Soliloquy

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1026120' date='Nov 16 2010, 05:48 PM']I've just had a look at it there - to be fair, I think Jaydee is the only bass there where I wouldn't really want to buy a new, simply because I know what I want - a Mark King series I or II and there are a few about. They're not high up my list but as a huge Mark King fan I think I really have to own one at some point![/quote] John's new prices are really very, very good. My next bass will probably be a 5 string GA24. I think really, I'd prefer to buy any of the basses you mention used, as opposed to new. Though I did buy buy my Sei new. You can get some really good bargains if you're prepared to wait. There are a couple of nice looking Overwaters for sale at the moment in the sale section. Status basses come up for sale quite frequently. And Sei's come up now and again. The only bass I wouldn't buy is a Shuker, I've owned two, and played a couple of others, and really don't like them.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1026084' date='Nov 16 2010, 05:18 PM']Afternoon all. Before I get into the nitty gritty with this thread, allow me to set out my stall and explain where I'm coming from... Recently, I had a bass related epiphany when I discovered ACG basses; you can read about this here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=107600"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=107600[/url] It struck me that this was where I wanted to go with my bass collection. I have had many fantastic basses over the years but nothing with this level of craftsmanship. I have had many "handmade" basses (Alembic, Kubicki, Status) but this struck me above all else as being a beautiful, handcrafted instrument. It was also my first singlecut, something else new to my collection. The quality of the ACG has further inspired me, as I looked at British made basses as a whole, and it was not hard to reach to the conclusion that I did: That here in Britain today, we have the best bass builders in the world. Think about it: ACG, Overwater, Status Graphite, Wal, Shuker, Sei and Jaydee, to name but a few. The fact that some of these builders are no more than a couple of hours drive from my house makes me realise that legendary basses are being crafted practically on my doorstep. I'd be a fool not to take advantage of this - not only could I have bespoke basses made without paying excessive customs charges, I could have the luthier's customer service too. Alan at ACG guitars has been fantastic, I must take my hat off to him. After finding that I had bought an ACG bass secondhand he emailed me out of the blue with a manual for the preamp and an invitation to the Moffat bass bash. Since then we've talked about the bass and the possiblity of a custom order. I've spoken to Jon Shuker this week about a bass I liked off his website, and he was more than happy to give me more detailed information about it and comes across as a real enthusiast about what he makes. Similarly, Rob and Dawn at Status have always been fantastically accomodating via telephone or email. Which leads me to where I am now. Having decided to collect my "best of British" stable, I really want to order new where I can and get the spec I want. I would primarily do this around January of each year - place an order with a builder and enjoy my bass a few weeks or months later with the joys of spring or summer. I have been thinking of some ideas for a while now, although I'm not sure where to start. I'll list the sort of specs I've been thinking of below. I will obviously look for different wood choices in different basses but the other things are generally "my thing" and I'd like them wherever possible (eg headless design): *4 string, probably fretted. *34" scale *Thru neck wherever possible *headless where possible *singlecut where possible *Maple body *flamed maple or lacewood top *maple or ebony fretboard *black hardware *wenge or ebony stringers in the neck *matching or black headstock for the ACG I have considered ordering this type of thing with my wood choices: Over the next few weeks I'll be giving the specs some more thought and seeing where I end up. I'm fairly sure I'll go to ACG for the order, although I'm still considering Status and Shuker as possibles. What do you think?[/quote] Have a look at my new thread here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=111168"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=111168[/url]

