simon1964

[quote name='mathewsanchez' post='382702' date='Jan 16 2009, 06:03 PM']Need to test if a B string will fit on my bass. Anyone got one lying around?[/quote] I'm about to change the strings on my 5 string - happy to send you the old B. PM me your details.

[quote name='bumfrog' post='382521' date='Jan 16 2009, 03:39 PM']1) something that ebay killed off - the second hand instrument market. I used to love going in to a music shop and trying out all the weird and wonderful guitars and basses, and at a decent price. It's all new epiphones, squires, fenders and cheap sh*te now generally.[/quote] I couldn't agree with you more. But the reason most small shops stock that cheap sh*te is that this is the stuff that sells. A good question to ask people on here would be when they last spent £500 on a bass from a (new) small independent retailer. I may well be wrong, but I would bet that most of us lucky enough to own one of the ''top brand'' basses either bought secondhand on here, or new from one of the specialist retailers. Sadly, that's something the small independent general music retailers have to take into account when buying in their stock. The stuff that shifts for small local businesses isn't necessarily the stuff we would all like to have a play with in our local store.

You could well be mad, but that's not a reason not to do it! Having previously been a semi-pro musician and music teacher, my Dad ran a small music shop for about 15 years, including through the last recession. I don't claim any expertise, but I do know what his take on this would be. Some thoughts based on what he learnt: The key is to recognise that it is very hard, if not impossible, for an independent to compete with the large chains (Reverb, PMT etc), or the internet. If you stock the same as them, people will simply use you to try out gear, but then buy more cheaply online. So, you need to offer something different. Your added value might be a decent range of used gear, repairs, accessories, rehearsal factilities, teaching, instrument hire etc. Also, tap into what people want to buy locally. You're unliklely to sell many US Fenders in a small local shop, let alone Warwicks,, Laklands, Sandberg etc (even if you could get dealerships). As much as you may want to stock the fancy stuff, the bread and butter is Encores, Staggs and cheap nylon acoustic 6 strings. That's what people buy for their kid's birthday at under £100 a pop. Also look at books. Sheet music and tutor books sell most days and produce turnover, which will keep your head above water while you try to find a buyer for that custom shop Warwick! Getting a good reputation for books will also bring repeat business in - if you get lucky they may take a fancy to an instrument you have in and buy that on spec. Most importantly, get some good business advice (most of the banks provide it free to business customers). The hardest lesson my Dad learnt was that being a competent businessman is much more important than being a competent musician. None of that necessarily reflects what I want in a music shop, but you have to take into account that there are not a huge number of serious musicians out there. There are far more people casually buying stuff for their kids, or cheap stuff for their own use. They're the ones who produce turnover for your business. Just my tuppence worth. Good luck!

[quote name='rjb' post='380233' date='Jan 14 2009, 01:27 PM']Ibanez SR500? Slim neck, nice woods, bart pickups, very decent price..... [url="http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/bass/1449-ibanez_sr500_bass_guitar"]http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/bass/1449-...500_bass_guitar[/url][/quote] I was going to suggest the SR500 - fantastic basses and great value. But I think the OP was after a reasonably wide string spacing at the bridge, and I think the SR500 is very narrow for a 4 string. But if you like the string spacing, these are just about the best spec'd bass under £500 IMO

The Ibanez ATK is great, but has a relatively wide nut width compared to a Jazz - more Precision width. I've never played a Rockbass Corvette, but if the neck is like the Warwick Corvette necks, you really do need to try before you buy. I love mine, but they have a deep profile which some people don't get on with at all. Incidentally, given your budget, I wouldn't buy a Rockbass - you could easily pick up a very nice used German Warwick within that budget.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='379926' date='Jan 14 2009, 06:41 AM']Does anyone know the impedance and what power rating they are? I've looked everywhere but can't find the specs, I'm looking to use one as a practice cab for my Little Giant.[/quote] Purely from memory, I think they were rated at 60w, but I couldn't swear to that. I would email Ashdown's tech people - in my experience they are extremely quick and helpful.

To me it implies number 1. But with Fenders, if an early 70s neck, is bolted to an early 70s body, and the hardware all looks from that era, how would you tell?

