leroydiamond

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1400575141' post='2454990'] That is quite a decent policy! Is it really only 15 euros to drop a bass off with a post office/similar?! [/quote] I have never purchased a guitar, but I recently returned a micro amp and it cost 15 euro. They simply asked me to fill out a return slip and leave the item at my local post office. Not sure what the price of returning a guitar is. Be warned though, the item needs to be in pristine condition. The slightest mark anywhere on the casing, means that Thomann will refuse the return

Well done to Gillan for sticking with it over the years, but I have no interest in seeing them , as the material with Morse (other than 'Perpendicular') is no where as strong as that recorded by MK11 and MK111 Purple IMO. I have seen them with Morse a couple of times and well.............enough said Gillan obviously is not the singer he was back in the day, but it was for those trademark high notes that he could hit with power and ease, that he was most noted for and all that is long gone, as is the golden throated tone he displayed in his performance. By all accounts Gillan is a bit of a party hound, an well he is entitled to be (he has a kindred spirit here). Yea he might have looked after his voice better, but c'est la vie, and when I listen to his current offerings, I sometimes think it is a pity Purple have not packed it in years ago. However they seem to really enjoy themselves when performing, they command big crowds, so hey what do they care what I think. So fair play to them, but onwards and upwards is not the journey they are on IMO.

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1400538832' post='2454874'] Blackmore is the f***in Man! True genius! I like that he's a stroppy arrogant awkward bastard. Geniuses should be! [/quote] Nailed it

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1400537783' post='2454862'] This thread is dangerous. It makes me want to buy things. [/quote] Totally. I have purchased stuff from Thomann just for the hell of it, used it for 3 weeks and then returned it and never a hitch. However in my case their no quibble return policy works as I have hung on to 90% of the gear I have purchased from them.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1400537435' post='2454856'] Call me an old fart (which many people have!), but I totally agree. :-) [/quote] Welcome to the old farts club then

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1400534810' post='2454822'] I've always thought that Blackmore is criminally overlooked when people talk about the Great British Guitar Players. [/quote] Not with the guys I hang with. We put him right up there and a couple of well respected musicians I know reckon he was the greatest of all time. would love to see him back rocking out with a strat I remember years ago reading an interview with the modest Yngwie Malmsteen, where he reckoned he could outplay any guitarist past or present, other than Blackmore

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1400534146' post='2454813'] I absolutely love Purple. One of the first bands i mega got into. Funnily enough though non of the bass players have influenced me. It was more the overall musicality of it with Lord vs Blackmore at the centre. Plus paicey smashing it. [/quote] Quite recently a fellow musician asked me what bass players influenced me and I was making that exact point. I was influenced by great songs performed by great bands, not by individual musicians. Back in the day the likes of Purple and Zep were turning out an album every year or less and there are so many great moments in there. FFS, Led Zeppelin 1 was recorded and mixed in 36 hours! 'Made in Japan' was recorded at a cost of $3000 with no overdubs. It is a great live recording of one of rocks great bands, performing fabulous songs IMO. Interestingly those old vinyl recordings sound so much better sonically IMO, than the some of the more recent stuff out there which is mastered in such a way that dynamics are lost.

Deep Purple's 'Made in Japan' (on vinyl of course). Sonic heaven

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1400532957' post='2454785'] I know where you are coming from but not sure that I totally agree - I really liked the DP album with Tommy Bolin... [/quote] yea 'Come Taste the Band' with Bolin on board is a real knock out record. Unfortunately Bolin did not make it long enough to truly put his stamp on Purple so we will never know what might have been. Blackmore's approach to playing was quite ahead of his time. He had an instantly recognisable signature tone and many of the riffs he came up with are part of rocks master pieces IMO. He really shines through when he is backing the band with his rhythm playing (Listen to his playing during Lord's keyboard solo's on 'Made in Japan'). He really had the 'Guitar God' look, which kind of makes a difference. Morse is a virtuoso, but to me he sounds like a whole lot of other guitar players of that genre.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1400527847' post='2454715'] +1. Purple without Lord & Blackmore directing proceedings isn't Purple IMO. Don Airey was the obvious (& only?) choice to replace JL, & Morse is without doubt a cracking player, with none of RB's 'guitardist' failings... but the chemistry isn't there. [/quote] Pretty much, though I was quite impressed with 'Purpendicilar', Morse's first album with Purple, though it really has been down hill from there. For m,e Blackmore was really unique, a total one off. Without him, Purple have never reached the dizzy heights that made them a truly great band.

[quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1400530232' post='2454754'] Call or mail Thomann and they'll tell you how much it will cost to return it - they'll then deduct it from your refund. Here are the options I had for returning a small bass combo last July: [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]1)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Musikhaus Thomann organises a return with your [b]local post[/b]. You would simply be required to drop the parcel off at your local post office (with the return label you will receive from us once you confirmed this option) and 15 EUR per parcel would be deducted from your credit note for this service.[/font][/size] [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]2)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Musikhaus Thomann organises a [b]UPS collection[/b]. 30 EUR per parcel would be deducted from your credit note for this service.[/font][/size] [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]3)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]You organise a [b]return yourself to Musikhaus Thomann.[/b][/font][/size] [/quote][quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1400530232' post='2454754'] Call or mail Thomann and they'll tell you how much it will cost to return it - they'll then deduct it from your refund. Here are the options I had for returning a small bass combo last July: [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]1)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Musikhaus Thomann organises a return with your [b]local post[/b]. You would simply be required to drop the parcel off at your local post office (with the return label you will receive from us once you confirmed this option) and 15 EUR per parcel would be deducted from your credit note for this service.[/font][/size] [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]2)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Musikhaus Thomann organises a [b]UPS collection[/b]. 30 EUR per parcel would be deducted from your credit note for this service.[/font][/size] [size=3][font=Arial, sans-serif]3)[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]You organise a [b]return yourself to Musikhaus Thomann.[/b][/font][/size] [/quote] Hard to argue with those options

not a huge fan, but the Tone of Mark king with the Jaydee was terrific.