I've been meaning to do a build thread in the build diaries section, but I've never got around to it. This is the latest picture of my 24 year old Jaydee Mark King bass, John very kindly emailed the photo to me about 10 minutes ago. I bought the bass from a guy on here in May last year. It's been at John's workshop pretty much since then, he's totally transformed it from what was a very tired and neglected looking bass to this. It was built by John for a Scottish bassist (Thom Yorke) in 1986. It was originally 'Pearl pink', and had what John called 'snow drift' inlays on the fretboard. At some stage in it's life it had been re-sprayed white. The white paint was very yellow, and the original pink was showing through in a few places. The fretboard also had a couple of minor cracks. I have to say though, that despite all of this, it still sounded amazing. John has like I said, totally transformed the bass. He's totally stripped off all the layers of paint, and re-sprayed it white. He's fitted a new modern truss rod to it, and a new fretboard with the 'Starchild' inlays. It also now has blue LED's along the side of the neck. It just needs a final bit of polishing, and re-assembling. I should get it back later in the week.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1020460' date='Nov 11 2010, 05:49 PM']I hadn't heard of Steve for a couple of years there, though I do fondly recall the forum he hosted with Michael Manring on Talkbass.[/quote] He's still got his section on talkbass. I studied with him on and off for a couple of years. He's a very talented bassist, and a really nice guy.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1016822' date='Nov 8 2010, 07:53 PM']I think that's the general concensus. But playing the correct notes doesn't need a knowledge of theory. Your ear should tell you if the notes are wrong. And of course I didn't mention 'audition' in my opening statement. It wasn't needed. So please stop trying to antagonise me.[/quote] No, you should 'know' if the note is right or wrong. Your ear can only tell you after you've played it, when it's too late. "Hey sorry for the bum notes there guy's, but the groove was great wasn't it !" Having even a basic knowledge of 'notes' should mean that it's right in the first place. I'm not trying to antagonise you. I'm merely stating what I think, or aren't other people supposed to have opinions in your thread ? Surely that was the whole point in starting a thread like this anyway wasn't it ?

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1016767' date='Nov 8 2010, 07:14 PM']Why would someone be playing the wrong notes? He wouldn't get past the audition stage. [/quote] What audition ? Where's there a mention of an audition in your opening statement ? You're suggesting that playing in time, with 'groove' is more important than the actual notes that are being played. I'm saying that that's crap. Both are to be treated with equal importance. You need the correct notes, played with 'feel' and in time for the music to work. To play the correct notes you need a knowledge of theory, no matter how basic that knowledge.

I like what Victor Wooten says in his book about the 'elements of music'. ALL are equal, and you need ALL of them to make the music work !

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1015587' date='Nov 7 2010, 07:34 PM']Following on from Silddx's thread, what do you think is more important? I think it's great to have theory knowledge, but I also think being able to play in time with a great groove is the most important aspect of bass playing, especially in a live situation. Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...[/quote] Crap, grooving in time don't mean a thing if you're playing the wrong notes. Especially in a live situation where you can't 'drop in' or cut and paste.

You've got your money back ? I don't see what the problem is if you have. It's his amp, and if he changes his mind about selling it then there's not a lot you can do surely. I had a similar thing happen to me. I advertised a bass on here, and didn't have a lot of interest, even though it was advertised for a good price. After a couple of weeks I advertised it on Ebay. A day before the Ebay listing was due to end I had someone from here contact me. He came around and bought the bass, but not until someone had placed a bid. It was within 12 hours of the listing ending, and I couldn't therefore end my listing. So it sold on here and Ebay ! I had to contact the winning bidder and explain.

I just noticed this one [url="http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/crown-xls1000-drivecore-power-amplifier--76358"]http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-s...mplifier--76358[/url] Seems there's quite a bit of choice.

Just found this on Ebay [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peavey-IPR1600-open-box-class-D-power-amplifier-amp-/150513374796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230b4bd64c#ht_2162wt_761"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peavey-IPR1600-open-...c#ht_2162wt_761[/url]

[quote name='dincz' post='1007473' date='Oct 31 2010, 04:45 PM']What was wrong with the power amps you tried? One power amp is likely to sound much like another if they can both deliver the same power.[/quote] Noisy fans drive me mad.

Following on from my other thread about the Peavey Poweramps. Does anyone have any other suggestions ? I've tried 'normal' poweramps in the past without a lot of success. I'm amazed that you can't get half rack size class D poweramps. All it needs is the power section from something like a Genz Benz shuttle. These look allright on paper, and they're a good price, but are they any good ? [url="http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=product&product_id=354"]http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=prod...;product_id=354[/url]

[quote name='umph' post='1007385' date='Oct 31 2010, 02:30 PM']i've got one, i've yet to do extensive testing but they do everything they say they do on the tin[/quote] So they're powerful, uncoloured and don't have noisy fans ?

I'm considering going down the separate pre amp/poweramp route. I figure I could have a couple of different pre amps for different gigs. My past experience with poweramps has been a bit of a disaster though. They're either huge heavyweights or have excessively noisy fans. I'm amazed that you can't get a small, reliable and lightweight class D power amp. Similar to those used by Genz Benz. These Peavey's look good though, and are certainly in the right price range. [url="http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/peavey-ipr-1600-530-watt-power-amplifier--62060"]http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-s...mplifier--62060[/url]