Sibob

But every custom builder has Standard models that you add 'options' to. The way Bilbo's thread reads, he's lumping Alleva's & Wals into the same category as Fenders & Gibsons because they use standard parts and construction!?. Which begs the question...what is a custom?.....apparently it's a builder who doesn't offer any standard models!? Si

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='625139' date='Oct 13 2009, 04:03 PM']Says who? [/quote] Well who says that a hand-built Wal is worth £2000? or £3200 now lol. For some it's aesthetics, for some it's a status thing (brand etc), for some it's to solve a technical problem (Macdaddy's Shuker), for some it's literally being involved from start to finish with something that is very personal and an item they spend a lot of time with. Why did you order a Wal? Si

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='625113' date='Oct 13 2009, 03:41 PM']My actual belief is that many people who go for custom instruments do so, at least subconsiously, for vanity reasons, for some sense that, by having a custom instrument they are, in some way, superior. Or is it because they believe that the gold plated widget with their name on will make them play better? I am not sure but I don't hear many 'pre' and 'post-custom' changes in sound. Steve Swallow always sounds like Steve Swallow. Jeff Berlin always sounds like Jeff Berlin, whatever custom instrument they play. Its all a bit odd if you ask me (whcih you didn't so, please, forgive me).[/quote] So why don't you play a Squier Custom Vibe?? Apparently they're quite good! Si

Yeah I hear what you're saying. Although I'm not really one for changing EQ for specific songs, I tend to just move my hands around the bass to get different tones, and my passive Fenders have never left me wanting. This is more about wanting a new jazz bass, and not discounting Actives for the sake of it! . But even so, I still like simplicity, you're not going to catch me playing a J-retro anytime soon haha Si

Haha, thanks guys! Yeah I really liked the Metro I tried in the shop, but we all know that gigs are different kettles of fish A lot of people say that Sads really come alive in the mix, but I'm also a bit of an anti-active bass guy haha, so wanna see if I get get friendly with the preamp live as well. Si

Well I suppose explain that to Dawsons!? Or have TNT pick it up from work? Apologies if all this has been considered lol Si

I absolutely understand where you are coming from! But would you give someone a refund without having first received the goods back? At least you can be sure of the refund because the balls-up has been their fault, but to be honest, you're going to get the refund quicker if you just comply. I suppose all this depends on whether this is a matter of wrong item/shop screw-up or principal to you. The former is my way, the latter is your way.......but which is quicker Si

Cheers Jack lol Yus, I'm very careful and loving with basses Si

Further to my thread reviewing a few basses I tried at The Gallery, I'm becoming increasingly interested in Sadowsky's. I tried and was very impressed by a Metro, and am hankering to try one at a gig, as we all know it varies greatly to shop/bedroom sound! Is anyone up for a little trip to one of my gigs, I'll buy you a couple of drinks, and I'll playing you're bass very carefully? lol Long shot, but worth a go! Cheers all Si p.s. Also one gig booked in Reading if that's workable

I wouldn't worry about one persons feedback too much, when it becomes consistant that's when you should take notice. A few years ago when I was doing a few Center Parc's gigs, one of the managers of the venue we were playing came in to watch us sound check, but couldn't be seen anywhere at the, as per normal, high quality show an hour later. Next morning we had the agent on the phone saying that the manager had complained because we weren't dressed properly and kept stopping in the middle of songs. Retard! lol Si

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='623749' date='Oct 12 2009, 09:13 AM']I love jazz basses, and don't think I'll play anything else now after all these years of trying other stuff.[/quote] I'm with you on that! Looking forward to seeing this unfold! Si

[quote name='JTUK' post='622817' date='Oct 11 2009, 12:16 AM']what is the form here... do you go to these places and tell them you are going to review their stock..or ask them..? We all talk about genral stuff and what we like etc, but I just thought this was too specific.. unless with permission.. Just wondering...[/quote] I think it's important to realise my little reviews were a 'testing hour for personal pleasure' and not in-depth analysis likely to sway or have vast influence on popular opinion I don't think the gallery would mind at all me posting my thoughts, simply because they themselves know that everything is purely subjective. If you base your purchasing choices on my opinions, that's your problem, not mine lol. With regards to the Sei 6 string, I would probably say Yes, it is worth the pricetag for the craftsmanship alone, the sheer amount of wood that you're getting is staggering lol. But in my humble opinion, the pickups and pre were greatly underpowered and very very polite. If I had a bass that looked like that, I'd want to be making a much bigger sonic statement as well, otherwise you might as well just get a Squier and whack some barts and a pre in it . Get some more lively and inspiring 'leccys in there and it will be a stunning bass in the right hands! Si

