4000

Regardless of who I’m dealing with, my first line of enquiry is usually by phone, probably because I’m old and that’s the way things used to be done. 😂 They get a lot of calls too, tbh.

See my earlier statement about how busy they are, pretty much constantly. They’re the main bass place in London and an easy casual drop in, unlike BD.

But that’s what I love about Martin at the Gallery; he’s none of those things. He’ll offer advice, but only as a means to getting to where you want to be.

Most creative musicians I know aren’t focussed on a genre at all, beyond what they’re doing at that moment in time. I always think that to assume that because someone is playing or is involved in a particular kind of music, that that’s all they’re interested in, is a bit strange, although we’re probably all guilty of it at some point. It’s like assuming that because someone is making pizza for their tea (or for a living), they only ever want to eat pizza. 😂

Imagine him saying that to Jean-Jacques Burnel back in the day. 😂😂😂😂

Having just got to this post, it really wouldn’t have ended well at all. I’d have shoved one of his premium basses where the sun doesn’t shine.

Jesus. If he’d said that to me - assuming it wasn’t a lame joke - I dread to think how I’d have reacted. It wouldn’t have ended well, let’s put it like that.

That’s true, but what I was meaning is that even in roughly comparable eras they were different. My ‘91 SS1 had a slim neck, the Thumbs from around that time were very slim IME, but the Dolphins were big (by my standards) even then. Nowhere near as big as some of the later baseball bat-necked Warwicks, but a lot bigger than the Streamers and Thumbs of the time. The late ‘80s Thumbs have some of the slimmest necks I’ve ever come across (which I love). Some of the Warwick experts on here may be able to give more details.

For me, this is a pretty nasal tone, although not necessarily in a bad way. I’m not the biggest Jaco fan but this is easily my favourite thing of his with Weather Report, I love the drive and propulsion of it.

I think that as with all things, it means different things to different people. My Stage 1 - at least with me playing it - fell into the ‘thin and nasal’ category. Some people might class Chris Squire’s tone or Lemmy’s tone as nasal, whereas to me neither are anything like nasal. I was hoping for something more towards Zender’s sound (which I loved) from my S1, but it really wasn’t like that at all. Could just have been my bass though, or more likely a combination of the bass and me.

Very different necks too, certainly on the earlier ones. I think my 1st Dolphin was a ‘91, but I’d have to check. It had the brushed aluminium (?) hardware. Both my Pro 1s had big (if surprisingly comfortable) necks, by my standards. Whereas the earlier Thumbs have necks like pencils.

Yes, if anyone wants to lend me several to compare, maybe over the course of 6 months, just let me know. 😂

I wish mine had been! It was a bit ‘meh’, a bit nasal.

Well I think all individual instruments differ, and my experience of Wals has been exactly that, just more so than some other brands. I used to go and play them in Denmark Street when they first came out and were all the rage, they often had several on the walls, all set up pretty much the same. All the many Wals I’ve played since haven’t changed that opinion. They were still all different, just like all the Rics I’ve owned, regardless of setup, have been different. And the weights definitely vary a lot. My Custom was half the weight of the Wenge-faced one in the Bass Centre, which was also inexplicably far more head-heavy! Ive had 3 Dolphins, 2 x Pro 1s and a Pro II. My first early Pro 1 was great, but not super-aggressive IMO. The second ‘96) I didn’t like. The Pro 2 could get pretty aggressive, but still probably not as much as the early Thumbs I’ve played, IMO. Of course YMMV. I’ll add that I never use a back pickup only sound as It’s not something I’m keen on….😉

Well I agree that The Gallery’s website needs work, but I’ve been going there since 1996 and have yet to have a bad experience (yes, I know others have had). The thing is, The Gallery is not just a shop, it’s also the main calling point for most of London’s - and elsewhere, given I’m up North! - bass repairs and customisation. Most of the times when I’ve been over the years, it has been incredibly busy. Given the choice between dealing with BD and the Gallery, it’d be the Gallery every time, by an absolute country mile.

The Seis I’ve had worked in reverse, but I know Martin went to a different rod type at some stage so don’t know if they still do.

Nightingale?

Genius! 🤣

Think mine was £295, but I could be wrong. I was the same, couldn’t believe it. Used to hang it on my bedroom wall. I remember opening the shipping box in the (tiny) shop and all the polystyrene bits falling out. It came with flats and a ridiculously high action. Of course I didn’t know any better at the time. It was a revelation when I finally fitted rounds and had it set up.

Well like I say, nothing is for everyone. Everyone is physically different. That’s why I never really understand “which bass should I get?” threads. Try them and get the one you like! My first Ric was the first bass I’d ever played. Had never even touched one before that. I had to order it, so hadn’t played it before I bought it either. Common these days, but not so much then.

I’ve had a few interactions with BD over the years and have come away utterly dissatisfied every time. The worst was when I was considering ordering a custom Wood & Tronics from them and specified 4 string, 16.5mm spacing as a requirement. I was told by Mark that I didn’t want that, I wanted a 5 string with 18mm spacing. 🙄 That was the end f that.

Did you play anything prior?

I played one of those. It was great!

You know, I was thinking exactly that earlier about Matrix being headed, but wasn’t sure if my memory was correct.

Some people prefer the mid/late 70s basses, which typically have a narrower, rounder neck profile, but I prefer the wider, flatter feel of the ‘72s. I also don’t like the fatter body wings and I’m not a fan of the 1” neck high gain; I need a 1/2” toaster for my preferred sound. I tend to find the ‘73 onwards 4001 basses a bit nasal, personally.