Conan

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1403702539' post='2485448'] What I [b]completely[/b] don't get is the metalwork relicing - that corrosion's minging, and it does nothing for the feel or sound, it's purely for the look, which doesn't equate in my head. [/quote] I have to agree. A bit of age-appropriate corrosion is cool, but some of the others look revolting! I mean, who actually wants rusty pole pieces on the pickups and somebody else's gunge on the bridge and tuners??

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1403699979' post='2485414'] Some people would say, well just get an old bass, but I am inherently suspicious and would worry that a vintage instrument would have problems, [/quote] I'm with you on that one! Even if I could afford a YOB (1966) Jazz, I would be totally paranoid about being ripped off with something that was not what it seemed. [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1403700773' post='2485424']it's the sheer choice/options available. I'd like a Fiesta Red/Tort/light relic/rosewood/P neck bass. If I go Fender, it's a Pino, and its money I don't want to invest. Fender make great basses but £3000 or whatever it is for a VERY basic design is just not my thing, (unless I suddenly throw caution to the wind). [/quote] Very good points! [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1403701895' post='2485443'] Same here - if I wanted a genuine year-of-birth Fender Jazz it would need to be a 1960 stacker. I specced my Limelight Jazz to be as close to the 'real thing' as practically possible and Mark has done a brilliant job for around a twentieth of the price Edit: I've just taken delivery of mine and played it for the first time minutes ago and it feels very familiar and lived-in already... [/quote] Stunning it is too!

Absolutely fecking gorgeous!!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1403697083' post='2485372'] You forgot:[list] [*]People who want a bass in that particular colour scheme, with that particular spec, and don't really go for shiny instruments. [/list] And:[list] [*]People who've played one, and bought it 'cos it was nice. [/list] I'd fall into the latter category, BTW. [/quote] Absolutely! Both perfectly good reasons of course My list wasn't meant to be exhaustive - just kind of thinking out loud.

Following on from the couple of NBD (or maybe NBPTBOBD* would be more accurate!) threads relating to a certain manufacturer's basses, I thought I would open a new thread to see what people think about the concept. This is in no way an attempt to stir things up! I think it is an interesting subject but it doesn't belong in a thread about a particular person's new bass. First of all, and to set the record straight, I have no beef with Limelight guitars. I have looked at a number of them on their website and some of them are beautiful looking instruments. A bit heavily relicked for [i][b]my[/b][/i] taste, but whatever floats your boat! The reviews that are available so far indicate that these are very well-made basses that sound and feel like the real vintage Fenders upon which they are based - but are available at very competitive prices (around £800 from what I have seen on the website). But what is the target market?[list] [*]People who would love a vintage Fender but can't afford one or can't justify the expense? [*]People who want [b][i]others[/i][/b] to think that they [i][b]can[/b][/i] afford a vintage Fender? [*]People who own a vintage Fender (or more than one) but would rather not gig them in public due to concerns about damage or theft? [/list] I think the thing that makes me slightly uncomfortable is the fact that they have Fender decals on the headstock. Yes, they also have the maker's name written on the back in marker; and they won't have the genuine date stamps in various places - but would they have the same appeal if they lacked the iconic Fender logo? I really don't have an axe to grind here, and am genuinely interested in what people think. Oh, and I would quite like one myself - either a Burgundy Mist or Surf Green Jazz with matching headstock in light relic. The playability of a pre-CBS Fender for the price of a MIM Geddy Lee? You'd be daft not to! *[size=2][i]New bass pretending to be old bass[/i][/size]

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1403690402' post='2485258'] I think the point you're missing is that a New Bass Day thread for a specific member's bass isn't the place for this (recycled and dull) 'discussion'. Unless you've come here with the intention of trying to goad people into an argument? It's just detracted away from the discussion about Michael's lovely new bass :-) [/quote] Oh right. Fair enough. I don't find it dull, even if it has been discussed before (but then again, what hasn't? ). No intention on my part of starting an argument. You don't know me very well if you even suggest that! Your tone is far more "argumentative" than mine! Just genuinely interested in these instruments and why people would buy them - myself included! And yes, Michael's bass is indeed lovely. I never said it wasn't! Some people are so touchy! But OK, I will keep my opinions on this to myself

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1403683004' post='2485156'] You're missing the point. Why bring it up then? [/quote] What point am I missing exactly? Please clarify. And I brought it up because this is a bass forum where people discuss subjects relating to bass. Is that OK? Some people get on their high horses about "fake" vintage Fenders on sites like Ebay and Gumtree - whereas on this thread some of those same people seem to have no problem with a range of basses that are trying very hard to look like vintage Fenders, but aren't. I think there is a bit of irony there. Maybe you don't - but that's cool.