Just got in from my gig! Cheers for having me, very well organised by all you guys Got a lot from Jakes talk as well, which is nice! Hopefully see you next year! Si

[quote name='Captain Bassman' post='622261' date='Oct 10 2009, 09:11 AM']Damn, b*gger, sod it!!! Got a last minute call-up for a dep gig tonite so I can't come now! S'pose I should be happy to be out gigging but I was really looking forward to the bash and meeting all you guys. I missed last year's bash cos of a gig too. This damn hobby of mine keeps getting in the way of Bass Bashes!!! Anyway, sorry I can't be there but hope you all have a great day. See y'all next year! CB[/quote] Pooooo Was gonna be all over your Sadowsky! See you all in a few hours Si

[quote name='jakesbass' post='621845' date='Oct 9 2009, 05:30 PM']Hi Guys, just a quick request to anyone coming to my workshop, it would be handy for the purposes of demonstration if you could bring a random piece of music (cd or summat) as I would like to play for you guys a piece that I've never heard before in order to demonstrate the importance of ear training. Obviously the chances are that I will have heard some of the things that you may bring but I'll be honest and if I've never played said track before I should be able to show you how quickly a well trained pair of ears can analyse a piece. Cheers in advance. Jake[/quote] Oooo, this could turn into "Beat Jake's ears" lol I think I'm able to come to the bash now! I'll be going straight to a gig afterwards, so won't have my amps with me (still in van from tonight's gig), but will be bringing my 2003 US Jazz, 1973 Jazz & my Parts/Shuker Drop C Jazz Cool Si

[quote]+1 But trying 8 basses is hardly a quick visit now is it[/quote] Haha, I guess I was there for an hour, maybe an hour 15. You're right though, you could literally spend all day A/Bing basses [quote]Did you try Adam Clayton's Oly White 65 J?[/quote] No, I saw it hanging there, and it did look inviting, but it had the pickup covers on, and I can never ever get comfortable with them, so gave it a miss. [quote]Sadowskys are great basses and, as it's been said many times , it's in the mix where the Sadowskies really shine so, if you liked it when you tried it, you'll be pleasantly surprise how good they sound in a band situation.[/quote] Yeah I'm thinking this is probably true. I'd be very interested in trying one at a show.....does anyone have a Metro in the london/bucks/berks/oxon area? lol Si

[quote name='4000' post='621285' date='Oct 9 2009, 08:36 AM']Always interesting to read what other people gravitate towards in shops; apart from Loz's Sei all of those would have been some of the last things I'd have gone for in the Gallery! I keep thinking I should revisit Sadowsky, but I really struggle with the looks; I really can't stand the insipid looking necks amongst other things.[/quote] I definitly know what you mean about the necks, I guess that's what the US models have over the Metro's, some nice birdseye here and there. But aside from looks, the neck was great to play!. And the body more than made up for what the neck lacked aesthetically Yeah the Nash was a natural finish......but really beaten up/relic'd. There was a beautiful Celinder Jazz daphne blue 4 string hanging up, but I ran out of time, and at £5000 there wasn't really much point in having a go lol. Plus the Barts probably sucked [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/celindervint4.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/celindervint4.html[/url] Si

Oldgit Really sorry, I accidently edited your post haha. I went to reply, clicked on wrong button and edited your post thinking it was my reply. That's why it looks a bit different, couldn't remember what you had included/quoted etc. My bad! Shuker's build sounds very 'food-for-thoughty' S

Nice! Is that Herbie's bass? What's on Jon's headstock? Si

[quote name='OldGit' post='621111' date='Oct 8 2009, 10:45 PM']If I wanted an old style Jazz I'd have a word with a certain Mr Shuker about a recent build ... Let's say Herbie might recognise an old friend ...[/quote] Know of any photos? Si

NomNomNom Sexy CS Jazz that! Anyone gonna go try it? Slightly OT, but mentioned.....There's a really nice Nash at the Gallery at the mo, Heavily relic'd natural, 60's style with a Fender decal....£1250 I believe! Plays and sounds great Si

