three

On 03/07/2021 at 21:15, scrumpymike said:

OK, so here's my three s-s gig basses (R-L):  Andyjr 'Swift' custom-build - simply the best bass I've ever played regardless of price and first choice for gigs; another Swift custom-build as backup to the first; Sandberg Cali IV "don't call me" Lionel  Not your typical line-up, I'm sure you'll agree.  For those who are interested, didn't see the build diaries, and can stay awake, here's the story.

I've always had a preference for s-s basses.  This goes way back to my early playing days, when many of my favourite players such as  McCartney, Wyman, Chas Chandler, Andy Fraser and Jack Bruce were NOT playing 34 "-scale Fender basses.  I loved the look and sound of the Gibson EB/SG and so that's what I played in various guises, the last one being a lovely black 2011 SG re-issue.  Then two things happened.  First, I started to get fed up with the neck-dive and relatively restricted tonal palette.  Second, I suddenly became aware of the growing range of s-s alternatives offering better-than-Gibson quality and performance (not difficult!) at affordable prices.  It's been a long journey since then and I've owned a shed-load of stuff from Spector, Hofner, Maruszczyk/Mensinger, ACG, Ibanez and Fender - none of which completely did it for me.  The best was a MIM Fender Rascal.  I loved everything about it except the quirky body shape that put my right hand over the bridge and made the lower frets too much of a reach.  After some thought, I decided to have a chat with our Andy Rogers.  Like many on this forum, I'd been deeply impressed with Andy's build diaries and asked him if he could use a nice piece of walnut I already had to re-body the Rascal a-la Fender P Lyte that I remembered from the late 80s/early '90s.  This he was happy to do and I was so chuffed with the result that I then got him to build a (functional if not visual) clone based on a suitable re-shape of the original Rascal body.  Both these basses give me the exact spec I wanted but could not buy off the shelf.  The features are: 30" scale with fast neck around 40mm wide at the nut; pups and electronics that produce the 'tone in my head'; 7-position switch that selects any permutation of the 3 pups.  I've had these basses a few years now and I have no wish to gig anything else.  However, GAS being what it is (!?), I'm still chopping and changing my third 'backup for the backup' bass.  Currently, it's the Sandy pictured below, which narrowly displaced the s-s SBMM Ray I had before.  Happy days!

Thanks Scrumpymike - an incredible selection and a great story.  I too have been extremely impresssed with Andyjr's work and his realisation of your ideas in the two Swifts is superb.  Both look fabulous but I'm a big fan of walnut.  The pickup configuration is really interesting and I can imagine that these are very versatile instruments.  I've only ever had lipstick pickups on a Danelectro Longhorn but found them really bright (good!).  I'm not sure if yours are custom wound/produced etc. - I need to go back and read the thread.  Thanks for posting, it's great to see some of the less common designs and brilliant that these work so well for you

This is an utter bargain, even in the UK with vat and shipping/processing fees. Pedro is a great guy with whom to do business too - honest and trustworthy

Messing around on a very grey and wet morning in the North. Recording and deciding what works best on what tracks. The shorty with humbuckers is good all round. The PJ Shorty a bit more pokey and the Wilcock just lovely for vintage rock. Thought it was about time I posted. Piaying short-scale almost exclusively now

As an avid and gullible swallower of snake oil, I’ve been using EA Lyric HG, Forte and Siren for some years. To me, they make a difference - but not always a good one (depending on point of view) - very revealing indeed. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to use mine with the TT-800 as I got caught in the supply issues. Lovely with the DB750 and Warwick PR40 combo (again, very revealing indeed)

Thanks for the full view - I’d prefer a natural headstock, though overall, to me that’s a very lovely bass

Beautiful! I play Spector Shortys in the main and I think the Bantam is the European equivalent. Electronics apart, I’d assume all the woodworking is very similar in quality. Fantastically playable, ergonomic, powerful and versatile instruments. This looks like an excellent price too. Good luck - I can’t see this lasting long

I'm not sure that this is any help at all.  However, the Ibanez strings page (bass) is here:

https://www.ibanez.com/eu/products/model/strings/

I can't see anything that resembles the strings on the Talman (at least those models that I've seen in images).  If you could provide an image of the strings/bass, this might help?

If you can't find replacements, I tend to use D'Addario or Fender nickel short-scale rounds (the latter are really quite cheap) - they last reasonably well and the light gauge 40-95 have great compliance.

