4000

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1378397271' post='2199706'] never needed to 'save' for a bass - always had the cash sitting doing nothing. Basses are not a save up for kind of thing. Ferraris are a save up for kind of thing. Swimming pools are a save up for kind of thing. Pitts specials are a save up for kind of thing. Basses? Nahhh [/quote] For me a bass is about the only thing (other than a house or a holiday) that I would save up for. Indirectly saved up 20 years plus to get my custom Alembic.

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1357238763' post='1919688'] Have you found the first typo yet? Usually occurs on the very first page you pick at random when you open your first copy for the first time! [/quote] Those aren't typos, those are Jazz spellings. Congrats Bilbo, and a big 'not worthy' here.

For me, my Fireglo '72 Ric 4001. For the OP, no idea.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1378123026' post='2195912'] Some really complimentary comments for Bass Gallery. I've looked at their site but never actually bought but certainly will consider in future after reading this. Great advert for the shop IMO. Dave [/quote] I first went in'96 and I've been a regular visitor (well as regular as I can be being at the opposite end of the country) ever since. Martin has built me two basses and done work on many others. I've used several of the better-known UK luthiers over more than 3 decades of playing and I trust Martin more than any, for his skill, his honesty and his personableness. It's the best bass shop I've ever been to by far.

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1378084874' post='2195675'] Also, Rics don't have a great vintage appeal. The best Rics are the newer ones. I recently sold a 79' in pristine condition for the price of a slightly used 2012. And I think I really made out on the deal. The 2012 is simply a better instrument. So, long.short...I think 1200 is more than fair. I don't think you'll do much better elsewhere. [/quote] I've had 15 or so of them, played dozens if not hundreds and my favourites are definitely my '72s; the only new ones that have come close for me are the C-Series. FWIW I'm not overly keen on any of the '75-'80 basses I've tried or owned (with one exception). I'd probably agree on the value though.

[quote name='paulconnolly' timestamp='1378037212' post='2194916'] Fair do's. This has a different number and I won't quote it because a) the bass ain't mine and some other wag will pipe up tat it's the one he/she had nicked etc... . I can understand the emotional attachment and you never know, one day [/quote] Well I've quoted it on various sites over the years and no one has come forward (not that I'd really expect them to) and it's never turned up for sale to my knowledge, so let's say I'm not optimistic.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Alan Lancaster[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Alan Spenner[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andrew Levy[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andy Fraser[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andy Pask[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andy Rourke[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Barry Adamson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bill Wyman[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Boz Burrell[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bruce Thomas[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Burke Shelly[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chris Squire[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Cliff Ball[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Cliff Williams[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Clive Charman[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Coleridge Goode[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Colin Gibson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Colin Moulding[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Craig Adams[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Danny Thompson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dave Ambrose[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dave Bronze[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dave Holland[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dave Markee[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dave Peacock[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dee Murray[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dougie Poynter[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Dudley Phillips[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Ernie McKone[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Francis Hylton[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Frank Allen[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Fred T. Baker[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Gary Crocket[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Geezer[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Geezer Butler[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]George Anderson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Gerry McAvoy[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Glen Matlock[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Glenn Hughes [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Graham Collier[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Greg Lake[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Guy Pratt[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Henry Thomas[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Herbie Flowers[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hugh Hopper[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jack Bruce[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jah Wobble[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]James Johnston[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jean Jacques Burnell[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jeff Clyne[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jimmy Lea[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John "Rhino" Edwards[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Deacon[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Entwistle[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Giblin[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Gustafson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Paul Jones[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Taylor[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]John Wetton[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Julian Crampton[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Karl Wesley Bingham[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Kenny Napper[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Kev Hopper[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Kim Gardner[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Laurence Cottle[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Leigh Gorman[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Lemmy[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Malcolm Cecil[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mani[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mark King[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Martin Turner[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mick Karn[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mike Mondesir[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mike Rutherford[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mo Foster[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mutley McLadd[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Neil Murray[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Nick Fyffe[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Noel Redding[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Norman Watt-Roy[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Paul Gardiner[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Paul McCartney[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Paul Simonon[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Paul Turner[/font][/color] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]Paul Westwood[/color][/font] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Percy Jones[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Pete Cruikshank[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Peter Cowling[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Peter Hook[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Phil Bates[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Pino Palladino[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Randy Hope Taylor[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Ric Grech[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Richard Searle[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Rick Kemp[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Rick Laird[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Roger Glover[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Roger Waters[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Roy Babbington[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Roy Wainwright[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sparko[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Spike Heatley[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steve Harris[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steve Lawson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steve Pearce[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steve York[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sting[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Stuart Zender[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tab Martin[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tony Butler[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tony Jackson[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tony Reeves[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Trevor Bolder[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Yolanda Charles[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Zia Geelani [/font][/color]

[quote name='paulconnolly' timestamp='1378021369' post='2194661'] Thanks [b]simon1964[/b]. [b]4000[/b] thanks for your contribution. You first [/quote] TC915. Sorry for my 'contribution' , but it was my first bass and therefore had rather a lot of emotional attachment.

