4000

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='509924' date='Jun 10 2009, 09:44 AM']BTW, that is a really lovely looking instrument. I love the two-tone finish, and the way it extends onto the fretboard. It just kinda looks like the upper horn had an allergic reaction to shellfish or something... [/quote] It did. I love prawns, and tried to convince my bass to like them too. Unfortunately they disagreed with it (No they didn't! Yes they did! )

I've got a bit of old balsa that I can use to fill in the concavity, that should sort it out. Can of car paint, be right as rain.

[quote name='Stingray5' post='509667' date='Jun 9 2009, 10:31 PM']Nope - I've had a good read through this thread so far and -- aside from the OP's slightly mis-guided caveat -- I can't detect any signs of pick-related Numpty Flu. Ah the dog, the dog, he's at it again....! [/quote] Caveat Numptor?

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='508868' date='Jun 9 2009, 10:43 AM']Arrow points to concavity: [attachment=26775:ASAT_arrow.jpg] And I've roughly marked in red what they've had to [u]cut[/u] out to make it that shape: [attachment=26776:ASAT_cutaway.jpg] That's a cutaway if ever I saw one. A bit of a pointless one, granted, but a cutaway nonetheless.[/quote] So do this mean mine's not a singlecut and I've been misled all along?????

I've got one with no cutouts at all! And it's got six strings! And it's hollow! And it's got a soundhole....oh, er, sorry, that's my acoustic guitar...I'll get me coat.

[quote name='james_guitar' post='509123' date='Jun 9 2009, 03:18 PM']Before I get hate mail/private messages for this post; I know that using a plectrum on a bass is generally a taboo amoungst pro bassists (and I personally much prefer fingerstyle for 95 percent of musical scenarios), but IMO there are at least a few musical scenarios where a pick is a good choice of sound. In this post I urge you to be very brave, break the taboo, take the plunge and name some of your favourite pick players or examples of songs with good plectrum tone (if those two words even go together).[/quote] Is this for real? More than half the bassists I've known over my 29 year career have used plectrums, either 50-50 or exclusively. I'm getting thoroughly sick of people suggesting that there may be something a bit weird about using a plectrum. I'd have thought a lot more of the thread if it was just "name your favourite pick -style players", instead of making apologies about it. As for that last para, so far as I'm concerned probably 95% of my favourite-sounding bassists use a pick. Chris Squire, Lemmy, Roger Glover, Jon Camp, JJ Burnel, Glenn Hughes, Leigh Gorman and Joey DeMaio are some that spring to mind. Then there are bassists like Anthony Jackson, Steve Swallow, Bobby Vega etc etc, and guys like Cliff Williams, Scott Thunes, McCartney, John Entwistle....has Basschat been infected with Numptyflu or something????

[quote name='silddx' post='507137' date='Jun 6 2009, 06:20 PM']Now you're bringing Levin into it. With all the technology around, he uses bloody chopsticks [b]ON A BASS[/b] for crying out loud.[/quote]

[quote name='Zach' post='507121' date='Jun 6 2009, 06:02 PM']Ok, reckon i'll say something constructive this time. I have nothing against bassists who feel picks give a better/good sound, as I agree that it can sound good. What I object to is bassists who use a pick because they're an ex-guitarist who can't be arsed to at least try out the most widely used bass technique (or I assume it's more widely used these days).[/quote] So why does it matter in any way shape or form what exactly you use to induce movement in the strings? Who cares what's the most widely used technique? Ever considered thinking for yourself? If someone used a bloody biro that's fine with me as long as he/she's happy with it.

[quote name='sturm' post='506721' date='Jun 5 2009, 11:25 PM']am i the onlyh one who doesnt 'get' ricks?[/quote] Do you have to "get" them? There are loads of basses I don't get but if other people do that's fine by me.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='506971' date='Jun 6 2009, 01:55 PM']Would that be Mr. Wilczynski's handiwork? I've seen some stunning restorations he's done on RickResource. Jon.[/quote] That's what I was wondering too. I have one of his restorations on the way. Lucky me.

[quote name='mikhay77' post='506890' date='Jun 6 2009, 11:52 AM']In an age of modern amps,cabs and bass electronics,why do some players just play with a plectrum,surely tonal variety is much wider finger stylie,or are we stuck in a rut.I cant seem to justify using one,except sometimes playing guitar,............discuss[/quote] Oh God, not again...... Do you ask guitar players this question? "Mr McLaughlin, Mr Malmsteen, Mr Vai, Mr Metheny, why do you use plectrums when you could get much broader sounds using your fingers?". Good bloody grief.

Glad to hear you've decided, and best of luck. FWIW, these sort of threads baffle me. How does anyone manage to find a missus who would buy them a bass at all, let alone a custom build? My missus would sooner have root canal than even see another bass in the house (I only have 3, not as if they're overflowing). I don't think she'd buy me a bass, even a cheapy, if she won the bloody lottery. Something tells me I really took a wrong turn somewhere....