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1403620105' post='2484587'] He's not trying to make anyone believe that it's actually a Fender bass. [/quote] Apart from the Fender decal on the headstock! Don't get me wrong - I'm not particularly bothered, and they mostly look fantastic (especially that Burgundy Mist J on the website! ). I just find it a bit odd that people are turning a blind eye to the fact that they are (to a certain extent) leading people to believe that they are Fenders. Not many audience members (or even fellow bass players) look at the [i][b]back[/b][/i] of the headstock...

I'm confused... (it doesn't take much, I realise!). Is that a Fender, relicked by Limelight or a Limelight J bass with a snidey Fender decal? If it is the latter, isn't that a tiny bit naughty?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1403539961' post='2483716'] If you like the band or are a big fan, you'll think he/they are great and that is fine. [/quote] Not sure what point you are trying to make here. I like lots of bands. Some have great bass players, some don't. Some have bass players that I like/appreciate, some don't. The (perceived) quality of the bass player is not one of my most important factors in deciding whether I like a band or not. I like Queen. I am not a massive fan, but I enjoy their music. JD's bass playing (and writing) is an important factor in why they sound like they do. End of story for me. I'm not trying to big him up, but I am quite saddened that you seem to make it your mission to denigrate him without reason. It is all very negative.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1403563554' post='2484054'] I sometimes wonder what a band has to do to impress some people !! [/quote] I wonder which people you can [b][i]possibly[/i][/b] be referring to?

"The boy asked paramedics if he could just be bandaged up and "rave on"..." [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv49jlyX-co"]http://www.youtube....h?v=sv49jlyX-co[/url]

I saw him on Saturday and he is OK. But he was laid low for a while with a virus and may still be working his way through a backlog... I think you could expect a PG for around £30.... depends really!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1403531732' post='2483596'] the one thing those 3 all have, IMO, is that they took the bass REALLY somewhere else at the time and that is why the 'deserve' their place. [/quote] Eh? Nobody here is comparing JD to any other bass players - just saying that he has/had great taste and really added to the overall sound of one of the greatest rock/pop bands of all time (as judged by sales if nothing else). Why is that so hard to understand?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1403525980' post='2483519']I just don't think there is anything special to listen to and he was lucky to be part of a successful band... the right place etc, and not discounting band chemistry etc .. Good luck to the guy...[/quote] Well of course! Isn't that the same with most, if not all successful/famous/iconic bass players? A lot of it [b][i]is[/i][/b] down to luck - meeting the right people at the right time, making the right note choices, having a musical/compositional talent in the first place... Still - he wrote (or co-wrote) and played on some of the biggest tunes in recent musical history. Not too shabby in my book

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1403039996' post='2479236'] I joined this forum to learn stuff, mostly what I've learnt is...I don't actually want to be here. [/quote] And yet you keep popping back to tell us this? Admit it, you love us really!

Is that the stock colour? I love it! If you refinned it yourself, what paint did you use? Looks very like Fender "surf green" to my eyes...

How have I never heard of Nova?! What a great track! Good call on Byron Miller too - his playing really makes the Reach for it album for me (although the other musicians are no slouches too, obviously!).

