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British bass guitars


The Dark Lord
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I would discount anything that is based on a Fender. If I want a bass made by a bass maker, I want one of their own designs. Seems reasonable.

I am quite tempted by Shuker JJB artist which you can see here:

[url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/jjpbass.html"]http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/jjpbass.html[/url]

I also like the look of the Wal Mk1:

[url="http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Gallery?img_id=152&gallery=17"]http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Gallery?img_id=152&gallery=17[/url]

..... but at nearly £4K, I gotta ask myself if I will get an extra £3K worth of satisfaction over a Fender USA.

I like Gordon Smith's 6-string guitars - but that bass of his someone mentioned - is a bit out of left field, design-wise.

I will have fun meandering over the issue. Any more suggestions would be welcome.

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This is [i]very[/i] nice .....

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Status-Graphite-Stealth-4-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Hard-Case-/261237937379?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cd2fe94e3&nma=true&si=DFOwQFLDK0Jhx0QP7sBQ%252Byf4wLo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]click here[/url]

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[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1374152808' post='2145855']
I would discount anything that is based on a Fender. If I want a bass made by a bass maker, I want one of their own designs. Seems reasonable.[/quote]

Reasonable indeed...

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[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1374153377' post='2145863']
This is [i]very[/i] nice .....

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Status-Graphite-Stealth-4-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Hard-Case-/261237937379?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cd2fe94e3&nma=true&si=DFOwQFLDK0Jhx0QP7sBQ%252Byf4wLo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]click here[/url]
[/quote]

Nice, but I prefer the look of the newer Stealth, it's a bit sharper looking.

Not only are they built in Essex, Rob Green says all the machines he uses are British too.

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[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1374160910' post='2145965']
Going through the list, Patrick Eggle are missing.

Our guitarist uses one regularly, warmer tone than his Strat, its a very nicely made guitar.

They do basses too. [url="http://www.patrickeggleguitars.com/milan4bass.html"]http://www.patrickeg...milan4bass.html[/url]
[/quote]

I wasn't aware that they were still going. The [url=http://www.eggle.co.uk]man himself[/url] has moved on and seems only to produce some very fine acoustic guitars these days.

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[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1374097122' post='2145326']
I'm beginning to feel that I should buy British stuff.

I have an [b]Ashdown head [/b]and a [b]Barefaced cab [/b]- both of which I am really pleased with. What are my options for actual bass guitars?

[/quote]
Just playing devils advoctae really but, where are the components made for Ashdown and where are they assembled? Barefaced I know are constructed here but where are the drivers made and where does the wood, grilles and coatings come from?

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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1374163607' post='2146003']
Just playing devils advoctae really but, where are the components made for Ashdown and where are they assembled? Barefaced I know are constructed here but where are the drivers made and where does the wood, grilles and coatings come from?
[/quote]

Inspiration, Sussex, drivers, the US, unfortunately.

The amps are the hard part, unless you can cope with a monster hand-made valve amp.

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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1374163607' post='2146003']
Just playing devils advoctae really but, where are the components made for Ashdown and where are they assembled? Barefaced I know are constructed here but where are the drivers made and where does the wood, grilles and coatings come from?
[/quote]

You could say the same thing about most of the basses I've listed as well. Nearly all the hardware (except for makers like Gus and Wal who make most of their own) is from the far east or the US. And what about the wood? How much of that is UK sourced?

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1374165572' post='2146036']
You could say the same thing about most of the basses I've listed as well. Nearly all the hardware (except for makers like Gus and Wal who make most of their own) is from the far east or the US. And what about the wood? How much of that is UK sourced?
[/quote]

For the Ruach I'm having made, I'm doing my best, British sycamore body, the maple for the neck came from Canada unfortunately, but at least there's a bit of an empire link!

Pups, electronics, strings, frets will be made in UK, but I'm looking for the bridge and tuners.

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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1374163607' post='2146003']
Just playing devils advoctae really but, where are the components made for Ashdown and where are they assembled? Barefaced I know are constructed here but where are the drivers made and where does the wood, grilles and coatings come from?
[/quote]

The Dark Lord has in his signature that he's got an Ashdown MiBass head which I believe is made in China (as was my combo and cab), hence my suggestion of the Tanglewaters.

In all this made in Britain/USA/etc. vs. China thing do remember that if you're a fan of any Apple products, then they're cheaply made in China too. So use that as your benchmark before knocking Chinese-made instruments (not that anyone has done of course, I'm just partly teasing with all this). :) If a MacBook Pro is good enough for serious musicians, then so is a Tanglewater hehe.

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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1374163607' post='2146003']
Just playing devils advoctae really but, where are the components made for Ashdown and where are they assembled? Barefaced I know are constructed here but where are the drivers made and where does the wood, grilles and coatings come from?
[/quote]

I know what you mean. I suspect wholly British products of [i]any[/i] kind are rare nowadays. From a British-based company is all one can reasonably attain nowadays.

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