Sibob

My intellectual beef is still that you play a hand-built, (comparatively) fancy wood fretless, and you're asking why people bother with custom basses!? . You ordered a Wal surely for one of these reasons: 1) You couldn't find a bass that had the fit/feel from a production-line instrument 2) The Wal offered parts/features and a sound that wasn't available anywhere else. Surely both of these reasons are why other people choose to go 'custom'?! And I'm still asking you what you believe to be 'Custom', because seeing as Wal and Alembic aren't, I'm assuming it also rules out Sei, ACG etc etc because they offer standard models!? Si

Hey mate Loads of people are saying the Squier Classic Vibe's are great basses, 60's style Jazzes. Also don't rule out Japanese models if you're after a reissue, I think American Standards are great, but the American RI's are a little overpriced. I've got a Squier Deluxe 5, and it's fantastic for the price, the American Deluxes are marmite I think (didn't like the one I had), the Mexican Deluxes have same electronics as the US models but normal size body and lesser hardware etc. Never tried MIM RI's though. Si

I actually think that Squiers have a better 'brand value' than Mexican Fenders now. They might as well just scrap MIM's and have the Squiers and Americans. Si

[quote name='gnasher1993' post='625541' date='Oct 13 2009, 10:14 PM']£420 apparently...[/quote] Ooof With better Squier quality comes MIM prices! Si

[quote name='BassBod' post='625507' date='Oct 13 2009, 09:43 PM']Well, he got everyone talking...again.... Nothing wrong with healthy debate[/quote] Oh of course! But it is interesting when someone's definition of 'custom' ISN'T 'handbuilt' lol. Si

Nice looking guitars! Big Biffy fan! Si

I think the only issue that Bilbo has bought up here, is where is the line between a hand-built bass, and a custom built bass. Si

[quote name='ped' post='624468' date='Oct 12 2009, 10:00 PM']Yeah we discussed that possibility and I guess it's the only option. Nice to see you on Sat :0) ped[/quote] Good to see you too man, I like your squelchy noises! Sorted this yet? It does seem that the distant selling literature is on your side! Si

I used one on a tour...Sennheiser I think. Was fine for two shows, then it started playing up, dropping out etc on the 3rd show. One failure means back to cables in my book, can't afford to have unnecessary issues like that. Si

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