discreet

[quote name='such' timestamp='1434138516' post='2797152'] If you play your solid body electric bass while sitting down, what happens when you rest your chin on the body? Do you feel the vibration? Do you "hear" the sound through your bones? Aren't the pickups mounted in that vibrating body? So, aren't they also vibrating, relative to the also vibrating strings? So, isn't it possible that what the pickups pick up is vibration of the strings against the body, and if the body against the strings, combined? [/quote] The pickups only pick up the vibration of the metal strings disturbing a magnetic field. They don't pick up any of that sound you feel in the wood. Whether the pickups themselves are vibrating or not is irrelevant. None of that vibration is picked up. The single thing that makes the most difference to the tone of a bass guitar is the physical position of the pickup(s). Next up is type of strings. Then type of pckups. And of course there's the EQ, tone circuit, preamp, amp and cab, the room, how the bass is physically being played, etc etc. What the body is made from is way down the list, if it's on the list at all. Blind testing consistently turns up comments like 'lovely woody tone' from an acrylic bass, or pickups screwed to a plank of scrap plywood. Having said that, I do have a theory that thicker necks result in a heftier tone, and one-piece maple necks sound different to those with maple or rosewood caps, but I'd be just as happy to have it conclusively proved that I'm talking out my arse.

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1434244235' post='2798001'] Take photos. Post feedback including the photos. [/quote] Photos of what? The seller in a compromising position with the neighbour's cat? Not a proportionate response, imho.

Very interesting. Probably something that takes time to get used to. Have to admit the whole idea goes against my philosophy of making gigs as simple and easy as possible for myself. But then that includes not singing and playing bass at the same time.

If like me you make a point of packaging things really well, then other people's packaging can seem a bit lax at best. And you can't blame the sender for the actions of the postman, either. I would probably say nothing, be a bit lukewarm with the feedback and not buy anything else from that seller. Or at least next time say, '...for Chrissake make a better job of the packing this time, you deek!'

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1434228334' post='2797860'] You can see the Wal outline in that! [/quote] Yes, and in the Shergold Marathon Bass too. Both are precursor to the Wal Pro Mk1 basses. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/263684-nbd-shergold-marathon-mk-1a-1979-audio/"]http://basschat.co.u...-1a-1979-audio/[/url]

[quote name='TheKcrimsonKing' timestamp='1434233634' post='2797911'] Did Peter Hook play one of these at some point? [/quote] He had a number of Shergold Marathon 6-strings. Among other things.

What a fantastic surprise! My recent surprises have been less so, but hope springs eternal! Enjoy!

[quote name='mrdreadful' timestamp='1434211666' post='2797694'] I've got to admit I have decided against trying to sell something on here because of the fee... [/quote] BassChat's fee structure looks very good if you compare it with eBay/PayPal, who will charge you at least 10%, so if you sell a £300 bass it'll cost you £30, plus PayPal's cut on top. And that's for ONE bass. A £20 sub for a year on BassChat allows you to sell as many basses as you like in that year AND amps/FX/ancilliary gear, with no extra costs. AND it's bass-centric too, unlike eBay. D'oh! Beaten to it by the boss. Thp! Edit: And while nothing and nobody is perfect, it's generally much safer to deal on here than elsewhere.

Yes, I saw that too... I have one [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/233196-nvbbd-hayman-4040-tree-update/"]http://basschat.co.u...40-tree-update/[/url] They are fantastic hand-made British vintage basses with tone to die for and really amazing necks. Loads of character and bags of retro chic. However, £1200 is WAY over the top, even for one in mint condition, and this one is not in mint condition... Very unusual indeed to ever see them with their perspex ashtrays. They tended to go AWOL pretty quick.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' timestamp='1434218407' post='2797762'] Looking back, the amazing thing for me is how he could write such insightful and thought-provoking lyrics as a young man in his twenties... [/quote] Mind-expanding drugs?

Sold Mick a KiOgon P-Bass wiring loom which was surplus to requirements... all good, swift payment, top BassChatter!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1434196456' post='2797522'] I used an SVT 450 the other night. Was through an Ampeg 810. A magnificent sound. Quite surprised about the eq though - using just the regular, and not the graphic, I had bass on 1, mids on 6 abd treble on 7, gain on 6. Was a great sound but like I say, surprised I had to back off on the lows that much. And this wasn`t or my gnarly, trebly punk band, this was rock, Black Stone Cherry, Foo Fighters type stuff I was standing in on. Maybe a lot of the great sound was generated by the cab, but whatever, I liked it. [/quote] That's very interesting, as I've never used an SVT-CL or VR [i]without [/i]it being through an Ampeg 8X10... you don't think that all this time it's the [i]cab [/i]that's been responsible for 'that' sound, do you??

