Lfalex v1.1

I think proximity has a part to play with customs. People will [i]generally[/i] opt for a more local luthier if possible, unless Mr X (further away) can offer something your "local" luthier can't. The hardest part is that you're unlikely to be able to try a load of different luthiers' output in one place at one time (except at the national bash or the bigger local ones!!) One point to pick up from both Ped and Out to play Jazz; Your instruments aren't custom [i]per se[/i], but they do have unusual features and different designs to the norm. Status instruments are usually made to order from a standard design format with further options available. I'd class Instruments from some lower volume producers as being half way to a full-on (unique) custom. Bear in mind that (certainly) Shuker and Iceni have a "regular" instrument range available, presumably GB, ACG, RIM, Sei, Overwater et al do the same.

[quote name='five-string.co.uk' post='398298' date='Feb 2 2009, 08:29 PM']Howdy all.... Been thinking about joining the fretless community for a while now. Need some input from you all [list] [*][b]My main concern is the low B string sounds dull on some of the fretless 5's i've tried.[/b] [/list] What should I go out and try......Discuss[/quote] Try tenor tuning! EADGC instead of BEADG Barre that C&G for lovely intervals... No dodgy "B" to worry about either!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='395446' date='Jan 30 2009, 03:03 PM']I still find it FAR too easy to just watch my fingers when practising at home, which is massively counter-productive when I get to rehearsal and I'm supposed to be inter-acting with the guitarists and locking in with the drummer. One of my targets for 2009 is to learn to play entirely by feel, with no need to look at the neck at all. This is not being helped by the fact that I play several different basses as the mood takes me. Whether I'm standing up or sitting down, I now choose something in the room to focus on and I look at that to ensure that I don't start watching my fingers again.[/quote] The TV! With subtitles on!

It can help to stop the string unravelling, especially if they're round-cored... Otherwise, it is mainly for brand recognition purposes.

[quote name='Toadonroll' post='389200' date='Jan 23 2009, 12:55 AM']1) Play open strings 2) Fret all notes up and down neck 3) Check what the knobs do 4) How does it sound/feel? (you should know by now!)[/quote] Close... Check that it's in tune with itself using 5th and 7th fret Harmonics. Check intonation at 12th fret (fretted vs. harmonic) Moan. Ask for tuner. Ask for Allen keys. Then 1-4 above. They'll love ya. Even if you can't play at all! And the point is? Shops! Set up your instruments! Don't just get them out of the box, hang them on the wall and pray!

[quote name='ped' post='394427' date='Jan 29 2009, 11:38 AM']See I just can't do that!! Even when I have two fretted basses, one gets played more and the other doesn't get as much use, however much I kid myself that I need it. I think the idea of having 'my' bass is more exciting than having lots of basses that get used a bit. I always WANTED a massive collection when I started playing but ultimately realised that my own unique sound was what I wanted to stick with. No disrespect for the huge collection though man, you have some beauties and I definitely see where you are coming from! ped[/quote] I [i]do[/i] understand what you mean. We do, after all, favour the same brand of bass! I guess I take after Nick (the Doctor!) a bit more, though! For example, I will play one or two to death for a while. At the moment, It's the Warwick Infinity SN4 (with 45-100 Elixirs on). Utterly superb tone, but a cramp inducing Warwick 4 string neck profile, 26 frets and a slightly "off" balance caused by the way that the small body and long upper horn "throws" the neck away from you. Ultimately, that'll wind me up enough to make me put it away in favour of something else... Whose differing attributes I will enjoy and appreciate all the more. It [b]has[/b] given me the ability to play [i]almost [/i]anything that comes along without it feeling totally alien, and the ability to spot a good example of "Bass Type X" when I encounter one (then buy it!) and exploit it accordingly. I [b]do[/b] worry that the incoming customised Status Streamline may seriously eclipse some of the others for a while! 6 weeks and counting!

Have a Harem! I have. Wife #14 is due to move in soon! My collection just gently expands. I doubt I'll sell any on, and the rate at which I'm buying is slowing, but my bunch are all wildly different, yet all excellent in their own way!

