Conan

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1394806131' post='2395440'] Well, it's just another technique, isn't it? Like an ingredient in a recipe, probably akin to chilli or something. So go easy on it - put too much in and you will ruin the dish, but use just the right amount in a tasteful way and it can be delish. [/quote] Exactly. You never get threads where people say "I'm sick of all this finger-style playing" or "Why do people play with a pick, it sounds horrible". So why all the hatred for slap? If you don't like it, don't listen to it! I like it when it's well done, and I play a bit of it myself (when it is appropriate). I also played in a lot of original bands in the 1980s when slap was very popular. In fact, you couldn't get into some bands if you couldn't/didn't slap! Mark King gets a lot of stick for his slap playing, but his fingerstyle is pretty damned good too! And he does all that whilst singing!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1394799565' post='2395347'] Some people don't read though. [/quote] Well, yes - there is that

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1394789832' post='2395192'] There's a few examples people all owning the same thing artificially inflating the prestige & value of their products -[/quote] You mean sales-talk? In a slow market, you have to try harder to sell your stuff. As long as there are no outright lies, I don't see a problem with people bigging up their for sale items!

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1394755244' post='2395008'] Quality basses are cheap as chips these days. [/quote] This.

No Spock's Beard yet?!?!? Dave Meros also plays on this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pCw3Aw9yyk And wasn't Pink Floyd's "One of these days" played on a Ric? Outstanding bass intro.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1394725868' post='2394489'] I have actually been thinking about whether to sell a bass on this site in the last few days, but I am not sure I can stand the hassle which would almost inevitably result in one way or another. The prospect people who don't speak English as a first language offering me homemade coffee table basses made by obscure Slovakian luthiers with "legendary" reputations as a trade offers fills me with dread, as does the almost inevitable debate that would break about some aspect of construction or the relative aesthetic merits. [/quote] I hear you though. That said, I have done some excellent (and very quick and painless) deals on here in the last few years (including your good self!). But yes, it can grind you down with the tyre-kickers and time-wasters. Got to be worth a try though?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1394725065' post='2394471'] The harsh reality is that most people are trying to sell basses that are much of a muchness to most people, and so it's not surprising that they are not necessarily commanding good prices, or indeed finding buyers at all .The basses that sell for decent money are almost invariably the ones where there is a broad consensus of opinion that they are hot stuff. [/quote] Not necessarily... There seems to be a pretty good turnover of the usual suspects - the mainstream Fenders, Musicmans and similar low-to-mid priced "workhorses", but again it depends on whether the seller has done their research, written a good advert and asked for a realistic price. At the end of the day, this seems to be the biggest market sector on here. Less out-and-out budget basses, and a small but important trade in top-end guitars, but most seem to be in the £500-1200 range. The whole question of "upgrades" is an interesting one too. One person's upgrade is another's "I'll have those out straight away". And yet, many buyers expect to get back what they paid for the upgrades AND the money they spent on installing them!! For example, there are a couple of "bitsa" J basses for sale currently and yet they are priced at twice the price at which you could get a good used MIA Fender instrument! Why would anyone pay that much for a collection of someone else's spare parts?

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1394724083' post='2394451'] Even worse than the haggle is those who offer a random collection of stuff for your bass. " Hi I don't have £850 but I do have a 112 cab, two old squire necks, six patch cables, a cover for an amp I don't own and a fez... how does that sound?" [/quote] Yeah, I've had a few of them...

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394723331' post='2394436'] A good quality screwdriver will be made of vanadium steel, [/quote] Ah, but will it be good any for...... No. I won't.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1394723263' post='2394435'] How about a little bit of haggling? Maybe a bit more than that? Oh come on, I'm not asking much - just a bit more? [/quote]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1394723210' post='2394432'] I don't find haggling friendly in the slightest. [/quote] Again, that's totally cool. But you have to be aware that not everyone on here knows that. So if someone makes an attempt at a haggle, they are not necessarily being unfriendly. As some others have already said on this thread (and other similar ones in the past), they add a bit onto their target price in the knowledge that sellers might try to beat them down. Some people clearly state "no offers" or "firm price" or similar. I wouldn't dream of making a low offer in those cases. That [b][i]would[/i][/b] be rude. I see it as a bit of a game - but not with every interaction. If it is clear to me that someone does not want to enter into a discussion I will quickly either offer them what they want or walk away. Either way, I don't think it is a big issue.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1394722724' post='2394426'] I made it clear in the ad that it was either that price or i was keeping it. Not interested in protracted PM discussions. [/quote] That's cool, and that is, of course, your prerogative. Just be aware that some of us actually [b][i]enjoy[/i][/b] the process!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1394715763' post='2394315'] Can't stand haggling... Put it up for what you want for it, this is the BC marketplace not a souk in Marrakech... [/quote] I see you point, although I don't agree with it. Say, for example, you have a bass for sale at £850. It has been on the classifieds for several months, with nothing but half a dozen of the usual "[i]if it had one more string/if it was a different colour/if I had the money I'd be all over it...[/i]" kind of responses. I send you a PM saying that I would like your bass, but could only stretch to £750. Do you: 1). Ignore my post as I am clearly trying it on and therefore beneath your contempt? 2). Politely refuse my offer and say that you will only accept the full price (potentially losing a sale)? 3). Politely refuse my offer, but agree to a compromise price of £800 (again, potentially losing a sale, but at least entering into the spirit)? 4). Tell me in no uncertain terms to F off as I am a low-balling scumbag? Not trying to be confrontational, I'm just genuinely interested in what the problem would be with a bit of friendly haggling? Most of my sales and purchases to date have involved a bit of haggling - even the trades!

