Mykesbass

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1488875860' post='3252477'] Slight correction for the uninitiated - basswood is used only on Musicman Bongo basses. I read somewhere that when the bass was being developed it was found to colour the sound least of all tried at prototype stage. That said, and probably concurring with the theory about aesthetics rather than sound, the higher priced limited PDN models often feature different body wood/ trans finish, even on Bongos. [/quote] And possibly the original Subs? Sorry, I was also including guitars in this, as I'm pretty sure the Luke was Basswood, and if you think tonewood is a hot potato among bass players don't get guitarists started on the subject!!

Looking at your forum name, is the bass a lefty? If so, these are probably made in quite low numbers, especially with the blocks. Ask if they can supply one on the next production run, but prepare to be patient.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1488838405' post='3252338'] What I am say is you cant polish a t**d. The guy is asking for ideas regarding replacement pickups to make his "dead" sounding instrument sound "amazing" He says it also sounds "dead" un amplified. I believe he should check out the rest of the bass for problems, like neck to body integrity, bridge and nut. Why waste money on expensive new pickups if the problem is something else. Throwing good money after bad is rarely a joy filled experience. [/quote] And I'd say it is very unlikely that Yamaha RBX350 is such a turd. I'd have thought a bit of modding could get this to sing.

Just had a perfect example of the difference between a web purchase and a local purchase. I can get an HDMI splitter from Ebay, postage included for under £2.00. If I wanted one tonight I could go to Tesco and pay £15.00. Pretty sure if I went to a TV specialist I'd probably get a better quality one, but I'm confident the Ebay one will be equal to the Tesco one. Those Roto's are looking better value all the time!

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1488810991' post='3251948'] If all of the tone of a bass comes from the pickups why do people spend a fortune on fancy timbers for a better sounding bass? If a bass is poorly made or badly set up or has inherent problems that show up when played acoustically then you will never get the best out of it no matter how good the pickups are, or we would all be playing cheap basswood body basses with cheap bridges.....and great pickups. [/quote] If they are paying lots purely to make it sound better they are wasting their money. Sure, if you want it to look great with the wood on show then yes, go exotic. Nothing wrong with basswood (apart from it looks boring). Music Man use it under solid finishes. Some plywood basses sound great, as do some metal and composite ones. Yes, wood and build has some impact on the final sound, but nowhere near as much as it is given credit for - that's all thanks to the marketing departments.

Whereabouts are you? In the repairs/technical section is a list of helpful Baschatters that could look at and try your bass and offer advice on set-up and make pickup suggestions.

Was amazed by how much attack he plays with when I heard this: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh3U9iPKeXQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh3U9iPKeXQ[/url]

Rotosound used to do crazy deals to retail - I think it may even have been BOGOF. May be a case of the shop previously passing on some of that discount. I don't get the "are we being ripped off" question. It is business, and there are items that can be sold at a decent profit margin (strings, straps, plectrums etc.) that help shops stay afloat when they have very low margins on their higher value items - the instruments.

ESP with LTD.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1488543502' post='3249830'] How does the bass sound un amplified? If it sounds flat and lifeless then new pickups wont make it sound amazing. [/quote] Got any evidence for this? Most (some say all) of the tone of a bass comes through the strings and the pickups. My main bass is fretless and strung with flats. Unplugged it is not a patch on the bitsa I have with roundwounds on. Plugged in, the fretless is big, full, warm through the Nordstrand P pick-up. The bitsa is OK, but a bit aggressive and nowhere near as full sounding. Yes, it's lovely to have a bass that sings when it is not plugged in, but when plugged in the acoustic properties are quite negligible.

Did they choose based on size?

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1488369847' post='3248285'] Postscript to this - I went into the Box Office yesterday to pick up the tickets. I said to the woman at the desk "I've come to pick up some tickets for a concert in the Corn Exchange" She looked me up and down, then said "would that be for Gilbert O'Sullivan?" How humiliating! [/quote] 😃 quality. And bonus points for sharing!

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1488359269' post='3248134'] All very good Basses in their own right and I kind of justified them all at the time by having 2 with 60's Pickup spacing and 2 with 70's spacing. [/quote] Priceless 😃. Only on here could such a justification even be considered.

Because they are SO much nicer

Excited as I've just got a ticket to see Kraftwerk. My current favourite band are Tedeschi Trucks. Guess I'm on the "it doesn't matter how it's made" side of the argument

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1488129554' post='3246110'] I've been looking at Basslab instruments for a while now. [url="http://basslab.de"]http://basslab.de[/url] They build using their own recipe "tuneable composite" materials layered over a form which is later removed, leaving a hollow body (and neck!). They use automotive paint and lacquers even on fretless basses, where the fretboard is also often painted. [/quote] Nice

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1488062384' post='3245602'] Vigier have been offering fretless guitars and basses with metal fingerboards since the 1980s. I think someone would have said something by now if there was excess string noise on these. [/quote] Fair enough - was only making the suggestion that ths was something that may need looking into - obviously it has. Then again, some people love the thwacky, clanky sound of the plastic board on the Squier VMJ, so it may well come down to taste.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1488073121' post='3245667'] But Sadowsky is a custom builder...? Personally, I'd prefer almost any decent option other than Fender if I wanted a custom build. I think they're terrible value for what you get from them. [/quote] One thing that Fender isn't is terrible value for money. Unlike custom builds, Warwick, Yamaha, Cort and Ibanez, they hold their price brilliantly. 15 year old US standard models sell for around £700, about the same they were new.

Although I play a very traditional looking instrument I do love different, and this sounds like a great project. One worry though, is the sound of strings on a metallic fretless fingerboard - could be quite noisy. Good luck getting this off the ground, and keep as all informed if the dream starts to take shape!

As above, if it has only been a short time, and you haven't turned anything else down, isn't that the life of a dep?

What brought me to the bass? A guitarist - Freddie Green. I played in a big band for years, and to me, this style of playing is very similar in philosophy to bass playing - serve the song. Be a rock solid foundation for others to do their theatrics and glory seeking over the top! Here's a small group example of his work: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNNYw9AsOM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNNYw9AsOM[/url]

WEM - can't remember which model, but it was horrible!

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1487950975' post='3244502'] Strangely enough, the song I found the hardest was one I could have played the easiest just for the sake of a bar gig, however, I wanted to try and nail the actual bass playing on the recording. Son of a preacher man (Dusty's version) She recorded this in Memphis and I believe the bassist was Tommy Cogbill. The recording doesn't offer a good enough mix for me to really pinpoint what he's doing and normally, I would've said that he'd played about 5,000 notes too many but it seriously works on the recording. Not even sure if I've nailed it 6 years down the line😂 [/quote] I'm saving that one up for my retirement (not that that will ever happen)!

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1487805114' post='3243199'] Yep. Love 'A New Flame' too. Can't understand how he's ended up so detested. [/quote] Politics - you're not allowed to be a socialist and successful apparently!

Great album by a much maligned artist.