[quote name='BassManKev' post='284296' date='Sep 15 2008, 02:24 PM']this one was going for £1299[/quote] Bass Merchant have/had one 4HH for just over £1k (new) 'Twas evilwicked. Do they do H models? I thought they were all HH or HS... I like 'em!

Likewise. Definitely interested in a "main" bash. Would've done the SE one, but work got in the way [i]again[/i]...

Have one (a Streamline) on order. It [i]earned[/i] its place in my collection, too. Took on and bettered everything I tried that day except a pair of Vigier S4s, and they were different. And then there's the level of service you get from everyone at Status, Dawn and Rob not least. Excellent product and service to match. I wanted a few bits added and a few bits left out - No worries, we're making this one for [b]you[/b].

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='390234' date='Jan 24 2009, 10:22 AM']Oh yes, David. It is just as sexy as a Status! I've had a Vigier in the back of my mind for a long time now, but haven't got round to looking at them yet...[/quote] They are indeed, and you owe it to yourself, Rich! I've had mine for a while now, and nothing's come close. Nice bass! I tried an S4 Passion 4 and S4 Arpege 4 just before I placed the order for my [cough] Streamline [/cough] I preferred the Passion, but that was probably due to familiarity as much as anything else! Otherwise, it was business as usual for the Vigiers. Super tone & feel, plust ypically consistent and superbly playable, as ever.

I'm just curious as to the benefits of specific Magnet materials in Pick-ups. I've encountered AlNiCo (but there's a III and a V and stuff) Ceramic Samarium Cobalt (In Fenders. Also used in Headphones) Neodymium (In the MM Bongo. Also used in Headphones and all these lightweight "neo" driver'd cabinets) Neodymium is of particular interest. I know it can be fashioned into extremely strong magnets with a good degree of permanence, but why the pick-up applicaton? If it's that strong, it could cause intonation issures and damping problems, so the mass would be necessarily reduced. But smaller. lighter magnets are of little relevance in the context of pick-ups. So Why use it? I have tried a Bongo, and it was stonking! If it's that good, why can I find no aftermarket Neo pick-ups?! SD, DiMarzio, Bartolini, Delano? Nope. Tell me more!

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='387338' date='Jan 21 2009, 11:44 AM']What about Letraset type letters + varnish overspray?[/quote] Would have been my suggestion. But if you made it, don't you [i]know[/i] what the controls do?

[quote name='Tee' post='387432' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:54 PM']No Brant Bjork! Denied![/quote] Saw Alfredo play on the first QOTSA tour at The Garage. That is what convinced me. Brant weren't bad, but Alfredo is just a monster. Plays off a click, too, so no drifting out of time!

[quote name='peted' post='387138' date='Jan 21 2009, 09:04 AM']I've know people who have spent a small fortune on gear and they are still unhappy with their sound. Buy something which gives you a good sound, if you like the look of something else - do you NEED it, or do you just WANT it?[/quote] I've spent a fair bit on gear, but it's all wildly different, and looks,plays and sounds [i]wildly[/i] different! I've been fortunate with regard to finances from time to time, but only once have purchased on credit. Otherwise, I've never spent what I didn't have, and what I've purchased in the past is all well-used, but in good nick. Also, I've rarely paid list price for a bass or amp... Some of it has been a complete bargain. I won't even say what I've been offered for one item compared to what I paid for it! Can't really see the harm, unless the wood was sourced form non-sustainable sources!

Me - bass Suzanne Vega - Vocals/ guitar Dave Lombardo - Drums Ben Harper - Guitars & Bvox Otherwise, just slot me into the Kyuss MkII line up; John Garcia - Vox Josh Homme - Guitars Alfredo Hernandez - Drums Me - Bass

[quote name='mr_russ' post='387408' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:37 PM']Can't stand EB strings[/quote] Right on! Things of Evil. Well, they were on my Yamaha. Got Rotos on my fretless SR5 at the moment, but the next set may well be Warwick Yellows. For a fretted, I'd go with Elixirs, DR or Elites, depending on budget...

