OutToPlayJazz

She don't look half bad these days - And she's playing a Status... [IMG]http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l259/OutToPlayJazz/Suzi_Quatro_at_AIS_Arena_02.jpg[/IMG]

Learning to read proper music would be a much more useful endeavour

This one... [IMG]http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l259/OutToPlayJazz/011.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l259/OutToPlayJazz/013.jpg[/IMG]

Yes, I always liked the 25th ever since it came out... But if I was to get another EBMM bass it would have to be the Big Al in candy apple red metallic and maple. Just something about it... Rich

Yes Marvin, it's the same stacked "concentric" system they originally had on the Jazz in the early 60's. Separate tone control for each volume. I caught a look on a video review and they said that the tone controls on the VM Jaguar are stepped, so click around to various points for various sounds. I'd like to try one myself. Rich

Ah, more infinite variations on the same old two basses Yes, these "Blacktops" are a new range from the Fender Mexico stable, apparently. There's also the other new range just out from the same Chinese plant that makes the excellent quality Classic Vibe range of Squiers - Fender's "Modern Player" series. The one that looks of most interest there is the MP Jazz with the same twin jazz hum buckers as the BT Precision. Confused? Bloody hell, I am! I still think it's time they designed something new. Rich.

Kristina - The one thing you didn't tell us as a "dabbling guitarist" is what you were planning on doing - Playing bass live on stage or at home? You'll find that the Classic Vibe range are very good - Chinese produced but amazing quality and finish, in fact made by the same people that produce the new Fender Modern Player series of instruments. As for amplification, if you're not planning on anything too mad, I'd recommend a small Roland Bass Cube. The 30w model is enough for a small rehearsal or theatre and the 100w model produces enough power for most situations you'll find yourself in. They're plenty around on the used market and they're very reliable - More than anything they give you a proper bass sound as opposed to the small 15w Fender offering you mentioned. Rich.

[quote name='Wolverinebass' post='1215669' date='Apr 30 2011, 11:53 AM']The Chris Wolstenholme thing sounds interesting, but if it's just a graphite skin, I wouldn't be interested. Sure it'd still be great though. I certainly thought your 5 string graphite S2 was very, very impressive.[/quote] All of the "all graphite" instruments feature a graphite shell over either solid foam filling, or an alder block. Even the original S2000 was made in this way. To my knowledge, the only full composite instrument was the 4000/5000 series which was made of some kind of polymer but not graphite. But there is something about the sound of the all graphite instruments. It has even more of the graphite 3D "shimmer" and growl than the full wooden/laminated bodies. Rich.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1229421' date='May 12 2011, 10:39 PM']Well in a nutshell, I went to the Bass Gallery in Camdem to buy me a Mark Bass Compressore pedal... and there were two Ding's on the wall the Natural Ash ABZ 5 and a Lyme Green Combustion, I tried them both and took home the ABZ ash one, just couldn't keep my hands off that bass. Later that day I went back home and compared the new purchase with my 4 EBMM's (Bongo 5, Big Al 5, 25th 5 and Stingray 5) and decided to abandon the EB ship and jump on the Ding's one. And that's what happened but RICH what happened to you all these months have you been on tour ?? Not heard a word from you for ages[/quote] Indeed... Sounds like you found your bass nirvana mate! As for me, yes I was playing a lot in the latter half of last year, combined with splitting up with the missus of eleven years standing, so been spending all my time rebuilding life from scratch. Getting there now, though. Have a lovely new house in North East Lincolnshire and the general malaise in the playing work (very worrying first quarter this year!) has thankfully eased a little & the work is coming in again. Good news is that I'm still enthusiastically flying the Status flag as always

