4000

The things I tend to struggle with (when I actually try and learn other peoples parts, which is seldom) are parts with a certain rhythmic bias. I play with a pick most of the time and spent my early years trying to play as fluidly as possible in a fairly guitaristic style (huge early influence being Frank Marino), so more staccato, ghost-noted things tend to give me fits. Jaco's style I find awkward for that very reason; thankfully it's not something I'm that bothered about or hugely interested in (although I do wish I could be bothered working out Okonkole y Trompa). Ironically I can play many shredding guitar parts far easier as they just fit my style better; I could probably do you a far better Malmsteen or McLaughlin than Jaco. Still, I don't really practice much these days so everything is far more difficult than it used to be. I can't even play me very well nowadays! Nailing Rhythm Stick would definitely be a toughie for me for the above reasons. I'd have to say I always found Mark King's stuff difficult as it combines a take on the Jaco thing (which I'm not very good at) with slap (which I'm also not very good at).

As I said when selling it, the closest Jazz I've ever played to a genuine (and very nice) '64 I played last year was the Roadworn I bought. I liked it comfortably better then the CS Jazz I tried. Although bits of the relicing were indeed a bit cheesy, the feel and sound (and light weight) were bob on, and I can say pretty much the same about all the RWs I've played, both J & P. They really are very vintage feeling/sounding, and have all been very light indeed. Of course that won't be for everybody.

[quote name='Spoombung' post='802807' date='Apr 11 2010, 05:44 PM']It was this kind of model: You can tell the bass will neck dive just from looking at the proportions. All the weight is concentrated on the neck and top horn. The lower horn is positioned too far back on the bass to redress balance - hence the bass neckdives on the lap. I'm sure it's okay with a strap though. Seated, it needs lifting by the neck or leaning on the top to compensate.[/quote] Funny, I've had 3 Flamboyants and can't say any have noticeably neck-dived when seated. Maybe I sit differently than you! Although always rest my right arm on a bass anyway so maybe I just don't notice.

[quote name='Spoombung' post='802419' date='Apr 11 2010, 10:51 AM']I popped in there yesterday for the first time and got to play a Sei bass (for the first time) - a fretless 5 string. It was immaculately made but just wouldn't sit on my lap at all (massive neckdive).[/quote] They balance perfectly standing. Of course they also make headless basses.

[quote name='green' post='801716' date='Apr 10 2010, 12:34 PM']well, i guess his treble section on the amp is faulty ;-)[/quote] Funny, I would've thought if you start eq-ing then it's no longer flat.

A lot of this will vary between individual instruments even within the same make and model. A friend uses a 3EQMM and I wouldn't say it's especially bright set flat.

[quote name='retroman' post='800499' date='Apr 9 2010, 07:41 AM']Yummy :wub: Mine really starts singing when playing chords, and getting up the dusty end.[/quote] That's why I play them. I haven't found anything else that sings out in anything like the same manner as you go up the neck, and for me they have the most musical and yet powerful chord sound. I've recently gone back full time to my '72 4001 and it really is my favourite bass that I've ever played by a mile (and I've played an awful lot). Certainly wouldn't be for everyone though; I know people who've played it who haven't liked it at all, which of course matters not one jot to me.

[quote name='silddx' post='800062' date='Apr 8 2010, 06:42 PM']Did you play it? I would have a more enjoyable experience playing the cables on the Severn Bridge than I would playing my mate's 4003.[/quote] Funny, I had the same experience playing a Warwick $$.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='800039' date='Apr 8 2010, 06:01 PM']Try before you buy, guys. I love the look of the Ricky, and I've had a couple. They both had to go ... I found them heavy and uncomfortable, and I didn't like the string spacing (despite being into vintage Hofners, which have a very similar spacing). Don't get me wrong, they're GREAT basses and I still love them. I just don't enjoy playing them.[/quote] That one in Dawson's is light as a feather, nearly as light as my old '72. Great bass. Some are very heavy, some are very light, some balance perfectly, some don't, etc etc.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='683086' date='Dec 13 2009, 04:49 PM']That's the most sensible thing I have read on this forum with regards to cabs for ages - it's the sum of the products that make great tone.[/quote] +1.

[quote name='thack' post='790686' date='Mar 30 2010, 03:23 PM']Haha. Yeah, the ibanez is a cheap backup, so it stays hidden until needed. Then it gets puked on too. Conan, i know what you mean about sperm whales!! Another thing. These SC's must weigh at least an extra kilo.[/quote] My Sei SC was one of the lightest, most comfortable basses I've ever played.

[quote name='Wil' post='786806' date='Mar 26 2010, 12:59 PM']All I can add is IMO, Barts really, really suck. They suck hard. In terms of sucking, they are the lamprays of the pickup world.[/quote] Depends what they're in. My old Pedulla sounded great and my current Sei does too.

[quote name='firstkingofleon' post='788405' date='Mar 28 2010, 11:50 AM']would i be able to get along with the rick neck and body shape after playing a squier jazz?[/quote] This is a difficult one as I learnt to play on a Rick and they've been my bass of choice pretty much ever since; I don't however get on with the Jazz shape at all (and have never been keen on the necks), hence the recent sale of my Road Worn. You'll only find out when you play it.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='785320' date='Mar 25 2010, 12:13 AM']At the end of the day it's not about cost. It's about the instrument that fits you best and makes the sound/sounds you want. For some that will be a £300 Squier Classic Vibe model and for others it will be an £5-8000 Alembic or Fodera. If you have full blown GAS, get out to the bigger bass shops and try as many as you can until you reach your own personal nirvana. [/quote] +1. A "decent" bass is simply one that works for you, which could prove to be absolutely anything.

[quote name='wombatboter' post='783666' date='Mar 23 2010, 04:50 PM']There's something special about Pedulla's, they really have something distinctive. They have a sort of hi-fi sound but still have warmth and a great percussiveness of their own. Hard to explain but I'm a fan.[/quote] +1. That's very like my old one, just a bit more quilty (and worn!). I'd have it in a flash; I miss my old one. One thing though..those knobs! My eyes!!! My eyes!!!

Er.....no. Ricks all the way for me, as I've finally realised after nearly 30 years.

Hey Cetera, have you ever thought of adding a Spector to that collection? Niiiiiice.........

[quote name='JTUK' post='738888' date='Feb 8 2010, 01:08 PM']The issue with strings going missing..... I tried my basses through a 15 with the horn turned down and the g string was too light coming across. I really really didn't like this and considered pick-up height. I then..of course..tried the bass with a 2x10 and no such issues at all. Now, I don't use the 15 as a standalone anyway and always have a 2x10 with horn on top but it did strike me that if all you had was a 15, then you would have to get busy with your EQ or mess around with the bass if going between speaker configs. For me, the worst config would be a 15 on its own...no one uses 18's anymore, but each to their own.[/quote] A lot of this depends what bass you're playing and what sound you're using. I've always successfully used single 15s with my Ricks which have a much more even string balance than most other basses I've played (yes, even the graphite ones). Every other bass I've owned has tended to have a bigger E but smaller A, D and G, so the disappearing upper register is a non-issue for me. I really tend to dislike horns too and the first thing I always do is turn them off.