4000

Actually one question I'd like to ask Bilbo (not specifically relating to custom basses but potentially pertinent to some of the issues that have arisen) is does he play the same way on every instrument he picks up, therefore imposing his style, sound and note choices on the instrument in question, or does he adapt his playing to suit the individual instruments strengths? Steve Howe has been quoted as saying every instrument makes him think a little differently, and I tend to feel the same. Many lines that work sonically on my Seis just don't work on my Ricks, and vice versa, and the feel and response of the instrument is also something that affects what I am likely to play on it.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='626688' date='Oct 15 2009, 09:26 AM']I used to hate the shape of these things but you forget that the moment you hear one. Lovely bass Tony - wish I had one.[/quote] I though they looked ridiculous until I saw one in the flesh/wood/whatever. Elegant is what springs to mind.

[quote name='Sibob' post='626811' date='Oct 15 2009, 12:02 PM']I'm still waiting for you to take up my Bronco challenge . The thing is, even once you get down to the details, it's still immensly subjective. If you take the whole want/craving thing to it's conclusion, we'd be living as Buddhist monks. The meditation on, and realisation of the roots of 'craving' is the first chapter in many Buddhist texts. Similarly this means that your 'craving' to be a better musician, comes from the same place as GAS. So like I said, nothing actually matters (the line between Buddhism and Nihilism is a often debated), and the only way of differentiating what is more important is subjective opinion. Si[/quote] +1 (again). In addition, and following Alex's line of thought, I've twice given money to a man I greatly respect and like both as a luthier and a person (stand up Mr Petersen) so that he will build me a beautiful, functional work of art (I've also twice paid for used pieces of his art). It's given me great joy, and hopefully in some small way has helped to keep him doing the thing he does best. Win win? I think so. Would I do it again? Absolutely. The experience is a journey in itself, and I just happen to love travelling.

Pedullas are some of my very favourite basses. I very much regret getting rid of my old MVP.

[quote name='leftybassman392' post='626448' date='Oct 14 2009, 09:46 PM']I get the feeling that all the arguments from purely within the bass community have been covered in these pages. I'd like to attempt a different perspective. As a former guitarist, I owned (and still do own) a number of instruments. Each has a different sound, a different feel and a different function (well okay, I do have a bit of a thing for stratocasters , but apart from that....). Importantly for this argument, they are for the most part not properly interchangeable - yes, you CAN use a nylon strung guitar to play Jazz, and you CAN use a Jazz guitar to play Flamenco, but most people wouldn't because there's a different choice that generally has a better chance of giving you what you want. I reckon I can spot the instrument I'm hearing from the sound alone, and I reckon further that I can tell the difference between different examples of the same model using the same criteria. Although I don't have the years behind me as a bassist that most of the contributors to this thread have, I'd nevertheless be surprised if the same isn't true of different makes and models of bass. All due respect Bilbo, but I don't really buy the 'if the instrument is good enough then a proper professional will make it work for them' argument. A decent player can always make a decent instrument work for them if they need to, and IME a lot of working pros do have a favourite instrument that they always like to at least have handy in most situations. But that's not the same as saying that all bass players should consider themselves somehow inadequate because they want to use their Sei Original (for example) in one situation and their Fender Jazz in another, any more than a guitarist should be worried about wanting to use their Strat on some occasions and their 335 on others. Having said that, I do think there is an aesthetic aspect to the ownership of a boutique bass - looking at my current collection, I can't help wondering if some of them are there because they look and feel stunning. But then again, if that helps me to enjoy the experience more (and hence improve my motivation to, er, improve), why is that a bad thing?[/quote] +1.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='626297' date='Oct 14 2009, 07:19 PM']Of course its deliberate, why would I start it accidently As for it coming from a 'better than' stance, trust me, its really not that important [/quote] The only thing I've got to say to this is "Bagginsssss.........Sssshire"!!!!!!!!!

[quote name='Geoff' post='626122' date='Oct 14 2009, 03:56 PM']ultimately its down to the pleasure you get[/quote] Actually, this is the only bit that matters. The pleasure that I get from the process of having basses built has been/is/will be immeasurable, and I'm sure that's the case for most people who go through the process. That's what I care about, no more, no less. To me, if that's chasing something, well it's kind of like chasing my next fantastic holiday!