As far as i know, Thomann provide a very competitive rate for customers who want to return items. Email or phone them for any information you need to know regarding returns

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1400496705' post='2454309'] Still in good nick for 52, not heard any of most recent album though, apparently more of a return to country roots. [/quote] 52! WWWoooWW!

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1400495539' post='2454294'] Though Gillan was probably a bit past his prime by '84 he was also suffering with a very heavy cold for the gig that was filmed and subsequently released as 'Perfect Strangers' DVD. It was doing the rounds as a bootleg for years before. I think it was touch and go if the gig would go ahead at all at one point. [/quote] Yep I knew the circumstances around this show. I was so looking forward to seeing the 'Perfect Strangers' vid, as I have been a life long Purple nut. What a disappointment. Best if had not been released IMO.

[quote name='jgmh315' timestamp='1400476086' post='2454126'] That's more like it. I watched the Perfect Strangers vid yesterday. [/quote] Really disappointed with that Vid, Attended their Knebworth gig a few months after that vid was shot and they were in top form. However on that Vid, Gillan just struggles throughout IMO. His performance on 'Child in Time' is pitiful.The band just go through the motions , as no doubt Gillans offerings are impacting on the band's ability to deliver. Yep I deposited that vid into the bargain bin of my local charity shop. In his prime though Gillan was pure majesty. Easily my favourite Rock vocalist of all time

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1400473234' post='2454123'] Indeed. This might make up for it though: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AL73LYo64A"]https://www.youtube....h?v=3AL73LYo64A[/url] . [/quote] Doesn't get much better does it. Terrific stuff. Really miss Blackmore wielding a strat.

Not alway[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1400458161' post='2454109'] Agree with this 100%, and with Dingus's post above. A case in point is my MTD Kingston AG5 - insanely great bass for 1/3 of the price of a US model. I couldn't give a toss that it is made in a factory in China rather than in Mr Tobias's log cabin in a forest in upstate New York - it plays and sounds brilliant. [/quote] Not always true when looking at budget models of the U.S. version. Case in point being Lakland Skyline 55-02 and the U.S. built version, the 55-94. I had the pleasure of an A/B with these babies and The U.S. bass was in a different league. perfectly balanced, resonant and finished beautifully. Everything the 55-02 was not. On the other hand the Sadowsky metro series is right up there with their U.S. counterparts, provided you do not require a chambered body. The issue here though, is that for the price of a metro, you could lay your hands on a 'high end' bass (Whatever that is ). The prices of Sadowsky U.S. models on this side of the pond, are gone through the roof in recent years, but can make for a good used buy.

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1400440541' post='2453909'] I think it's quite amazing what's on record 70-75 - the drumming especially. Really free...just a shame bands don't play like it now. Saying that, I bought 'The House Of Blue Light' when it came out, and they didn't play like it then either! [/quote]

"Made in Japan" is an astoundingly good listen and I love "Burn" with Glen Hughes on board making it it funky. Purple are one of my all time favourites. However every dog has its day [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnSRt6HYt8k"]https://www.youtube....h?v=XnSRt6HYt8k[/url]

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1399980629' post='2449515'] Really not understanding the resentment towards people owning expensive instruments. I figure if someone can afford something and they want it then why not. [/quote] +1. I am 50 plus, a weekend warrior and own one high end bass that I purchased several years ago, when I had extra cash lying around and a s**t load of gigs in the diary. However this was far from a luxury purchase, as I needed to acquire a really light weight bass due to shoulder/ back problems. The standard off the shelf Fenders are way too heavy for me, so I went for high end and am well pleased. It has paid for itself several times over, help put food on the table and saved me a fortune on physio. A real plus here is that I have a bass playing friend who has offered to buy the bass off me, should I ever want to sell it, for what I paid for it. (not that I can see that ever happening, but nice to know that I can recoup 100% of my investment if ever it suits me). I have no difficulty seeing a pro using a Squire jazz (excellent value by the way) if that's what suits, but likewise I think it is unjustified that anyone would be critical of my my decision to go high end. .

Have put a few basses through my hands, but one of the finest basses I have played is the Jaydee Roadie Active. Hand made in the U.K. by John Diggins. Excellent craftsmanship, top class materials and great tone. For me this is high end, and it retails for £1255!. Many of these high end basses are manufactured in the U.S. and though they might represent good value stateside, on this side of the pond they can work out very expensive.

pm'd

I saw him down my local pub at a warm up gig for his Zooma tour many years ago. He was no more than 25 feet away at any one time. A fantastic gig. At the end of the night the roadies rolled in this absolutely huge flight case with Led Zeppelin and the 4 symbols scrolled across the side. Being an absolute Zep nut, I was gobsmacked (sad I know). The guy that promoted the gig told me that JPJ was incredibly nervous, as it was the first ever gig that he had headlined under his own name. By all reports a real gentleman as well. It was a fantastic night. I will never forget standing beside the keyboards as JPJ played the intro to " No Quarter". Still gives me goose bumps.