[quote name='Rayman' post='387371' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:09 PM']Me too. I mentioned the Clash the other day to my mates 18 year old daughter while she raved about various new bands, "never heard of them" was her reply. I felt faint.[/quote] I know who JJBurnel is! We have a duty to educate er.... younger people with regards to music of which they may never have heard. I've done it before, with the simple phrase; "If you like that... Try [i][b]this[/b][/i]... They invented it!" (slips disc into player) And it works, too!

So... At today's exchange rate, Call it £160 delivered. Against £75 for the all singing, all dancing Korg, less for a PX-3B from the 'bay, or £114 for the MP3 Tascam unit, which does it all in one box, but entails more software installation and track synchronization. A bit steep for what it is, good or otherwise. Maybe s/h from TB is the way to go for the Cafe Walter, as it's unlikely they'll have seen gigging abuse/heavy usage... Well done guys. BC is really helping me out at the mo'!

Sennheiser HD 215. [url="http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/500156?Open&print="]Here[/url] Oddly, I am from Essex also... Three in a row with Peted and Crez5150. How strange.

[quote name='Toasted' post='387207' date='Jan 21 2009, 09:55 AM']I have bad GAS for a Cafe Walter HA-1 practice amp for this very situation.[/quote] Thanks. That's wicked. Bet it sounds really good. I see it has an Aux out to drive a tuner, too. Only trouble is 510g of weight + relatively large dimensions make it a bit "gig bag unfriendly", plus the need to carry a tuner. Actually. No. I'll record some test tones onto my MP3 player and phone, and tune against [i]those[/i]... More weight saved! Any idea on prices/shipping before I mail Bass Northwest?

Nice idea about turning it into a bolt-on neck... Didn't think about it being passive, sorry(!) In any case, it might just be the pots that are wrecked? As for strings, I [i]think[/i] LaBella do some. If not, get some HotWires from Status; [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]Status Graphite[/url] (click on the "Online shop" option) They're quite reasonably priced, sound good, play well, and will make up custom sets if you so desire...

I own a B2Av. That's the 5 stringer. As Ray says, keep the hardware, as it's of a fundamentally good design. You may be able to find a replacement screw at a local fastenings supplier - Just take the original along (plus any parts that attach to it to make sure the thread's right) and match it up. Doesn't matter if it's too long, you can cut it down with a Junior hacksaw, and "open out" any deformed threads with a thread file. Fastening suppliers are excellent. I've sourced Imperial allen keys for a Fender Jazz, found the right hardware to hang a telly on the wall, repaired damaged parts on pushbikes, you name it. And all for a few pence. Back to the Hohner- I'd retain all of it, even the body, until you've finished your build- it may provide some helpful measurements. The neck not least! Definitley save the EQ. It may still work also. Hope this helps. Any more Q's? Ask away!

Nothing wrong with the purchasing of new gear. Instruments, if cared for, will last for an extremely long time, and when they do go, it'll likely be the electrics unless the bass has been physically damaged. Compare this with the transient pleasures of (for example) lowering the suspension on a car, fitting outrageous wheels and a big-bore exhaust... Makes bass look like a good way to dispose of what is, after all, [i]disposable[/i] income. That said, all that money I spent on HiFi 15 years ago is still working well for me...

[quote name='BassKS' post='386361' date='Jan 20 2009, 04:30 PM']It is also being used on EBS tweeters I believe for more or less the same reason. Being light, and strong it will be fast acting and wont suck up the vibrations (or dampen them) like paper cones/plastic etc.[/quote] Ti is sufficiently stiff that it pushes the point at which the tweeter (sonically) "breaks up" well beyond the hearing range of all humans. It's more reisilient than Al in this application. Al can weaken and ultimately fail under all that mad acceleration/deceleration that tweeters routinely undergo. With regard to saddles, it's worth remembering that although Ti is light, it by no means constitutes the mass of the entire bridge. It is very hard (as previously mentioned) and may well subtly alter the sonic characteristics of the instrument. Whether it's for better of worse will, as ever, be a matter of personal taste. It might resist sweat better than brass, mind you!