wavemaker

I had an almost fail last week when the thoughts about a used Warwick Thumb available locally started to become intrusive … However, this led me to a revelation while spending the weekend rebuilding the electronics of another beautiful piece of bubinga (one I actually own), as well as rehearsing and practicing with it. My tastes in basses really have become a double-edged sword for my finances: Most instruments simply aren’t even intriguing to me. But whenever something tickles my fancy juuuuuust right, more likely than not, it’s a matter of four figures. And then, it hit me: Whenever I buy something, I‘m not only adding an awesome unique bass to my stable of awesome unique basses - I‘m actually taking another awesome unique instrument off the market. And I don’t want that, at all - I want others to experience awesome unique basses, as well. And with that thought, G.A.S. was gone. Anyone want to recommend me for that swedish medal?

Quoting myself because I just came across a Fodera. I‘m sure they play wonderfully - but can anyone explain the reasoning behind their control layouts to me? It just looks superduper crowded and fiddly to me.

Lots of love for the Thumb, that’s truly the quintessential Warwick! I’m afraid I can’t say anything nice about that other bass you mention 😉

I’m not a traditionalist at all, but if it was my decision, all pots would either a. follow the curvature of the lower bout (e.g. Stingray) or b. be mounted in a straight line parallel to the strings (e.g. Thunderbird). No exceptions. I’ll buy a Wal and a Spector each when I can get them without controls in that ridiculous diamond shape, and two Laklands when they get their stuff in order, thank you very much. Also, the right amount of pots is three.

Do you feel like this wouldn’t bug you as much if you were "free" to make your purchases uninhibited by the challenge presented in this thread? Because for me, I certainly do: I‘ve been totally fine with not buying any basses, pedals, or amps this year for several weeks - and suddenly I find myself engaged in a losing fight against Synth/Groovebox-GAS, having all but convinced myself to surrender by way of the age-old argument that this purchase might actually help me play more and inspire new music. I friggin know GAS when I feel it, and I‘m in absolute awe how it has simply shifted towards another genre of gear, apparently. So, if this was your only bass or one of a few, I‘d give you a pass. If you do have a sneaking suspicion this might just be "GAS for repairs", I‘d recommend putting the thought away for a couple of weeks. Personally, I‘ll re-visit synths in March and try to calm down until then.

I’d say "not in the chain / grey area", and let you off the hook.

This monstrosity was just released by Godin at NAMM and I‘m simply baffled by its existence:

Lovely, I‘m in. After having bought only one pedal and two basses in 2024, I‘m feeling lucky! … I do have to admit, though, to a luthier currently building a fretless neck for me - what with it being long overdue for a cultural reappraisal and such - which should be done around March. Seems like I‘m in the clear according to the rules, though!

trello.com might be useful for you.

Hi there Baloney. Quick question: Are you intentionally misinterpreting my words or do you lack reading comprehension? I offered not only one, but two specific ergonomic comparisons. Regarding the sonic aspects of their design: In short, yes. For further elaboration, please do read up on the differences of single- vs. multiscale by yourself (some of which people, entirely subjectively, see as advantages), watch some videos, or preferably, experience the thing in the flesh. Or don’t, you‘re your own person.

As a resident Dingwall enthusiast I‘d like to point out that all of their basses are optimised not only sonically but also and maybe even more so [editor‘s note: only slight hyperbole] ergonomically. Any Dingwall will have less reach to the "money notes" than a 34" Spector or Warwick Thumb, and that reach can very easily be further reduced by doing this. I don’t think many other manufacturers have understood this aspect of Dingwall’s design or have come close to replicating it.

Oh come on, I had just finished my board … boards, really, to be honest. Very interesting, to say the least. Also found this one on the other side of the channel with a built-in arcade style tap/kill-switches: https://looperwerk.de/shop/Arcade-XYAB-Joystick-Expression-Controller

Dang, you’re right, what was I thinking? I‘ll take my second favourite comp, then: Hyper Luminal, please!

I am most definitely an fx-loving bassist, but for £300 I‘d prefer a really nice foundation for the band over any embellishments. I’ll take a Cali Compact Bass and the best passive DI the leftover cash can afford.