Absolutely right - beautiful bass - if not for Brexit, this would be sold (and I don’t even really play long-scale these days). A really stunning instrument. Good luck!

Fantastic bass, fantastic price, fantastic seller

This passed through my hands too I think - a superb example but unplayable to me - as much as I loved the unique tone (and brilliant industrial design), the ergonomics just didn’t work at all.  As much as it was a stunning ornament, I’d certainly be in the sell camp (indeed, I did!)

Another superb deal with Paul - made a transfer and the bass was on its way within ten minutes (arrived exactly as described the next day). Fantastic deal in every respect as expected - an outstanding pillar of the BC community - thanks!

I'm just re-posting here - I had this in another TT-800 thread but more appropriate in this one (apologies that I missed it dcmcombe7).  I'm not really adding much to the comments above - Andertons and agedhorse brilliant, with some great inputs from BC members too - but my faith in Mesa is diminished and I'm out

...An update on the TT-800 situation and not great news for anybody that would wish to have one in the UK.  I was signed-up for the next batch of the TT-800s due at the end of June.  It was a speculative order as I'm not really sure that the TT-800 will do what I'd wish from it - great reviews on here and elsewhere but the more I've seen and listened, the less convinced I've become that it's the lighter weight solution that will suit my preferences.  Anyway, I digress.  I've had regular updates from Andertons re: progress with getting Mesa gear into the UK - indeed, Andertons have been superb, as has Andy (agedhorse) - very creditable and friendly advice/service all round.

I received a message last night in which Andertons explain that Mesa deliveries to the UK are unlikely to appear before the end of the year and more likely, orders will enter the UK early next year (on most of the range including the TT-800).  The reasons given are (a) Mesa has chosen to concentrate on fulfilling orders from US dealers, and (b) delays are exacerbated as a result of ongoing and critical shortages of parts.  I've no reason to doubt either of these explanations.  I suspect too that the recent Gibson takeover has a role in all of this.  Andertons express some dismay at the treatment of non-domestic dealers and I can fully understand and sympathise - the treatment of non-domestic players appears to be woeful too.  Anyway, I'm out - a combination of misgivings re: suitability and a bit of a flounce related to Mesa's attitude to non US players.  I'm off for another weetabix and it's back to the DB750/Hellborg pre combo that I'd hoped the TT-800 might rival/emulate.  Sorry that this is probably very bad news for a number of Basschatters waiting patiently for the arrival of Mesa back orders  

An update on the TT-800 situation and not great news for anybody that would wish to have one in the UK.  I was signed-up for the next batch of the TT-800s due at the end of June.  It was a speculative order as I'm not really sure that the TT-800 will do what I'd wish from it - great reviews on here and elsewhere but the more I've seen and listened, the less convinced I've become that it's the lighter weight solution that will suit my preferences.  Anyway, I digress.  I've had regular updates from Andertons re: progress with getting Mesa gear into the UK - indeed, Andertons have been superb, as has Andy (aged_horse) - very creditable and friendly advice/service all round.

I received a message last night in which Andertons explain that Mesa deliveries to the UK are unlikely to appear before the end of the year and more likely, orders will enter the UK early next year (on most of the range including the TT-800).  The reasons given are (a) Mesa has chosen to concentrate on fulfilling orders from US dealers, and (b) delays are exacerbated as a result of ongoing and critical shortages of parts.  I've no reason to doubt either of these explanations.  I suspect too that the recent Gibson takeover has a role in all of this.  Andertons express some dismay at the treatment of non-domestic dealers and I can fully understand and sympathise - the treatment of non-domestic players appears to be woeful too.  Anyway, I'm out - a combination of misgivings re: suitability and a bit of a flounce related to Mesa's attitude to non US players.  I'm off for another weetabix and it's back to the DB750/Hellborg pre combo that I'd hoped the TT-800 might rival/emulate.  Sorry that this is probably very bad news for a number of Basschatters waiting patiently for the arrival of Mesa back orders  

Lovely strings - I've been using these for a few months and really enjoying the warmth, clarity and feel - nice and compliant

49 minutes ago, bigthumb said:

What cab did you use with it? 

