Paul S

[quote name='GBH' timestamp='1316800318' post='1383218'] I used to play for Greta and the strayshots too! Small world innit? If I remember rightly I generally used Hartke stuff back then, although I did have a Tech 2x12 cab that I replaced the drivers in,may have been that. [/quote] Small world indeed. I hadn't started playing back then but as I knew them went to a couple of their gigs. This was when Steve was playing guitar with them - your era? - plus the duo stuff a bit later. I also saw Steve with 'Last Orders' at the Essex Arms - again, must be 10 years ago. Was this your era? I have a vague memory the bassist's name was Neville. But my memory is increasingly unreliable these days. PS - our gig went down well - our first time there and the landlord reckons he'll give us four gigs a year there!

No, no locals from any 'old days' but my middle-of-the-road covers band May Contain Nuts. Yes, please do say Hi to Greta for me I should really get in touch as I want to ask them about their garden (plants are how we met, rather than music)

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1316732208' post='1382258'] How about this for a bit of single coil growl ... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_nK-g8sMdg[/media] [/quote] That's the very thing. Very pleased to say that my Fender Power Jazz Bass Special sounds 'exactly' like this - unsurprising, I suppose, as McKagan used one. But did he use one for this - anyone know? This is similar - Black Country by Black Country Communion [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkxnzUDOunc&feature=youtu.be[/media]

He'll probably know me more as a friend of Greta and Mark (Greta and the Strayshots). Haven't seen any of them for a few years now but, coincidentally, I am playing a gig at the Essex Arms this very evening!

I did something 'similar' to my Westone Thunder Jet bass, bought for £77. Like Aria basses, Westone basses are exceptionally good value for money - well made with beautiful necks. For the T-jet in particular the electrics let it down - I installed a Kent Armstrong pickup, a J. East P-Retro I bought on here second hand and a Gotoh 201 style high mass bridge (mainly because I don't like the look of the BBOT bridges). Now I have a beautifully built (and lightweight at 8lbs) bass with a gorgeous neck that also plays and sounds like a million dollars. If I get fed up with it I will break it back down, sell the upgrade bits, then return it to stock.

I currently have 6 with another one in the breach (paid for but not collected yet). The Fender Power Jazz Special is the one I usually gig with for my heavy rock covers band but at a shade under 9lbs is a little bit at the end of what I find comfortable, so I use lighter weight basses for practice. Usually the Bass Collection. I keep these detuned half a tone as that is how we play. I know it isn't exactly onerous to keep changing it but, well, you know - it is easier to pick something up that is ready to go. At the moment I am using my pimped Westone Thunder Jet for my light rock covers band gigs - with the J. East P-Retro preamp it gives a greater range of tones for the greater range of tunes we play and isn't as gritty as the Power Jazz, which is really more suited to heavier rock. This is fairly lightweight in itself but if my back is playing up I will use the Hohner cricket bat. I feel this is going to change soon as I am about to put a J. East Pre-amp (thanks again Nigel!) in my newly refurbished Fender Precision Lyte and I reckon this will be my 'go to' bass for this band. The neck is fantastic and I find it really comfy to wear so I am guessing the change of pre-amp is going to be step or 4 up! I also have my Washburn Scavenger which is too heavy for me to play for any length of time, so is probably the only one that I would say 'no I don't play it' to the OP. But I can't bring myself to sell it - it is a superb instrument in truly original condition and I would get bugger all for it. Hopefully my back will get stringer and I can play it again, I will get it out of it's case occasionally in the meanwhile. On the way is a Yamaha RBX800A. I have no firm idea why I bought this other than a moment of weakness - submitting to GAS - and curiosity to see how this supposed top end of the range mid 80s Yamaha compares against the P-Bass Lyte and the Bass Collection. We'll see.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1316689857' post='1381416'] I just sold Paul my John East U-Retro Deluxe. Paul's a great guy to deal wit, excellent and friendly comms with regular updates. This could not have been smoother. Thanks mate, I hope the East puts a massive grin on your face! Best wishes, Nigel [/quote] Thanks! As I said - this is a major kismet event going on - exactly what I needed, which couldn't be bought off the shelf, and exactly when I needed it! I've got a silly grin on my face and haven't even fitted it yet...

I bought a J. East U Retro unit from Nigel in one of the smoothest transactions I could imagine. He kept me informed the whole time and didn't even bother to wait for the money to clear in his account before sending it off. Top man. Cheers Nigel!

Good Lord - I know Steve Curtis. Damn fine player. Oh, and congrats on the curry night.

[quote name='arsenic' timestamp='1316634409' post='1380800'] No link on the site now, but exists here [url="http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/"]http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/[/url] [/quote] Ah, great, thanks.

I recently did the same thing - changed to lightweight gear. I play rock covers, went from a Trace Elliot set up with the pre-shape selected as it suited me. Sounds like that is similar to your mid-scoop arrangement. As far as the head goes I tried everything in the lightweight head ranges that were in stock at both PMT Southend and Bass Merchants in Colchester with no preconceptions other than I fancied the Orange Terror Bass. As has been said already you really need to try before you buy if at all possible - I had discounted Genz Benz, for example, as what I had read about them made me think the sound would be too 'brittle'. When I tried it I immediately knew I didn't want the OTB but I loved the Genz Benz. In the end it was a close thing between the Genz Benz and the TC Classic 450. I ended up with the Classic 450 which goes through a BF Compact. As has been mentioned - the onboard compressor and (especially) the tubetone are both handy and very useable. My fear was always that it would be a compromise, and that I wouldn't have the same sound as I got from the TE gear - wrong!! More clarity, just as much presence (more, in fact). And shifting around a 16kg rig compared to 60kg+ rig is a no-brainer.

Yup - top job. Quick question - anyone know where the Wiki is?

Well spotted that man!

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-/250895225871?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6a85540f"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-/250895225871?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6a85540f[/url] Too heavy for me but these are built like tanks and would probably clean up a treat.

But maybe I am not looking in the right place. Also, if viewing new topics is it, again, possible to mark everything as read? Like the new look, though. Very progressive!

For me the word 'vintage' is purely a measure of age not quality. I'd always assumed over 20yrs made something vintage, but wouldn't argue with 25.

Yes, not exactly the sweet spot I quite like it....

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Bass-guitar-/110745194266?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19c8ed8f1a"]Starforce bass[/url] Not much on the interweb, I wonder if anyone here has ever had one? Heavy or neck width or anything? An unusual and interesting shape, which makes a change.

Not sure how relevant it is (6 string and all) but the [url="http://www.chapmanguitars.co.uk/guitars/standard/ml1/"]Chapman ML-1[/url] guitar was designed by customers, and they chose a reverse telecaster headstock, so maybe the symmetry is better that way around?

Another endorsee here. Over the last couple of years I have changed my kit quite a bit, always had Roqsolid covers and always been pleased with the quality. Excellent service and VFM.

I use a TC Electronic Classic 450 (with a BF Compact) and am liking it very much - I preferred the slight warmth of this over the Genz Benz I tried. The on-board compressor and tubetone are extremely useable.