Conan

If you like to change your strings regularly (as I do) but don't want to spend a fortune (as I don't) then the Harley Benton strings from Thomann are surprisingly decent for less than four quid a set!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1444067106' post='2880030'] You can have the most expensive cable, bass, amp and cab known to man. But if yer drummers sh*t, you'll sound sh*t too. [/quote] There is no longer a need for Basschat

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1444052460' post='2879810'] People do realise that my avatar isn't a picture of me....right ? [/quote] Of course not! It's me. I always wondered where you got the pic from...

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1444043113' post='2879648'] Is it just a bit of Chorus?[/quote] I would say so - although it may have been double tracked...

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1443789875' post='2877719'] Any signs of a 2015 event? Looking for an excuse to visit the folks [/quote] You could always organise one...

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1443556491' post='2875812'] The more i play the USA Geddy the more i like it, in all my years of playing i have never enjoyed playing a particular bass as much as this Geddy, if you have a chance to own one just grab it, it is that good. [/quote] And now it's up for sale! I'd love to try one of these but it is way beyond my budget at the moment

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1443639680' post='2876562']I don't believe ANYONE has cracked that level of consistancy. I think/hope creditable makers have cracked the QC/build to an extent but sound is still the big varible. IMO. [/quote] Well yes, the more experienced you are and the "better" your ears are, the more likely it is that you will hear differences between basses from the same manufacturer and even the same type. I have four J basses (not all Fender) and they all sound different to me. Materials vary - and wood in particular varies. Even two pieces of wood from the same tree will vary slightly. As bass guitars are still mainly made from wood, these variations will show themselves in sound, but to a greater extent in playability. Even metal varies, so the wire and magnets that makes up the pickups will show small differences... This is not necessarily down to inconsistencies in production methods or poor QC (well, Fender notwithstanding! ) but down to inherent variability within the materials themselves. Is it always a bad thing? In some ways, it is surprising that so many basses sound similar! I guess what Michael's test shows is that it is not necessary to pay £2000+ to get the tone and playability of early seventies Fender.

Top band! But then I would say that wouldn't I? May they live long and prosper P.S. If you like the Beard, have a listen to Karmakanic... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lhyJVEtiN4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lhyJVEtiN4[/url]

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1443598372' post='2875966'] Bass number two sounds more expensive than bass number one. It's a fuller, rounder sound with more character. There's a lovely growl on the lower notes. If number two isn't the vintage Fender, then it should be. [/quote] And it was the Jake. Hmmmm.... Food for thought indeed!

[quote name='vaesto' timestamp='1443159303' post='2872659'] Yes. Checked it again and the label on PU is PBA1-BK. [/quote] But do we know who makes the pickup? Despite quite a lot of searching I've drawn a blank so far...

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1442434849' post='2867003'] But this view does fall on its arse as soon as you plug in the squire p bass which may be set up sweet and play beautifully, but the output is just thin and hollow sounding???[/quote] Not the Matt Freeman P bass!

Best of all worlds!

To a very limited extent - Phil Lynott Yes, I know that the majority of his work was great, [i][b]but[/b][/i].... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKb13Z9gg0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKb13Z9gg0[/url] and [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhAmA_ILgl4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhAmA_ILgl4[/url]

If you do your research it is much harder to be "conned". On the other hand, there will always be gullible people with more money than sense who buy expensive stuff just because it is expensive. I makes a statement about them.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1442864489' post='2870135']I don't see many Just, Sandberg, Lakland, Sadowsky or Wals. But I do see an awful lot of Fenders. [/quote] Which becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Lots of Fenders about, so lots of aspiring bassists see them and think they are the instruments to own. Imitation is, after all, the sincerest form of flattery. Don't get me wrong - I like Fenders, and have owned a few (down to just two now, if you include Squier!) but sometimes I would like to see a bit more variety and recognition that there can be (and are) different solutions to the same problems...