Skinnyman

No excuses, I'm a snob. Always have been, probably always will. I grew up in the seventies, when you were either into albums or singles. Prog or glam. I was prog. Then came punk which I hated with the same passion that they hated my music. Now I listen to pretty much anything that I like. I'm enjoying the prog revival (that love which once dare not say it's name) but my iPod has everything from Coltrane to Gaga on it. But I'm still a snob. I dislike hip hop (I suspect they haven't noticed my absence), I'm not keen on most of the bland pap they spew out of commercial radio these days (oddly, Radio One has started playing some really good new stuff), and you'd still struggle to get me to a country concert.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1414273174' post='2587864'] I've just 'discussed' my shopping trip next saturday over a nice 3 course meal, went quite well Jazz Deluxe looking OK :-D (Russ we are on if you're still up for it?) [/quote] I like your style. Happy shopping - let us know how you get on....

But it's not a Jazz-a-like.... I know I'm being picky but, hey, it's my GAS... I think I'll be taking a trip to the Gallery some time this week. Although the wife is doing that one-in, one-out thing that she applies to guitars. (But not shoes or handbags, oddly). So maybe I'll need to move one of my four string jazzes. Wonder how much a Select Active might fetch...

I managed to try out a couple of five strings today.... Squier Vintage Modified V - first impression, it weighs a ton. And I think that put me off from the word go. There's just no way I could see myself doing a set, let alone a whole gig, with one of these things on. Fit and finish are good, but I found the neck quite deep as well as wide. That may be my imagination but it just didn't seem to sit right under my hands. It might be perfect for someone else but it did nothing for me. I like the neck binding and the colour but that was about it. The B string seemed really loose - annoyingly so, to the extent that if I got one I'd have to change the strings. To anchor cables from the look of things.... Fender modern player V - I really like the idea of the Modern Player series and I've been impressed by some of the guitars I've tried. But I really didn't care for this one. It was that matt white which made it look like the Storm Troopers in Star Wars might have played - just a big slab of plastic. I didn't even try it. I also tried an Ibanez SR505 which was really light with a lovely wide but shallow neck. Gorgeous to play although I wasn't enamoured with the tone. Or the shape. Or the colour. So, the search continues... Next on the list to try is a Sei, a Sandberg and an Overwater

They get my business. Always excellent

Entwistle JBXN. Dirt cheap. Awesome

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1414133714' post='2586151'] It's an off chance but Dingwall Super J's look and sound great IMO. The frets are great too. 35" on the B so it'll sound pretty good I imagine. [/quote] Don't they have the fan shaped frets? That seems like a brilliant idea but I can't decide if it looks weird or cool....

This is starting to grow on me.... Especially with the chambered body at just 3.9 kilos. Anyone played one? http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_TM5_Blueburst.html Bass direct is a long way for me to travel to try it out just on spec....

[quote name='chrkelly' timestamp='1414062811' post='2585311'] Shameless plug [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2846&type=Bass%20Guitar"]http://www.thebassga...e=Bass%20Guitar[/url] [/quote] Nice - but I've got a real hankering for a maple neck with black block inlays. Olympic White is still in the frame but now I've seen the picture of that red Sei at the Bass Gallery, I'm leaning more towards the red. That Sei would be perfect if it had a maple neck with the blocks.... Problem is, there aren't any off-the-shelf basses that exactly match what I want (the Squier is the closest). I could get one made but I'm not sure I could justify two and a half thou for an Overwater - or a similar kind of price for a Sei. Realistically, my budget is probably the same as StingrayPete's - a max of £1600. I'll try and get my hands on a Squier to try and see what that's like - I know the 4-string VM's get a lot of respect on here. If I get on with it, that might keep the GAS at bay while I keep my eyes open for the perfect Candy Apple/Maple/Blocks combo in the marketplace....