[quote name='alexclaber' post='378901' date='Jan 13 2009, 12:42 PM']I disagree. A metronome is much better for practising feel and locking in with a groove than any drum machine because it is down to you to bring that groove! It strikes me that too many bassists spend their time playing along with things when they should be focusing on being the source and foundation of the music and to be that you need to be it - make the music on your own and just let the click lay down the 1/4 notes or the backbeat. The benefit of using a drum machine is it can help you start getting to grips with certain feels and groove but at some point you need to take off the virtual stabilisers, strip the backing back to just a click, and bring all the feel and groove yourself. Alex[/quote] Actually, I think we do agree, but my first post isn't very clear! The point I was trying to make was that a drum machine can be used, as you say, as virutal stabilisiers, which hides poor timing. I agree that you should be able to play any line, with a good groove and feel, to a simple quarter beat from a metronome. But there is also a skill to playing with a live drummer, particularly locking into what he (or she) is playing. A drum machine can help with that, but as I said in my post, its no substitute for a live drummer.

[quote name='d-basser' post='374391' date='Jan 8 2009, 08:11 PM']were is the best place to get Delano's in the uk?[/quote] I think any Sandberg dealer should be able to get them - from memory they are connected to Sandberg and have the same distributor. Failing that, Jon Shuker can source them (he's fitting a set to my singlecut ). I'm sure he could help if you give him a call.

Not everyone files the saddles, but I think Badass themselves recommend it. Its a pretty easy job (I think there's a sticky on it somewhere), and I suspect it will make the string more stable.

Wow! That really is stunning!

I take it you're a Jazz fan! I've always liked those 80s Jazz/Precision hybrids, and that one looks fantastic with the Status neck.

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='377505' date='Jan 12 2009, 11:33 AM']Me too, tried one at the Bass Centre. Horrible I thought. The neck was probably the worst 5string neck I've ever played.[/quote] My views exactly. I ended up getting an Ibanez ATK305 - much nicer bass for a lot less money!

[quote name='jakesbass' post='376655' date='Jan 11 2009, 11:04 AM']Not quite with you on that Steve, I take great pleasure in turning those clicks into a good sound, with the right consistency and feel you can make a metronome sound like it's swinging, grooving rocking.. whatever you want. It's a central part of my more advanced teaching method, making "fun with metronomes" if you play with a good feel you will make a click sound great.[/quote] I tend to agree with this. I think metronomes and drum machines actually perform slightly different roles. A drum machine is great for practising feel, and locking in with a groove (a good real drummer is better mind!). A metronome is great for playing in a disciplined way, and for beginners especially, simply learning to count properly. You don't always learn that with a drum machine, which can sometimes hide some sloppiness (at least in my playing it can!)

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='376846' date='Jan 11 2009, 03:36 PM']It's a Fender? Runs away before anyone can catch me [/quote] LOL! As it happens, I played one of these at a local music shop a couple of weeks ago, and didn't like it at all. Got a decent review in BGM though.

3 band stingray, but with black knobs? Can't see anything else out of the ordinary, especially on the back!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='376660' date='Jan 11 2009, 11:06 AM']Oh sh1t! You mean it's real? [size=1]Slinks away quietly hoping no one else reads the thread.[/size][/quote] Looks like a bog-standard Mex 5 string Jazz to me. If you're worried about the machine heads, those are standard on many of the 5 string models, presumably to cut down on weight.

[quote name='agroupuk' post='376551' date='Jan 11 2009, 12:38 AM']Hey all, Does anyone know what a 'Rockwood' bass by Hohner might be like build, sound etc? Theres a guy selling one cheaply but I cant say I have heard of one before. It looks like a precision. Advertised as an 1980's bass. Anyway - just asking as I am a little tempted and could use any info to help me make a decision on buying it or not. Thanks for any input. Edd[/quote] They were Hohner's cheap brand in the 80s or early 90s. I think they were branded ''Rockwood by Hohner''. I used to have one, and it was horrible! Poorly made, crap pickups, and all round nasty! Nowhere near the quality of the proper Hohners (I've got one of the Hohner's Steinberger copies which is great).

[quote name='rjb' post='375941' date='Jan 10 2009, 09:48 AM']They finally got rid of that horrible "Rockbass" logo! And added a two piece bridge. I'd consider buying one now (esp. the fortress fretless). Great move.[/quote] +1 - that fretless fortress is very tempting!

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='371921' date='Jan 6 2009, 12:51 PM']LMII - Everything pretty much flat, depending on the room/where the cab is etc. Sometimes a little high-mid boost . Have the VLE off and the VPF no further than 11 o'clock. If i need any boost i usually just use the 3 band eq on my bass[/quote] Pretty much the same here with my Jeff Berlin combo. I hardly ever touch the EQ, but use the two filters depending on whether I want a ''modern'' or ''vintage'' tone.