Chris2112

I tend to stand watching the bassist and the drummer. Finding a reasonable rhythm section+guitarist isn't hard, but finding a band with a singer actually worth listening to is.

Speaking of bargain basment jazz basses, I played a CIJ Jazz at Howards with EMG pickups and it was easily the best jazz I've ever played I think. It was absolutely captivating, and drove home the commonly held opinion that some Fenders are lemons and some have a magic about them.

They've always done that. They did that on my Ibanez BTB405QM many, many years ago! I did find it somewhat irritating so I ran a razor blade over the strings, cutting most of it off.

They're a right pain in the arse. It was particularly irritating when I had my first Kubicki bass, as the silk would fray inside the bridge and I had to use pipe cleaners to clean the bridge unit out. Luckily, I discovered Fodera strings, which have no stupid silk wrap. I'm always on the lookout for unwrapped strings.

I would always advocate a single 12" over a single 15" speaker if you're only going to have the one. The 12" can dial in all the mud and flab of a 15" but will naturally gravitate towards a more focused, punchy sound. Of course, the sounds of cabs+combos are all brand specific but these are my general findings. I now use a 2x10" cab IMO this is the best option for a small, lightweight amp that will sound absolutely incredible.

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' post='1067701' date='Dec 23 2010, 12:37 PM']Its arrived absolute stunner and it sounds well good [/quote] Pictures then, lets see it!

It doesn't look like a bad bass (although the naff ashtray and pickup cover need binned) but careful about a purported value. After all, it doesn't look like a 70's to me and those pickups would appear to be a definite retrofit.

[quote name='ezbass' post='929339' date='Aug 19 2010, 07:09 AM']+1 The voice of reason and one that explains the purpose of any instrument but particularly ours, To Fit The Song/Band. On Steve Vai's Sex & Religion album there is a great ad lib by Devin Townsend at the end of a Vai widdlefest "Shut up, we know you can play". It's not about showing off your flash chops (although they can be entertaining) it's about complimenting the song/band, especially on bass.[/quote] It reminds me of that awesome Devin Townsend video where he plays some really complicated lick with some tapping and sweeping or whatever, before turning to the camera and going "woah...lame!". Devin has a great sense of humour as well as his monster chops. He and Vai made an amazing team.

Quite easily the ugliest bass I've seen all day, what a load of rubbish.

Looks like a boat anchor...!

[quote name='cetera' post='1065807' date='Dec 21 2010, 03:48 PM']The more recent stuff maybe.... but you can'tt deny the quality of the older EV loaded 'Diesel' cabs ...[/quote] Well, they wouldn't be the top of my "to own" list, Cetera...

The first rig I used live properly was my 1989 Kubicki Ex Factor #1777 into an Ashdown MAG amp owned by the venue I played at. These days it's my 1989 Kubicki Ex Factor #1659 and my ACG Harlot Singlecut into my Ashdown MK500 combo. Well, this is a studio only rig as I've given up on live playing to enjoy the comfortable, musical surroundings of the studio.

Thats whats best. I've turned my nose up at about three basses this month that I would have bought in a second 6 months ago, when I had considerably less cash saved than I have now. Spending it on basses is just a circular thing, and finding the bass that really makes you overjoyed is a fairly rare thing. I'd rather keep it and just enjoy the basses I have at the moment, which are the best I've ever had!

I've always found Mesa gear to have been a bit naff...looks like you've been done a favour!

Yes, it's quite enough for me. If I need a low D I'll use my Kubicki and open the D Clip, but usually I don't. I much prefer 4 strings, to the point where I avoid 5 and 6 strings in most cases.

[quote name='mgibson' post='1065418' date='Dec 21 2010, 09:46 AM'][u][i][b]Thank you[/b] [/i][/u]to all of you who replyed, its clear to me that there are some reacurent themes knocking around on here and I will take this to heart. Quick question: does anyone have any suggestions about stuff to transcribe?, 'cause I've done a bit but not loads and I think staring off on something like Birdland, might be a tad ambitious. [/quote] That live version of Birdland from Germany would be a good one to start. It's not too difficult a tune, and that particular version has a nice swinging feel. Even better is the original with it's stark, upright beat. But starting simple and not working beyond your ability is key, because if you try and transcribe Stuart Hamm's "Country Music" as a first go you'll just end up frustrating and playing on the Xbox again!

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1065242' date='Dec 20 2010, 10:38 PM']And don't forget to learn a non musical skill that can make you money so you can eat [/quote] This is the most important thing. Everyone at 15 would have loved to play music for a living, probably only Hadrien Feraud did! Make sure you've got real skills so you can get a real job at the end of school, and think twice before going into music as a higher education choice. After all, the days of there being a new Anthony Jackson are long gone!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1065128' date='Dec 20 2010, 08:58 PM']Have you had your end away?[/quote] LOL!

[quote name='donut' post='1064794' date='Dec 20 2010, 04:58 PM']This one is probably my favourite out of all the ones I've seen: [/quote] I remember seeing that, was it Talkbass where I first saw it? Anyway, I thought it was really cheesy and naff looking, especially when you compared it something like Al Di Meola's Rainbow PRS...

As good as the LeFay effort is though, the Dingwall name is still synonomous with fanned frets, even more than the NOVAX name...how ironic! It's like saying "the best boutique bass made in New York City" everyone is thinking Fodera!

Ah, I've seen that collection grow all the way from the Yamaha to the Overwater...everyone seems to end up playing top shelf handmade stuff in the end!

To me it has a slightly more elegant look than the Vigier.