handle a 1048h. But do remember; Dolly boards and (large diameter,lockable) castors are your friends, as are cargo straps.

I used to use an Ampeg SVP-Pro in front of my PLX1202. Alas, it proved to be utterly unreliable. Noisy and cut out/in again. I've been using a cheapo 8/12 track mixer as a pre-amp with very good results. Cost me all of £80. Gives enough gain for passive basses. No noise. On one occasion, when my set-up was the only one in play, each of the three bands bassists had a channel each, eq'd to their liking. A very flexible way to do things- but not specifically "voiced" for bass, which can be a good thing. Nor is the U5 for that matter...

[quote name='SteveK' post='1361574' date='Sep 4 2011, 10:14 AM']And if your drummer says, "I don't want to play East of London". Your guitarist says, "I don't want to play South of London". etc etc You see what I'm trying to say here? You're part of a unit - this means occasionally you'll be required to do things, that perhaps, you'd rather not. To say, "I'm not doing the gig, 'cause I don't want to" is a bit lame.[/quote] IF lojo were a member of said band, that'd be reasonable. I've done many gigs I didn't want to do and played like I normally do- for the sake of the band. It comes across as lojo not being a permanent member of this outfit, so I guess he's not under the same obligation. Perhaps finding them a dep is a sensible halfway house?

I have two Jazzes. MIA w/bbot and rosewood board/Sunbeams strung through body. VMJ w/BadAssII and maple board/FatBeams toploaded Chalk and Cheese, though due to all the differences, not just the bridges.

[b]Current[/b] ---- Ovation Celebrity ElectroAcoustic '80s Westone Raider1 ---- OLP MM3 ---- Squier VMJ (modded) '04 Warwick Infinity SN IV '97 Warwick Fortress Masterman V '97 Warwick Streamer LX VI ---- Yamaha Attitude 10th Anniversary Billy Sheehan Signature '09 Status Streamline '96 Vigier Passion V (series III) '02 Fender MIA Jazz S1 ---- "Bitza" EUB [b]Previous[/b] '90 EBMM Stingray 5 fretless (sold) ---- Columbus Series II Jazz fretless (dismantled) ---- Ibanez SRX 700 (sold) ---- Zoot Chaser Custom prototype (sold at a hideous loss) ---- Ibanez EDB600 Ergodyne (destroyed) ---- Some old Aria or another (dismantled)

Aaaaagh! Each to his own, but... You've convinced me never to even [i]look[/i] at either a Kala or an Ashbory. Give me either a 34"(+) Fretless Electric-preferably a Jazz- or an EUB of the NS persuasion. I can't live without a degree of sustain. If I wanted that sort of sound, I'd head for some knackered flats and a sponge mute judiciously wedged under the strings near the bridge. (Did my mileage vary just then?)

£1300! Definitely buy secondhand! I paid just over £500 for a Fortress Masterman V, and it's everything it should be. I bought it as an intermediate "beater" for rough & tumble gigs, but it's usurped some of my favourite basses...

Warwick/Trace works well, and I had a super Warwick/Hartke moment once. All with Actives, but in passive mode, there's little/no difference to active mode w/ tone controls centred.

[quote name='steve-bbb' post='1358239' date='Aug 31 2011, 11:02 PM']ashbory ?[/quote] I thought that. Then remembered the "Traditionalist" part.

There's an interesting point someone once made. Surely a cable should have as little an impact upon the signal it is carrying as possible? The ideal being (in audio terms) the sound of "no" cable. The best thing to do with regard to cables is; Look after them (they'll continue to work correctly and not need replacing) Keep cable runs as short as is practical for any given application (It saves money and the impact of the cable in terms of capacitance, inductance, exposure to RF interference is lessened) That'll get the best out of whatever cable/s you buy (And rechargeable battery (DC) powered pre-amps have been manufactured in the wacky world of HiFi before. Just buy a passive one with 1 input and a volume control- they're even "better". And [i]quite[/i] cheap.