Machines

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1469010684' post='3095017'] Careful, Machines. Mine's now eight years old. Perhaps I'd better think of a change. Didn't realise I had to keep up with the plate. [/quote] Let me be mkre descriptive. A knackered old C class with scuffed alloys, mismatched wing mirrors and hasn't been washed for years.

This is quite affordable: [url="http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail.php?year=2016&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=57&data_id=63&color=CL01"]http://www.ibanez.co...d=63&color=CL01[/url] [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses/pid43253/cid682/ibanez-agbv205atcl-agb-artcore-vintage-5-string-bass-distressed.asp"]http://www.andertons...-distressed.asp[/url]

I like seeing rare and obviously expensive number plates driving around on 12 year old a Merc C class.

It's all about brand name and kudos (like most of the music industry then). Peavey have to my mind, never been cool, despite putting out some very good instruments (T-40, i'm looking at you). They lack any well known endorsers and never seem to put anything out massively original or inspiring, generally safe/beginners gear. However, the US stuff is top notch but I think people just see the name and go "oh, nevermind". Personally I find the US stuff to look too much like the cheap range (or is it the other way round ?) and they lack any instrument that really stands out as their flagship. I think Cort have been in the same boat until recently with the Jeff Berlin models which are very original and seem to sell well.

Much of this is assuming that all bassists limit their operations to the criteria of a normal 4 piece band, or even play in a band at all. Some of us are bedroom dwellers and just like to play with our knobs.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1468586638' post='3091964'] I wish they still made the 4 string version! [/quote] I always thought it looked a bit odd as a 4 string. Like the body was too big and it was meant to be a 5/6. Same goes for the Yamaha TRB

Just one they made, but it's easier to hit a pedal than walk back to the amp. I include this one on my 'basic' patch along with a compressor and mild overdrive.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1468581040' post='3091905'] PMT seem to be doing very well, but please sort the website! EDIT - It is better than it used to be! [/quote] But it's still crap in comparison to other big companies. It probably looked great when the directors signed it off but it's terrible as an end user. I think GuitarGuitar has the best site around in the UK, Thomann if you include Europe.

[quote name='adamg67' timestamp='1468514352' post='3091511'] That looks really nice. I know how much I like my old BTB456, so I can imagine the new premium ones are just awesome. You get used to the big wide fretboard really quickly, and it helps you to keep your left hand nice and flat when you're playing as well. I've got two Ibanez basses now (the BTB and an ATK300), and I'm after an SRC6 and a RGIB6 as well. For factory made instruments I think they they are the dogs. [/quote] Yes I had a 6 string before but because I didn't use it enough and I never really molded to it. I played it for an hour last night and then played my Cort 5 string afterwards, it felt very easy. I picked up my Precision after and it felt like a toy (only 4 strings, tut).

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1468507821' post='3091436'] The down-side of buying used is that at all the instruments you buy are those that someone, at some stage has rejected it. So, they are all, to some degree, someone else's mistake. Al lot of us do OK with those though. [/quote] Not necessarily, some people are forced to sell their prized instruments due to financial requirements.

I think what you want to use it for is a big factor. If you play in a rock covers band in pubs, a Squier Precision or Jazz will be more than capable and likely never break, nor sound bad. If you want something more than a tool, such as aesthetics like rare woods etc - it costs more but may not produce different results. The BTB1606 I bought I could have got the same pickups in a similar bass by the same manufacturer that was £400 cheaper (and probably sounded almost the same), but I wanted the neck-through construction as well as fancier appearance. I always make sure I am getting something for that money other than prestige, which may explain why I got for far east made instruments that are very good spec over US stuff that is mostly brand name leading the price.

[quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1468352236' post='3090389'] Lovely looking thing that. (The bass, the bass) How many reading this thread are thinking the same as me, in as much as that bass with the duff pickup went right back on display the minute you walked out of that shop? [/quote] Lol it didn't as it disappeared from the website as stock for that store . Seriously this is a top notch piece of kit. If it were made in the US or UK it could demand over £2000. The premium fret edges are so smooth and the whole thing just feels classy. The last time I played something like this was an Overwater I had for a while.

