Spoombung

[quote name='Lysdexia' timestamp='1318462819' post='1402628'] Plank with bits, project underway, it looks minging, can't be arsed finishing it - every part of it displeases my eye. Hideous. [/quote] Well, I agree on this one....

[quote name='BigBeatNut' timestamp='1318783917' post='1406159'] Hmmm ... let's A/B those two ... ... to my eyes the Affirma is marginally less ugly, but still ugly. [/quote] The Affirma is one of the most beautiful basses ever created.

Changing the context of the instrument in the musical arrangement is (nearly always) a far more powerful way of attracting attention.

You've got to play in an ensemble where you can hear the bass as a separate sound before you can indentify if the sound is any different or has any 'signature'. That happens less nowdays because making a feature of the bass is well and truly out of fashion compared to an era like the eighties. The other reason why it's less likely to happen is the proliferation of 5 string basses. Rumbling away on a heavy B-string cable might make your band sound good but is unlikely to get you noticed as an individual (as much as a traditional 4-string). 5 - string playing is good deal more anonymous for that reason hence there are less 'signature' sounds. It's no accident that the players that [i]have [/i]attracted more attention recently have a habit of playing on high tuned 6 strings where they're poking in to the guitar area (Squarepusher, etc)- or piccolo tuning 4 -strings (like M. Manring, etc). The innovations are unlikely to happen in the sub bass, IMO, and the anonymity is likely to persist for the foreseeable.

It's true, you don't hear much about him here. I liked some of the PIL stuff - the repetition and riffing over noise and notes dropping suddenly out the chord at the end of a phrase were very distinctive and noteworthy. Unfortunately, I haven't enjoyed the new-age, 'ethnic' jamming of his regular band - all mystic drones and lumpen groove.

The site is running very slowly indeed. Disappointing because it was always a fast loader before the changes.

[quote name='TRBboy' post='1375312' date='Sep 16 2011, 11:25 AM']One man's coq au vin is another man's chicken in a basket! [/quote] Indeed.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1375309' date='Sep 16 2011, 11:21 AM']+10000 although i do love the Blackburst finish more than the gloss.[/quote] That's a rather enthusiastic '+10000' Oh, I give up. I will leave the big chunky, heavy basses for the poor unfortunates who think they deserve them!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1375220' date='Sep 16 2011, 10:04 AM']i think any of those extended top horn basses look like you have a penis 12" from your mouth ;-)[/quote]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1375172' date='Sep 16 2011, 09:09 AM']I totally disagree, i think that looks fugly, but then im not in to extended top horns, or Warwicks.[/quote] The majority of Sandbergs are basically Fenders with heavy hardware. They're heavy, chunky things... usually with neck dive. No amount of 'relic' or 'roughing up will disguise this. The GMR has extended horns for a reason: balance and comfort. The reason I mentioned them was that comfort seemed important to the poster. Someone has thought about the GMR design in relation to to the human body, unlike the Sandberg Fender-appropriated models which are cosmetic variations on the original. The GMR will sit up in the lap and the strap, will have great contouring and have a slim neck. It might suit him!

You should also consider the Polish GMR basses - they have them at Bass Merchant. They're infinitely better designed than Sandbergs - shaped ergonomically with slimmer necks and better balance

[quote name='silddx' post='1373420' date='Sep 14 2011, 05:10 PM']I need a bass that ticks my boxes. I need at least 22 frets, active if possible, and something that looks tasty. I have narrowed my current feelings down to a Sandberg California PM4 or JM4. They look fantastic but I can't find one to try and I'll be going for a S/H one. I think I have a good idea of tone, but what about feel and reliability. What do the necks feel like? I love shallow Jazz necks and nut widths no more than 40mm. The neck is the most important thing to me. Good balance? Reliable? Stay in tune, etc.? Anyone had any problems with one? Thanks all, Nigel[/quote] I've looked at a couple of them in the Bass Merchant. I'm not sure they're what you're looking for as the necks were not particularly narrow or attractively contoured and most of them are equipped with MM style pickups. They look okay but don't stand out sonically or ergonomically IMO.

Who the hell invented musical keys, anyway? What a ridiculous concept.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1358395' date='Sep 1 2011, 08:14 AM']I'd consider this to be on the heavy side Comes in just over 15lb.[/quote] What??? 15lbs? That is absolutely appalling. I mean -what were they thinking when they made it? Sheer incompetence IMO.

Over 9lbs feels pretty heavy to me these days.

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1353122' date='Aug 26 2011, 10:15 PM']"You have to touch them on the inside." Good grief!!![/quote] yes... disgraceful.

That is nice. Don't see them that often in the UK...