alexclaber

[quote name='Adee' post='530528' date='Jul 2 2009, 12:55 PM']It might be possible to do a bit of a geographical tour so it cam be dropped off to the next person if possible?[/quote] Good idea! Can everyone put their locations on the thread and then we can see if we can avoid the cost/risk of giving it to a courier so many times. I don't plan to do this with a Big One because it's extra size seems to make couriers want to break it. However the Big Baby should sound identical, just quieter, and is the same size as the Compact so that could go on tour later in the year. Alex

Maybe I didn't look hard enough but I've never managed to find a production 36" scale thru-neck 5-string with chambered body, passive electronics and dual Q-Tuner pickups! Alex

Starting to look as if one customer may have changed his mind but is neglecting to tell me, so it looks like there may be one Compact still available! Alex

Whilst we get some more cabs built I thought I'd let y'all know that from this next batch I'm intending to send a cab off around those basschatters in the UK who want to try one but don't fancy splashing out right now. So like Wayne's 5-string thread the plan is for each person to pay the shipping to the next person, but as stickers won't stick to the textured finish I'd like marks out of ten and a signature on the back from everyone who tries it, a review up on the thread, plus a photo of them using it in anger (preferably at a gig). Shipping alone is about £10 without insurance, packaging will be provided though may need revitalising as it gets more and more battered. Join the list here! Alex

[quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='530288' date='Jul 2 2009, 09:45 AM']But I think that once you get to the MIA Fender/MM/Lakland/Sandberg/warwick etc etc territory you're kinda pretty much guaranteed a [i]nice[/i] bass and its down to personal preference as to which once you like best. The extra grand+ for a GB/Overwater/RIM[/quote] I don't know Robbie's current prices (he certainly deserves to have increased them!) but my RIM cost about the same as a StingRay 5. Alex

Also if you use a local and less well known luthier you can have an amazing and truly boutique bass at a much more accessible price. My RIM Custom 5 is a fine example of this. Alex

This is more a discovered than a re-discovered as I lost my original copy in 2001 having not owned it very long at all. 'Live at Leeds' (The Who obviously!) is chock full of bass playing brilliance and sonic hugeness. Quite remarkable. Alex

I prefer used basses, there's not exactly a lot to go wrong with a bass assuming the neck hasn't gone weird in its first few years of life. And, as wood is rarely dried as much as would be ideal, basses to tend to sound more lively and resonant after a few more years of life, especially those with more breathable finishes. Alex

[quote name='BigRedX' post='530345' date='Jul 2 2009, 10:32 AM']Personally I still haven't seen better reviews that those by Stephen Delft that appeared in International Musician in the 70s. The man had no worries about criticising instruments that deserved it where they cost £100 or over £1000.[/quote] Whilst conversely some of the worst I've ever read were by Roger Newell in Bassist in the '90s. Everything was 'efficient' and could get that 'hollow' tone. I totally agree about not wanting to read about how it looks - a picture says a thousand words! And once you get into the sub £200 bass bracket for any review to be worthwhile you need to review about five examples, and not those carefully selected by the distributor - at the cheapest end the quality control is so random that one example could be fantastic and one could be utterly toneless. Wood is not a consistent material and tone is very much dependant on it. Alex

I'm not anal, it's just that I can type fast and still remember where the shift key is! Alex

And regarding the spellings, I pick up stuff like that on the first flick through. I know it's much harder to spot spelling and grammar mistakes on screen but it is SO important. The writer has to sound like they know more than the reader - once the reader reaches the point that they feel more knowledgeable than the writer then the reader stops buying the magazine. Alex

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Star rating or scores out of ten are useless if you're beholden to the manufacturers for advertising revenue. Let the words do the talking and if the gear truly is crap then at least you can write it so that the manufacturer shouldn't take offence but a reader with half a brain can read between the lines and know that it's blah. As it stands I don't see much point sending in any of my cabs for review because the reviewers aren't tough enough. Are the problems getting in gear for review because I'm not the only manufacturer thinking like that? The last thing I want is for my cabs to receive a similarly scored and worded review to cabs that I know are clearly inferior! Alex

[quote name='chris_pokkuri' post='530313' date='Jul 2 2009, 10:05 AM']I want another one... [/quote] However if you actually NEED another one, I shall eat my cab! Alex P.S. I think BigOne scans better than Bigone (which could be an italian bread product).

I've noticed the Barefaced Big One being referred to as the Bigone. That doesn't scan too well, is it a Big one or a Bi gone? So I think henceforth it should be written like this: Barefaced BigOne Alex

[quote name='Eight' post='529963' date='Jul 1 2009, 09:03 PM']When you getting more Compacts?[/quote] No more cabs of any variety until later in July! Alex

Phil Jones is a proper guru and makes extremely high quality gear. His Briefcase/Flightcase/Super Flightcase models are designed for maximum depth and clarity from a small box, so although the wattage is high they don't go all that loud. His other models are more oriented towards the typical balance of loudness and depth for their size. I've been wanting a Briefcase ever since I first exchanged emails with him back in 2003. Alex

All gone! Alex

Nice rig, though I don't believe it's a Kappalite in the 1x15", I think it's a Kappa. Alex

One Vintage unsold, all other cabs gone! Alex

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='528772' date='Jun 30 2009, 04:16 PM']This bodes well for my 3 basses + Pedaltrain + power amp + Vintage + Nissan Micra load-in plan.[/quote] I don't think you have a hope of getting a Nissan Micra into the back of a Yaris. Alex

[quote name='alexclaber' post='528679' date='Jun 30 2009, 03:06 PM']The first Vintage just departed in the boot of a Toyota Yaris.[/quote] I should add that that was with the seats still up. Alex

That really is hard. I particularly love "I heard it through the grapevine" by Marvin Gaye. I even prefer the bassline on his version (which I believe was recorded first but released second). I haven't spent so much time listnening to Stax, will have to ponder that further. Hang on, I'd forgotten that Isaac Hayes' solo albums were released on Stax as he was one of their key songwriters - I really like "Walk on by" off "Hot buttered soul". This might be sacriligious but one of my favourite Motown renditions is the version of "What becomes of the broken-hearted?" from the live concert on the Standing In The Shadows Of Motown film. Joan Osbourne on lead vocals and the band is on fire! Also the arrangement is much more dynamic than the original (which fades out instead of going through the big call and response crescendo), presumably this is how they performed it live back in the day? Alex

The first Vintage just departed in the boot of a Toyota Yaris. Alex

Ask them what driver it contains and what it's tuned to. If they can answer that and the driver is half-decent then it's probably a good deal. What you want to avoid is anything with a cheap PA driver, a hi-fi driver or a car subwoofer, all of which are unsuitable for bass guitar. Alex

Yes, Hot Fuss is definitely the one for the bass playing. "Jenny was a friend of mine" is outstanding. Despite the gear I think the tone is very much in how he plays and how he uses it. There are tons of people using jazz basses and SVTs (and quite a few using HiWatts) but so few with that consistently fat and bassy yet very present and driving tone. Credit should also go to the rest of the band who leave the sonic space for him to step up and claim such a big place in the mix. Alex