It is AMAZING. Apart drom the obvious stunning appearance it backs it up with superb clarity of sound from the Nordstrand pickups and the EQ is very practical. I still need to reprogram my hands to work on a 6 string but i am sure they will get lots of practise. [Img]http://i.imgur.com/WWPzD0oh.jpg" class="ipsImage" />

So even though i'm at work and it's being delivered to home, waiting for delivery sucks.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1468251010' post='3089573'] very nice, the ibanez premiums are alot of bass for your money, though the BTB is going to sound similar to the SR1605 as it has the same pickups and pre amp but i think they sound nice and growly [/quote] I figured I wanted something totally different to what I have (which is Fender/Musicman sounds) and something more suited to home playing (than covers bands) and that I might even record those songs in my head with (which are very soloesque).

Ok firstly I lied - it's coming tomorrow. However I must express my excitement. It all started with a trip to GuitarGuitar in Birmingham a week ago. There were several nice Ibanez's I was interested in trying to see if there was anything that could tempt me. My first focus was an SR1605 with a stunning figured top and Nordstrand pickups. It looked great but I didn't really gel with the feel of it and the sound I was unsure of (as most of my basses are 'classically' toned). I then tried the SRSC805 'Cerro' - this felt lovely but a major issue appeared - the bridge pickup didn't work ! I pointed it out to the front desk and they took it off display straight away for return to the distributor, offering to get me another one from stock as they had more elsewhere. I advised I wasn't buying that day, but would bear it in mind. I left slightly disappointed at the fault, but wouldn't have bought that day regardless. In the last week I have done a lot of research and thought, and decided a 5 string would not add much to what I have already, so am going to go for a six (I've had 2 before, but they weren't great). GG had some great looking Ibanez Premiums on their website both in stock and on order, so I emailed them to put a deposit on an SR1406 they had on the site. "Sorry, we can't get hold of that" (despite the website saying they had it on preorder). They then sent me a link of what I COULD have. I asked for the BTB1606 on that link, "sorry that's obsolete we can't get that either". Why are you doing this to me ?! I then out of frustration looked for the same model elsewhere, it was on Thomann £80 cheaper, of Rich Tone for the same price as GG. I placed the order on RichTone today and am expecting delivery tomorrow. GG apologised and claimed I was 'doubly unlucky' to have encountered this issue, but along with the broken pickup (which I saw as their fault for not checking it before it went on display) I felt quite offput by the whole experience. I do believe this was the last one in stock in the UK (in this colour).

Zombie thread revival. I have fell off the wagon and am currently seriously considering the purchase of an Ibanez BTB1605. JUST LOOK AT IT !

My 2005 MIM is excellent.

You'll be selling it soon . EDIT: Let me tell you why. You don't know what you want and when you get something that is very good, you don't find satisfaction as you are not qualified enough to know. I say this from experience, as I have done the same thing of going through lots of expensive and high end basses and never being happy for long. My solution to this was to stop searching for 'the one' and realise there isn't such a thing. No one bass can do everything, and going for several varied (and even possibly cheaper) instruments is likely to help satisfy your daily whims and alleviate boredom of having just one expensive instrument.

Learning some stuff without tabs is an utter nightmare. It's OK if you have the time and determination, but who does ? Today's digital society doesn't wait for things, if it's available online i'll use that. I have both Songster and GuitarTapp on my phone (Android) and they are invaluable in learning common songs quickly for upcoming auditions or rehearsals in an efficient and visual manner.

Some roots notes I know by ear (E/G especially) but when i've worked that out, it's all about intervals. Some are easy to recognise such as fifths and octaves, but minor thirds stick out a mile to me. The more you learn also the more you will know by ear, as some songs may have similar patterns in different keys, and you just need to start in the right place. For example - the first time I heard Tom Petty - Breakdown I knew the bassline before I was near a bass.

They're totally different instruments - you need to know what you actually want first, but you can try both at BassDirect anyway so asking us for opinions won't help you.

I think the most reliable thing you can do is drive there in a van. It would be a massive risk assuming someone else can supply equipment and so many things can go wrong. If it's paying well then it could be an exciting road trip ! If not, i'd be inclined to wonder if it was worth the hassle.

Thread revival - I tried one in GuitarGuitar yesterday. It felt lovely, a lot more comfortable than most SR's i've tried and the string spacing wider. The only let down was the bridge pickup being out of action - I assume a simple loose wire but poor show from the shop for not testing it on arrival. That said, it sounded great on the bridge pickup and agreed - alot more old school than expected. I am considering one.

I probably do about 1.5 hours a week in 2 nights. Other than that I may pick one up for 30 seconds when passing but that might be it. If i have stuff to learn for a band this increases significantly.