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1403020060' post='2478928'] I played a Sterling at the LBGS and was surprised how good it was [/quote] [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1403022477' post='2478967'] The Sterling, made by Music Man, is a slightly smaller more agressive sounding Stingray. [/quote] [quote name='Iain' timestamp='1403028075' post='2479049'] I've got a Sterling and I played it back to back with a Stingray. Necks seemed very similar i.e. excellent. Body is smaller and lighter than the Stingray but it's not a light bass by any stretch. It's got seriously hyped actives. Mine's the 4H - single noise cancelling Humbucker with a 3-way switch for various modes. Pretty flexible tone between the pickup selector and the 3-way tone. I generally play with them in middle position, just rolling back treble if the room is very bright. The bass-boost is huge. I absolutely love it and the red body with black scratch looks great. [/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1403084051' post='2479513']USA Stingray vs USA Sterling - Stingray has the classic tone, slightly bigger neck (not so much P bass but almost), chrome control plate due to front loaded electronics, etc. USA Sterling is smaller, sleeker, Jazz-type neck but IMO better than a Jazz, the pickups are in the same spot but the magnet is ceramic, so it sounds more aggressive in the mids...they really do bark and cut through the mix like crazy! Similar EQ's.[/quote] [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1403115427' post='2479983'] i love the USA MM Sterling. superb aggressive tone. lovely neck.. just a wonderful instrument. i just prefer the look of a jazz bass. [/quote] I've never been able to get on with the chunky neck of the 'Rays, but I[b][i] loved [/i][/b]the neck on my Sterling! Very comfortable and just so [i][b]playable[/b][/i]. A great bass which I only moved on because it's rather assertive tone (which I love) didn't quite fit with my requirements in my current band. The other option was to change bands - which I seriously considered! Highly recommended, and you should be able to pick up a good used one on here for around £750.

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1403014999' post='2478855'] Err, I think this started as a happy thread, sadly ruined by argumentative pendants. [/quote] Ruined?! How is it ruined? I've learned a lot by reading this thread - a lot more than I would have learned from a twee "Isn't Herbie Flowers a top gent" thread. (Not that I'm suggesting that he [i][b]isn't[/b][/i] a top gent of course!)

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1402919368' post='2477830'] Could it be that you like the scooped-mid voicing of the LH500 less than the sound of other amps? You could try running the LH500 with the midrange turned to full and the bass and treble around 1, which should bring the EQ somewhere close to flat. [/quote] I always do that. The 2,10,2 setting is supposed to be approximately "flat", but I find it still a bit mid-poor and bass-heavy. There are times when I cut the bass control completely in order to get more mid-range. Of course, using a J bass with both pickups on full most of the time doesn't help...

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1402695851' post='2476178'] I don't know if it's because it's not a valve amp which the Hartke is...[/quote] Actually, the Hartke only has one valve - in the preamp stage. It is really a solid state amp with a "bit" of valve warmth thrown in. The trouble is that there are so many variables here. I did a similar thing at my band's rehearsal last week. We are practicing for an upcoming "quiet" gig so in an effort to minimise the carry-in I used my Ashdown Perfect 10 (30W) combo instead of my usual LH500 and Barefaced Big One. I really liked the sound - even though (or maybe [b][i]because[/i][/b]) the Ashdown was running flat out! I couldn't (and wouldn't) use it for a full-on rehearsal or gig, but a lower volumes it actually sounded pretty good!

[quote name='JohnSC' timestamp='1402865769' post='2477440'] Which amp would you suggest for a funk player? I really like sounds like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJj70B2IJc [/quote] What you are hearing there is the sound of the bass and, more importantly, the player - not the amp itself. If you are in the US, then Carvin would be a great place to start looking. But what is your speaker? When you say "DIY" do you mean that you built the cabinet yourself? If so, no offence, but how competent are you? Did you use a top-spec driver or a cheap one? It all matters...

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1402501871' post='2474199'] Interesting that you've decided matching headstocks because YOU like them, not all your customers will agree.[/quote] Maybe - but I [color=#FF0000][size=8][i][b]LOVE[/b][/i][/size] [/color]them!!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1402582183' post='2475012']I'd never call him a great bass player[/quote] Depends what your definition of a "great bass player" is, doesn't it? [quote name='JD1' timestamp='1179534358' post='1981']Awesome. For me, what bass playing is all about. [/quote] For me too. So many of the so-called "greats" are all about technique and using ten notes when one will do. Deacon is/was the antithesis of that approach. Not that he couldn't play a complex line mind... but it would tend to be complex from a melody point of view rather than just being "difficult to play". For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJU-E-Etop8