Conan

While all of my buying and selling experiences on here have been positive (which makes it sound like there have been loads! ), I think you have to treat each deal as an individual set of circumstances. Applying general rules is always risky, and both buyers and sellers can leave themselves open to problems. That said, I do believe in the "community" ethos - to a certain extent. But I think it would be naive to expect everyone to behave in the same way. After all, we are all individual people with our own motivations. There are some people on here to which I would extend the "mates' rates" scenario - but not all. Again, I think it is naive to assume the best in everyone. I have experienced the best and worst of this "community" and this has led me to be somewhat more wary than I would have been a few years ago. Do your research - not just into the item itself, but the buyer/seller too. Feedback is useful, but you can often learn more from what [i]isn't[/i] said about someone! At the end of the day though, whatever I buy or sell something for is really no business of anyone but myself and the buyer/seller. Of course, the thread is still there for future reference - which is fair. But the PMs and other private communications are not. People need to bear this in mind when trawling through old threads! Hmmmm... all of this is making me want to buy or sell something! Is there method in the OP's madness??

Anyway.... Happy 60th birthday to Alex Lifeson!!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1377600311' post='2189158'] All I can say is if you want people to recognise your bass from all the other Fender clones then put a legible logo on it. [/quote]

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1377595929' post='2189078']Yes, Geddy's voice has changed, but I wish I could sing and play at all, let alone do what he does singularly in either department. Give the guy a break.[/quote] Good call! The guy is 60 years old and has been at the top of his profession for nearly forty years. OK, he is not the greatest singer, the greatest bassist or the greatest songwriter - but put his abilities at all three together and you have a very talented guy. I can never understand why he gets such a hard time on here. He has inspired thousands of bassists around the world and is probably still doing so. Bands like the Stones get criticised for basically staying the same for decades. Rush attract their critics for the opposite reasons - because they[i] have[/i] changed tack several times over the course of their career! Music fans and pundits are so fickle!

Nice looking and sounding J-bass clone. Pickups look like Nordstrand Big Singles or similar.... I can't quite read the logo on the headstock - anyone know what it is? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcJGHEEesh0[/media]

I like Rush. I'm pleased that they are still making music and clearly enjoying each other's company. What else would they do? Clockwork Angels is still growing on me, but I still find the "sound" of that album rather wearying. No dynamics. Too full-on all the time. Interestingly, Caress of Steel is just about my favourite Rush album! So what type of a fan does that make me?

I was impressed with a set of GFS overwounds - excellent price and sounded great on a Squier Affinity! [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html"]http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html[/url]

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1376311038' post='2171925'] Arrr man - what a shame. Great pickups for silly money. All the best to him. [/quote] Hear, hear. I love my set of Hammers. I love the image of a wizard sailing away into the sunset...

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1376903697' post='2180449']Sorry to disagree with Iceonaboy, but take the pups right down to the bottom and give the strings space to breathe. [/quote] I think what he was getting at was that if the neck pickup is lower than the bridge pickup, then the overall sound (with both pickups selected) might well lack a bit of bass response, as it will be dominated by the (less bassy) bridge pickup. Makes sense to me. But of course, lowering both pickups equally should still give a balanced sound, just less of it. Still - that's what amps are for! Not sure what you mean by giving the strings "room to breathe" though...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1376916737' post='2180756'] FWIW, since getting the TKS 112s, I've been enjoying mids like never before. The cabs don't have massively low extension or sizzly highs - they just 'speak' in a way that suits my style [/quote] I feel the same about my Compact. And the Vintage was even more of the same!

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1376908029' post='2180550']I didn't realise that I actually liked a coloured/biased sound [/quote] I think a lot of this depends on what you are used to and what you like to hear - which is why there are so many manufacturers making so many different specs of amp and cab and people buying them! As others have said, it is all about compromise. For me, the main thing in the favour of the BF cabs is their lack of mass. That said, if they sounded terrible that would be too much of a compromise and I still wouldn't want one! To my ears they sound good, but I do like a clean sound. Horses for horses, as with all things.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376911281' post='2180618'] Surely if the Midget is snarly and 'bitey', this would suggest it DOES have a 'voice' and colour...eg a mid bump? Not that I mind that at all. [/quote] Ha! That's a good point! Or is it that most other 1x12 cabs colour the sound to the extent that they scoop a lot of that mid, and the Midget doesn't? I dunno!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1376895570' post='2180344'] Small British Company with a nice ethic, IMO. [/quote] True - but intestesting that when buyers of Barefaced cabinets trot that one out it attracts criticism and some say that it is no excuse for (what is perceived as) inconsistent QC. Just sayin'...