[quote name='Mokl' post='614221' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:52 PM']I have an awesome Westone Quantum which is about as 80`s as it gets. It has the original rifle case and has been a very convenient back up as it takes no room in the car. I might sell it but would be looking for £200. Here's a pic I found online - mine is identical to this [/quote] I had one of those and it was my main bass for years. Great little instrument, although because of where I rest my hand and where the knobs are I was always turning it down; in the end I gaffered up the controls and left it like that. I also had a Hohner Jack but preferred the Quantum.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='625067' date='Oct 13 2009, 03:02 PM']I agree, I can't see the point. I mean I can spend my money buying an off the peg bass built from non carefully selected woods, produced on a CNC machine, using materials and in a manner to predominantly save money. A bass designed for Mr Average with in house electronics, again to save cost, a one piece neck for the joy of truss rod use, something the same as the next guy. Painted to cover up the flaws and joins in the wood. So what's the point in wasting the same money getting something crafted to your own personal taste, a stiffer laminated neck and fretboard/neck profile tailored to your preference, pickups and electronics to suit your taste, something unique that you personally had a part in creating, something different that suits your sense of self. Something out of the ordinary, not of the masses. Come on Mr Bilbo, you can do better than that surely [/quote] And that just about says it all! I take it Bilbo that you don't care about art as it relates to instrument making? I do. As I said, I come from a fine art background, so visuals and aesthetics are incredibly important to me in pretty much everything. I also like the idea of a craftsman building something individual and relatively unique. FWIW I had a Wal Custom and it didn't do it for me sonically or ergonomically, although I think they're great basses. As for a bass sounding like a bass sounding like a bass, then why are you playing a Wal when you could be playing something that cost a fraction of the price? You may not hear much difference between a Wal and another custom job, but if said custom job doesn't cost anymore than your Wal what's the problem? Even if it did, that's someone's preference. It's kind of like me asking why you have a beard when I don't!

[quote name='metaltime' post='625055' date='Oct 13 2009, 02:51 PM']Perhaps part of it is you got lucky with your Wal. That bass just happened to suit you in every way. So you have never needed to say I wish this pickup was nearer the bridge or i wish the strings were a touch closer at the bridge etc?[/quote] +1. It also has to be admitted that aesthetics play a big part; probably the biggest part for me. Otherwise I'd keep using my Rics and ignore everything else. Personally, many of the basses that may have the features I want I don't like the look or feel of, and vice versa. Therefore, given the option, why not have something built? I mean, a fully loaded Sei built exactly how you want it is still probably going to cost less than a Wal. If you're talking a self-designed shape, well we're down to personal aesthetics again - and possibly ergonomics too - and speaking as someone with a background in fine art and back problems that require certain ergonomic boundaries I don't see that as a problem.

Well at a casual glance I want Nik's Wal, Jake's Alembic and Ped's Vigier; all things of great beauty. Oh, and the Pedullas. If I missed anyone, don't worry, I'll doubtless get round to you!

[quote name='jakesbass' post='623085' date='Oct 11 2009, 01:38 PM']Don't do it, I've had 2 Wals and 1 Alembic. I still have 1 Alembic.... Get the custom first, the Wal can wait. (I do think they're lovely basses though)[/quote] +1 Graeme!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='622947' date='Oct 11 2009, 10:50 AM']Sure, if you're on a budget and you want a perfectly decent bass to play. If you're loaded and you want something which is a bit of Fender history, that's going to be worth even stupider money in 10 years' time, the Squier CV might not be the best choice though. It always puzzles me when threads like this appear. Paying silly money for old collectable things, musical or not, is a practice that has been going on forever.[/quote] Absolutely +1.

FWIW, Lemmy happily used Barts in his Ricks for many years and he's anything but sterile or polite sounding! I don't think it's necessarily that Barts are polite sounding, I guess it's more the type (there are many), the bass they're in, and the player.

Bear in mind my comments re the sound are based on the way I play; the bass may sound completely different in your hands (and your perception of aggressive may be different than mine). Definitely give it a try, and have a chat with both Martin and Loz. Martin may be able to suggest something. FWIW I'd happily use my Sei 5 in a rock band and that has Barts.