I had an interview in London yesterday (find out on Friday....fingers crossed), and afterwards I decided to take a trip to The Gallery as I haven't been there in a long while. I phoned prior to my interview to see if they had any Custom Shop Jazz basses in stock, so I could have a look and a play, they had one active one....so although it isn't what I want, I figured I could check out the build quality. Anyway, here's my little run down of the few basses I tried, all played through a Mark Bass 'Berlin' amp with a 15" speaker: 1) [b]2nd Hand Custom Shop Active Jazz Bass[/b] - I was a bit disappointed because I was really hoping to get a good idea of what to expect from a CS if I decide to go down the route of ordering one, unfortunately this was VERY 2nd hand and the neck was pretty beat up (no it wasn't a relic ), dead strings, and the poor Fender preamp definitly wasn't happening. I'll hold out for a good example of a passive one to get an idea. [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/images/fendercustomclassic.jpg"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/images/fendercustomclassic.jpg[/url] 2) [b]Zon Sonus 5 string[/b] - This was sat on top of the Berlin amp, so I had to have a go having never tried a Zon. Stunningly made......that's about all I have to say. To be fair I don't get on with narrow string spacing, but it really wasn't sparking me at all. The bart electronics were severely uninspiring and under-powered. Not a great introduction to Zon I'm afraid. [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/zonsonus5.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/zonsonus5.html[/url] 3) [b]Nash 60's Jazz Bass[/b] - Not sure of the exact model, but this was a 60's vibe jazz with a Fender headstock logo, very heavily reliced with a slightly out of place stack-knob arrangement. I say out of place because they didn't look old like the rest of the bass and the lower rings were black, with the upper knobs chrome, didn't look right . Played and sounded fantastic though, very fast neck as the finish was down to the wood from about the first fret to just before the heel. Real growly with the bridge pickup solo'd and nice and balanced with both pickups on. Lovely stuff @ £1250 4) [b]Sadowsky Metro MV4[/b] - I think it was an MV4 anyway, Ash body, maple FB, dots & white scratchplate. The bass was obviously built brilliantly, the ash of the body and the lacquer that finished it were a joy to look at & hold, the wet-look of the body was a stark contrast to the neck though, which was a very plain maple finished in, what I'm guessing, a satin finish, almost looked unfinished, very 'matt'. The bass sounded fantastic though, it took me about 1 minute to find a tone that was very useable, thick yet growly. The preamp was extremely versatile (aside from one dodgy pot) and overall I was very very impressed. I'd be interested in trying it in a gig setting, because depending on it's sound in the mix, I'd definitly consider one.......and I hate active basses lol. £1799 though.....harsh 5) [b]Lakland DJ 4[/b] - Natural finish. Not going to spend to much time on this, same as in the shop. Apart from the E string sounding quite nice, this was pretty average. Ash wasn't as nice as the Sadowsky, uninspired sound and feel....so I put it back lol. 6) [b]Sei Series1 6[/b] - Singlecut 6 string with Bartolinis. Beautifully made, we all know that, the fingerboard was wiiiide and flat, it actually felt amazing to play and I was quite at home over the 6 strings very quickly. I love the SC body shape, and If ever presented with the opportunity (or rather a band that it was appropriate in), I'd definitly go down that route, really comfortable. The sound was severely lacking though, just really really average Bart electronics (is there a pattern developing?). So yeah, great craftsmanship and amazing neck! [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/seisingle6.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/seisingle6.html[/url] 7) [b]2009 US Fender Jazz[/b] - Old faithful obviously, nothing spectacular here, although....huh....a considerable amount of flame on the neck!? Very nice. Played nice, instant great tone, not quite as nice as my 2003 Jazz, but still a great bass that I'd definitly look at if I wanted another US Jazz. 8) [b]Fender Highway One Jazz[/b] - Very similar sound and feel to the '09 Jazz....You'd expect that I guess, it's the same spec apart from the finish, and that's why I wouldn't buy it. I was scared to play the bass in the shop lol, it looked like it would dent if I looked at it. Great sound and feel but not a gigging instrument in my eyes, not if you like to retain some of the sunburst finish . [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/fenderjazzhw1.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/fenderjazzhw1.html[/url] So that's it really, had a good time, the Sadowsky was the run away winner for me out of the 8. The '09 Jazz and the Nash were great and close 2nd, I was pleasantly surprised by both of them. The Zon & the Sei, for me at least, were examples of basses needing to be more than just pretty and well made to be a great instrument. Cheers Si