Paul S

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1159218' date='Mar 12 2011, 12:45 PM']Just so's y'all know, I'll be bidding on this one.[/quote] So - who won?

There you go - that'll teach me to make assumptions. I always thought Ibanez and Yamaha were MIJ. So SGC Nanyo Bass Collection seem to be ahead on points?

I recently got hold of an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB-310 and I have to say I am getting quite fond if it. I notice that the Ibanez SR500 has a lot of fans here - superficially it seems to do much the same kind of thing. Also the Yamaha RBX374 seems similar. All are MIJ, lightweight, skinny neck, double pick up and active. Pretty well the same shape, too. Are they all much the same? Or does one stand out in terms of build quality or in any particular department. Or are there similar but better models to be had? (I know of the SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB-320, for example) Do any hold their value better than the others? I know the Bass Collection stuff doesn't seem to and hence are bargains!

I'm watching this one, too. Looks like an absolute beauty - top end of the range, or nearly. Since getting mine a month back I am almost evangelical about these!

+1 for OBBM. I wouldn't go anywhere else now - top value for money and superb service.

I had one for a while as a part of my steep learning curve/total immersion into bass playing. Probably the most useful thing I did, once I got used to the initial fretting bit, was take it along to band rehearsal and use it for everything. Not just play along at home to famous fretless tracks. Treat it like a normal bass, in other words. After a few tracks I almost forgot I was using a fretless and it seemed to come more naturally. I decided, in haste, that I would never actually use one in the context of my two rock bands so sold it on - and regretted it enough to consider getting another one.

What can I say? I put out a plea for a low B string and Gary came to my rescue - unsolicited, he sent me 2(!) strings and declined anything in return. A true gent and the kind of person that makes Basschat the special community that it is.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1152283' date='Mar 7 2011, 10:28 AM']I struggle to get past the idea that playing other people's stuff the way they played it is just pretending - one step up from a tennis racquet in front of the mirror. Tribute bands are just like taking the tennis racquet out in public - [/quote] Am I mistaken here Bilbo - I thought you played some kind of Latin American music covers?

Pics are obligatory at this point

[quote name='Norm' post='1151390' date='Mar 6 2011, 12:40 PM']James Gang with a pre-eagles Joe Walsh on guitar, ace![/quote] Turn to Stone with that hyperdirty bass? Great treack.

Yes, what a great way of filling time. I do the same on Spotify - listen to a track, click on the band name that then brings up the top 5 tracks and a (fairly) comprehensive discography. It also suggests similar bands in the top corner - I click on those if I am unfamiliar with them.

My post was not clear - I was talking about Kent Armstrong, not Mustang. You can get Kent Armstrong pups [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/Hot_P_Bass_Pickup_Ceramic_Magnets_PBO-1"]from here[/url] in England.

I put some of these in my Washburn Scavenger bass and the difference to the stock pups was marked. Much brighter and 'growlier' when pushed. I haven't ever fitted any other types to anything but these do the job for not a lot of money.

Thanks for that. Unfortunately that doesn't work for me as there was no formatted SD card with mine when I got it and I downloaded the Handyshare software to my pc. In effect I have nothing to add the file to.

These are known for poor performance in low light situations but my last recording was particularly bad - un-useable as is. Does anyone know of any editing software that can adjust the picture to improve this? I tried using the 'brighten' bit of Windows Movie Maker but is just bleached the whole thing.

Just to be awkward and offer an alternative opinion here I actually sought out and bought an 18" cabinet a few months ago (Trace Elliot) as nothing came close to the sound I heard (and felt) when I hired one at a rehearsal studio. I love it. Weighs a ton, do I care? No? Is it 'fashionable?' No. Will people point and stare? I doubt it. Well, not unless they are Basschatters. But it makes the walls rumble and for my good old fashioned heavy rock covers band it is just the ticket. And I am 53 with a bad back - not because of this new cab, I hasten to add.

Gotcha - thanks for that, makes it much clearer. I haven't gigged it as is yet - first time will be on 19th so it will be interesting to see how it sounds then but I can see an upgrade waiting to happen.

Thanks Pete. If (when?) I do it I'll get my usual tech guy to do all that routy/ wiry stuff. I am a numpty and he doesn't charge much so it gives me peace of mind. More questions - are the stacked knobs great big things or are they reasonable size? Any advantage of the 3 band over the 2 band, do you know (other than the obvious extra control over the mids)? Sorry to be a nuisance but this has caught my interest

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1144131' date='Feb 28 2011, 07:31 AM']20.5cm/8" And a liking for Precision necks.[/quote] Same size, prefer jazz necks. How about span - tip of thumb to tip of little finger when fretting hand is splayed open? 25cm, while I had the ruler out (I was going to say pinky but feared the replies)

And another Essex hello. Where do you rehearse and gig?

Daft question time - is it a straight fit? Presumably it is the model with the stacked knobs?

[quote name='pete.young' post='1143174' date='Feb 27 2011, 11:56 AM']I put an Artec 3-band pre-amp into my SB465, mostly because the blend pot on the old setup wasn't working properly. It's a big improvement on the standard electronics, probably the best budget fix you can do without upgrading the pickups and probably worth doing even if you did a pickup change.[/quote] Thanks Pete. As you say - it doesn't look expensive. At the moment everything seems to work just fine but if I can improve on it for a small outlay then it is tempting.

Hi Paulo Madeira is my idea of paradise - I keep visiting for holidays, staying in Funchal, and am trying to work out ways to retire there! Whereabouts on the island do you live?

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1142905' date='Feb 26 2011, 11:35 PM']I didn't, I bought a 330 which has the soapbars and an active/passive switch and just run it passive! But if I was going to upgrade the 310 I'd go for EMGs and make it growl![/quote] Ta.

If it were my £300 I'd be keeping an eye out for a high end model SGC Nanyo Bass Collection like a SB-320. I may still have my rose tinted specs on but I very recently bought an SB-310 for £180 and, for the money, it is an unbelievably sophisticated and well built bass guitar. The best value for money I have had on bass gear - for some reason they just don't hold their value. If an SB-320 comes along in the right colour/condition etc I'd seriously consider changing my Fender Jaguar for it. And I'd probably get change from my £300, too.