GreeneKing

[quote]custom esoteric instruments[/quote] The point I was trying to make is that this is a real world instrument at a real world price. It's going to be used.

I collected my ACG Harlot from Alan in Moffat today. It’s my 2nd Harlot, my 1st being a 5 string. I’m a late starter into the world of playing bass and a 4 string makes life easier for me and it does all I need and more besides. I tried playing a 5 but it didn't work out. I love the type S single cut style of the Harlot and carried it over to the 4. This is the 1st single cut 4 that Alan has created. Zigmondo now owns the 5. I’d 1st like to stress that Alan’s creations are 1st and foremost working tools (I know that Alan would agree here), instruments for the creation of the low end. These basses are designed 1st and foremost to be used. Design wise he dares to be different and if you ask him to make you a Jazz he’s likely to point you back in the direction from which you came. I personally love the flowing lines and perfect balance that both my ACG’s have had. I also like to be a bit different. I’m not a disciple of the ‘tone wood’ gospel and I think that bass/amp/string etc. manufacture has more than its fair share of b*llshit in a b*llshit laden world. I do think you have a choice, use any functional wood and paint it or use something that has its own unique ascetics, lacquer it and celebrate its beauty. I don’t understand any of this ‘coffee table’ comment crap either, each to their own (I have both and appreciate them all), this bass is a ergonomic delight being tiny and light, has a superbly comfortable asymmetric neck and just about the lowest action I’ve ever experienced. Alan carefully chooses his pickups that are made entirely to his specification with magnet type and windings to suit positions on the instrument and to complement his double low pass filter pre amp. This is another example of Alan’s commitment to instruments that provide a huge variety of real world tones. The tonal range is so wide that these basses can’t imo be categorised in terms of tone at all. So having stressed the fact that ACG’s are not simply exotic wood artefacts but are remarkable musical instruments that celebrate a natural phenomenon in a quite unique way and that having a say in the crafting of such an instrument is a real pleasure here’s some photos of my new bass. I can’t wait to let it loose in anger. Peter

You certainly can. I'm just checking out the obvious 1st. Good shout! Peter

Alan I am sooo much looking forward to the new set list. Peter

I think 'Lizzy' captured the very essence of simple 'Rock'. Phil was an absolutely brilliant charismatic 'front man' who had enormous stage presence and it was all backed up by some serious talent and well crafted, very engaging songs. When I saw them the 1st time, many years ago (over 30?) they were very late coming on stage and the punters had become bored by anticipation as roadies had been onto the darkened stage every 10 minutes or so raising expectations. Amidst a general 'pissed off' attitude the stage exploded into life with fireworks and immense riffage. The seats in Portsmouth Guildhall started vibrating alarmingly and this continued for the whole wonderful gig. I sometimes reflect on my high tone deafness but looking back on gigs like that it really was worth it. Pedro

I will be meeting up with a couple of bass playing Gents, visiting the 'Master from Moffat' and picking up my new ACG Harlot. I'm surprisingly more excited that the 1st time. Photographs will inevitably follow so be warned. Pedro

I've tried all the settings and I'm 99% sure it's got a fault. By the time I transport it to a tech and get it repaired I suspect it's cheaper to replace it. GAK are doing the Peavey Max 112 for £125 delivered and it has a CD/MP3 input and may cope with low volume band practice. I don't need all the FX either. Peavey are usually ultra reliable too. Peter

Cheers Steve and if you're ever passing through Kendal there's a cuppa and loadsa basses.

I just wondered if I'm missing something obvious here. I've had a Roland Cube 30 for a few years now and it's been a great little practice amp with aux input for the Tascam MP3 and headphone socket. I noticed that the lower strings were sounding a bit 'warbly' through it the other day and suspecting the bass battery tried 3 different basses all of which were the same. I've made sure none of the 'models' are on and that the FX knobs are zero'd. I've tried new leads, removing the Peterson tuner from the i/p, EQ is flat, compressor is off, I've removed the Tascam and even tried it on headphones but the 'warble' remains. It's really bad/unuseable through headphones. Any ideas? Maybe it's just knackered. Where's that thread re Line 6 practice amps again? I'd use my rig but no headphones and 500W might make annoy my neighbours in the flats a little. Am I missing anything obvious? Peter

I didn't fully appreciate the Sadowsky at the time Steve. I'd love to try one again now

[quote]Not sure his father in law was ever as enthusiastic about him as most of us on here![/quote] If he treated my daughter as badly as he evidently treated his I'm not sure I'd be a fan either

Al Have a word with Alan at ACG. He may be able to help. Peter

I saw them in both the Johnny the Fox and the Jailbreak tours. Absolutely blew me away. I've a photo of the man here: Taken in the week it was unveiled. Shame it wasn't the real thing.

One of these was my 1st bass. I keep looking for another too.

And that Sir is one very fine bass. [quote]vintigalate[/quote] Now that's a word to wrestle with I tend to use either the Spector or my Warmoth Darkstar/ACG. There's a huge contrast that the Spector has only served to excentuate but then again the Warmoth is hardly mid spectrum.

It surely is Sean. These are such playable basses. Sure there is some music that they aren't perhaps best at complementing but for all round modern cutting through tones they are brilliant. Mine feels like a third hand already. Peter

I have seen it before John but it's immense. The comb over and 50's attire are just so incongruent with the slappin' I bet Reg fired him cause he stole the limelight.

They had a couple in the BassMerchant in Colchester. One, a NT looked particularly nice and the price was really good too.

[quote]Do you want me to track David Heap down.....[/quote] Dave is an old friend of mine and I'll try getting hold of him