silverfoxnik

I think that apart from a few unusual brands, vintage or rare basses, most basses prices are dropping at the moment. Though quite why Warwick & MM seem to suffering more than most, I'm not sure? It could be because there's a lot of them around and there is more choice...

[quote](bassplace @ Aug 2 2008, 08:02 PM) Trevor's site is a great compilation. All sorts of good stuff on the unusual Wals. I think I've seen pics of at least a couple of your Wals. My ProIIe can be both tough as nails and a little fragile at times. The electronics tend to come a bit loose after use so I have to go in a tighten things up, mainly the input jack. I don't gig much so I'm not afraid to use it though. I'm also amazed at the tone and feel every time I pick mine up. It the same as the first time I picked it up. It's also nice to have a variety of basses and to be able to come back to it. dunc[/quote] +1 I'm not in the position now of having a custom as well as a ProII, but for a while I did and I always enjoyed playing the Pro model more than the Custom which used to baffle me?? In the end, I decided that having the scratchplate made the difference to me as it makes the gap between the strings and the body of the bass smaller, which I find more comfortable when playing.. My dream was always to get a Custom 5 Mk II and have it built with a scratchplate and the old circuitry.. When I bought my Pro II from Gwilym, I also bought the second scratchplate with the circuit that he had as well, but by then Pete was not working anymore and I doubt I could have afforded it anyway! But it was nice to dream about from time to time.. [quote name='mgauction' post='253592' date='Aug 3 2008, 06:23 AM']Yeah, dunc - Trevor's site is the best! I have had the same situations with my Pro11. These are the best basses! Nik - Your comments are right on, my friend, as always! [/quote] Likewise!

Just watched the YouTube clip and I realise now that I'd actually seen it before.. For me, the 3 very different playing styles don't gel particularly well on that piece, so I will check out their respective solo work I think and go from there in order to try to get my head around what they do... But, watching it again did confirm for me what I've always thought about Stanley Clarke, which is that I think he really should have been a guitar player. Of the 3 musicians, the one I most closely identified with as a bass player was Marcus Miller because in the main, he was playing what I recognise as bass lines/grooves etc.. However, I realise that's maybe more a reflection on my own limitations as a musician!

Looks really good to me; and simple and easy to use by the look of too, it which is a good thing! I've never heard one, but I'm hoping someone will be bringing a Genz Benz to the SE Bash in September...

[quote name='MB1' post='253265' date='Aug 2 2008, 12:29 PM']MB1. Uma Thurman looks Good in Leather,the same cannot be said for Wal Basses!......Think both would look more interesting without the leather to be honest! [/quote]

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='253128' date='Aug 2 2008, 07:49 AM']Beauty clearly is in the eye of the beholder with that one - cos it's not for me![/quote] I don't think it's for anybody at that price! Way over the top in my view, even though it is one of the very rare, early Wals.. Would you agree Mike?

Very nice indeed!

[quote name='Merton' post='252518' date='Aug 1 2008, 09:50 AM']Yeah, weirdo! It's ok, I'll polish the Groove and bring that too, just for you [/quote] Sometimes it helps in life if you admit your failings...

Went along with WalMan to see Bassninajs gig at The Crown in Littlehampton last night and had a great time! Really good band, some good songs and some very fine musical & funky bass playing! Look forward to the next one...

[quote name='Merton' post='251889' date='Jul 31 2008, 10:34 AM']Of course, only too happy to show it off! (EDIT - apologies for the crappy phone pics!) Looks even cooler with the DR Black Beauty strings on it... Not got a decent pic of that at the mo tho.[/quote] Nice bass Mert, But being the weirdo that i am, I prefer the 5 string one on the left But then I always fancied the brunnette in ABBA more than the blonde..

Good question?? Depends on the bass and the value of it to me.. A cheap old P bass copy I'd not be too fussed about but I'll worry loads more about a bass that has some real value.. Like my Wal for example. It's got dings and a few knocks but it works perfectly and the neck is great.. But I wouldn't want it to get any further damage to it.. Whenever I've had a pristine bass, I found I hated gigging them, so sold them on. The Lakland DJ5 that I bought from P-T-P last year was like that; almost perfect and as a result, I ended up selling it on... I had a mint condition Squier JV series P-Bass that I got from a guy who'd bought it in 1983 and put it under his bed for 21 years. It was 10/10 condition and so 'perfect' that I was afraid to use it in case I damaged it. So I sold it on to a collector and as far as I know, it's hanging up on his wall somewhere gathering dust... That's not what an instrument is for IMO; I prefer to use them and enjoy them for the purpose that they were intended..

