ambient

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1400076204' post='2450492'] Ignoring the lumps of firewood at the low end of the market, I wonder how many in an audience could really hear the difference between any two basses on any track? For me high end basses are those that I would love to own aesthetically but know I could never afford/justify. Some basses are just drop dead gorgeous and good luck to those who own them. As far as price is concerned, if you think high end basses are expensive, look at the price of a good double bass [url="http://www.contrabass.co.uk/csbasses.htm"]http://www.contrabas...uk/csbasses.htm[/url]. These are the good quality ones, the high end page is POA only. I know of one orchestral player who sold his bass when he retired (a nice late 19th century english one) for £50,000 and that was by no means top of the range. Steve [/quote] That's what I said in an earlier post. In my opinion, there's high end regards price, and high end regards the instrument. High end to me personally means attention to detail in the build of the instrument, quality of components etc, versatility, you haven't got to keep adjusting the neck relief every 5 minutes, you can stick a set of flats on for a blues gig and not have to spend an hour setting the bass up. My Modulus wasn't expensive in relation to some instruments that you see, Wal's for example of ridiculously pricey. Sei's ACG's, Clement, Overwater are amazing basses, and every bit as good as a Wal, but don't hold their price as well. They are high end basses though with regards to quality. High end also doesn't equate to boutique. Boutique, to me anyway is something like a Ritter with a fancy oddball paint finish. A good analogy is Doc Marten boots. Relatively expensive, but you get a lifetime guarantee. You could just go out and buy a normal pair of boots, and they'll maybe last 6 months before the soles fall off. Boutique is a pair costing 3 times as much because of the label attached.

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1400064952' post='2450318'] I've been happy with my simple Focusrite 2i2 - easy to set up with lots of support on their website, sound is good and feels relatively sturdy. [/quote] I think you get Ableton lite with that too ? I have a Focusrite 2i2, it is very good.

So where do orchestral players whose instruments can cost £20, 000 or more come into all of this ? I'm most definitely not middle aged, a lottery winner or rich. I'm a music student who wanted a bass that would do everything I wanted it to do, after a few years of searching and trying different instruments, I found [i]the one[/i] in my Modulus. Is it 'high-end' ? I don't know, at £1500 it cost me about half of one of my student loan payments, but to me it's worth every penny.

Great basses[quote name='SteinOlavPedersen' timestamp='1400007518' post='2449886'] Here are my two friends: [/quote] Great looking basses. Can't work out why no one's interested in mine.

You'll need some software, what computer have you got ? If it's a Mac then you'll have garageband. You'll need something to convert your audio to digital too.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1399928417' post='2449145'] Just thought I'd give you a free plug first [/quote] Thanks .

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1399927625' post='2449129'] There's one for sale here right now [/quote] Going into your shop next week if it doesn't sell soon

A midi keyboard controller is useful, and can get bought very cheaply. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, it's very nice. I don't use Ableton, if you have a mac of some description, then you should have Garageband which is excellent, considering it's free, that has tons of drum and percussion loops.

I don't think it's anything to do with price, it's construction, choice of tone woods, attention to detail surely ? A lot of older basses are quite valuable but not necessarily 'high end'. Sei's are surely 'high end' basses, but don't seem to hold their price as well as something like a Fodera or a Wal. My Modulus is (to me) a high end bass, but again not as expensive as a Wal or a Fodera.

There's usually a minimum order of 500, manufacturers won't press them unless they get a certificate to say that the licensing has been sorted out.

I know it's probably a time thing for a lot of people. But if you can spare the time, you can get to most areas of the UK pretty cheaply by train or coach. It's certainly cheaper than being out of pocket by several hundred pounds when a courier has lost or broken your instrument and won't pay out. Treat it as a day out, or maybe even a weekend away . OK, so I have a YP railcard, but 2 weeks ago I travelled by train to Manchester to deliver a cab, then caught a train to Bristol to collect my new Chapman stick, then caught a train back home, all in a day, all for less than £30. Maybe meet someone halfway, or split the train/coach fare ? Virgin were offering London to Edinburgh for £12 each way 2 weeks ago !

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1399712756' post='2446847'] Never had a problem with their roundwounds, but the last set of flats I bought from Status had a dead E. [/quote] These were flats, so dead they'd fossilised and had a preservation order slapped on 'em .

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1399722289' post='2446985'] I tried D'addario's once and found them extremely sticky so moved them on, does that go away after a while? [/quote] Very soon, I think it's the same with all half rounds.

[quote name='Stompbox' timestamp='1399722126' post='2446981'] I've used MyHermes OK lots of times but I know they don't cover instruments, & was suprised to hear all of the above - it's a really handy service in that you can take the parcel when it suits you to a local My Hermes Parcelshop rather than waiting for it to be picked up. So it's Parcelforce 48 for me with extra insurance. [/quote] I suggest you look here, 10th one down. [url="http://www.parcelforce.com/help-information/compensation-refunds-and-claims/items-we-exclude-compensation"]http://www.parcelforce.com/help-information/compensation-refunds-and-claims/items-we-exclude-compensation[/url]

Try this shop in Watford. [url="http://www.thwaites.com"]http://www.thwaites.com[/url]

Status seem to have a problem with E's and B's, both were dead in a pack of flat wounds I bought recently. I know they replace them, but they shouldn't have to. I've got D'addario half wounds on my Modulus, they're great strings, and last for ages, they've been on for at least 6 months. Reasonable price too . [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-ENR70-040--095-Electric-Strings/dp/B000OR89CK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1399675639&sr=8-4&keywords=d%27addario+half+rounds"]http://www.amazon.co...rio+half+rounds[/url]

I've only had it for a week or so, and haven't had a lot of time with it due to having exam prep to do, but I'm reasonably pleased with it. It's an exam piece. [url="https://soundcloud.com/ambient-bassist/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-2"]https://soundcloud.com/ambient-bassist/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-2[/url] Comments welcome. By the way, the bass used in this is for sale !

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1399628056' post='2445950'] It works for me. I have no problems with it at all. I guess it is about expectations!! [/quote] I was with a guy today who was using Sibelius 5, that looked better than version 7 that I've got. Maybe it's gotten fiddlier as it's progressed ?