Chris2112

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1371065973' post='2109467'] IME, if you're working with more than one guitarist then forget the acoustic bass route. Even with a good quality acoustic bass you'll struggle to be heard. [/quote] This. Even against one good acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass can struggle without some electric amplification.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqQ6dL6ZJQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqQ6dL6ZJQ[/url] It doesn't get much better than this. That bright, juicy Wal sound through a driven amp, played well.

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1370701170' post='2104607'] I'm must be getting bored with Basschat. [/quote] When you start worrying about the overlap between GG and OT, it's time to switch off your computer and go outside for a while.

Grab a good Hondo or suchlike. Given their ability to punch above their weight, and the general shoddiness of a real Ric, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1370994722' post='2108546'] Don't worry, tomorrow will yield another emotion [/quote] There will be another bass/car/project on the menu tomorrow, met with renewed excitement!

As much as I love Al Di Meola's electric fusion stuff, I always find him at his most compelling given a spare arrangement and an acoustic guitar! Though the electric stuff at the end of the show is sublime. I will be sitting down to watch this when I have the time!

This unbelievably tight and awesome sounding bass solo... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bt8wc_IS24"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bt8wc_IS24[/url] It's all about that Wal sound!

I've had the chance to buy back a couple of basses I've sold, but in all the years I don't think I've ever done so. I suppose I prefer to look forward rather than back!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1370697640' post='2104535'] PS I didn't get either job. [/quote] Never show up the Prima Donnas if you want the job!

Well, it wasn't very good.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1370297755' post='2098942'] I emailed Alex some time ago about this - it's wrong on all counts except possibly the Lemmy connection - but he didn't respond; too busy probably. [/quote] Or maybe, if they admit it's not his bass then they're stuck with a POS they can't sell!

I did read it for the first time in years recently (back when I regularly used Talkbass the saga was still going on then - seven or eight years ago!).

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1370269074' post='2098327'] Just had a chat with Martin at the Gallery & he's offered the following info:—[list] [*]It's obviously had a life; [/list] [/quote] Trade speak for 'it's f***ed'.

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1370107225' post='2096557'] Early Status graphite necks were completely rigid and needed no truss rod, they popped out of the mould with exactly the right amount of relief and never moved no matter what gauge strings you put on it. [/quote] Surely, some of them must have moved over time (due to design flaws). I remember reading that some of the old Zon basses, made in a similar manner, were designed to be perfect out of the shop. And that was that, as there was no adjustment in the neck. Some gave years of good service before a 'shift' in the neck rendered them unplayable. I can't remember what the outcome was (knowing Joe Zon, probably some form of recompense), but there was evidence there of this occurring. That said, I've owned an old 80's Status Series II. The best sounding Status basses ever made, I think. Furthermore, what does 'stiffness' in the neck really mean other than tuning and setup stability? Take, say, a Jaydee Supernatural. Renowned for having thin, floppy necks that shift as the wind changes. Do they sound floppy? No!

Hey, nice Hondo!

That said, I'd avoid Rotosound Steve Harris Flats. They are so stiff as to be fairly ridiculous to play on a 34" scale instrument!

I remember reading an interesting few words on flatwounds, and why they are so great for grooving. They have a quick, but delicate attack and a quick decay. Perfect for really nailing a groove. The piece continued to say that this was why they were superior to roundwounds (this I don't agree with) but it summed up why they are great for grooves. They respond quickly to your inputs, but dump their kinetic energy fairly quickly, meaning you don't have to work hard to mute them out. They also tend to 'fade' into a busier mix and have a very distinct tonal spectrum, great for isolating the bass from other instruments. Of course, they have downsides too, which for me make them fairly useless. It's been years since I played with them, but they have their place.

[quote name='norvegicusbass' timestamp='1370006876' post='2095464'] I know when learning a new tune we have to look intently on our fretting hand but do any of you really closely observe your plucking hand when learning a tune? [/quote] No. Reading this made me realise how little I actually look at my plucking hand when I'm playing!

[quote name='Hamster' timestamp='1369213528' post='2086253'] It may be much easier to make Basschat a totally 'Rickenbacker Free Zone' [/quote] I have long dreamed of the day...

I think it was just a prop for the picture. I'm sure she can knock out a tune on a bass (as she probably can on most things). It's easy to forget these days what an immense talent she is. Most young people these days probably haven't even heard of her. She doesn't court publicity though, she probably thinks she has climbed the mountain (and in a sense she has), so what else is there to do?

I still think I'd prefer your Alembic...

I don't really like Rics anyway. They are heavy, ugly, play badly and only sound good through a really cranked amp which hides their naff tone. But I wouldn't even consider buying out of principle.