CamdenRob

Can anyone suggest anything to clean them with that might bring back a little brightness?

If it was feasible I'd have a fresh set every gig / rehearsal... barring a lottery win or an endorsement (both as likely as each other) I'll have to stick to changing them once a month.

Needed to test out my new phone camera... It was either a photo of Mrs C, the Cat or the Wals... I went with the Wals

Mono straps are really comfy but it depends how high you have your bass? the short ones were still too long for me... I use comfort strapps now and they are great ...and my basses are [i]seriously[/i] heavy

[quote name='heady' timestamp='1448018322' post='2912297'] What other retailers would you suggest, in line with BD? Does anywhere in the UK stock Fodera? Just so I know what £7000 feels like! [/quote] As you're in London try The Gallery in Camden... a number of high end models in stock and the excellent Sei basses are made on site, so if you end up liking those you could chat to Martin about having one built.

Also just to clarify, I'm not suggesting the 32% saving on the bass you've listed isn't a good deal... it is... but it's not a ridiculous bargain so you're limited to selling to someone interested in that specific bass. Which is likely to be a few people anyway given their popularity I bought a roscoe fretless sixer off the marketplace last week... I was after a fretless sixer but had no preference on model (waiting for one I've ordered from Wal to arrive anyway) I only bought it because it was such a great price. As has been said above a great price attracts people outside of those looking for the specific instrument you are selling. A reasonable price means waiting for the right buyer to come along

I think the % saving against the new price people perceive as good value is related to the list price... 32% off a bass that cost £100 to start with isnt really going to interest anyone as it's such a small extra amount to get a brand new one with warranty, the right to return it etc.. This changes for a £8000 fodera, where you'd be saving £2.5k.

Yes a trip to try some stuff out is definitly a good idea. The issue with asking this question on BC is that you will get loads of opinions on what people think y[i]ou[/i] should buy based on what [i]they[/i] think you need... in reality only you know what sort of bass suits your tone, aesthetic and playability goals. For example I play Wal basses and they can provide everything I would ever need from a bass but everyone is different and they may not work for you at all... it's really a case of finding out what you want. You could perhaps try several basses you mention from the BC marketplace, one at a time, buy one try it out, move it on... would take a year or so but you'd have a much better idea of what you were after following the experience. This is pretty much what I did before arriving at Wal.

Pretty much as Jack says above... You could have anything on the market for your budget, but do you know what you want? Depending on your location, i'd get yourself along to somewhere like Bass Direct or The Gallery... or even better a BC Bassbash and just try everything you can It'd be painful to spend that much on a custom build only to find out it's not for you then lose half the money moving it on.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1447943091' post='2911699'] Yeah, that was definitely a waste of money. [/quote] that's nothing... you should see the crap I've bought over the years that promised to make me better at golf

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1447942262' post='2911690'] Ha! Seriously though, if you use the foam ones and can't hear much when using them you're probably OK. Might be an idea to get a hearing test, then get some decent plugs. [/quote] Yes I think thats in order after reading through this thread... besides I'll buy anything people tell me makes me sound better. I bought a "high end" replacement power cable for my Glockenklang earlier on in the week...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1447940973' post='2911667'] Ha! You've spent thousands on Wal basses, Glock amps and Berg cabs (and nicely done, btw) - but baulk at shelling out a few quid for decent hearing protection? Now I've heard everything! I SAID, NOW I'VE HEARD EVERYTHING!! Foam plugs are rubbish compared with even the cheapest ER-type plugs. You want to hear what your expensive gear is doing, right? [/quote] Ha!.. no i'm not begruding the cost or benefits of a proper set of earplugs. I was more worrying that I've put my faith in the little foam ones for so long and they might not have been providing the protection I thought they were

This all seems to be about quality of sound though... Are the cheapie foam ones fit for purpose, as in will I damage my hearing by using them? Are more expensive ones going to offer me better protection or just a better sound?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1447920100' post='2911410'] There's nowt wrong with foam earplugs or even cotton wool if what you want is simply to protect your eardrums. On the other hand, if you want to protect your eardrums AND still be able to listen properly to what's going on, without deadening or muffling the sound, then you need proper earplugs such as ER17s. If you want to protect your eardrums AND still be able to listen properly to what's going on AND to hear as clearly as if you weren't wearing any protection at all, then you need top-of-the-range filter plugs such as ER15s or ER20s. [/quote] Yes I must admit I would like things a bit clearer, although I've kind of got used to the muffled sound. I was starting to think that the foam ones I've been using might not be offering the protection I thought they were... that was my concern

It really depends on what sort of music you want it for? The Fender designs are great for pretty much all styles but won't cut it with mega high gain stuff... Regardless of the tone you're looking for though, and as pretty much everyone says above, you can't go wrong with Harley Benton these days... maybe keep an eye on their deco page for a bargain

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1447919145' post='2911403'] Well you'll have the pick of the stock 'cause not many people want one and they end up cluttering up bass shops all over. Bargain hard and you could get quite a deal. [/quote] This is very true... I picked up a Roscoe fretless sixer last week from the BC marketplace for a ridiculous price.

Is it really that bad to use the little foam ones? I have an industrial size bag of those lazer lite ones... fresh set every rehearsal. I've always used those since I was a teenager and don't appear to have any hearing issues

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1447911743' post='2911373'] If you haven't already - get some dark nail polish, best to get something with a bit of colour (especially if the panel the knobs are on is dark). Put a dab in each of the indents - you should be able to see it much farther away - and tell from a glance if one of them is cranked before switching off mute. [/quote] Yes I've been contemplating this. I may get some of those little round coloured stickers you can get from stationary shops to save actually painting something in the indent. Something needs to be done though.

Thanks gents... much appreciated. Although everyone has suggested something different!

I've played sixers since taking up the bass again a few years back. I like the extra flexability and the extra weight / strings don't hamper me in anyway. I've said it before but I'd get away with a five string for 90% of the stuff I do, although I have a few chordy bits in my current bands set so I do actually need the high C as well now too It doesnt make you a better player but I do like having the options a sixer gives me

Got GAS for the fretless six string Wal I ordered last week... which I guess is why I ordered it

I remember this being in an old bassist magazine from the 90s... not that I learnt it.

This is my only tuner now... Easy to see and actually works