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1394708372' post='2394189'] Things are a bit depressed for sure - I rarely ask more than I paid unless I've added some value. I can't see why sellers would be upset by a lowball offer, it doesn't take long to PM a polite version of "get stuffed" if the offer doesn't appeal [/quote] Exactly. I quite enjoy the haggling process if I'm honest! Not sure about the "getting back what I paid for it" thing though. If you were lucky enough to get something at an excellent price (through skillful haggling maybe, or because the seller was desperate for a sale...) then why should the next buyer benefit from this? I'm not saying that I seek to make a profit from everything I sell, I don't - but at the end of the day we are all individuals and we have to think of our own interests sometimes. Group karma is all very well, but it can lead to naivety, which damages the group in the longer term. Bizarrely, I quite like having things for sale and sometimes miss the "buzz" of getting PMs and thread replies... Am I mad?!?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1394712604' post='2394248'] Actually I find playing stuff which isn't my style not too bad - it's just a question of learning the notes. The lines I've had the most problem with are ones that are very similar to what I would have played if I'd written them, but a couple of note choices are completely different. The temptation to play what I've have put in if I'd written the line can be hard to resist sometimes. [/quote] Yes and no. Maybe I do things differently, but I don't find learning the [i][b]notes[/b][/i] to be difficult; but the exact phrasing and timing of those notes can cause me problems. Some players play slightly behind the beat (or play with drummers who are slightly ahead of it) and vice versa. Some players arrived at a bass guitar via keyboards, guitar or even drums - so the whole way in which they approach the instrument is different. I know that some people will say that none of this matters. That you should just "get the gist" of a cover and then do your own thing. That's fair enough, but I like to totally nail the original bass part first before I start making any alterations. I see it as a bit of a challenge... One particular track I noticed this on was "Here comes your man" by The Pixies. OK, it is not a complex bass part by any means - but playing it like Kim Deal plays (played) it was much harder than I thought it was going to be! I play it differently now because my band have slightly changed the feel so Deal's line no longer fits, but the process was an interesting one. The nice thing about struggling through all these covers is that when we rehearse our original material it feels really comfortable and makes us realise that our stuff is at least as good as some of the covers! That is very reassuring! BTW, that was my 4000th post. A minor milestone perhaps?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1394706571' post='2394166'] learning covers is actually harder work than writing a new song of my own. [/quote] Agreed. I can play pretty well in my own style.... but learning tracks with bass lines from dozens of other bass players is tough!

My originals band are now learning covers - mainly because it gives us access to a much bigger range of gigs. That way we can slip a few originals into a set of mostly covers and increase the ratio of original tunes as we build up a bit of an audience. The problem for original bands (unless you are very young and can play school/youth club discos and the like) is that very few pubs want to book you. Too much of a risk. This is understandable of course, but if you are all in your forties and work full time, it can be hard to devote the necessary time to the marketing side of things. Without that (and even with that!) you need gigs. So the circular problem restarts. We are choosing covers that blend well with the style of our original stuff. We then play them in a way that makes them blend even better, but they are still recognisable as the covers that they are. So far we have integrated versions of: Here comes your man - Pixies Wicked Game - Chris Isaak Hangin' Around - Stranglers Babylon's Burning - Ruts Won't back down and Runnin' down a dream - Tom Petty Rockin' in the free world - Neil Young Suffragette City - Bowie What's so funny about peace, love and understanding - Elvis Costello Others being worked on include Ticket to Ride - Beatles, Horse with no name - America and Substitute - The Who. Some we have tried and they just don't work in our manner, so we dumped them at an early stage - e.g. Bowie's Queen Bitch, Elvis Costello's Oliver's Army. It could be argued that there is no real common thread there, but when we play them in "our" style, they hang together pretty well. It is an enjoyable process, and it saves some of us having to join a covers band in order to get gigs!

