oldslapper

[quote name='Conan' post='1195771' date='Apr 11 2011, 02:48 PM']Er.... I can't comment about the Yamahas as I've never played one, but my mid-eighties Status Series II is the most tonally versatile instrument I have ever played! Maybe I need to try some Yammies though?![/quote] I think in comparison between the 2 models in the shop, the Status wasn't particularly versatile. I guess I'm just saying that it didn't have £300 more features or build quality than the Yammy. It wasn't a slight against Status, more of a hurrah for Yamaha. I have owned 2 Statii and thought they were great, also had a status graphite neck on a custom jazz, again great fast playing neck. But I'm still playing the cheap old BB604, and some on here have described them as being sterile, so each to their own I guess

[quote name='4 Strings' post='1194174' date='Apr 9 2011, 11:47 PM']Apart from snobbishness, I would add blandness. I've never played a bad one either (haven't played many I'll admit) and heard only good reports but ... what is there to attract? Seems rather characterless somehow.[/quote] Reminds me of when a mate of mine ask me to accompany him to the Basscentre in Brum. This was early 90's. He had his heart set on buying a Status, so off we went. He played around on a couple of Statii, whilst I nosed around the shop. I played a couple of Yammies and was very impressed. I had a chat with the assistant, who rated the model I was playing higher than the Status my mate was trying, even though it was £300 cheaper. Anyway, I tried to persuade my friend to buy the Yamaha, but he didn't want to know because Status was a "name" he could be proud of (his words)...the assistant said that was Yamaha's problem, the name wasn't associated with basses, they were under priced and therefore seen as "budget/mid market". My mate could have put the £300 towards a better amp, but no he wanted the "name". As for lack of character, I have been playing a BB604 for 8 years, and have recently bought a BB605. I reckon on dialing in most tones I need, as for his Status, pretty one dimensional "hi-fi" for my tastes. But then again, it's in the fingers isn't it?

[quote name='Clarky' post='1194789' date='Apr 10 2011, 05:17 PM']Thanks all for advice. I think I am going to try out some of those foam sound hole plugs and add a mag pickup so I have the choice of piezo, mag or both (since my Coda combo has two channels). Surely that should make things better?!!![/quote] I have to say that the TM piezo I bought here has a lot of headroom, without feedback. I have combined it with my Schaller mag, mixed through the K&K twin channel preamp, into the CMD121P, and I seem to have a good balance of volume and string and natural body resonance. Mind you I only compete with 2 jazz guitarists in the quartet (and no drums!), so I'm not competing for "sound space" as you appear to be Clarky. Your two channel Coda option would seem a good route to try. John

Bought a BB605 from Sean.....eventually ...anyway, top guy, packaged really well and kept in touch all the way. Cheers, John

Old Framus ply basses are great, I'm on the look out for one all the time...you lucky, lucky..thing. There's one on Ebay at the mo' just down the road from me. Some say they are the European equivalent of Kay's...but I always thought Kay's did underwear catalogues ??? but maybe that was just a distant teenage memory.

Someone has entered the auction at the £600 starting price! These are great basses, but not worth that surely?...must be the fan wot jump and fall on it....??

Bought a pickup from John, very quick delivery and nice chap too, thanks! John

[quote name='oldslapper' post='1124265' date='Feb 11 2011, 07:48 PM']For the cost of postage, it's yours! John[/quote] This went a while back.

I'm off on a small tour abroad in May, and won't have my own trusty Markbass backline with me, and I'm not sure what I'll end up being presented with. So with this in mind, I bought a Markbass Superbooster to act as a DI pedal through a PA, or as a pedal through whatever backline I am offered. The Superbooster has the VLE & VPF controls and a "volume booster". I had thought about taking this with my Bass pod, to cover all eventualities. (I will be taking a passive bass on this tour by the way). However, I see a lot of people seem to use the Tech 21 Sansamp as a DI option. And having looked at them on line, they do seem to offer more control (ie volume, 3 band Eq, drive, etc). A bass player I played with recently came over from the States with her Sansamp, didn't bother with backline, even though I offered her a choice of Markbass, Trace, or Ampeg backline. Any comparisons, recommendations, thoughts? The Markbass pedal has not been used yet. Thanks for any assistance, John

[quote name='Doddy' post='1170986' date='Mar 21 2011, 05:59 PM']Not really....it took about three seconds to find his last cover story in Bass Player [/quote] Must admit Doddy you had me picturing you in an anorak there!

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1170790' date='Mar 21 2011, 03:48 PM']The connections are with me (Howard), Jim Cairnes, and Overwater, so I suggest it's a Howjiwatermercallit Custom Six. [/quote] mmmmm..? annuzzer interezting expereemint Herr Doktor!

Thought about taking neck off and putting both body, neck, strings and gigbag in hand luggage?? Just a thought?

Sexist nonsense ...what about 'er bass???

Whatever way you look at it, it's a nice bass...enjoy!