thodrik

I love the 25 frets idea. Now the magical high G sharp is possible! They look great for the most part in my opinion.

I wouldn't get too bogged down into model ranges, as each model ranges will have a certain dogs/gems ratio, as is the Fender way. Best bet is just to try everything that you like the look of, you will no doubt find one that feels right. I like the look of the American Special series, though a part of me thinks that is a range brought out just so Fender could hike up the price of the American Standards series.

I have never needed more than an efficient 300 watts into a 4 ohm load. I think an 8x10 should be reserved for when you are in touring band playing in big venues. But if you really want it, then go for it.

1. Gibson EB3 (experience the mud!) 2. An old Precision 3. Rickenbacker 4003 4. A Wal 5. Some kind of really expensive bass

I have one of these at home. They are pretty cool and well made enough to act as a basis for modifications.

Main bass is a Viger. Backup bass is a Squier Affinity J. I generally take both to gigs just in case something goes wrong. The Squier is simple, passive and not so valuable that I have to 'keep an eye on it' in the same way that I would need to for a more expensive bass. I also have a Sadowsky Metro, but I don't need the hassle of bringing two really expensive basses to a gig where I only really need one. The chances of something going wrong with my main bass is pretty low, but if it does, at least I have something that will probably work.

I have ordered three items from the Bass Centre and deliver has ranged from 3 days to four months, with all items being considered as 'in stock' when I ordered them. That said they did phone me regarding delays and they did eventually get everything to me in working order. They are not perfect, but I really don't think they are in the business of ripping people off. I just don't think that the website is always accurate in terms of stock.

I'm guilty of one really. Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser prompted me to buy a Gibson EB3 when I was about 16. Since then I don't think I would buy/have bought a bass on the basis of 'because X plays it). In fact it would probably prevent me out of buying it as I don't really want to be a fanboy or copycat. So many of my favourite bassists use a Rickenbacker, but it seems like it is almost a cliche in stoner rock circles so I avoid them. Also I do love Tool but I have never thought that the 'magic' of the guy's sound was the bass, but rather the player.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1168359' date='Mar 19 2011, 03:38 PM']Seeing someone great has never made me want to give up. I usually get influenced to pick the bass up and practice. I do sometimes get slightly disheartened when I see players/bands that I consider to be seriously bad, being lauded as great though.[/quote] Pretty my experience too.

The pickup controls are really cool. Why it has taken so long for Fender to go back to that design is beyond me. A cool Fender is a cool Fender. I hope this pickup design does well and at some point makes its way to non-custom shop models. I will not even ask about the price!

Its just a technique, there is nothing wrong with it really, rather the problem is with the players that feel obliged to use the technique at all possible times. I don't get the people that use slapping as a generic 'showing off in public' technique or as the only way to try out a new bass. I find I get more out of the bass playing fingerstyle to see how the bass 'breathes' and resonates when played, to me it works as a better way to try out the natural tonal characteristics of a bass. I find that it is a good technique to learn though, even if you never need to use it in the context of band. Its just good to explore different ways of playing and seeing what works for the player. So I guess I am in the middle of the 'slap is crap' debate.

I only have the Walkabout combo, but it is probably the best sounding single cab I have heard. The Powerhouse range are really good, but also really expensive and far from lightweight. So from that it is pretty understandable that they are not that popular over here. Great cabs, but I feel that it falls between two stools: too expensive to be a solid, workhouse cab; too heavy to compete with the modern lightweight boutique amps.

1978 Fender Precision.

From my experience I think that the Microbass is a lot similar in sound to the HD 350 than it is to the Fafner. I think that the EBS Valvedrive would get you a lot closer to the sound of the Fafner in pedal form. Great pedal though the microbass. In my opinion you are probably not going to get the same sound shaping capabilities and flexibilty as a full on amp as the Fafner through something like the Bass Driver, which while awesome, is really just going to give a couple of stock sounds (which are really great, but change the character of your bass a fair bit). I don't think the Bass Driver is something for those that are constantly changing settings. Its a bit of a 'plug in and go box' in my experience Try turning the 'blend' knob on the Sansamp down for starters though, so you get a more transparent sound coming through.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1153166' date='Mar 7 2011, 11:04 PM']Also despite what others are saying 35" scale is not a requirement for a good 5-string. Good neck construction IMO is far more important than scale length.[/quote] Big +1 here,

