4000

I've always wanted to get on with Spectors but never have. I've tried many, both USA (including a couple of the reclaimed Redwood basses, both of which weighed as much as a small castle) and Euros; even bought a Euro 5 once (it went back the same week), but I've aways found them incredibly disappointing, not least because I really haven't like the necks on all the ones I've played. I've much preferred most of the vintage Warwicks I've tried/owned, which generally have fabulous necks, whether thin (Thumb) or fat (Dolphin). Still, I live in hope, and it's all horses for courses, don't let me put anyone off.

One thing to bear in mind is you can alter your technique over time to get used to a different action, be it lower or higher than you're used to. Don't necessarily give up just because you adjust it and it initially feels strange.

By the way, you can still specify purfling on the fingerboard - a choice of various different types is available - when custom ordering (it's likely I'll have it on my next), so whilst you see it much more on the early basses it isn't necessarily an indicator of the bass being old, if that makes sense. I don't know why people don't specify it more often to be honest, I think it's a beautiful aesthetic touch. Oh, and Martin is a gent and then some. I've been a regular customer since 1996 and he's one of the nicest, most genuine blokes you'll ever meet. I love the Gallery. I wish I could live there.

Martin just makes gorgeous basses. Has he not been able to shed any light on it?

Well it seemed to work for me! I suppose the bass I’d mainly heard growing up was a mixture of walking jazz & Macca (we were a “jazz only” household until I was about 10, but I used to stay at my aunt’s a lot and my older cousins - in their teens - were into the Beatles). In a weird sort of way, to me at least, Lem combined something of the movement & melody of both whilst turning it all up to 11. Anyway, apologies, back to the thread! BTW, the first album I ever bought was ABBA’s Greatest Hits. I really do love them you know. I’ve even got a signed picture of Benny!

Thanks!

Great track, great part.

I love Lem’s playing in Hawkwind; I learnt to play by playing along to Space Ritual.

Just to be clear, I actually decided on ABBA, Stevie & Kate because I adore them as artists and they have all written and recorded many of my absolute favourite songs of all time. Stevie and Kate are arguably my all-time favourite solo artists, as well as Stevie being in one of my all-time favourite bands. ABBA are certainly in my top 2 or 3 bands of all time - and may be at the top - hence the choice. The fact that Stevie, Kate, Agnetha and Frida all happen to be fairly easy on the eye is just a lucky bonus.

I think Dancing Queen by ABBA, or possibly Supper's Ready by Genesis circa Seconds Out, or Comfortably Numb by Floyd. Or maybe Ice by Camel (in the case of Floyd and Camel I'd get to listen to my 2 favourite guitarists at their absolute peak). I'd have said Awaken by Yes but the thought of hearing Yes without Chris - even though that is now the case - is just unfeasible to me. Playing onstage with ABBA, particularly in their heyday, would be like all my Christmases coming at once. Or anything at all with Stevie Nicks or with Kate Bush would be amazing because I love them both.

I had an early AH150, 11 band graphic. Used it in a rock band with one cab (1x15, later a 4x10) and never got it past 4, maybe 5. Possibly the best-sounding head I've ever had, although nostalgia could be deceiving me.

This. Try rolling the tone off. I have never used a P with the tone full up. Then flats, or a combination of both.

Played one very much like that once, 'cept it was green. I didn't like it, but seeing as I found through much trial and error that I don't get on with J-types, that's no surprise.

Low , buzzy and rattly for me please! I remember at the Moffatt bass bash a few years back a few people expressed how they struggled to play my Sei basses because of how low the action was. But I both pluck and fret very lightly, unless I'm digging in on purpose. In fact I play like a fairly light-fingered guitarist, pick and all. I remember once seeing someone at the Gallery picking up new custom Sei many years ago, which as usual had a low action, and they were absolutely hammering it (fingerstyle, not slap) - I mean really hammering it - and couldn't understand why it was buzzing like mad. From what I could tell they were pretty much a beginner, so probably hadn't thought what to specify.

This is true. I know someone who could fix this but still...... I actually went on Gear4Music to order one the other night (on the basis I could return it if I didn’t like it) and it had gone. I wonder if someone had an accident?

Excellent, many thanks.

Ok, cheers. I'll look into it. One other thing that I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned; what’s the weight like?

Well Dawsons say they're only stocking sunburst and can't get hold of white; Gibson can't say when they're next in stock. Bummer. Anybody seen any white ones anywhere?

I find the Dunlops less 'clangy' than Rotos, which are my choice. TBH, I can get a clangy sound out of pretty much anything, playing with fingers or pick (and I play pretty gently), and I don't even use tweeters. I struggle to get the opposite! I do have very low action and a straight neck though.

Thanks, that's interesting.

This certainly can't be true as there's a section in Quincy's Gula Matari (which I otherwise love) where the bass is absolutely miles out, and McCartney's not even on it. Look a bit closer to home Mr.J. ;-)