[quote name='The Funk' post='251977' date='Jul 31 2008, 12:22 PM']It's too heavy if my back hurts after playing it standing up for 3 hours, or if my leg hurts after playing it sitting down for 4 hours.[/quote] Got any pics to share??

[quote name='99ster' post='251073' date='Jul 30 2008, 10:12 AM']For all you Simonon fans... Stumbled across these on t'internet - [url="http://flickr.com/photos/luptonn/tags/paulsimonon/"]some good pics of the great man in action[/url].[/quote] Cheers! He's cool as f**k!

My Wal Pro 2e and Roscoe Beck V are pretty heavy basses but I like them, so I'm prepared to put up with a bit of extra weight.. That MM Sabre is very, very heavy though!! Great basses mind you....

[quote name='WalMan' post='251755' date='Jul 30 2008, 11:51 PM']The attached file might help. It's a Wal flyer. Not sure where I got it from, perhaps at the old Music Show when it used to be at Earls Court, but presumably when I was dreaming [attachment=11435:Wal_Flyer.pdf][/quote] Thanks Al, I used to have that one years ago... here's some more info that I have lurking around that may be of interest.. Nik [attachment=11438:Wal_Model_Timeline.jpg]

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='251740' date='Jul 30 2008, 11:28 PM']Thanks for injecting some common sense into the thread, Nik![/quote] That was you who did that Rich, not me! It made me stop and think before my next post, which is a good thing... On the basis of what's being said in this topic, I'm going to check out some of these albums so I can learn a bit more. Cheers Nik

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='251717' date='Jul 30 2008, 10:37 PM']Here was me thinking this was going to be a nice thread celebrating the coming together of three of the greatest bass players of our time in the name of entertainment, but once again, it's all sinking into the mire of the "Musicians Wars" thread. Why not let's all criticise what we can't do ourselves? Sad, quite sad.[/quote] Hi OTPJ, Well said and let's hope this doesn't descend into the mire of another "Musicians Wars" thread, because as you say, this is a quite unique event and a great learning opportunity. My comment was made in response to the OP's question and not consciously intended to start another huge round of negativity.. But thinking about it, I can see now how easily such comments can be taken the wrong way. So in the interests promoting harmony around here and avoiding more negativity happening, let me say that though it's not my personal cup of tea, [S][M][V] could well be the bass event of the decade! Nik

[quote name='4000' post='251619' date='Jul 30 2008, 08:36 PM']Thanks for that. Pro-wise, missed one about a year ago (could be 2). It was advertised in a shop and I rang to get pictures sent. Unfortunately somebody walked in and bought it while I was still waiting for the pics....(probably someone here!). I know, should've bought it. It was only £899 (& black IIRC). In fact it was probably the one in your avatar![/quote] If the shop was GAK in Brighton then it could be.. I bought my one from fellow Basschatter Gwilym in 2005 and he'd had it less than a year then I think? Apparently he nipped into GAK to have a nose around and walked out with what is now my bass.. Lucky for me that he did is all I can say!

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='251698' date='Jul 30 2008, 10:15 PM']Hmm... I'm thinking the latter. Great players, for sure. But there's something inherently dull about soloing bassists![/quote] I kind of feel the same really.. I love great bass playing in the context of a great song more than I love amazing bass playing virtuosity..

[quote name='alexclaber' post='251525' date='Jul 30 2008, 06:32 PM']Disco surely! Alex[/quote] Dub....? amongst many other things....

[quote name='Rob Kittler' post='251493' date='Jul 30 2008, 05:29 PM']I have a left handed 4 string Wal fretless, I have owned it for about 12 years. It hardly gets played, just in the studio and when I am feeling particularly splendid! I am almost ashamed to say that I know next to nothing about it. It says N.J. Custom on the head, I can get the serial number from the plate (I think). The person before me didn't treat it too good, there is a small gauge on the neck and the body is going that weird grey/white in very small areas - in some ways it makes it look properly classic, but it must have been stunning when new. It absolutely sings, I can get Pino like sounds, Jaco like sounds and it always gets a reaction on the tone and sound from band members. There is a peculiar knob system where the tone is almost Wah Wah and can be honed in for a tighter sound. The thing is heavy though, I will try and get some pictures of it on here. Rock on. Rob[/quote] Hi Rob, The letters N.J. are probably the initials of the bass player who had it made for them. If you know the serial number, you can check out more about your bass here: History of Wal Basses: [url="http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm"]http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm[/url] and the Wal database here: [url="http://www4.cs.fau.de/~koesters/Privat/Wal/walspec.html"]http://www4.cs.fau.de/~koesters/Privat/Wal/walspec.html[/url] Sounds like a lovely bass.. It'd be good to see some pictures if you have time.. Nik