bigsmokebass

wow! ive yet to see a passive version upto now.... would love to hear how this sounds. somewhat like a Pbass?

I've got the same bass but 1000 series and without the X this bass is my workhorse and I couldn't rate this bass highly enough. hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

very nice dude, nice setup too! What sort of stuff are you playing? I did use to find the radius on my old '51 really comfortable but not found many basses like that these days similar in feel. I might have to go for another reissue haha

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1506341719' post='3378020'] IME 35" is used as a cheap fix for makes that think they can get away with using the same construction on their 5-string basses as they use on their 4-string basses. It rarely works. Out of all the 5-string basses I have owned the 35" basses had by far the worst sounding and feeling low B strings. You need to go to 36" at least in order for scale length alone to be solution to getting a decent low B. Alternatively you could just buy a 34" scale string that has been properly made to cope with a good low B-string. [/quote] Truer words haven't been spoken but as for "buying my first 5 string" this is quite a feat for trying most basses and almost a budget easily uoto £1000 and most cheap 5 strings being 34" just flop and fart over the show. That's from my experience anyway.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1506154648' post='3376735'] I used to think that until I had a 33" scale ACG with a B string better than all the 35" scales I'd played and almost as good as a 37" Dingwall. It's stiffness of construction that makes the difference I think... Try before you buy of you can, and try EVERYTHING you can! [/quote] You're damn right my friend, ALWAYS try before you buy. As for scale length, I find the 35" is a good length to get that piano like tone with clarity. I find with Dingwalls tend to be favoured amongst 5/6 players who like to downtune, so B strings down rattle and so it serves them well with 37". Now I'm not saying that's the right way or what everyone has a Dingwall for, but just from my experience. Admittedly the Yamaha TRB aren't cheap basses but speaking of scale length and a bass made well... try one and let me know how that B string sounds

You've got a point but then I guess it depends how tied down Hook is to Yamaha... and I don't see him wearing his Yamaha baseball caps, embroided coats and shirts whilst playing THRX amps, Line6 pedals and every Yamaha bass.... so I think he's connected with Yamaha for the years of playing but not necessarily someone to brown nose or essentially paid to say nice things- and that's where I respect him. For me personally, I don't take Hooks words as gospel as we're both different bassists who play differently and sound differently but we do favour the same flavour of brand. My BB1025 is the best bass I've owned in a while and I'd love to see a newer model of this come out (as just to another colour finish or pickguard) but it's currently Japanese and + ~£1000 on retail price. If I was to take opinions on the BB series, if love to hear from the likes of Hook, Kinal, Anthony, East and others who have played BB's for years and hear WHY they'd play the new models and not from the likes of LoMenzo who I've known to be a Warwick Buzzard player for years....

Ironically, after reading a review in BGM (uk) Mr Hook expressed his dislike for the previous BB range, pretty much ripping Yamaha a new one and sending his trial bass back.... However with the new range out and on tour with his new band, he's taken to the 700 series pretty well.

35" scale, you want that B to be piano like in tone and sustain.

A realistic price would be between £650 and £1000 depending on condition, case, C.O.A, case and whether original or modded spec. I'll admit the one I saw go for £650 didn't come with anything condition was questionable for what could be seen from the pictures (hint- always take HD pics) Nice basses anyhow and not to be underestimated for tone and feel.

I owned one of these for a good year or two and loved it. Sure, it was body heavy and the neck waved around a bit for it.. I'd have also loved this without the Warwick style bridge (a bit weighty) and modern tuners for the newer styled bridges and clover tuners. Playability on the neck was easy, quite rounded necks compared to fenders but what would you expect for a Les Paul bass? Tonally, it was an unusual sound. Quite a weak output but I could play for ages dialling the pickups in or the adjusting the tone. Real nice basses.

Give me a 700 series 5 string in passive no need for the bells and whistles of active circuitry, it's wasted on such a beautiful bass.

Rest of the band's egos got too big before out first gig.

Welcome neighbour, Hope you enjoy your stay here. Seems like you've got decent gear and good taste in music, so you'll fit in nicely BSB

[quote name='PawelG' timestamp='1502455419' post='3351588'] I don't gig yet but I play through Ashdown Toneman 300 Evo III and a Classic Ampeg 8x10 where we rehearse. [/quote] I'd say if you're happy with the ashdown Sounds, take one home with you or the Fender is a good all round sound.

Ashdown do it for me and the Fender Rumble is a good call too! Small and light but good sounding amps. What's your gig rig?

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1501524090' post='3345278'] Yup. Looks the business doesn't it?! [/quote] For £1200 it's lost on me. I don't see why they're not competing with the likes of Hofner and Epiphone

[quote name='Grahambythesea' timestamp='1502452187' post='3351545'] I was over in the US recently and tried the Gold Tone mini bass in a shop. Has those weird rubbery strings but it sounded really nice acoustically. Not enough to actually use in earnest but nice for practicing. Was on sale at $399 which I suspect is a lot cheaper than either the Taylor or the Guild. [/quote] Those are the strings they tend to use on Uke basses and Ashbory basses. The micro basses tend to be strung with bronze strings and I think a lot of sound and resonance is missing through them because of the tension usually needed by a full scale. Me personally, I'd swing more for a uke bass. Even if it would look out of place on all 6'6" of me, it would sound right more importantly