Conan

Well, it is from 1063 - which makes it pre-Norman. I'm not sure how careful an owner Norman is - but as he arrived nearly a thousand years ago we can't be too sure. Isn't he on tour over in Dublin? I'm sure I heard someone tell me that Norman is in Ireland... Still - it is a VERY old bass!

[quote name='razze06' post='1124046' date='Feb 11 2011, 04:54 PM']I know I've changed amps a few times in the past few months, but only because I was looking for something and what I had didn't have it. You, on the other hand, seem quite happy with the setup you've got, why change it?[/quote] That would be my view too. The search for the 'Holy Grail' of gear distracts from other important elements, like practise and technique. If your rig sounds good, could you get the perceived 'missing' piece from somewhere/something else?

To me, bass is all about LOW notes. A five has four extra low notes that a four (in standard tuning at least) doesn't have. So what's not to like? My five is nowhere near as good in quality terms as my four, so I have found it awkward making the transition. If out-and-out tone and playability is what I need, then I play my Status four. If I want extended range, I play the Cort 5. Works for me. They are merely tools. I wouldn't attempt to put up a set of shelves while only using one screwdriver - so why limit myself to only one tool when playing bass? It also depends on context. If you have played with the same band for a while, or in a cover band with a singer who is getting on a bit, dropped keys may become the norm. Drop below E on a four and you often lose the real low root notes. A five gives more lee-way. As others have said, I don't [i]need[/i] it. I managed without it for 20 years, but if I've got it I will use it. We are still talking about the fifth string here BTW! All IMO and IME of course!

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1123676' date='Feb 11 2011, 11:18 AM']truss adjustment isn't a good idea unless you know what you're doing & how everything works. Jon.[/quote] Same goes for truss [i]rod[/i] adjustment...

[quote name='owen' post='1123385' date='Feb 10 2011, 11:13 PM']What I like about here is that the 2nd hand stuff has a reasonably stable price range. I can pick something up for a good price, try it out and if it is not my flavour then I can just toss it back in to the pool and someone else will take it. If you live in gear deserts then this is incredibly useful.[/quote] Exactly. I find that this is increasingly prevalent at the higher end of the price scale. People buy stuff expecting to be 'wowed' by it, and when they are not, might feel let down and slightly embarrassed that their judgement was in error. Selling the gear on can help to alleviate this sense of guilt and embarrassment. Now if only I could find someone who'd done that with a five string Status series II!

[quote name='Doddy' post='1123482' date='Feb 11 2011, 02:25 AM']If I see some one saying 'I paid £XX,and want to get back what I paid',my first reaction is 'no-I want it for less',but if just the price is stated I might be happier to pay it.[/quote] Despite feeling that it is slightly unfair, I'm inclined to agree with this. No idea why! As others have said, it's all about the [i]current[/i] state of the market - what you paid for that item even six months ago is irrelevant (except maybe as a guide price), but to rigidly stick to your guns on a price that may have been rather arbitrarily arrived at by the previous seller is pointless and short-sighted IMO. If it sells, be glad. If not, you may have to drop your price! Not complicated is it?

If it has a bolt-on neck, search the Wiki section for how to SHIM it. If it's a through-neck, sounds like you might be stuck. Using strings of a lighter gauge will lower the action slightly and may aid playability... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=49897"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=49897[/url]

[url="http://www.itbites.com/"]http://www.itbites.com/[/url] No mention of the Cluny gig on the Cluny's website or that of Ticketweb either though...

[quote name='Phil-osopher10' post='1121836' date='Feb 9 2011, 07:52 PM']Specs have no 'real' affect on how it sounds in terms of tone?[/quote] I'm with Harry Potter on this one. I [i]like[/i] the Phil-osopher's tone....

[quote name='Phil Starr' post='1122318' date='Feb 10 2011, 08:56 AM']In the end musicians have to trust their ears and if a design works for you that is good, the designer has made the compromises that suit you. Don't close your mind to new designs without hearing them but don't believe all the hype either.[/quote] Spot on!

[quote name='bassoctopus' post='1122290' date='Feb 10 2011, 07:46 AM']And one of Sunless Saturday that one of our audience took from the same gig [url="http://www.youtube.com/v/AgKwGPEhJLg"]http://www.youtube.com/v/AgKwGPEhJLg[/url][/quote] Cool! one of my favourite Fishbone tracks. You really nailed Norwood's tone and style on that mate!

[quote name='alant' post='1109301' date='Jan 31 2011, 12:21 PM']Most pubs we play usually start at 9pm and go through to midnight. We play 1 hour first set, then half hour break, so 2nd set is usually 9.30pm to midnight or thereabouts.[/quote] I've played a few bars stuck in a time-warp too...

[quote name='bassoctopus' post='1120367' date='Feb 8 2011, 06:05 PM']And my coverband - Dogman - doing Fishbone and Kings X covers in between at Trillians 15th April[/quote] Oooohh! I'm there!!

[quote name='wayne58' post='1121765' date='Feb 9 2011, 07:21 PM']I think the venue and audience preference has to dictate how diluted the 'Blues' material becomes. Your average town centre pub, unless it's a Blues venue would probably require Soul/Blues (the Commitments/ Blues brothers take) However if you tried too many classic soul re- hashed songs at a Blues festival you may come a cropper.[/quote] Maybe. But after all, blues is a state of mind rather than a strict style of music. IMO of course.

On the subject of Z Z Top... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABGHGLvkPcY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABGHGLvkPcY[/url]

[quote name='Bucket Head' post='1121423' date='Feb 9 2011, 02:45 PM']didnt realise, i dont stay up to date enuff obviosuly[/quote] To be honest, there's a lot of stuff in that thread that is [i]worth[/i] ignoring!

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1120267' date='Feb 8 2011, 04:42 PM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121791"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121791[/url][/quote] Yeah, I was gonna post that! 45 years takes some beating!!

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=117983&hl=les+claypool"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=les+claypool[/url]

[quote name='Oakbear' post='1120841' date='Feb 8 2011, 11:50 PM']I'm looking for a cab with a 10 or 12", with good clarity, capable of around 400w, weighing 10kg or under, and the size of a handbag! It'd be a lone cab with my AI Clarus, so would need some decent bass response too, but not much on the way of colour.[/quote] That's a big ask!! Unfortunately, the small number of cabs that come anywhere near solving your conundrum will be expensive. That level of quality has to be paid for...