Cato

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1488487983' post='3249473'] It won loads of awards in the 80s, and stopped the Squiers being made in Japan to compete with it. I didn't have one, I had westones, but I had a friend who had one, and it wasn't bad at all, certainly better than a Gibson SG he had at the same time. [/quote] Fair enough.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1488486023' post='3249446'] Well, the marlin sidewinder wasn't so bad! [/quote] I've always believed that in every production run there are a few really bad instruments due to everyone on the production line having a really bad day, and a handful of exceptional ones, when everyone had a really good day. You must have had experience with an exceptional Sidewinder, because every Marlin I played in the late 80s/early 90s was horrible.

I had a Hondo strat which I used to gig with in a dodgy indie band until I upgraded to a MiM thinline Tele. I really liked it. Can't speak for the bass stuff though.

I thonk the first time I really noticed the bass was Duff McKagen's line on Sweet Child O Mine. All my mates were trying to do the guitar intro, but I thought it was the bass that made that song.

I'm not too keen on the reliced versions (personal taste) but that is a real beauty.

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1488400519' post='3248706'] Where have all the Carlsboro amps gone? They never seemed to go wrong so they must still be around, they sounded OK and were not overly heavy, Westone Thunder 1/1a through a Carlsboro amp seems to be a bit of a classic starter package of the 80's [/quote] I've still got a Carlsbro 4 × 10 from my first 'proper' rig living at my parents house (somehow I've always forgotten to pick the massive, space consuming thing up in the last 20 odd years). I assume it still works, it's built like and weighs as much as small tank.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1488399553' post='3248687'] I think we've scared him away 😬 [/quote] The legend will return.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1488394375' post='3248617'] Could have been worse [media]https://youtu.be/j9iVVdn2LN8[/media] Dave [/quote] Looks like he's got an invisible bear of his own.

Ban all keyboardists from entering the forum until we've worked out what's going on with them.

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1488332368' post='3248046'] Hi George here is my addition to your thread. It's with my Alembic series II 5 stringer playing What is Hip? at a gig at the end of 2015. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLUT2Z_Fi68"]https://www.youtube....h?v=oLUT2Z_Fi68[/url] [/quote] Superb.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1488349144' post='3248061'] I'm sorry, I have to say. That was quite rude. Have I read it wrong or was it meant to be offensive? [/quote] Pretty sure, given the average age of the BC collective is closer to 60 than 20, that it was said ironically, in jest.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1488318422' post='3247948'] Sorry, guys, I'll take this thread down. If I find another vid I'l try again. Blue [/quote] No need to take it down. All we need to do is raise the money to pay Andrei to release the vid. I've just found £5.23 from a quick search under the sofa cushions, time for the rest of the community to step up.

Two words. Russian Hackers.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1488312713' post='3247855'] Aw. I can't do FB. Any chance you can get it on YT please Blue? [/quote] +1 I need to see the legendary 'invisible bear' dance.

Axe Bass (the 90s budget model, not the Gene Simmons variety) into a no name 30 watt combo at mates house party. We only knew about 7 songs, you can imagine how terrible we were.

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1488222702' post='3246979'] Here's the U.S. prices. Not sure how up to date this is but I guess there'll be shipping and export/import duties built into the prices. Probably cheaper direct from Germany. http://www.basslabusa.com/products/basslab/price.html [/quote] Cheers for that. It 's not completely out of reach then. Something to ponder and dream about... Sorry for the thread hijack Spondon.

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1488129554' post='3246110'] I've been looking at Basslab instruments for a while now. http://basslab.de They build using their own recipe "tuneable composite" materials layered over a form which is later removed, leaving a hollow body (and neck!). They use automotive paint and lacquers even on fretless basses, where the fretboard is also often painted. [/quote] Now I've got gas for something I didn't even know existed 2 minutes ago. Edit: I can't find any info on pricing but I'm guessing we're talking Ritter money?

[quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1488209486' post='3246804'] First time I've ever seen twin strap buttons. Is that to prevent forward "lean"? (can't think of a better word for it!) [/quote] I think the idea originated with headless basses to keep the tuners off the ground,I've got them on a Washburn Status, but it makes any bass that much more stable when left leaning against something.

As far as I'm concerned anything that can be used to create music is a 'real' instrument, be it turntables, sequencers or even a program on a laptop.

I've got a VM70s Jazz that I'm very happy with. I have changed the pickups the bridge and the electrics but that was more because I wanted to experiment with modding a bass than because there was anythinh wrong with stock items. My feeling is that the Affinity range are pretty much bog standard starter instruments, no better or worse than anything else in that price bracket. The VMs are excellent intrstruments for their price range. It gets a bit trickier with CVs. They do have an excellent reputation but they're priced so closed to the equivalent Mexican models that I'd certainly want to do a side by side comparison before deciding whether to go Squier or Mexican.

I've been very impressed with the Denon systems I've heard. A mate of mine has this http://m.richersounds.com/#!/product/deno-heos-hc-blk Which is excellent, although probably not suitable for semi detached or terraced housing as I can imagine the bass transmitting straight through any party walls.

The Anthrax version of Got the Time, back in my metal days. http://youtu.be/be7iNHw8QoQ It's not a difficult song, but the bassline is relentless. I just didn't have the speed or endurance to play it finger style. I eventually gave up and played it with a pick, which was still a bit of a work out. 25 odd years on I just tried it again finger style and it's still a tough call. I can just about do it, but I'd definitely need a couple of ballads to recover straight afterwards. Frank Bello is a machine.

IBTL

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1487939569' post='3244351'] I assume this is the new Amazon version of an Ipad rather than the E-reader Kindle? Do you happen to know what software it runs on; is it an Android or does it use bespoke software? [/quote] The software is a bespoke version of Android, which seriously limits the amount of apps available for the device. It is apparently possible to get it to run standard android apps, but it's a bit of a faff. I've got one of the earlier Fire models, which I only use as a portable TV these days, after getting frustrated with the lack of apps and buying a full blooded android tablet for everything else.

The Yamaha BB424 puches well above it's price bracket and it should be pretty easy to try out in a shop as a lot of places stock them. I wouldn't worry to much about the action at this point in your journey. I takes a while to build up strength in the fretting hand, everything becomes a lot easier over time, plus string easily adjusheight is easily adjustable on most basses.