I had an '80 Jetglo stolen in '86. What's the s/n?

[quote name='Zodiak' timestamp='1377984105' post='2194465'] Well, I guess it's just harder for beginners to get through to him [/quote] I've been playing 30-odd years and have been through lots of high end stuff, including a custom-built £4k Alembic and several Seis. I know what I'm after - and it often isn't what others are after - and I don't expect to be talked to like I don't. Oh and for what it's worth, I get along with Alex just fine; I've never heard him try and push [i]anything[/i].

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1377982950' post='2194455'] I would rather have expertise and knowledge [/quote] Which you'll get at the Gallery, without the "I know better than you do" (which he doesn't; he has no idea how I play or what I'm after). To be honest, most of what I've got from him is opinion spoken as fact. Nothing turns me off anybody, particularly salesmen, quicker than that.

[quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1377904398' post='2193591'] A couple of years ago I had serious gas for a Phil Jones Super Flightcase so I rang Bass Direct to enquire about one. I stated that I played double bass and wanted the upwards firing speakers so I could hear myself in the upper register. The other criteria was a lightweight combo. I was told that the PJB wasn't what I needed but to get a Bergantino 12! I wouldn't waste another phone call on them. [/quote] My first experience with him was when I enquired about a W&T custom build. I said I wanted a Zoid 4 with 16.5mm spacing. He told me I didn't, I wanted a 5 with 18mm spacing 'cause that's what everyone plays these days. I told him I wasn't everybody, I've been playing over 30 years and know what I want. I didn't order. I later had a similar experience regarding something else. A friend who went to try some kit was told his Stingray (his main, although not only, bass) was outdated. He still bought the amps but was less than enthusiastic about the experience. I wouldn't completely write off buying from there but it'd have to be a very nice bit of gear before I'd consider it. Give me the Gallery anyday.

[quote name='WalMan' timestamp='1377942701' post='2193808'] Annoying, are there good reasons for the others pulling out? I know most people - well most I know anyway - work on a 'show must go on basis' but sometimes that's just not possible. [/quote] This. We're playing at 2 music festivals this weekend, a total of 4 gigs. We do three-part harmony throughout, with 2 lead vocalists and unfortunately one of our lead singers has come down with the most horrendous cold; the other singer is starting to get it too and I'm following close behind. In addition our mandolin player, who suffers from a degenerative nerve condition anyway, currently has a foot infection and is in agony. We soldiered on last night with a 50% - at best - performance but we played this dinner and, quite frankly, the singer could barely sing a note and the mandolin player barely made it through the half hour set. We were awful. We've got another set tonight which it looks like we're going to have to stumble through but tomorrow (a 5hr drive to a crowd that has never seen us before) is just looking like it'll do us more harm than good, both health and profile-wise. Sometimes the show can go on, but at too much cost.

Leigh Gorman.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1377543193' post='2188694'] Straight answer is 'yes'. It is popular music that tries to appear separate, different, aloof etc but, when you break it down, it functions in exactly the same was as the rest of pop but to a different demographic in a slightly different way. It is almost all affectation. [/quote] This. Absolutely.

Personally I've gone from 2 pickups/passive/2 tones/2 volumes & 20 frets through most things (actives, filters, 4, 5 & 6 strings) back to 2 pickups/passive/2 tones/2 volumes & 20 frets, although there's always a place for the other stuff.

[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1377347863' post='2186544'] A bass is worth it when you pick it up and try it, it says yes to you right away. it dont matter about the price, if its new or old, or even the build quality ( to a point). You know the ones that are right for you, they will sing in your hands, thats when its worth it, [/quote] This, absolutely.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1377335689' post='2186298'] See, now that is exactly why I would get someone to make me that bass... Of course, it depends who is building them, but I would expect a FAR better build, a couple of personalised design features, or a custom config....choice of components. And if the guy had done a good few before..which is why you would use them so as not to be a guinea pig, then they should be able to give you an excellent bass. If it doesn't look better, feel better, sound better and play better all round than over 95% of stuff off a production line, then you have gone to the wrong guy... [/quote] The only thing I would expect is that it should be better made. The rest is utterly subjective. Personally I like a straight neck with low action so it would be more likely to play better for me, but of course some people don't like that. In terms of looks, that's about aesthetic design sense (not always a talent displayed by luthiers) so could go either way - it may appeal or may not. Sound is so arbitrary - even Martin Petersen will tell you he never really knows what a bass will sound like until it's built, and I trust him more than anyone - so you may end up with a better-sounding bass or you may not. I've had a few custom built basses and they've generally sounded very good but my absolute favourite-sounding basses have generally been off the shelf. I tend to think of musical instruments in the same way I think of partners. It's not always what you think you want that works best for you and finding the right one can often be a fairly random process.

