mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 (edited) Been having a GAS attack for a V bass of late. Availability of many options seems a bit thin on the ground just now though. The short scale of the Gibson/Epiphone V basses appeals, though the inflated prices I’ve seen (presumably due to current non-production) don’t so much. Regardless, are either the Epi or Gibbo ones any cop? And are there any other brands I should be considering? All and any thoughts appreciated. Cheers! Edited March 5, 2021 by mr4stringz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I own an Eastwood BV - Eastwood even re-posted my Instagram post on it a few years ago. Common sense says I should sell it but I can't bring myself to part with it. Short scale (I think most V's are) and great fun. Sounds better with fingers than a pick, which surprised me as I thought it was a rock bass. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 53 minutes ago, mr4stringz said: Been having a GAS attack for a V bass of late. Availability of many options seems a bit thin on the ground just now though. The short scale of the Gibson/Epiphone V basses appeals, though the inflated prices I’ve seen (presumably due to current non-production) don’t so much. Regardless, are either the Epi or Gibbo ones any cop? And are there any other brands I should be considering? All and any thoughts appreciated. Cheers! Try and play one sitting down, that will soon kill the GAS, I had an Epiphone flying V a while ago and it looked great, sounded great but I ended up getting rid of it because trying to play it sitting down was just horrendous 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 16 minutes ago, shoulderpet said: Try and play one sitting down, that will soon kill the GAS, I had an Epiphone flying V a while ago and it looked great, sounded great but I ended up getting rid of it because trying to play it sitting down was just horrendous Did it have a little hinged flip-out panel on the lower edge? They do the trick. Steinbergers and Hohners have them, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Cat Burrito said: I own an Eastwood BV - Eastwood even re-posted my Instagram post on it a few years ago. Common sense says I should sell it but I can't bring myself to part with it. Short scale (I think most V's are) and great fun. Sounds better with fingers than a pick, which surprised me as I thought it was a rock bass. Ooooh, that’s tasty!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 31 minutes ago, shoulderpet said: Try and play one sitting down, that will soon kill the GAS, I had an Epiphone flying V a while ago and it looked great, sounded great but I ended up getting rid of it because trying to play it sitting down was just horrendous In fairness it would likely be an ‘only when standing’ bass for the most part. I rarely do non-Fender when seated. Habit thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Dunno if it's still available https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/epiphone-flying-v-bass-guitar/1397557460 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I`ve got a bit of a one off headless bass, solid walnut, twin warman mm humbuckers and the hardware from a Westone Quantum. Seriously don`t get the sitting down playing problem, I`ve never had it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I think there have only ever been 2 or 3 fairly short runs of production Gibson Flying Vee basses so there's not that many around. I played one identical to the one in the link below in Musical Exchanges around 1990. Looked the absolutely dogs. I remember struggling with it a bit, looking back I think maybe it wasn’t ideally set up for me. I remember it was priced at £350. It's a bit more than that now. https://reverb.com/uk/item/38109418-gibson-flying-v-bass-1981-transparent-blue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 29 minutes ago, DarkHeart said: I`ve got a bit of a one off headless bass, solid walnut, twin warman mm humbuckers and the hardware from a Westone Quantum. Seriously don`t get the sitting down playing problem, I`ve never had it. Not a fan of headless basses as a rule but can see it working on this body shape. Those Warman MM p/ups are very decent for the rather minuscule outlay too. Nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Cato said: I think there have only ever been 2 or 3 fairly short runs of production Gibson Flying Vee basses so there's not that many around. I played one identical to the one in the link below in Musical Exchanges around 1990. Looked the absolutely dogs. I remember struggling with it a bit, looking back I think maybe it wasn’t ideally set up for me. I remember it was priced at £350. It's a bit more than that now. https://reverb.com/uk/item/38109418-gibson-flying-v-bass-1981-transparent-blue Think I made at least 1 visit pretty much each weekend from 91-94 to Exchanges gawping at lovely gear in my playing infancy. And that’s an absolute beauty! Edited March 5, 2021 by mr4stringz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 43 minutes ago, karlfer said: Dunno if it's still available https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/epiphone-flying-v-bass-guitar/1397557460 Cheers. I was all set to drop a message on this one yesterday. Before a visit to the dentist and a £500 bill for a crown on a cracked tooth made me sensible. That was yesterday though, think I’ll drop a message over so er, thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Have you thought of one of these 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 39 minutes ago, Piers_Williamson said: Have you thought of one of these It’s tidy, though I reckon to get any use in anger I’d have to probably have to favour a shortie (assuming this is longscale). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 The bi line in John Entwistle's book says: "Too heavy to get off the ground but good for catching snakes"...so probably not a 32" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Playing sat down is fine if (like me) you rest the bass on your left leg. Your right leg goes in the centre of the V 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I bought a blue Gibbo with white plate from Lancaster in the late 90's. Didn't like the scale, D neck profile or sitting down with it. Sounded TBird. Sold it for £350. Oops, hindsight. 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 There are the older dean models that have a v shape, as well as things like the razor back v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 21 hours ago, shoulderpet said: Try and play one sitting down, that will soon kill the GAS, I had an Epiphone flying V a while ago and it looked great, sounded great but I ended up getting rid of it because trying to play it sitting down was just horrendous Sitting down? They are designed to be played in rock bands standing up, preferably with one foot up on the monitors whilst punching the air when you don't have to fret any of the strings. Buy a boring P-Bass if you want to play sitting down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 22 hours ago, mr4stringz said: Been having a GAS attack for a V bass of late. Availability of many options seems a bit thin on the ground just now though. The short scale of the Gibson/Epiphone V basses appeals, though the inflated prices I’ve seen (presumably due to current non-production) don’t so much. Regardless, are either the Epi or Gibbo ones any cop? And are there any other brands I should be considering? All and any thoughts appreciated. Cheers! I played a Kramer one in the ‘80s with the aluminium neck. It was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 25 minutes ago, BigRedX said: Sitting down? They are designed to be played in rock bands standing up, preferably with one foot up on the monitors whilst punching the air when you don't have to fret any of the strings. Ain't no-one doing that right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 48 minutes ago, BigRedX said: Sitting down? They are designed to be played in rock bands standing up, preferably with one foot up on the monitors whilst punching the air when you don't have to fret any of the strings. Buy a boring P-Bass if you want to play sitting down. What about practice at home? If I can't use a bass for home practice then it's not much use to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 23 minutes ago, Lfalex v1.1 said: Ain't no-one doing that right now... Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 7 hours ago, Lfalex v1.1 said: Ain't no-one doing that right now... Good to know you’ve not had night vision goggles trained on my spare room while I plot my return to the stage. 🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 19 hours ago, shoulderpet said: What about practice at home? If I can't use a bass for home practice then it's not much use to me I play live standing up. Therefore I practice at home standing up too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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