Beedster

[quote name='Subfeeder' timestamp='1384163643' post='2273288'] Surely not - where would the fun be in that! [/quote] I agree in sentiment. In reality however, and putting aside the environmental vagaries of genre, room, volume etc, the variation between individual double basses means that the amplification that's perfect for one instrument is rarely perfect or good or sometimes even adequate for another. My old Rumanian sounded crap acoustically, great through my AI rig but crap through a Walkabout. My German sounded great acoustically but crap through both the AI and the Walkabout. I changed the strings on the latter from Evahs to Silver Slaps, from which point it sounded great through the AI, still sounded awful through the Walkabout, and now sounded crap acoustically. The point of sanity - unless you're a pro or an obsessive - is that you take your bass and whatever amp you have, and you work out the best way of making the two sound good together in whatever genre you play. This may involve the hell of trying new strings (which has become a lot easier since BC started the DB forum), but hopefully won't involve the worse hell of trying new PUPs and amplifiers. Yes, some amps are probably better than others, but given that some of the best DB I've ever heard was coming out of a small guitar combo, I doubt even that's a great starting place. My approach to DB amplification has been to use an amp that I also use for electric bass, for acoustic guitar and for mandolin. At least that way I don't get angry and want to sell it the moment I change DB strings and have to start again with gain, EQ etc Acoustic Image gear was very good from that point of view, and I'm currently looking at AER C

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1384124238' post='2273126'] I think there will always be compromise with amplifying a DB, its just a question of finding the best compromise that works for you and your band. [/quote] [quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1384130485' post='2273171'] Even if you have one of everything out there you'll never be able to pick the right one for every occasion or venue. [/quote] That's probably all that needs to be said about amplifying DBs.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1384026300' post='2272145'] My brother in law has a 4001, I've used it a lot. I find it very comfortable to play and can get the action crazy-low, however I can never get a sound I like from it. It's either wooly, or twangy. It doesn't seem to be able to do that right in the mix, kick-drum frequency that you get from a P bass. [/quote] Have you tried flats?

Buy a Fullerton 57 RI from the early 80s for between £1200 and £1400 on eBay. You'd be very lucky to get a contemporary CS or Bravewood anything like as good plus it will hold its value

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1383774708' post='2269087'] This old tone thing....i'm no expert but it seems that basically a 60s p bass aint that much different to a new fender (or westfield for that matter) but amps sure are, and i'm a firm believer that the amp makes the biggest difference. in my humble opinion... [/quote] Mmm, my '64 sounded about as good as it gets though a B-15 of similar vintage. Of course, all of these things are subjective, if you want crisp highs and deep lows, modern amps are better, but then you probably wouldn't be playing a vintage '64 or an MIJ '64 RI with heavy flats if you were after that tone either. If your tone is retro inspired, the old gear, or modern versions of the old gear, do the job at a fraction of the price, both now (e.g., what a '64 Precision or Ampeg B-15 is worth today) or then (e.g., what a '64 Precision or Ampeg B-15 cost new in '64). Having learned this I was able to sell a 50 year old bass, and with the proceeds buy a pretty much identical bass, a lovely DB, and to all intents an entire recording studio with a couple of grand of change. 64's are for antique collectors and traders. There's nothing they can do sonically that a new instrument can't. That doesn't change their value as rare, collectible or antique instruments one iota of course, and I'd never question that. It does however mean that folk like me five years back who think they'll find something magical in a 50 year old bass will be either deluded or disillusioned when they buy one.

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1383696478' post='2267981'] How do you get that 60's P sound in a modern P? Swap the pups and put on dead strings! *ducks* [/quote] Not so far from the truth. My '64 Precision was, when I first picked it up, without doubt the best bass I'd ever played. But I knew it was a '64, and that helps. My current and, by my standards, long standing main bass is a well played-in mid 90's MIJ '62 RI strung with La Bella Jamersons and with a Lollar PUP, and it's quite simply the equal of the '64 in every sense. One cost £8000, the other £350. IMO there's nothing an old bass can do that a new one, with some attention to detail, can't do.

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1383734268' post='2268208'] Who is out there that's doing something different to the guys above ? [/quote] You. Do your own thing, that way it's be different to the guys above. I like all of the above players but tend not to like it when I hear obvious references to them at gigs or recordings (especially in Jaco's case as it's just been done to death). Fretless bass is an instrument on which it's very easy to sound cliched because even the most left-field musician soon becomes widely copied. Just play what sounds right to you. I was once told that my fretless bass sounde like a trombone. The guy said it was a compliment, I'm not sure I took it that way, but to my mind it did at least indicate that I wasn't copying Jaco or Pino. Given the names of the two most famous proponents and innovators of fretless, perhaps you should also consider a name change to 'Jono'

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1383732037' post='2268179'] I know people who are massive prog rock fans who say Rush "isn't prog". [/quote] I guess that would answer the question Does strike me as odd that so many folks who do not otherwise listen to whatever Rush's type of music is actually called who do listen to Rush? Anyway, as you say, a bit OT.

Can anyone explain why so many people who do not like prog rock - or even rock - of any sort appear to love Rush (me for example)?

Funnily enough I was listening to a Rush compilation a mate did for me today and thinking what a great band they are. The mate in question's a folkie and I never quite understood why he's such a massive Rush fan. I found myself liking them to Jethro Tull today (!!!!), so perhaps can start to see the link? Either way, great band, and great bass playing on pretty much every track

I'd like to know who that guy is, massively overpriced, based in the UK but prices everything in US dollars. He had a couple of old Fender parts (tuners) I was after and despite many messages he never replied, which makes me suspect they're all fakes. Like you say, there's someone out there who'll buy it