Dazzler, you're in my neck of the woods so well probably bump into each other a some point, assuming we haven't already. FWIW I've owned 2 Jaydees (played loads of others); the first was a Supernatural with Saturn inlays and tailpiece etc in butterscotch; the neck (maple with walnut IIRC) had been shaved and struggled with any strings over 35s. It tended to be fairly unstable. The second was funk-grooved in white and had a blinding mahog/walnut neck; great bass, but unfortunately far too heavy for my by then bad back so ended up going back to the shop after only a week.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1377329231' post='2186207'] I'm confused here. The Mr. X version you mention is stated as being the album version on that vid, and it sounds like the one I know and love from the album. Why wouldn't Stu Zender, who was a full time member for the second album, be playing on the album's title track? Weird. But, I suppose saying that it's amazing how little he actually recorded for the first album. A few sessioners laid most if it down before he got the job I believe, including Andrew Levy from the Brand New Heavies. This is the only version of Space Cowboy I've ever heard. Anyone got a link to the one Stu Zender did play on? Would love to check it out. [/quote] I think Stu was away IIRC, and when he came back they'd done it without him. He explained it in an interview once but I can't remember the exact details. I imagine he wasn't best pleased.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1377324039' post='2186170'] oh how different we are , i so dig Stuarts playing on that track, hes got a real groove but Mr X's fills and general traveling around the bass line is way more inventive, its alot more laid back as a track but man is the bass line more busy, in the best way. this is not taking anything away from Zenders bass line because its awsome, the difference is Stuarts bass line keeps me in the groove, Mr X's does that, but takes me on a journey. there is a huge difference for me. [/quote] You see to me it just sounds like he's noodling, in the sort of way I would if I was just jamming along with the track and thinking more about the bass than the song. It doesn't sound IMO like he's really thinking about what works best for the track. To me it just sounds unfocussed, and I'm normally a fan of busy (as anyone who knows me and my playing will attest ). Each to their own, but I'll happily stick with Stu.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1377275637' post='2185756'] I remember speaking to Phil Nixon from Bass Gear a couple of years ago about Fodera basses. I mentioned that I would never buy one but had to admit that the best bass I had ever played was a Fodera. He said that many people had told him that they thought Foderas were unjustifiably expensive and a waste of money! Phil then got them to actually play one and said that on several occasions the same people would come back a couple of months later, having borrowed money and / or sold every bass that they had, and put in an order for a Fodera. It is not so much the sound of these types of basses, as you can put a top range preamp or new pickups into a Fender for a couple of hundred quid. It is more about the playability, rigidity, feel and attention to detail. You will not get things like a quarter-sawn neck and a flatter radius fingerboard on a standard Fender, yet alone a Squier! If you think of the most challenging thing that you have to play on your Squier and then pick up a Fodera, you will find that it suddenly seems relatively effortless. It will not turn you in a top player overnight but it will make everything seem a lot easier… I still would not play £6k for one, but some people will and it is not just because of vanity or snob value…! [/quote] It's all about whether the bass works for you, at any price point. I've owned all sorts of basses over my 30-odd years of playing, from Westone, Squier and Hohner to Wal, custom-built Alembic and Sei. I've played thousands of basses in my time. I've played cheap basses that I've really liked, cheap basses I've really hated and everything in between. Same goes for the mid-priced stuff and the expensive stuff. Note I don't say "crap, great and everything in between", because what works (or not) for me may or may not work for you. I've played 4 Foderas, a couple at length, and have only liked one even a little. I haven't liked how they've felt, played, or sounded. The buckeye one at Bass Day I liked a lot, lot less than the Squier P I use for festival gigs, or the Westone Quantum I once had. I did however love most of my Seis & both my Alembics (although I've played some I haven't liked at all). My favourite bass that I've ever played? My Fireglo '72 Ric 4001 by a nautical mile. I'd sooner have it than all the other basses I've played put together. Does that mean it would work for someone else? No, of course not. The basses I've arguably liked the least from everything I can remember playing have been a Hondo Ric copy and an F Bass, at opposite ends of the price spectrum. People have seem to have this idea that what works for them is a 'better bass' or what doesn't is 'a worse bass'. It isn't. It's only better or worse [i]for them.[/i] It's an extremely simple concept and I don't understand why some people seem to struggle with it so much.

My favourite P pickups have always been DiMarzios; i say this because every time I pick up a P with DMs in it it's my new favourite P. Never heard anything else I like better.