OutToPlayJazz

I've never liked EMG's, personally. They always sound too "top-endy" and harsh to me & I like a bright sound! For me, the best replacement pickups I've played and heard have been Nordstrands every time. They don't seem to be able to make a bad pickup.

I used Rotosounds for years as I always preferred them to the Elites equivalents which always felt sharper and rougher to me. Now they're only a cheap backup if I need some. All of the Status instruments are strung with Status Hotwires & my Stingray is fitted with DR FatBeams. I did buy some Rotosound flats the other day for a new acquisition for a more vintage sound and I must say that the "Jazz Bass 77's" are really good. Someone mentioned Elixir coated strings. Yes, I like these, but they do seem far too bright when they're new. They do seem to settle nicely after some playing, though. Rich.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='788889' date='Mar 28 2010, 09:13 PM']This, you can't really relic a bass with a poly finish, it just doesn't work. It's a shame so many companies use poly finishes now, they just won't look good 30 years down the line [/quote] No, there's a plus point here - In thirty years' time they won't look like old wrecks only worth £5 at a car boot sale. That's the advantage of the poly finish. I agree that the nitro does look sort of cool as it wears, but only if it's honest wear over time and hard playing. DIY "relicing" (no, it's not an English word as we know it!) just looks fake. Don't do it. It's sad and wrong. In the same token, I am right, so there.

Speaking as a teacher I suppose I'm biased in a lot of ways, but you can see the process as a way of dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's". Hopefully if you pick someone worth what you pay them, you'll improve your technique, making your playing style easier and more reliable. Learning to read music will definitely help with not only your ability to learn songs quickly, but also with your ear and the speed with which you pick up progressions and chord changes. I really must get that tutor book written!

Hi Sarah, Firstly, as others have said, I'd be very wary about being asked to "supply the backline" at a multi-band event. If you do, make sure you supervise all of the other players using your rig. Just appear helpful, but don't let anyone crank the settings for themselves. As for a new rig, the Ashdown MAG combos are very good for the money. The 2X10 one is excellent especially and you can always add another cabinet quite cheaply later on to get the full 300w. The Little Giants are rated at 4ohms, so you're going to have to make sure you get 4ohm speakers, or you'll only be running half of the power quoted. And of course, there's the aforementioned reliability issue with them, but I suppose you're going to get a certain amount of that with any electrical equipment. Rich.

I quite fancy a late 70's Fender. I keep seeing lots of natural finish 78-ish Precisions and thinking, yes. But the thing is I'd never play it live, so there's no point. As for the Jazz, yes I think it's not only Fender's most convincing product, but also a world beater. As a for instance, just look at all of the low and high-end imitations, surely the best form of flattery! You're definitely onto something here, Pete.

Quite true, yes you can. As for the more expensive hand made stuff, it's all down to personal taste. I like my Status basses because they're all honed to perfection. They feel amazing in the hands and work with the player, rather than fighting against you. The sound is exactly what I'm after on all levels and they cover a multitude of styles. For me, there's nothing quite like them. It's like comparing a new Ford Focus to a Bentley Flying Spur. You know the Ford will do the job just fine, but the Bentley has that extra something that makes you love it and does everything within an inch of perfection.

Well, score on one front for me... This is coming in today

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='787685' date='Mar 27 2010, 10:08 AM']Is it just me that finds the sound samples on Thomann fairly useless? Maybe it says somewhere on the site and I've just missed it, but with no idea of what amp it's running though, I don't feel confident listening to the sound for anything more than a rough idea. It's the same with the amps, without knowing what bass is being played, it's hard to judge the sound of the actual amp.[/quote] Maybe they're recorded direct with no amplifier. If you listen to those two I've put up, they sound very clean and direct. At any rate, it gives you an idea of the bass' sound. Better than nothing

Here you go - The sales page for the EDB on Thomann has sound samples. While you're there, have a listen to the SR500. It's stonking! [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_edb555wnf.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_edb555wnf.htm[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr500bm.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr500bm.htm[/url]

[quote]When should you play with a drum machine?[/quote] This activity is usually only necessary [i][u]after[/u][/i] you've beaten the drummer to death.

I was teaching a Cleethorpes family this evening (two cellists and one violinist) and it turns out the father has a mint (looks like it just came out of the factory) 1982 Aria bass (looks like a single pickup Ibanez MC series with a coil tap? switch.) It was a joy to find, as it's really been looked after and is in perfect condition. Much better than purposely wrecking your toys, you destructive children

Quite true, Nigel. We spend a lot more time here talking about gear and the gear we'd like to liberate/off load, etc, instead of actually playing the stuff. The GAS usually hits me when I'm in a quieter time as regards playing. Now I'm playing a lot more, I'm sticking to my faithful five. Yes, the odd one or two cheapies may pass through, but the onus is certainly on playing at the moment. Rich

You're quite right - The 614 does have one of those preamps that need a lot of boost to avoid sounding dull. All Yamaha actives are like that. In the same token, they're in good company as Status preamps need a lot of boost to sparkle too. It all depends on the boost frequencies at the end of the day.

At the end of the day it's not about cost. It's about the instrument that fits you best and makes the sound/sounds you want. For some that will be a £300 Squier Classic Vibe model and for others it will be an £5-8000 Alembic or Fodera. If you have full blown GAS, get out to the bigger bass shops and try as many as you can until you reach your own personal nirvana.

I terms of the car/fuel, I claim the mileage allowance, as I usually do up to or above 40,000 miles a year. That takes care of a lot of it. I also claim for all the sheet music I buy (another not insubstantial amount) & claim the cost of instruments I use professionally. Some people take it as far as claiming a percentage of heating and lighting for teaching at home, DJ's, shirts, etc & even meals while out playing. I don't bother with any of that, though. The mileage allowance alone gives me around £12k of earnings tax free, so it's good to know the in's and out's. Read all the small print you can find on the self-employed pages on the Inland Revenue sites. Rich.

[quote name='ped' post='785242' date='Mar 24 2010, 10:16 PM']I got my fretted Vigier for £500 :0)[/quote] That was a serious bargain, Ped!

No problem, Mart - I'll be picking this one up at the weekend so I'll send you a full report when I've restrung/set it up. I have a line on a mint EB0 at the moment as well. If it's a nice one I'll hold it for you. It'll be cheap as chips, anyway.

Just bought one today - Barely used Epiphone EB3 £140 in the classifieds

Like some of the others here, I like to concentrate on items that seem as if they have been cherished instruments, as opposed to those that have been simply abused. Obviously we all buy a clunker from time to time, but with a reasonably careful eye you can spot the good stuff from the trashed and thrashed.

LOL! Let's just remember that Mr.Wooten isn't God - God works for Mr.Wooten. That is the true nature of the organisational relationship going on here. Pop music?! I ask you!