Sometimes cheap pickups can have a very "unbalanced" sound. Too loud, too much treble (or, as in this case, bass). Some Mex pickups are known for not having the best tone either... It's complicated!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1376898385' post='2180366'] All I, and others are saying is that there are often two sides to every story. I've gone to the trouble of speaking directly to one of the parties involved and have picked up first hand knowledge of some of the events discussed. [/quote] Then please share this inside information with us instead of making thinly-veiled references to it via hypothetical examples. Did the buyer do something to worsen (or inflict) some of the damage we have seen in the photographs? That seems to be what you are implying. If not, I can't see where this is going

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1376607945' post='2176916'] Personally I have a real problem with BF cabs (leans back & waits for torrent of flame posts). [/quote] Please enlighten us as to the reasons (if there are any) for your "problem"... Admittedly, I own a BF Compact - but I am no "fanboi" of any brands. Just interested to hear.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1376772250' post='2179045']...the depth of sound, certainly where I was, was great. [/quote] Any feedback from audience members/other band members?

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1376814612' post='2179298'] Just don't panic if you accidentally plug into the effects send or return. [/quote] You too?

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1376802990' post='2179240'] Me, my back and my fingers are delighted at the 40/50 gigs we do per annum. As are my ears. Expensive, not to everybodies taste, but a great compromise in all areas that count. [/quote] The thread in a nutshell

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1376828927' post='2179562'] Just looking at La Bellas, the spiel sounds like they'd be right up my street; flexible but deep tone for a stainless string, and the varies look good too. I may have to dig deep....[/quote] The advertising and marketing blurb for most strings talk about tone in very subjective terms. Remember that they are trying to sell their product in a very crowded market sector. What is a "deep" tone? Can you get this from one string manufacturer? Could it not be negated by use of the tone controls on your bass and/or amp? Totally subjective I would have thought unless you do a blind test with all other factors equal. And how many of us can do that?

I like DRs. Hi Beams are good, but I think Fat Beams are my favourites. Yes, they are on the pricey side but IMO and IME they last MUCH longer than cheaper strings. Whether you want them to "last" is of course subjective! What I mean by "last" is that they keep their brightness and zing for a long time. Some people dislike this, so, for them, DR would just be expensive strings! Sadly, there really is no short cut on this one. You really have to try as many brands as you can afford.

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1376643151' post='2177162'] Its foolish to assume that everyone who feels this way must all be trolls who are not rich enough to join this luxury club. [/quote] Damn right. I am getting rather frustrated with this attitude. "Why don't all you plebs just shut up, as you aren't rich and discerning enough to deserve one of [i]Jimmy's[/i] basses anyway..." or words to that effect.

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1376571303' post='2176205']Not all other heavier (or otherwise) gear sounds inferior. [/quote] I didn't say that it did. I was referring to the gear that I have used. Although at the time I was happy with the tone from my Trace, Ashdown and Ampeg gear; none of them sounded as good as the tone I am now getting. I'm also not convinced that they look better. I think a lot of this is to do with familiarity - more people are used to seeing those three big brands (and others) on stage. Then they kind of knowingly nod their heads and think they know about bass gear. A few years ago, a MarkBass set-up would have got the same sneering response, but now they have been more accepted. I'm not trying to convince anyone that my gear choices suit everyone. Of course they don't! I haven't tried everything by any means, but I have tried enough to know what I am talking about when I make a comparison between the BF gear I have used (Vintage and Compact) and the other stuff. The others are far bigger, far heavier and do not sound as good (to my ears). I try to stick to the facts! If that gets up people's noses, then so be it.