[quote name='DaveB' post='1152998' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:58 PM']Sounds like a trip to bass direct is on the cards, it's only an hour and half away. Not too keen ont he styling of those Vigiers. Thanks for all the really useful info guys, it helps just to have a make recommended as there are so many out there it's hard to know where to start.[/quote] Yeah, the Vigiers are fairly out there in terms of styling, my one has a been a bit Marmite-like with others that have tried it over the years! I'm sure with a trip to Bass Direct you will find something awesome though. Good luck!

With that amount of money i would suggest to try a few basses and see what you take a fancy to. There are any number of top notch basses that can be named, but the build quality and craftsmanship and design aren't going to mean much if the bass doesn't feel right in your hands. Bass Direct stocks a huge selection of great basses, you would probably find something great in there that works for you. For starters just go on the website and have a look at what takes your fancy. It depends where you are based obviously, but it shouldn't be too hard getting hold of a Sadowsky Metro to play. They are stocked in Guitar Guitar and a few other places such as the Gallery and I have seen a few going on this site recently. They are great basses in my opinion, though in terms of fancy neck figuring they tend to be a bit lacking. The Sadowsky preamp and bridge are just brilliant though and the construction is top notch. For a wildcard I would maybe suggest that you try a five string Vigier. But I'm biased. Also Sandberg. G & L, Musicman, Lakland are basses that just work in all situations.

Its not 'micro' amp lightweight, but for ability to give a really full, rich, 'valvey' sound the Mesa Walkabout is great. I love mine.

I want to amplify some thunder!

Tasty, looks like a cross between the Ashdown tube series and the EBS Fafner. Apart from my preference for a big old school amp to go down to 2 ohms, I can't really fault the specs. 11 lbs though? That is really really light for an amp with those specs. I'm impressed.

From your list I would say have a try of the Aguilar, as said earlier if it is anything like their other gear then you will not be let down. Plus it will match your cab, which is important to some people. Also TC Electronic have a very good reputation, as do the Little Mark series.

Personally I find that the Boss sounds great when added on top of another overdrive pedal like a Sansamp or the Aguilar Agro. It adds an extra little bit of 'fizz' to the sound. Its never going to give a creamy tube-like overdrive, but its good at what it does, though not everybody likes what it does! I have been using the Aguilar Agro pedal for a few months, it is a very good pedal. I have been using it on fairly low settings and it adds a nice little bit of 'tube grit', which is a bit less 'coloured' than the Sansamp Bass Driver. Though the lack of a clean blend would be a problem for some though I will admit. I am also big advocate of the EHX English Muff'n and the EBS Valvedrive. Great pedals though I always felt they were a big fragile for constant gigging.

I do like Jaco but I must say I think that the 'playing back pickup on a jazz bass' has been really overdone in recent years. Some people seem to have a 'back pickup brigade' mentality' implying that anybody that does not use the back pickup or love the sound of it played solo does not have any talent or appreciation for music. I find the sound to be a bit weedy myself and find it a bit strange when the burpy sound is described as a 'growl'. That said though, a lot of the back pickup fetish is down to the influence of Jaco himself. He was an amazing player, pushed the idea of the bass as a lead instrument forward and influenced many. I can't blame him for influencing what has come after much like I can't blame Pearl Jam or Alice in Chains for influencing a lot of the 'nu-grunge' bands I hate.

Playing stoner rock myself I wouldn't like to be without my Fafner! Mind you I've never had to carry about the 4x10 Proline cabs, which are a beast! Going the Sansamp route is fairly easy though, you can put them through just about anything and get 'that' tone. I would suggest though that if you are playing with loud guitarist(s) and drummer, I'm not sure one of the 'ultra' lightweight small cabs (say a 1x12) would really manage to do the job without you feeling that you have lost something from your current set up. I would think that you are still looking at a good 1x15 or 2x10. Going the PA cab route would be a lot of fun. In terms of lightweight amps I don't think you can too far wrong with the Orange amps or Markbass. I would start with the Orange though as it has a gritty sound almost build into them.