It's currently running through an Aguilar SL112 but I also use a Berg HD210.  A really impressive little thing and genuinely surprisingly powerful.  For a small pub acoustic gig etc., I suspect it would be more than adequate.  I'm using it with quite a mid-scoop most of the time - if one couldn't see it, the Hotone could easily pass for a high-end, much more expensive amp (though without the power of course).  The SVT emulation is a bit spooky, though I tend to keep the drive down low/zero  

I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago (for more than £50!) and can’t believe how good it sounds. Brilliant EQ and fat, present, solid tone. Really surprisingly loud too. Very versatile, very impressive in all respects

Absolutely beautiful!  Violet and ultra amber are my favourites of the Spector colours and the finishes are superb.  A really stunning instrument and I can imagine this sounds wonderful.  Really sorry to hear that you've been prevented from playing.  I'm sure that you'll have considered it, but maybe short-scale could help?  The Spector Shorty or Bantam might be worth a try if you wished to stick with the Spector tone and feel

Wow!  I used these from the late '70s through to the early '90 and had an adapted version with a front firing 12" back-to-back with the 18.  This genuinely, though not deliberately, affected breathing in the audience at around 20-30 feet from the stage.  Stunning but I'm afraid that times have changed and I use baby cabs now.  Not really by choice and if I had the facility to move this, I'd love it.  Extraordinary condition too.  A very impressive sight when one enters a venue and there's one or two of these on stage... 

On 08/05/2021 at 09:42, Madein1962 said:

You could try TinyTone in Manchester.

https://tinytone.co.uk/custom-scratchplates/

Tiny Tone appear to be connected to, or part of, Jack's Instrument Services in Manchester (or maybe a name change) - just north of Victoria Station and about 10 minutes walk from there.  Really good people and they've done some outstanding work for me.  I've seen some of the tort celluloid material and it's very good indeed - probably better than some that I bought from Simms.  I'd trust this outfit and it's got me thinking about some replacements for brass backplates - a way of reducing weight 

Some great ideas in the post above!  The Peli type cases are excellent for smaller/medium-sized items such as amps.  If you can mount the head in some kind of rack case, I'd recommend it and if not, be careful to ensure that it can't be pulled/knocked off the cab at rehearsals/gigs.  I've seen this happen quite a bit and more so with contemporary very lightweight heads.  For the cab, a lot depends on transport/lifting capacity.  I'd always use a flight case if possible/feasible (and you can often pick them up cheaply on Basschat, though additional foam/padding may be required).  They're highly protective, of course, and can provide a useful riser depending on stage size.  That said, they're heavy for load ins/load outs) and need storing when not in use.  A roqsolid should do a good job in terms of day-to-day protection and they're reasonably priced.  Oh, and a lovely new rig that you have there - very handsome   

I'd thought the same - the close-ups are about as close as one might get to FSB, at least to my eyes/colour perception.  That really is a stunning bass.  For me, these are the best looking basses that Fender has produced in many years.  I don't really play long-scale and I'm not that enamoured of the P bass tone palette (heresy, I know!), but this bass looks incredibly cool.  I came very close to buying one on release but for all the reasons stated, plus I don't get on with 1.75" nut width, sense prevailed... just about, and very unusually 

Is that top flame walnut?  It looks really lovely.  A very reasonable price for an Alembic (IMO)

Thanks Morris and Helzero - some extremely useful detail and ideas here.  Given the size of the Hotone, fitting the card to the amp would be problematic, though what an excellent idea.  I hadn't seen the protection module previously but a great solution for standard-sized amps

To echo what others have said, I'd talk to Warwick (nice if they'd intervene) but don't really see any problem with repair.  It's not easy to see the crack or delimitation but I'd have thought a decent luthier could effect a repair fairly easily and inexpensively - possibly adhesive or a pinning and adhesive depending on depth/length etc.  Depending on where you are, I'd strongly recommend Jack's Instrument repair in Manchester or the Gallery in London (I'm sure others can suggest some excellent luthiers around the country)

Thanks - a really useful and straightforward review!  I was considering a Gnome recently and may still try one (I'm probably more tempted now after reading the review).  I don't know how much the Gnome will have inherited from earlier Warwick amp design, but I've always been impressed with Warwick amp products.  Build quality appears to be great across the range.  I use a Hellborg pre as my main eq and it's without doubt the most extraordinary pre that I've used (after many years of experimentation and the eventual realisation that I prefer SS pres to valve).  I'd like to think that some of Warwick's learning from the Hellborg range has influenced design of the Gnome.  I should really try to find out.  Incidentally, my recent interest in a tiny amp led me to the Hotone Thunder bass - only 5w (class A) but surprisingly loud and with an unbelievably good eq - fat, bold and really sensitive to player dynamics