Cosmo Valdemar

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1413623048' post='2580201'] Mercedes builds Mercs in China. So why not manufacture Fenders there as well. Becoming a boutique guitar builder , based in California, is not what Fender is all about. Fender's were created to be the Ford model T of the guitar world, affordable by Joe Public everywhere. [/quote] +1

I think bringing back some half decent colours to the range would be a start...

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1413574592' post='2579842'] The necks aren`t particularly deep, at least both the one I had, and Bens (Cosmo) weren`t. These are really great basses, they are probably the most aggressive sounding modern Precisions that I`ve played - they have a real snap to them. [/quote] They are definitely large necks, but still very comfortable and not clubby. If you are fine with P bass necks normally you're unlikely to have any trouble. A thing of glory, the 50s P bass neck!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1413546957' post='2579372'] Ha! Baby sick colour... I like that colour a lot, with a white/mint pickguard probably. But I'm at a red period in my life, so... [/quote] I always thought the blonde would go down lovely with a nice red tort... But mint would be lovely too.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1413540758' post='2579252'] Absolutely great basses...but from memory of my buddy's FAB bass they did not have filter based electronics. I am a little surprised you can achieve the "wah" effect. [/quote] It wahs like mad! A real squelch of a sound. It's exagerrated when you move the toggle switches. I'll try and capture it when I make a recording.

I had the 'honey blonde' (babysick) model. It looks much nicer in real life, I promise! Probably my favourite Fender Precision you can buy. I didn't get on with the pickguard, it was like fingernails on a blackboard. But that's easily changed! Oh and be aware, the neck is fairly massive. But brilliant.

Sound clips coming soon, hopefully!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1413486512' post='2578860'] No one seems to know... and the FB page of the ex L42 guy doesn't appear to say. Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone..?? So, apart from the sentimetal element, which does seems a shame, we only know that Immigration didn't let her in. A bit of a non story on those details..IMO. As someone said above..something is not quite right here. [/quote] It does seem very odd. Surely she would have gig tickets of some sort, or order confirmation, that would verify her story? That would surely make it difficult for customs/immigration to have her detained, surely?

A good friend of mine has a Broadneck 5 string, from the days when it was a standard option rather than an astronomically expensive custom shop job. It's an astounding instrument to play - it truly feels like it has been hewn from some ancient oak tree, extrememely vibrant and responsive to play, although heavy and somewhat eceentrically balanced. It sounds like a Thumb and that has proven to be a bit of a marmite thing over the years but to my mind it's an absolute classic and one I would love to own one day.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1413290937' post='2576754'] That's some serious replication going on there. I'm just not sure about the point on the bottom of the body. [/quote] That's there for a reason - Alembic originally started out modifying and repairing instruments, and one of the most common 'injuries' they saw were snapped headstocks as a result of basses basses being balanced against a wall. The point design ensures the use of a proper stand. But the tone! Seriously Ash, you would love it - huge, piano-like with a load of growl and sustain. I'm going to try and figure out how to make a little recording and upload it.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1412973811' post='2573871'] I remember trying these out on the Fernandes stand at the Frankfurt Trade Fair in the early/mid 80's & being totally blown away by them. [/quote] It does seem to be an astoundingly close replica. A couple of obvious differences I've noticed are a rosewood fretboard instead of ebony, and a standard brass nut instead of the adjustable Alembic nut. I'm amazed they got away with it!

[quote name='djaxup' timestamp='1412946222' post='2573547'] Spectors have a more aggressive, metallic vibe with an enourmous deep bass cushion if you want it. They have a glassy high end and a very recognizable throaty snarl. I know the Rebops and the Euros, and i like the Rebops better. A bit more punchy they are, less glass Superb Basses with an unmistakeable character. [/quote] Great description! Throaty snarl is very Spector.

Well, newish. I picked this up a couple of weeks ago on these hallowed pages courtesy of Ash but thanks to living in a small house with two kids under four I've only just manages to play it in anger today - through two amps and everything. Well, it sounds incredible. The whole thing runs in stereo - each pickup goes to a separate amp - so I've been using my Roland Bass Cube and a little borrowed Peavey Rage guitar amp. Despite the humble amplification it's giving off a massive sound, instant Entwistle. And, as far as my ears can tell, extremely close to the real thing. Seriously! Impeccable construction too and in remarkably good condition. Hopefully I'll manage to figure out what the controls do at some point, beyond an amusing wah effect. [URL=http://s903.photobucket.com/user/ben_merrick/media/20141005_1201381.jpg.html][IMG]http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/ben_merrick/20141005_1201381.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s903.photobucket.com/user/ben_merrick/media/20141005_1201291.jpg.html][IMG]http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/ben_merrick/20141005_1201291.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I'm still bouncing about the place, this thing sounds amazing!

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1412940703' post='2573471'] I read - on Talkbass I think - that prices would be comparable to the recent VT Bass head, so you're looking at somewhere south of £2k. [/quote] Sod that!

Wow! Definitely sounds like King's X! I assume it's 2 channel?

[quote name='artisan' timestamp='1412766164' post='2571738'] check out Thomann,they are clearing out their stocks of Pro Series Warwicks at silly prices,don't be put off by them being made in Korea,they use the same pickups/preamps & hardware as the German basses,they are superb instruments,i have 2. if you want a 4 string i would snap this up [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_ps_thumb_bo4_black_hg.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...o4_black_hg.htm[/url] [/quote] That's an amazing price! I have to say though, purely from the description of you music and style, I reckon a Spector Euro would serve you better. Growl is a description open to endless interpretation - both Spectors and Warwicks growl like mad but in very different ways. Spector's aggression seems more immediately suited to Rock/Metal to my ears and cut through the mix extremely well. Warwick's growl is a lower, more sinister grumble, like a snoozing tiger.

What a lovely looking bass!

[quote name='IzzyT2807' timestamp='1412765762' post='2571729'] If the Marshall has the "sound you've always wanted", then this should be a no brainer regardless of weight etc. use the money from the mark bass to buy some casters lol [/quote] This.