three

I was a fan of these years ago when the workshop was in Partington. A mate of mine has a gorgeous hand-built black P that was gifted to him some decades back and I owned a lovely semi acoustic bass.  Good to see use of the Gypsy design in a bass but these get very expensive very quickly if one adds in some of the options. I’d be interested to see/feel the quality of the new instruments given the price (the originals were very lovely)

On 03/05/2023 at 11:26, Rayman said:

Probably a stupid question, but will an Epiphone Newport fit into a regular lead guitar gig bag? 

I've tried my Newport in a Fusion Urban guitar bag and it fits fine.  There's not a lot of clearance at the headstock but the length of the bass doesn't appear to be an issue.

Absolutely lovely and 22 frets.  I don't think I've seen one in better condition.

I like Hiscox but the SKB i-series are in an entirely different league. Not a cheap option but the quality and protection is exceptional 

https://www.skb-europe.com/3i-5014-44/

12 hours ago, Rayman said:

Probably a stupid question, but will an Epiphone Newport fit into a regular lead guitar gig bag? 

I’ll check tomorrow and get back

19 minutes ago, jazzyvee said:

The bass I dreamed about playing was also an alembic and now I consider myself extremely fortunate to own such a bass and, it surpassed everything i expected from it. I know they are not the sound that everyone likes but for me it's a dream bass fulfilled. I hope you get to try one out one day. I have to say getting your head round using low pass filters does take some getting used to. All the best.

I just spent the afternoon listening to SC - I enjoy some of the tones that he gets out of his Series I but others not so much.  I agree re: the low pass filters, they can produce some pretty mundane tones alongside the extraordinary.  I too have an SII but it's a four.  I was just thinking the other day, I'm not sure I've ever really spent much time with a Ric - I've certainly not owned one (or a Musicman).  I shall seek out a Ric this weekend - thanks for the thread - I'm inspired.

Absolutely brilliant cabs - I had a series 1 and was massively impressed - ridiculously light too.  Great images - GLWTS

15 minutes ago, Rayman said:

 

 

It really plays nice, feels nice and honestly the tuners are fine really? Lobster wasn’t impressed with the tuners, but, they’re ok.

Very nice tone, but the weird out of phase thing with both pickups on the central indent is a bit odd, but, back up slightly towards the bridge pup and bosh, it sounds ace. 
 

 

 

 

I concur entirely, exactly the same experience for me - set-up not too bad, tuners fine for the price, probably best to avoid central position on the pan, and the nut just needs a bit of work.  For me, all the colours in the range are brilliant and the quality of finish is pretty outstanding at this price point.  That said, I'm just about to sell mine - lovely bass but I have a few (!) shorties and the Epiphone just isn't getting any play time

41 minutes ago, Waddycall said:

Thanks chaps. Probably should have given a budget! Not really looking to spend more than say £300 so I think that probably rules out the suggestions so far.

This is helpful, thanks.  Maybe something like a Greenboy Crazy 8?  They don't seem to come-up for sale very often and I'm not sure that a commission would bring one in on budget, though maybe worth a look around?

Probably a little bigger than your requirements but an Aguilar sl112 might be worth a look. Compact and 25lbs. Lovely, full and round bloom with fretless and plenty of definition and focus 

14 hours ago, Piers_Williamson said:

How is it for balance on a strap?

I’ll let basspirate provide a definitive answer, these basses are so individual and a lot depends on personal physiology/height. However, having owned an identically shaped Series I - a truly spectacular bass - balance and reach can be a little problematic. I couldn’t play the bass on a strap so it was seated only. The tone alone made it worthwhile

Both fantastic colours! Capri orange with competition stripes has to be one of the coolest looks known to humanity. Reminds me very fondly of a Slazenger tennis racket cover I had in the early ‘70s. Cool as

As above, I find DR Pure Blues to be very silky and comfortable.  Another option is Thomastik Infeld Nickel Rounds - possible the silkiest rounds I've played.  Very expensive and very quiet in terms of finger squeak.  I'm not sure about lengths but TI are pretty good at sharing specs

I've just received my old fretless back from Aidan - it's been with him for the past few years and he very graciously offered to sell it back to me in the Mono case that I also sold to him in a post fretless deal (see earlier posts in this thread).  Absolutely perfect deal and some fabulous conversations throughout.  We share more than just an obsessive interest in basses.  The bass was brilliantly packed and arrived exactly on schedule - it was also in perfect condition and has been treated extremely well throughout Aidan's ownership.  A stellar member of our community - deal in entire confidence.  Cheers Aidan, another very enjoyable encounter!

