Chris2112

Never owned a Wal but I've played plenty and had a couple of loan from friends. On the other hand, I had the pleasure of owning an Alembic Epic fretless and I've played plenty of Series basses and a Stanley Clarke over the years. The Wals were probably the ones I preferred, based on sound alone. The Mk2 being my favourite of the Wal basses (though the Mk3 is great too and should have been more popular). As far as the filters go, I always found the Wal more tonally 'characteristic' than the Alembic. No matter how you twiddled it, it always sounded very much like a 'Wal'. I also loved the pick attack function. The Alembics on the other hand were a different matter. The controls I initially found a bit confusing, much like with my ACG. The wood working was somewhat more ornate, though in terms of fit and finish there was never a great gulf between the basses and I found the Wals to be very well made indeed. The Alembics tended to have a slimmer neck profile (the SC had that very slim 'Banjo' feeling that Stanley apparently loves) and some of the Wals have a distinctive 'V' to the neck. My Epic in particular had a wide, flat beck on the back that was very comfortable. Weight wise, there wasn't much in it. I never had problems with Alembics neck diving but I tend to wear my basses quite high. My Epic didn't come with any fancy filters but the woodworking was excellent, and it played beautifully. I don't think I've ever played another fretless bass with action so low that sounded so full and clean. It was a joy to own!

[quote name='Toasted' post='1314320' date='Jul 23 2011, 11:02 PM']You have to read chris's posts about Sadowsky basses whilst craning around the chip on his shoulder.[/quote] No, but you do have to be able to accept that I'm not going to join the fawning masses just because of the name on the headstock. An average jazz bass with massive price tag doesn't really make sense. I'm struggling to think of a Sandberg I've played that wasn't more impressive than a Sadowsky in almost every regard.

[quote name='Pinewoods' post='1314235' date='Jul 23 2011, 09:09 PM']Sorry but I TOTALLY disagree.[/quote] Okay.

What a fantastic solo! Great drummer too. Love this sort of thing.

I only pluck with my thumb when I'm trying to do the Matt Garrison thing, or using it in a Jonas Hellborg/Mark King chord style move. I never use it on it's own for slow songs. If I was going for that deep, boomy sound I'd play with my fingers over the neck pickup - not that I ever do that!

Pound for pound, the 'off the rack' Sanberg basses are better than the basses Sadowsky make. The most impressive thing about Sadowsky is their reputation and their price tag, as the playing experience doesn't really stack up. Sure, they make a fine jazz bass, but you're [i]always[/i] paying for the name. Which is madness, considering the competition is making better jazz basses cheaper. I'm not sure what disappointed me most, the Metro or NYC stuff. The Metro stuff was bad because it felt quite cheap and wasn't terribly impressive. But I expected that in a way because they are the buget models. The NYC stuff was also a big let down because, whilst you could see it's handmade roots, they were nothing special save for a few nice pieces of top wood with a massive pricetag attached. I love handmade, custom basses but the competition is so far ahead of them now.

[quote name='steve-bbb' post='1305476' date='Jul 16 2011, 08:59 AM']here here - jaco was an all round player and musician - jb's musical brain seems to my ears to be predominantly and overhelmingly focussed on his right hand technique - when his left hand gets as good as his right we should be in for some musical treats -[/quote] Have you ever watched his left hand? His right hand technique is superb, but his left hand technique is as good as it gets. Now, if he could move away from the bass led fuzak and start writing emsemble fusion songs again he'd be onto a winner. He's an amazing bassist but it doesn't need to be front and centre all day long. He needs to do some fusion trio stuff with Frank Gambale and a great drummer like Jeff Sipe to get him back to basics.

[quote name='fretless' post='1311479' date='Jul 21 2011, 01:05 PM']Halfpenny worth on carbon/wood Check out details of my iceni zoot bass (basschat - bass for sale - 7.3.2011 " zoot fretless" )[/quote] Absolutely love that bass. I'd buy it now if I had the cash. Carbon fibre neck and Bartolini pickup, surely a great combination.

Ah well, I'd admit Wal aren't perfect. Some of the ones I've played had a very pronounced V shape neck which I didn't mind at the time but now it's not a particular favourite of mine.

Glad you're enjoying the new bass, but don't let the Wal languish!

Still love the basses Bill, haven't seen them for a few years now!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1307454' date='Jul 18 2011, 09:17 AM']I'd also see if you can try an Enfield bass with a carbon fibre neck as these are made by Simon Farmer of Gus using his carbon fibre over light-weight tone wood construction, and IMO combine the structural advantages of carbon fibre with the more traditional tonal qualities of wood.[/quote] I absolutely love these basses. I fell in love with them the moment I saw them. Never seen one for sale second hand though, sadly.

Oh rly? I always thought it was a Status. Far too crisp and clean sounding compared to the rest of his Jaydee sounds. Having had various Status basses over the years and played plenty of Jaydees, I've never found them to sound similar at all and would have put a months wages on that being a Status. Probably best I avoided the bookmakers then!

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1307072' date='Jul 17 2011, 09:04 PM']I'm on about her playing ability.[/quote] So am I...she's nothing special.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1307067' date='Jul 17 2011, 09:01 PM']Sorry Chris, but that's absolute sexist bollocks. She's obviously a great player. You should be ashamed of your comment.[/quote] We can't all like the same players Pete, and I still contend that she wouldn't attract half as much attention if she was a mediocre male player than a mediocre female player. Sorry if that upsets you Pete, no offence intended.

To hear the sound of my Status Series II: without the big reverb sound, of course...