Marc S

[quote name='sarah thomas' timestamp='1403031330' post='2479093'] A carved top isn't necessary. In fact, a decent laminate that can take a few inevitable knocks isn't a bad idea. I'd look at the for sale section here and wait for a East European model to come along. It depends on your budget, really. You are unlikely to get ripped off if you buy here though. How much have you got to spend? £800 should see you with a decent starter bass that will last you a few years, or perhaps forever, depending on what you want to play. Second hand basses hold their value too, so if you decide it's not for you after all, then you won't really lose out. Chinese uprights get a bad press generally, although ZMech may well have got lucky. [/quote] I'd definitely agree with Sarah on this I started with an Eastern European laminate and it is a cracking bass When I come to sell it - I know I'll get what I paid, in full Don't know much about Shen's - but fatback seems to know what he's talking about, and is a regular poster on here.... If you've never played before, I know the difficulty you have in not really knowing how DBs compare to one another, and whats good and not so good Take your time, and speak to other Db'ers on here Try a few, when you can Good luck with your search Keep looking on the S/H section of this forum Every Basschatter I've met and bought stuff from have been great people to deal with EDIT: You needn't spend a fortune on pickups either again, you get what you pay for, but a decent S/H pickup can also be picked up not all types require use of a pre-amp

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1402941872' post='2478144'] A Stagg EUB you say, Marc! Shame I'm skint I'll probably bring my barefaced SuperTwin, my Markbass amp, my Ibanez SR1000 and my defretted SR300. [/quote] I'm looking forward to hearing the barefaced Super Twin and seeing both Ibanez basses - I do like them .... and of course, it will be good to catch up again SpaceChick

Thanks for posting these videos Really useful Yes, that bass looks nice too

Thanks for creating that link bluejay I'm really looking forward to the bash never been to one before

Another positive note re buying Squier basses, which I don't think anyone has mentioned... But if you're gigging with a second-hand Squier, or similar type of instrument You're actually less precious about it than with a USA bass you paid a lot more for..... It can be quite unnerving, going onstage with a really expensive instrument, which hasn't got a scratch on it......... yet

There has been plenty of comment here on Squiers and budget basses Others are quite correct in saying that budget instruments are (mostly) a huge improvement on what they were years back There are good and bad individual instruments from ALL makers and that includes high end USA guitars! My advice is play it if you can before buying I've got a Squier P bass, made in Indonesia It's absolutely brilliant, and I'd measure it against any USA Fender, and I'm sure if you covered the badges up, most of the time you'd swear my Squier was the Fender.... Of course, that's an opinion - but I'm saying don't judge until you've tried If you can't try the bass because it's far away, you could search for one locally I'm a member of a local Guitar, Amp & Gear exchange group on facebook and second-hand basses come up for reasonable money all the time And of course, it's local so you can try before you buy, with no postage costs or packaging worries There's also this very fine forum I've bought several items from the good folk here and every transaction has been a very happy one, I must say Try a few Squiers - some of those Squier Jazz basses are awesome And that J&D Jazz Rumple has linked to looks good Good luck with your search, and let us know what you decide Marc EDIT: I meant to add, that I played several early Chinese and Mex Squiers and Fenders and they weren't good, for several reasons. Some of the newer stuff from both camps is great though....

Hi Richard, Bore Da from Wales, We are of a similar sort of age group, and I'm finding more people on this forum in the same sort of age bracket So don't worry about that! The important thing, is just to enjoy your playing... This is my second spell at bass playing. The first being in my late teens / early 20's I then gave up for over 20 years Now I'm playing again, I really rue the fact that I ever stopped in the first place But that's life - it can get in the way The odd thing is that my ex-wife bought my lad a bass for Christmas a few years back So I dug out my old Ibanez, and gave him a few simple lessons (it had been so long, I could hardly remember much myself) Five or so years on from that - I've not looked back Sometimes I feel frustrated, in that some of the old basslines I could play well (Iron Maiden for instance) - I now struggle with some of the speed However, I beat myself up less for something not being quite 100% I always strive to do my best of course But I think I'm more relaxed about certain things And yes, practice, practice, practice is what I need to do too Good luck, but most of all, enjoy your 2nd spell of playing Marc EDIT: I treated myself to the double bass I pondered getting in my youth, but could never afford back then too ..... oh, and a lovely Red Musicman - and I'm so glad I've done these things....