Oddly, I'm in exactly the same boat as StingrayPete. I really fancy a five and have been trying to narrow down the options before I try and hunt some down to try. I have a couple of four string Jazzes - both Fenders - and I like them both, although I'm not too bothered about the name on the headstock - but if I'm going to pay over a thou, there has to be a noticeable improvement in quality, tone and comfort for me to justify it to myself. One name not mentioned on here so far is Overwater. There are a couple in the FS section on here although neither does it for me colour-wise. Thoughts? Thus far, my wish list is black block inlays, maple neck, Olympic White with White guard or CAR with white guard. That Sei is beautiful - but then a white Squier VM also fits the bill looks wise and is only £300 - plus an after market pickguard..... So I have to ask myself whether I'm prepared to pay £1800 for that Sei. Or an American Deluxe..... So, what's the view on Overwater?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1413865655' post='2582873'] I have been gigging with the G-30 since 2009. Not one problem ever. Blue [/quote] +1 the g30 is brilliant

[quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1410510547' post='2550121'] Look up a series of videos on YouTube by John Carruthers, I think they're on Elixir strings channel, he takes you through the basics. After some persuasion from the good folks here on BC I had my first go at it, with the JC video playing on my iPad while I did it, it's very satisfying! Last one I had done professionally was awful, took it to the same guy I've used many times, not sure if he was having an off day because he's usually very good. I didn't have time to check it when I picked it up and as he'd done plenty of stuff for me before, I didn't think there was any need, but when I got it home and played it, it was a buzzing mess. That sort of convinced me I had to learn how to do it and give it a go. [/quote]+1 for the JC videos. Really helpful

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1410419393' post='2549151'] For something different, a great yarn and very funny, I recommend: The One hundred year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared, by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson. [/quote] +1 for this and for the follow up: The Girl Who Saved The King Of Sweden. Utterly, utterly brilliant. If you have a Kindle and if you like cats then The Secret World of Fluffy Ratbag. 99p download. Don't read while eating a Mars Bar. Chocolate comes down your nose.

[quote name='slingo' timestamp='1410045981' post='2545709'] I'm talking shaped case not rectangular, surely a shaped case would fit in the 159 even at an angle? I currently have a focus estate and it fits in there at a slight angle. I want a more "interesting" car though, hence the Alfa, although the focus has been the best car I've ever had... [/quote] Get the Alfa. If a standard bass case won't fit, there are other options. Behind the front seats as already suggested. Or get a headless bass like a steinberger. But I'd rather choose my bass to fit the car. That's assuming it's a 159 of course. Guiletta, not so much....

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1409783903' post='2543440'] Seeing as we've moved from providing info to willy waving, I took a GK combo, Westone Quantum, bag containing leads and Boss ME6B, and a sleeping bag on the back of a Triumph Tiger 900 from Tamworth to Maidstone and back again. [/quote] Did they enjoy it?

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1409819982' post='2543573'] I hate flats. They sound good to me for about two hours after putting them on, then just sound dull and not what I want at all.I like rounds because you can dial down your tone or use foam and get the flat sound if you want. [/quote] Each to his own. I love em. I've just discovered Rotosound flats which are a bit brighter than some, Picato have a nice, silky feel to them. I also have a set of half rounds waiting to be put onto a jazz bass. If I want bright, I play closer to the bridge and use the EQ. But I like the sound of old school, rich, creamy bass - and flats do that perfectly for me. But hey, if you prefer rounds then go for it - there's a reason why most people prefer them!

Wow. I complain about my guitarse but he's a sweetheart compared to yours... It's very possible that bandleader and guitarist had a chat and both came away with very different recollections. So bandleader thinks he was diplomatic (it's not you, it's us. We're holding you back, you're undermining their confidence and they aren't as talented as you, need to make room to let other people grow, etc). And the guitarist just heard 'blah, blah, you're brilliant but cut the others some slack'. Question is whether you can live with him now he's turned over a new leaf or whether you still want him out. In which case, there's a very good thread on how to can someone on this very forum! But I'd assume incompetence or incomprehension rather than some Machiavellian plot, lies, deceit and intrigue.