I use a Fusion Urban guitar gig bag for a Status SII. It’s a high quality bag with an inner ‘collar’ that holds the instrument firmly in place. Protection is good all round and the bag has a number of useful features (and some gimmicks that are fairly pointless add-ons for me). Not cheap at over £200 but a durable and well-padded bag that should fit many headless basses:

https://www.fusion-bags.com/collections/guitar-and-bass-gig-bags/products/urban-electric-guitar-gig-bag

Some excellent writing, fabulous basslines and bass-players (all good but Alan Spenner is a particular favourite), and simply sublime production. Rhett Davies is an absolute genius IMO. I saw Roxy last year in Manchester in a venue that is notorious for dire sound. Somebody/everybody in the Roxy crew had clearly been paying attention - even in the cheapest seats, the sound was staggering - faithful to Davies’ ideas and vision (as far as that’s possible live). A bit of an eye-opener

16 hours ago, Beedster said:

Agreed I would love to try a Status FL neck on this bass, don’t suppose you have one hanging around…. 🤔

I had such an unlined J neck and it was gorgeous. I really shouldn’t have sold it. I still really want this bass too but can’t afford it… so, bump for a beautiful boutique fretless at a bargain price

On 10/03/2023 at 12:45, The Bucket said:

It's from the same family, but different. More versatile and a bit faster in response.

That's really interesting - I find the Monique to be very rapid in its response - more so than I'd expected.  Indeed, I was quite surprised - I use a number of SS pres (Glockenklang, Wayne Jones etc.).  These tend to be super-rapid and there's no discernible difference between them and the Monique.  I'd love to do an A/B trial.  It would be great to just try a Simone anyway but I can't really justify both

One of the finest Precisions Fender has produced in my opinion.  This was a period in which real attention to detail returned to Fender production (and design).  I've had a few of these, indeed, one in each colour other than the later Walnut.  I know the bass of which police squad speaks too - possibly the best preserved example still in existence (I owned it). These basses were generally very well constructed and from premium parts.  A wonderful thing, and with a bit of attention and careful set-up can be sublime players.  Good luck with the sale - these really are a rare version of the P

I've just received a bridge from OJ - exactly as described (better really, pretty much as new), well-packed and delivered super-rapidly.  A fine and upstanding member of our community.  Very highly recommended - thanks OJ!

2 hours ago, Geddys nose said:

If you have a existing S2000 I think the S/H price has just shot up again for you.

Just had a glance at 'Basses for Sale' - it would appear you're right

Just received the email and had a good look - 12 of the 40th Anniversary, and 18 Special Edition.  Prices for the former around £7500, and for latter, around £5k up to £6.5k.  Not sure about the 'remastering' but all of the basses look beautiful and finishing is exactly as one would expect.  Looks like I'll be sticking with my old SII.  The new basses are well out of range (not that I suspect that Status will have any problem in selling these very rapidly)

I've just received a lovely little Baby Sumo from Ben - exactly as described (perfect) and beautifully presented with highly protective packaging.  All arranged really quickly too and Ben did exactly what he said he'd do, getting the package into the post immediately (it was a next day delivery and all worked brilliantly).  Ben was extremely generous too in offering to return any overpayment of shipping (and then very kindly declined to take the additional cash when it became clear that I'd made an underpayment!)

An absolute pillar of our community (as this thread attests!) and entirely recommended to all on Basschat and beyond.  In addition, the sumo is an absolutely brilliant little thing - superb design and functionality.  Thanks very much Ben! 

Eeek! Absolutely beautiful and just around the corner. But I only play short-scale there days. But…

Altec's 421 8H is a beautiful speaker!  I had one in the late '70s in an Altec double exponential horn.  Wonderful gear.  I remember that mine had a cast frame unlike the one in the image - I suspect that Altec changed from pressed steel (?) to casting in the few years between production of mine and the speaker in the Acoustic.  Fabulous combo - I lusted after Acoustic gear in the mid '70s but it was well out of reach back then.  Absolute bargain IMO