Interested to see what you opt for grangur That blue P bass above looks nice This is my second episode of bass playing My first was in the 80's - when I was a young man Back then, I sensed much more snobbery when it came to guitars The general consensus (of most, but not all) was; Either you buy Fender or Gibson, or you buy rubbish Indeed, many guitar shop assistants seemed to think that, or at least it came across as a sort of "subliminal message" To a certain extent, they were right - there was seemingly many more crappy guitars around then Jedson and Kay (the catalogue people) come to mind The derogatory term "Jap Crap" was also banded about a lot (and still is, though less) At the time, I owned a Shaftesbury Ric copy, which was also made in Japan, in the 70's I think This was a superb bass - better than the 4001's / 3's I've played and I couldn't get one for love nor money now..... And several other pals had well made Japanese guitars and basses which were great quality I recall the first Squier basses being issued - again with a lot of derogatory comments The snobbery attached to the badge on a guitar is still there, I think but as I had over 20 years of not playing - I sensed it was rather less obvious on my return to playing Perhaps this is because the quality of other brands and copies are much higher in general? Of course, I'm not suggesting those that are proud of their genuine USA Gibsons and Fenders are in any way snobs If you love the instrument you own & play - that's all that matters I'm sure there's now less of a gap in quality, and less stigma to owning a "copy" than there ever was Cheers EDIT: A good second-hand Squier is a good investment, IMHO You certainly won't lose much, and might well end up with an instrument which, in a few years is regarded a classic

PS. Am thinking I might flog my Stagg EUB So I could bring that, if anyone's interested, and I then make some donation to BC afterwards......

I'll prob bring my David Gage DB Musicman Stingray, and Ibanez Electroacoustic bass Amp-wise, I'll bring my PJ head and one 4x5 speaker cab Might poss bring my Markbass 210 combo too If anyone wants to play about with one of those? All assuming I can get all that in my car, of course EDIT: I'm not coming very far - so if someone wants me to bring anything else, or I forget anything - it should be fine.....

PS. Keep looking in the For Sale section of this fine forum, and get more for your money second-hand.....

It all depends on the individual bass itself... The early Japanese Squires are, I think well respected nowadays My lad has an early Chinese Squier P, with pretty bad electrics (picks up local taxis etc) and when you try to inspect the wiring it just breaks at the slightest touch I gather the newer Chinese models are rather better (Modern players series?) I've got an Indonesian built P bass, and it's brilliant It's got 2 pickups, rather than the one the electrics are fine, and it sounds absolutely awesome Nothing wrong with those pickups..... I used to own an USA Fender P, years back and I'd say the Indonesian wins hands down, on every aspect; it's lighter, sounds better, more flexible in the sounds you create, easier to play / better neck profile Of course, if I still had my early 70's USA bass, I could flog it and buy several Squiers..... I have a Roadworn series Fender Jazz, which is by far & away THE best Fender I have ever played it looks and sounds completely convincing as a 62 Jazz Of course, there are those who would point out that it's made in Mexico but I wouldn't swap it for any USA model - and I've played several.... I've also played a few Mexican Fenders which have been bad too One was a horrible lump of firewood IMO But they do vary from batch to batch I wouldn't worry whether it's Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, or USA, Fender or Squier; Just try before buying really..... make sure you get the bass you want, and don't be seduced into something that's more expensive just because you want the "right" badge Good luck, and let us know what you go for Marc

I just can't understand how they could be so heavy handed with something which is obviously a delicate musical instrument Furthermore, unless the bass is absolutely packed with electronics, or a funny-looking-powdery-material I can't understand how much of an examination is required.... "Hmm, it's a double bass..... .... nothing inside it... .... Lets put it straight back in the case....." Perhaps their approach was different "Hmm double bass.... Is this thing made of wood? ....hmm... perhaps if I hit it with this large hammer? .... or see if it bounces...." I hope they a made to repair all damages!