Bought some strings from Alain which arrived well packed, in good time and via Special Delivery! All good - I'd have no hesitation in dealing with Alain again. Top BassChatter.

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1434189949' post='2797436'] It could well be, if you could find a Wal pickup. Wal certainly won't sell them separately! [/quote] Yes I know... only yesterday I was reading a thread somewhere about the possibility of making a clone... very interesting. I'm sure I've got a link to it somewhere... *rummages around* ...er, I think this is it... [url="http://music-electronics-forum.com/t15437/"]http://music-electro...rum.com/t15437/[/url] Looks like each string has two single-coil pickups contra-wound on separate bobbins to essentially create a humbucker for each string. No wonder Wal basses sound good. Though I think it has a lot to do with the tone circuit, too.

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1434189387' post='2797425'] No, it's the original MM pickup, only I had the scratchplate removed and a surrounding ring made out of mirror acrylic fitted when it was refinished from its original sunburst. [/quote] Ahh... it looks fantastic! [quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1434189387' post='2797425'] It was an amazing bass, but I couldn't pay the rent one month, and I had to let it go. I regret it to this day! [/quote] Choices, choices... some are inconsequential, yet others resonate through the years... Just thinking, a Ray with a Wal pickup?? That would be something.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1434188748' post='2797412'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It's the power section that gives you the bounce and there is no substitute... ...[/font][/color]I gigged an SVT and it was great fun, yes it weighs a ton, but I did it. I'm through the other side now, but I wear the badge with pride. [/quote] +1 Me too. There's really nothing like it and it remains the benchmark. Amp GAS (for me) is all about looking for 'that' tone in a lightweight package. Currently it can't be done and anything else is a compromise in one way or another.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1434180480' post='2797334'] ...tube pre + tube power = tone [/quote] Over 40 years of experimentation on my part result in the same equation.

I dunno, I like the new shapes...

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1434184828' post='2797369'] [url="http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/lowwregisterhead/media/WhitePEBStingray2_zpsfdx9ybah.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] I'd want that back, too. Is that a Wal pickup?

[quote name='ballstomonty' timestamp='1434121575' post='2796940'] Well it's back home after a 3 hour round trip. [/quote] Looking good! I claim the insanity prize though - an 8-hour round trip to collect my Marathon. Won't be doing that again!

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1434141136' post='2797178'] I'm sure I read somewhere that a sine wave (if that's the right word) of flatwounds being played show they fill out more of the actual sound, whereas a round wound has all the extra zing and attack, but actually gives less of the fat fundamental tone than a flatwound. [/quote] Yes, that's what I was trying to say in post #25 and failing.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1434131158' post='2797061'] Any amp as long as it is all tube, don't believe what some people say about SS gear getting 'close enough'. Close enough if you're half deaf and don't care about your sound yes, but not close enough for me. I have a B-15 and a V4-B. Neither are rated above 100w, both can humble most guitarists and most drummers, and both sound superb. The VT Bass might sound a bit like some of the Ampegs, but it doesn't feel like any of them. [/quote] Plus about a billion, thank you.

[color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]And did they get you to trade [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Your heroes for ghosts? [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Hot ashes for trees? [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Hot air for a cool breeze? [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Cold comfort for change? [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]And did you exchange [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]A walk on part in the war [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]For a lead role in a cage?[/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1434115762' post='2796858'] I think it's just the nature of flats and rounds that they behave differently, and sound different as a result. [/quote] Yes. You can simply turn your amp up or use a preamp or boost if necessary. Flats have a direct, fundamental power live that rounds, with their harmonics and spring, don't necessarily have... horses for courses, blah blah blah. I don't think flats have less attack necessarily, you just have to address them differently. I like both.

Well you're all GAY! Or maybe I am. It's a question of degree really, isn't it? I probably wouldn't play a pink bass, but I might play a pale red one, or a light purple one, or something... I like that aged, washed-out Fiesta Red/salmon colour you sometimes get, and that's as close to pink as... something close to a pink thing is, probably... I dunno, I'm a bit confused... *Plays Ethel Merman record at top volume*