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394650758' post='2393755'] I don't form attachments to basses, as far as I'm concerned they're tools. Like a tradesman I choose tools appropriate to the job - I'm not going to buy a 50p screwdriver and expect to use it everyday for 5 years, I'll buy something that is appropriate to my needs,...If my usage of that screwdriver goes up, or I need it to perform better because I need it to, then I'll replace it with a more appropriate one.[/quote] Interesting analogy, but I'm not sure it is fully appropriate. The bass equivalent of your 50p screwdriver will be able to "do the job" almost equally as well as a top-of-the-range, custom handmade screwdriver (if such a thing exists - it would be nice to think that it does!). Would a highly skilled joiner or electrician do a better job with an expensive screwdriver? Of course, if it broke that would be a problem, but I guess that anyone who uses cheap tools probably has a few spares... maybe I'm pushing that analogy a little far now? When I think of some of the truly awful basses I played back in the late seventies/early eighties when I was learning, I shudder. You can buy a bass new now for less than £100 that is good enough to gig with! How did that happen? Glad it has though.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1394701880' post='2394099'] So go in with an offer of £1750? [/quote] Exactly! there is nothing to stop anyone entering into a haggling contest. Some sellers don't like that though, and accuse speculative buyers of low-balling them. That's fair enough, as obviously the seller wants to get as much as they can for an item and the buyer wants to pay as little as possible. There are some definite bargains around at the moment, and some that are (IMO) very over-priced. The market will decide whether they sell or not, as it always has. One of the upsides to all this austerity (IMO) is that there is more trading going on. I like trades. Often I am trying to sell something because I am bored with it, don't use it enough to justify keeping it, or just fancy a change. If I can trade it for something of (roughly) equivalent value and it gives me the opportunity to try something that I wouldn't otherwise have been able to afford (or had access to) - then I am happy. As, I hope, is the person I have traded with! One other thing that slightly irks me is that some people (mostly noobs) put very little effort into their adverts. IMO, a good, well-worded advert with decent photos can go a long way towards selling your item. Some people make do with stock pictures and a brief comment about how long they have owned something. They then bump it relentlessly every couple of days without ever adding any more info. It is no wonder that some items have been on the market for many months! Make an effort people! I've seen some adverts that have been so well done that they have engendered GAS for something that I previously had no interest in at all!

Looks like an AH150, as I'm pretty sure all the larger models (AH250 and 500) used to have the UV light strip built into the front... GP11 refers to the 11 band graphic on the pre-amp. I assume this also have a power section incorporated? But even if it is just the pre-amp (I can't tell from the small pic) then it is still a good price. Trace watts are not like other manufacturers' watts. They are LOUDER (and heavier...). But also cheaper! Great amps IMO, well worth twice what you are being asked for!

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1394446997' post='2391305'] Thanx.so it does make a big difference?i havnt a clue about installing one.but going to give it a go.just cant wait til I have enough cash to get one.do I need the dj retro rather than a j retro?thanx [/quote] They make a MASSIVE difference! I had one in my Marcus Miller J (now traded) and the amount of tonal control offered by the preamp was simply incredible - almost too much unless you use it very carefully and spend time learning to get the best out of it. If you get one and don't fancy installing it yourself, try Howard the Bass Doc. He'll do an excellent job at a very reasonable price! Local too!

I also got some strings from Mr D (a few weeks ago). Great deal. But last week he sent me a beautiful (and brand new!) Yamaha cassette deck on trust. Excellent, friendly and informative communications, and an absolute gent to deal with Highly recommended!

[quote name='bobbytodd' timestamp='1394058986' post='2387601'] in our old band we never used set lists.our singer was always really good at reading the crowd so he used to choose what song was next. [/quote] As mentioned above, this only works if the singer is aware of things like tuning changes, instrument swaps and the like. Otherwise - embarrassing car crash. I know this from experience...

How many are there? I own the Rush Moving Pictures/2112 DVD, and have seen the Tom Petty (Torpedoes), Floyd (WYWH and DSOTM) and Black Sabbath (Paranoid) episodes. Some of the ones mentioned above I haven't seen. But as others have said, they are very well made - educating and entertaining at the same time! Quality TV for a change!

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1394033046' post='2387148'] I swapped bridges and didn't notice any difference besides ease of use and adjustment [/quote] Which are perfectly good reasons to change!