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1402329154' post='2472254'] Cheers Marc. We are doing stuff like Ramones.... Buzzcocks ..... Clash..... Undertones and Dr Feelgood etc etc. The others were happy with the sound of my bass as it was, it was my idea to go for a more bass guitar sound. But the other day the guitarist said he preferred the sound with the Innovation strings....... and I agree..so thats what Ive gone back to. For example... on Blitzkrieg Bop, I play half the notes of the original...and it gives it much more punch...and what we are hoping is our "signature sound" ....... We used to do Brand New Cadillac very much in the original rockabilly style.... but since going for a more Clash style...it sounds so much better. [/quote] Sounds brilliant Chris! Wish you were a bit closer to me - so I could come & see you guys play You've mentioned 5 of my all-time fave bands there.... Re playing half the notes - it's what you have to do, as dictated by the instrument of course I can fully understand why your guitarist likes the sound - because it goes with the instrument you are playing... and you're putting your own interpretation into your version of the songs Sounds fine to me Mind you, it must be hard to pogo with a double bass Cheers again Marc

Hmmm, I shouldn't do it, as time is ever so precious these days but I'm tempted..... Just wondering whether Sarah & I could squeeze 2x Dbs into a car and share a lift....

Looks fab, and you obviously love it As far as the wife's comments, I'd have said; "It's got far less signs of wear and tear than you, dear!" Enjoy

Never liked them either, but it's odd how some songs seem to be deep in your memory somewhere, and as soon as you hear a few notes ..... you find yourself remembering every word - no matter how much you dislike it! Doesn't really seem like yesterday to me - and I'm the same age I've been watching these TOTP 70's programmes Largely, I've enjoyed them, but I often end up feeling they could have selected much better songs IMO Of course that's just an opinion - and I suppose they're trying to show a whole range of stuff .... and need to be careful not to include footage with certain presenters Which must be a task in itself.....

Welcome to basschat, and to the new and exciting world of bass I hope you are among the handful of guitarists who suddenly have a realisation that bass is important, and what it's for Hope you enjoy your new-found accidental role

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1402348531' post='2472585'] YES! Seriously, everyone needs a stingray in their life. [/quote] Indeed I'm only a recent convert to the world of the Stingray bass but it's a move I'm glad I made..... Enjoy your Stingray - I'm sure you will

Interested to see what sound you do end up with and how happy you are with that I'm an old punk rocker myself and still love the music However, when I play DB, I don't try to replicate that sort of sound exactly i prefer to see what I can bring to those sort of songs - but with a DB I've used Innovation Silver Slaps on my last DB Which gave a darker sound, and could also sound a bit more "snappy" when playing more quickly The lower tension meant I could play a bit faster (I don't really slap, like the Psycho guys do) I've got a Stagg EUB, which definitely sounds more "electric" and I would have thought it should be easier to get more of a bass guitar sound with that Possibly by adding an extra pickup (There is a thread somewhere on here, on adding a clicky - but should apply to adding any additional pickups) DeeDee Ramone got his sound by playing downstroke only as did Ramones guitarist Johnny I'm not sure that there's quite a way of replicating this on a DB and would be damned hard work anyway I played in a Ramones trib for a while, and doing it on BG for every song, with few breaks was probably the hardest thing I ever did! It caused tendonitis in my right hand, and especially in my right thumb As I said, I''m interested to hear how you get on with this and please don't appologise - the world of pickups and string combinations on DB is far more intricate than it is for bass guitar..... as I'm discovering Cheers and good luck Marc Hey Ho