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1229375' date='May 12 2011, 10:05 PM']Well only 127 miles separates you in Chester from the one place in UK that has the most Dingwall's in stock to try [url="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Chester&daddr=Warwick,+CV34+6TH,+UK&geocode=FSKjKwMdYdPT_ylp9Zxi2cF6SDGf-NiNs2xiSQ%3BFeicHQMdhFDo_ymPBy3IpTR3SDHcsdW_QUtzHg&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=52.80403,-2.224245&sspn=1.180546,3.348083&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=9"]http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&sour...amp;t=h&z=9[/url] [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Dingwall_Combustion.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...Combustion.html[/url][/quote] Wow Wazoo... Where did all those Dingwalls come from? And more importantly, where did all the MusicMen go?! Rich

The basic differences between the S2 & KingBass are the body shape/geometry & pickup placement. The KingBass tends to be a little boomier overall & the shorter body makes for some interesting playing positions (places the bass further to your right hand side.) The 32" scale KB's tend to take a little getting used to, as all the notes have moved significantly closer to you! The only problem I had with my two KingBasses was that being slightly on the rotund side, I found the neck angling away from me. The S2 would be my personal choice. Rich.

In my experience, wooden necks (depending on the profile and rigidity) do need at least seasonal changes. Thinner necks seem to be more prone to movement, though. My Geddy Lee Jazz would infuriatingly change shape dramatically within a sudden change of dry-wet weather, but then again I do use very thin strings usually. The best wooden necks I've had for stability were the Yamaha TRB-6 (the ironing board) and my MusicMan Stingray Piezo. Perhaps these had the highest levels of rigidity? Who knows? But only graphite necks seem to never move at all. Set them and that's where they stay, unless you're playing in a blast furnace or at the North Pole Rich.

Yes, they're fab. One of my preamps died on the panto, so I'm using my Streamline at the moment. There's nothing quite like it. The only downside I can think of is that you have to play on a strap, even sitting down. But it's no loss when you've got such an amazing instrument to play. The sound (as others have mentioned) is less hifi than an S2, but still has that 3d edge and, graphite growl and amazing sustain. It's a great all round bass and yes, they do fit in most overhead lockers. That was part of the design brief. I'm a little further away again from Mart, in North East Lincolnshire, but I'm sure you'll find someone closer - Then again, a trip to the factory is always a great day out. Rob & Dawn are always very accommodating and it's not unlike visiting the best toyshop ever Rich.

Do I really need to say...?

Had a good look over this Precision deluxe last Sunday. It's real looker and a lovely instrument. Congrats, Kev

Never played a bad Sadowsky bass, but the Will Lee model that Barrie (Molan) had in the summer was the best bass I've played this year that didn't hve "Status" written on it!

Yes, those limited edition Eclipse models are very special basses And yes, I'M BACK!

Hi everyone! Rumours of my demise are thankfully greatly exaggerated Firstly, BC business... cd_david, I still have your MM flight case and will despatch it as soon as I get a moment to myself - Same goes for the gig bag I still need to send to Tom1946. Yep, it really has been that crazy! Thanks for all the wonderful comments... I never meant to disappear, it's just that life takes over at times, as so many of you on here know only too well. I split with Mrs.OTPJ after nearly 11 years in the summer (towards the end of the Strictly Tour) so had to focus all of my attentions on sorting out a new home and basically starting again from scratch. You'll all no doubt be glad to hear that the new FP Towers is splendid and palatial and the new music room is fab, too! So apart from all the chaos of rebooting my life at the age of 40, there's also been all of the arrangements/backing tracks for the Sheffield pro panto (Nigel Planer is sitting about two feet away as I type this in the Lyceum green room!), a fraught teaching term, starting another Mister B.'s jazz live lounge in the Lincoln area, numerous other gigs, MD'ing for a new Robbie Wiliiams tribute show (don't ask!) and other general chaos, all would seem to be well. Rest assured that that Statii are still growling and howling as they should! Drop into the Sheffield Lyceum if you get a moment and say hello - All of the bass playing (both electric and upright is live and all me) and the cello tracks are all played by me, too. Speak to you all in the new year or before! Ps., thanks for depping for me with the Brettinator and the human jukebox, Kev_B! VBR, Rich - OutToPlayJazz