Muzz

I've just had Jon Shuker build me a sublime bass, the easiest design process via email I've encountered. Alan's ACGs are also fantastic, his lead times are why I didn't pick one of them, and also his shapes are all too Jazz-y for me, but might suit you. I will say, though, that nearer you are to definite and settled on your design requirements, the happier you'll be with the finished results. I knew EXACTLY what I wanted, and when I got it, executed by Jon with what I can only describe as artistry, I was very happy indeed. If you go down the luthier route with any vagueness, you run the risk of disappointing yourself, and then you'll be left with an instrument with a terrifying residual value.

I've just had a cable made up by OBBM on here, which pairs a mono instrument cable with a stereo headphone feed, I'm going to use a headphone mixer/amp on my amp to control the mix of PA feed/direct bass signal. Will be using it at a gig on Sunday, I'll feedback the results. I've gone for the wired solution because we lost two wireless units to simultaneous failure (one receiver, one transmitter) at the last gig, and I ended up with no in-ears at all. Pain in the arse/ears...

[quote name='goblin' timestamp='1400007528' post='2449888'] Fair enough they're readily available so something to consider for the future. The plugs are more vital to me (especially after a dickhead sound engineer actually made our keys players ears bleed!). Cheers for the advice [/quote] Dave, I've got ACS moulds and T15s, and I had some 215s (before I lost them ) - when you get your moulds, give me a shout.

Your horse'll never manage two SVTs with 8x10s...

Last time I broke a string, Thatcher was in power...but if I don't take a backup, can you guess what'll happen? I take 2 basses, and like JTUK, I'll choose on the night/at the venue which I'll use. Sometimes, if the wedding/function sets have a dance/rock split between them, I'll use one bass for one set and one for the other. It's good to have stuff...

And I was using 'fascinating' in the context of the way the article's written, rather than any assertions made or accepted...you seem to have taken that word personally, which wasn't my intention. I'm taking it on face value from the title of the site, which is "A Scientific Approach". Which that page isn't, it's a table of figures he could have made up on the spot for all you and I know. Still, it looks scientific, it might get him some business. 'Other values based on literature'?. My O Level science teacher would have had a fit... I'd love to research his references (because as you spotted, that's the bit I have some trouble accepting), but as you point out, that's not possible. My cynicism with the Density figures springs from conversations with, amongst others, Warmoth, in which I've discussed blank weights for the same wood. I was quoted weights from 4 1/2lb to nearly 6lb, all for the same size blank, the same wood. That's a large variation in density. Still, that's only anecdotal, so you may have to take that at face value, too.

Do they put the neck on straight for £3500?

That's a lovely Bicentennial...I like that a lot...

Love Bobby Vega...the bass? Not so much...

Glad you've now got a bass with the neck at the right angle, result! Without wanting to be too much of a dampener, though, that'd play on my mind, especially given the cost of the bass. Is it likely to move again? I'd have sent it back anyway. . But then I might be too picky...

I feel your pain on this one - the brand new 4003W I bought and sent back recently was a wrench, but it just wasn't good enough as a bass for the money: it was such a let-down it put me off even trying another (I did try another one in PMT later - that wasn't very good either). It did look lovely, though... The Shuker I bought instead was and is sublime.

I've got the older ER15s, which are great, and I also have the T15s, which fit in them really well, and for a single driver (and considering my ears) are good monitors.

The Warmoth stuff is fantastic, tho it can get very pricey - once you've paid import duty and shipping, you can end up paying as much for the neck as the bass is worth. It's a great site to kill time on, though... I've had several MightyMite necks, and they've all been good. For the price, they're even better...

There's a For Sale thread on here for it...goes back six weeks or so.

I'll never own one (can't get over the 'bog seat' syndrome ), but I've played two, and they were both remarkably good basses - better than Stingrays, I'd say, and massively more versatile. That finish is just gorgeous, the headstock in particular (probably because I can't see the body ) looks fantastic.

I use one of these when I need to hear better on a small stage - great for the money: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stand-Stagg-GAS-3-2-Monitor-Amplifier-Amp-Speaker-Floor-Stand-Folding-00693-/191154473577?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item2c81b1ca69

Sold Mike some leads, all without a hitch, one of the good guys! Cheers!

Love Bobby Vega - I was originally drawn to him because of his pick technique, but as you say, he's got the lot...

Yeah, I can see in the pics - I might try dropping the iPad down to that height and see how I go. Cheers.

Excellent. I'll be gigging my iPad/SonicPort/Jamup/IEMs on Saturday night, and I'm leaving the amp and cab in the van. Still looking for an elegant solution as to what to do with the SonicPort, though - the Hercules iPad holder for the mic stand is great, but there's nowhere to wedge the SonicPort, and I'm very conscious of damaging the SonicPort>iPad lead connectors - they're not exactly military grade...

I've had three Shukers, two Overwaters, and a good play on several ACGs at Drew's Bass Lounge. As far as quality goes, they're all superbly built instruments, definitely a 'next step' from Fender, MMs, etc (and I've had a fair few good examples of those, too) - whether that's a step in the right direction is a very personal issue. The Overwater pickups and EQ are too modern and 'hifi' for me, but I love the shape of the Perceptions - I owned one twice, as I regretted selling it the first time, but when I got it back I quickly remembered why it wouldn't stick. Drew has a gorgeous Original shape in at the moment, but again, it's the pickups and EQ which ruled it out for me. ACGs I like as an instrument, the filter pre is extraordinary, and an acquired taste (not mine), but ultimately the shapes aren't for me, the nearest I get is the Jazz-ish ones, but I can't be doing with Jazzes or Jazz-inspired copies in any form. I love the Shuker Horn shape, though like you I didn't want to wait a year for a custom build (from anyone). I picked one of Jon's In Stock basses, and Jon made a new neck from scratch for me, fitted the pups and EQ I wanted and finished it off in less than a month. It's fantastic, and as an instrument a world away from (and above) the brand new 4003 I'd briefly owned just before it. I'd say of the three, only Overwaters have 'a sound' because of their pups and EQ being fairly standard across a range (their 'copies' of Jazzes notwithstanding), the other two are so personalised and varied that you'll find completely different basses by both luthiers. They are handmade to a spec, after all, and though the customer is always right, sometimes they result in some fairly, erm, idiosyncratic results...if you're lucky, you'll find one that suits you out of the trap... To reiterate, though: all the basses I've owned or played by Overwater, ACG or Shuker have been superb quality instruments. I've also got an Alembic, and I'd say they were all at least as well made.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1399885407' post='2448512'] As one of the ex Genz guys is now working for Mesa, who knows what we might get! [/quote] Oooo, now that's interesting news...

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1399831674' post='2448135'] Stop all this positive Walkabout talk, they sound like a fine back up for my valvey goodness and I can't afford one [/quote] If it helps, I wasn't blown away by the Walkabout either. I A-B'd against my Streamliner, and though there wasn't tons in it, I kept the Streamliner and the Walkabout went back (to WoT! ). Having said that, I guess 900 Class D against 300(ish) Class AB is different numbers, but the Streamliner was smaller, lighter and cheaper, which were factors for me. I didn't notice any difference in 'heft', either. Cabs could be a big factor here, too...

Not sure what sound you're after or what situations you'll be using the rig in, but there's a Schroeder 1212L and a LMIII in the secondhand section here (different sellers, and neither to do with me) which will be a great gigging rig you can carry in one go, and will be less than half your budget. Little Marks and Schroeders are a good combination of head and cab; I've used them, and my mate ran exactly the pair above in a very loud band for a couple of years and always sounded great.