[quote name='richardcoughlan' post='506517' date='Jun 5 2009, 05:48 PM']Hey guys Ive ordered my first ACG.....and I'm already thinking it wont be the last! Here is the spec: 5 string fretted, E-C American Black Walnut core Claro Walnut top 5 piece Maple/wenge neck Rosewood fingerboard 16" radius 17mm spacing with piezo series/parallel switching FB pickups, with a ramp between Hipshot to drop the E down to a D EQ01 Preamp oil finish and finally the most important spec.....26 frets The shape is a combination of the top half of the Finn Singlecut (of which I believe theres only been one), with the bottom half of the recurve Settled on this top: [attachment=26592:FINAL_BO...CHED_TOP.jpg] Here is the render: [attachment=26593:_cid_40C...FD_local.jpg] [attachment=26594:_cid_6DC...14_local.jpg] giggity Any comments greatly received All the best, Rich[/quote] That looks great!

Well I'm a Rick nut (and a longtime member of the Rick Resource Forum) and I really like the idea, even if the execution could be better. I've often thought about building a headless Ric-type. I have to say though that if the seller gets anywhere near the asking price I'll be surprised.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='503722' date='Jun 2 2009, 12:53 PM']Not even instruments that are built to meet a specific budget? Such as a Warwick Rockbass? So if the difference in on stage sound, looks, playability, workmanship and broad purchase cost between an AC, Celinder and Sadowsky is minimal then what else is there left for the consumer bassist to place value in to create the demand if not brand? Same goes for mid range instruments too BTW. Its an extremely competitive market out there and in the absence of Unique Selling Points, the only thing left to base a sales pitch on is the perception of 'added value', ie. brand status.[/quote] Ah, but subtle differences in aesthetics and feel and tone can make all the difference in the world as to whether or not you want to buy bass A or bass B. I'd be unlikely to buy an AC because I don't like their headstock design, simple as that. That's not brand status, that's just personal aesthetics, which are a big thing for me.

[quote name='Hodge' post='505218' date='Jun 4 2009, 02:06 AM']First off I'd have to say don't worry too much about feeling that you're a crap player. I can guarantee that there's not a single person here that hasn't at some point felt dissatisfied with their playing...otherwise we'd all be quite content playing quarter notes on the root to every song. My advice would be to develop the habit of ACTIVE listening. What I mean by that is rather than just passively letting a song wash over you, as most non-musicians do, actually think as you listen about what the bassist is doing.....where they're playing root notes, where they're adding little phrases that make chord changes flow together smoothly, where they leave spaces, how their notes fall on or around the kick drum, how their line relates to the more obvious melody of the singer or whoever. Get a cheap guitar and learn a few chords, then when you're working out a bass line you like also learn what chords are being played, that way you'll develop more of an understanding of how each note of the bass line relates to the song as a whole.[/quote] +1. Learn lines off records, and do it by ear. Sing melodies and learn to play them. I've been a songwriting bassist for nearly 30 years and for me that's the key. Most of my lines have been written before I ever touch the bass.

You won't really know until they're in the bass, as every bass sounds different acoustically.

Cheers Nik! They're both great basses, and most importantly, not too heavy.

Loz, that's gorgeous. You know how much I want to try it, and the Alembic! (BTW, I'll reply to your PM asap). We really need to arrange something!

[quote name='gareth' post='499001' date='May 27 2009, 04:42 PM']As a matter of interest why would you get rid of a valve amp for a tranny??????[/quote] I've had several valve amps and would choose transistor 95% of the time.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='495656' date='May 22 2009, 11:33 PM']GB fans. Got a little treat for you here. It's the first review of the 4 and 5 string Rumours at the start of what we now know as GB. I'm sure it'll tickle your fancy I haven't seen these reviews for some time and they are certainly not on the net anywhere (to my knowledge) so I scanned it and made it available for everybody. Enjoy.[/quote] I've got that review somewhere. Always loved that 5-er, looks fab.

[quote name='lozbass' post='494651' date='May 21 2009, 08:49 PM']I've been promising this for a long time - so...a little late evening sun in Manchester and here we go (the sun does little for my photography skills). It's an Alembic Series II custom - built around the small standard body shape. This is just around 2 years old - I've had it for about a year. Obviously, the photographs can't do it justice - it has a few unusual options - front and side blue LEDs (lasers in the front of the board), and extra laminates in the body (its cocobolo, maple, purpleheart, maple, vermillion core, maple, purpleheart, maple, cocobolo). Strangely, it has extra LEDs in the first position (a nice touch). The guy that commissioned this is an extraordinary aesthete with fabulous taste (IMO) - a really nice guy too.[/quote] Loz, I'm glad to finally see the bass, which is absolutely stunning (BTW it is the one I thought). I really do love the small standard shape; I just wish it liked me a bit more. Gorgeous!