[quote name='mattbass6' post='622343' date='Oct 10 2009, 11:28 AM']Hi Si, Thanks for that breakdown and especially because I am super interested in the single cut Sei bass Can you elaborate further for me what was lacking in the sound? I love the fact that it has a wide, flat neck, which is what I wanted to hear but the electronics bother me. I have never owned a bass with Barts in and to be honest, I haven't heard that many great reports about them, but if you could tell me you exact thoughts on the tonal range, I would appreciate that. Speak soon and take care. Cheers, Matt P.S. Do you reckon it os worth every penny of the £1900.00 price tag?[/quote] I've played Lozbass's Sei too and it is indeed what I would describe as a very polite-sounding bass; very pure and natural-sounding. I would imagine in its current format it wouldn't be the best bass for rock (I could be wrong), but unless you want a fairly/very aggressive sound I imagine that purity could sit very well in a track. Obviously it's difficult to describe these things as everybody perceives these things differently. Bear in mind even if you weren't happy with the pickups you could maybe swap them out for something else, or change the pre (assuming it has one; if not you could add one, or if it's the Schack you could change the settings. I'm sure Martin Petersen would be able to advise). One thing I will say is that I've had 3 Seis with Barts in and they've all sounded completely different, as you would expect from the different construction. They have all also sounded completely different to my Pedulla MVP, which also had Barts. Anyone who thinks that all basses with Barts in them sound the same can't be listening very hard or has very different ears to me. My current 5 isn't what I would call polite, it's actually very growly indeed. Loz's bass sounds very different to any of the ones I've had. I'm sure Loz can add a great deal to thoughts about the sound of the bass. I would suggest if you're interested that you try first and also discuss with Lozbass and Martin Petersen, but it's certainly a beautiful instrument.

Always interesting to read what other people gravitate towards in shops; apart from Loz's Sei all of those would have been some of the last things I'd have gone for in the Gallery! I keep thinking I should revisit Sadowsky, but I really struggle with the looks; I really can't stand the insipid looking necks amongst other things.

[quote name='Doddy' post='617992' date='Oct 5 2009, 09:34 PM']I can totally understand why people will gravitate to Flea's playing,but it is very easy to look beyond it if they so wish,and are willing to leave their comfort zone and try to embrace a new genre without prejudice.[/quote] This works both ways, and can be equally true of fusion-heads (for example) who would dismiss Flea's playing as not being "sophisticated" enough. I love the Chilis, but I appreciate that Victor is far superior technically (as I'm sure Flea would happily admit). Do I think Victor is a better player? No, because really there is no such thing. Do I prefer Flea's playing? Absolutely, and not just because I prefer the Chilis to anything Victor has been involved with. Flea just communicates to me, whereas Victor doesn't ( on a very basic level, I can't stand his tone for a start). I also prefer Jean Jacques Burnel, Lemmy, Rutger Gunnarson, Bernard Edwards and John McVie to Victor. However that isn't because I don't like more technically accomplished players; I also vastly prefer Tal, Matt Garrison, Mark King, Stanley Clarke and Richard Bona (amongst others) to Victor. I don't personally think much of Marcus Miller either, simply because his playing doesn't speak to me in any way, shape or form, and [i]that[/i] is what matters; whether the player speaks to you as an individual.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='616823' date='Oct 4 2009, 08:33 PM']Thank you, I'm trying to persuade the band that fancy dress is in order for our Guy Fawkes charity gig on the 6th of Nov. I've always loved music and now enjoy it even more. I just appreciate a good bassline more than I used to.[/quote] Speaking as someone born on the 5th of November and who is also a big fan of V, I say go for it. I wish I enjoyed music more now. Unfortunately, as per my earlier post, I enjoy listening to most music less than I did prior to becoming a musician. Of course some of that is made up for by being able to write (or more accurately, [i]play[/i]) songs of my own. Silver linings and all that.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='616504' date='Oct 4 2009, 02:03 PM']I can only speak for myself but I do know that picking up an instrument changed my taste in music. Doesn't make me better but certainly makes me different.[/quote] I don't think it really changed mine very much at all, but then I have generally always been more interested in songs and music than just bass (although I might not have been so mad about Stanley Clarke otherwise. ). Most of the music I still love most is music that I loved way before I ever picked up an instrument; pop, rock, jazz, prog etc. The only thing it really did do was negative, in that I stopped being able to enjoy music in the same way I did before I was a player; now I tend to find myself listening to the playing or the mix or whatever instead of being able to enjoy the music for what it is. I think that my point is that musicians can sometimes end up looking at music like spellchecker looks at text, i.e. missing the bigger picture. Great mask by the way. "Behind this mask is an idea, and ideas are bulletproof!".