Lfalex v1.1

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1358621934' post='1942440'] There are at least two that I am aware of: a very, er, tasteful P bass: and a very, er, tasteful Warwick: Which just goes to show that Clayton puts more taste into his basslines than his basses. [/quote] Did you [i]have[/i] to post the "upside-down, left-handed Stryker with a right-handed neck"? Abomination.

[quote name='danthevan' timestamp='1358349867' post='1937517'] As for surviving, stay away from black cabs and helicopters [/quote] And, in fact, try avoiding the capital city of England. Perhaps it's a clear case of " distance lends enchantment " Seriously, the place is overrated.

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1358331708' post='1936986'] That is surprising. With neodymium getting a bit of attention recently due to its ever increasing rarity (used in wind turbines) I would not have expected to find it in commercial pickups at all. I use it extensively but have only ever seen it in one other, the qtuners. [/quote] I think a few others use it here and there in some pickups, but not right across the range (Delano rings a bell) Definitely a contributor to the BIG Bongo sound, along with the 18v electrics and 4 band eq..

AlNiCo pickups are back in the SR5, versus ceramic in the Sterling and Neodymium in the Bongo. That, eq settings and strings are likely to be the biggest contributors. I moved my SR5 in for exactly the same reason. No sparkle, even though it was fretless, it was just [i]dull[/i]...

[quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1358257385' post='1935674'] True, dat. Tracks that used to make me drive like a lunatic include: Hocus Pocus Speed King Space Truckin' [/quote] Fireball!

Status?

There is room. They just have to be better than they are at the moment. What else is there? The Gallery? Not that accessible from outside London, and it's like playing "sardines" in there. Bass Gear? The next nearest multi-brand emporium is Bass Direct, and I think Paris might just be closer...

Ah, well. So much for restraint, then. It seems someone else has a purple monstrosity, too. But those (Rotosound?) silks really do clash badly...

I liked it best when it was above Mike Walsh's workshop. Chris was there then, too. Good enough range of stock, some good s/h stuff, and plenty of enthusiastic banter in the showroom.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1357169946' post='1918752'] Dude, you could out purple ANY of these! [/quote] Quite probably. Hence my restraint..

Ultimately, it comes to us all, though the reasons vary dramatically. I have no physical issues with playing bass, but just can't stand having to actually be shut in a room with people for hours on end. That combined with the associated cost and exertion (for no return) effectively ended my live playing career. And was I glad I stopped. I understand that there are those of us who [i]have[/i] to stop and don't want to, and that is regrettable

[b]Have you sunk or swum?[/b] Floated. [b]Has your playing and musicality improved?[/b] No, but neither has it declined. [b]Has your band done well?[/b] I quite rightly left the last one about 18 months ago. I find now that I have neither the time, money, nor inclination to indulge in being a "band member". [b]Have you joined bands you wouldn't have before?[/b] No. I'm less likely to join a band than ever, though not due to BC. [b]Have you started teaching?[/b] Seriously? I'm a bad enough student, let alone a teacher. [b]How's your confidence?[/b] Confidence in what? Myself? Zero. In others? Less. But I generally don't let that interfere with what I'm doing. [b]Have you been inspired to push yourself?[/b] No. [b]Have you taken Bilbo's advice and learned to read music notation?[/b] No. Nor do intend to, as it would serve no purpose for me. [b]What has being an active member of Basschat helped you achieve?[/b] I have acquired a rather fine bass from here. I have sold 3 others, though not on here, despite advertising them.

Have it cut up and laid out so it looks like a piano keyboard on your fretboard. With the black keys where dots would be... (And it'd confuse keyboard players!)

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1357663630' post='1926284'] If you don't enjoy it (or don't need the extra dough it brings in) then don't do it. I can enjoy playing any old crap though, which helps. However, when looking for a band you do want to play in, it is easier to meet other musos while you are in a band, rather than sat at home. [/quote] Exactly.

Rather than have a self-congratulatory round of (self) back-patting, why don't "we" (BC) have a set of awards for the bass-related industry (industries?) Y'know, categories like: (off the top of my head..) Best customer service Best advice Best rehearsal studio (perhaps by area) Best independent luthier Best set-ups Best new product (bass/amp/other/etc) Best recording studio And a "recommendation" for second and third places as appropriate. The primary aim being to raise the profile of BC in the industry and promote stronger links between the community here and the bass world (See what I did there?) outside...

Yes to: Breeze Victoria Oxford Stealth I'm sure the others are fine, but the design and features of these in particular are quite appealing to me.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1357132018' post='1917818'] FWIW I'm in two minds on composite boards - I had this on a Hohner B2A fretless in the 80s - very disappointing, but I also had a composite fretboard on my Status KB which I was very impressed with... Probably of no help what so ever.. [/quote] Actually, you've struck the nail on the head (in a roundabout way!) A phenolic 'board [i]might[/i] complete/complement an already good instrument, but will not make a silk purse from a sow's ear...

I have three phenolic boarded bases. A bolt on, A neck through, A monocoque. They're all fretted. Realistically, the construction, pick ups and electronics make a much larger contribution to the overall sound. In every case they encourage good technique, as a fudged note will sound all the more evident. Kiwi is right about the potential for a brittle tone if it's all too stiff and the frets are very hard. They are durable, and easy to clean, though I have had issues with my sweat penetrating one and causing it to stain and partially de- laminate in places. The other two are fine. I do wish that some all- composite basses could have an ebony board, but it's difficult, as wood expands and contracts much more than (say) graphite, and there's a chance it'll distort or become detached.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1356904665' post='1915073'] Where's the purple attitude special at?! [/quote] I do believe I refused to "get it out" earlier! I'm slightly worried that people remember it! Good ol' "Captain Ribena"...

I used to get flak for playing a 6 string Streamer at "acoustic" gigs. Primarily from other bassists and guitarists in other bands. Normally along the lines of "bet you can't play that" Play a few nice chords/higher pitched runs, and they all fall silent...

No. I won't show you my purple monstrosity...

IIRC, I'm sure I once saw a bass using two regular jazz pickups with their inner mounting lugs ground off to allow them to be placed directly adjacent to one another. I seem to recall that they'd epoxyed the two halves of the casings together to form one unit. Bizarre, but it would work.

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1356275589' post='1908643'] I debated long and hard before selling that bass, why does no-one want to keep hold of it? [/quote] Streamer Pro M, right? That's an MEC twin jazz right there. They sound great. But even better in the Fortress Masterman, because of the blend control and the 2x2-band eq - one for each half of the pickup. Sounds crazy, but it certainly works for me.

When I read the title, I thought someone had actually managed to find a correlation between the two apparently unrelated specifications... Alas, it seems they are to remain entirely separate for all eternity!

Not so impressed now...