You may have read this previously as "drummer required". Well, twenty four hours is a long time in band politics. We have our drummer back (for now at least) but our singer has decided he'd rather do Perry Como covers then Robert Plant, hence the update to "singer required". We're a covers band, gigging regularly around the Cambs and Beds area doing a pretty wide range of stuff that probably fits under the label of "classic rock". We're all, ahem, mature - in our forties - and have got a reputation for being a very tight unit. We've had a really busy summer but, ideally, we're looking to reign back a bit and rehearse once a week and gig a couple of times a month. Most of our gigs are word of mouth recommendations or repeat bookings, which is probably down to our lead guitarist who is stellar. Set list is varied with all the usual stuff, plus we try and make it interesting with some less well-known material; Pink Floyd, Marillion, Blue Oyster Cult - and with the right vocalist, we hope to extend this even further. Whilst the lead singer vacancy is the important one, if we can find someone who can sing and play something else (keys, bass, guitar), we have the flexibility to change things round a bit to accommodate. If you (or anyone you know of) might be interested and would like to know more, please PM me....

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1409667153' post='2542000'] What to do with the 4th hole? My Ibby SRA305 is a passive pickup bass that has an EMG EXB between the output of the pickups and the jack. The EXB is a variable scoop control that I have found most useful in gigging: buffering the output, and the ability to dial in the exact amount of scoop for straight-to-scooped, vintage-to-modern, fingerstyle flat-to-slap contour, etc. [/quote] I like that... At the moment, I just added another, front-facing jack to complement the oddly-positioned one in the side of the bass. Weirdly, I use them equally - the front one with an L-shaped jack and when I'm plugged into the amp directly, the side one when I'm using the wireless attached to the strap. But I like the idea of the scoop control. Mind you, I also liked the idea of the webcam. Someone else suggested a flickering light in there.... Might have to drill a few more holes to accommodate all these ideas. Someone wanted sound clips of the Entwistles. There are three: P (Neck), J (Bridge) and both. All recorded direct into Sonar with no EQ or effect and with the tone control set to about mid position. Don't get excited - it's just a scale but should give you a sense of the sound of the Entwistles (mine are the PBXN and JBXN variants)

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1409597497' post='2541376'] Would love to hear some sound clips of your Nanyo with the Entwistles in it [/quote] I'll try and upload some this week.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1409433001' post='2539733'] I'm not a violent man myself but I would understand you being one on this occasion. [/quote] Seriously, it's every bleedin' week and has gone on for months. Every time there's a small bass fill (think "crazy little thing") I see him look across and smile and nod, like I'm a three year old and just managed to tie my own shoelaces for the first time. Patronising t**t. Hmmm, perhaps this is symptomatic of a wider issue with my band mate. But one of these days, he's going to get a bass chucked at him with the words "well you 'kin play it then" as I stomp off to sulk....

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1409429772' post='2539694'] Give him this to play... [attachment=170503:Weat_Repo_A_Rema_You_Made_Bass.pdf] It's a pdf of 'A Remark You Made' (Weather Report, but you knew that...). Save it, re-naming the file as 'Weat_Repo_A_Rema_You_Made_Bass.pdf'. Best played on fretless... Hope this helps. [/quote] Brilliant. The dots will be enough to put him off. :-)

[quote name='TheSiberian' timestamp='1409427267' post='2539663'] If you want a double neck for posing, renting a cheap one for a day should be ok. Lol If you really want a double neck that is playable and sounds correct you should spent at least the double of your Rick or Fender...really. Warmouth sells different bodies and necks but you have to pay the price. One more hidden problem is the weight. I always considered the double neck as the grail, checked many ( very expensive ones ) at the Frankfurt Musik Messe but the weight was always a deal breaker. Best [/quote] It's probably the pose - although, if I could find one that was a reasonable weight I'd buy it and could make use of it live. The point about it costing the same as two individual guitars is well made - but there are plenty of good, inexpensive Asian guitars and basses being made these days so something that cost the same as a pair of them would seem reasonable. Although I accept that there probably isn't the mass market demand to justify production of a budget double neck. Seems like you can get 6/12 doubles but no 6/4's. Shame...

Does anyone else have a guitarist in their band who reckons they could play bass if they wanted and insists on telling you what to play and how to play it? Or is it just me? I need to know before I deck mine.....

Don't ask me why, but I have a bit of a hankering for a double neck - 6 string guitar and bass. But they seem incredibly rare and, the few that are made, incredibly expensive, boutique instruments So, does anyone know of a more mass-market (sic) version? I don't mind spending a few hundred on one but not a few thousand. Has anyone ever made a 6 string/bass hybrid?