lozbass

I picked up a US JO recently and it has an astonishingly slender neck with a lovely quick tung finish - maybe worth a bit of saving?

'Gave up trying 25 years ago and now enjoy playing for my own amusement (a valuable but unanticipated benefit is that I no longer need to hang around with 'musicians'). Seriously, I think it's becoming extremely difficult to survive: low entry barriers; constant stream of new, enthusiastic, cheap and good players; diminishing audiences; venue closures; reduction of final income; increase in expenses. I met a few old mates a few months ago, still (excellent), big city pro players with 35+ years experience - they're really struggling with a depressing hand-to-mouth scene. I don't want to paint an entirely negative picture but it appears to be really tough unless you're happy to live on peanuts and dreams

Talkbass, Basschat, Gallery, Alembic Club, occasional use of ebay

Boogieman in the US is cloning Alembic guts and will supply 'series type' pickups and electronics- there's quite a range advertised as 'replacements' on ebay (just search for 'alembic' and they'll show). The boogieman electronics are far less expensive than Alembics own. I haven't tried them and they've caused some irritation in the Alembic community, however, I suspect that they function as you'd expect. An alternative is to purchase an Alembic SF2 unit - they come up in the US fairly frequently (Talkbass, Alembic Club). Essentially, the SF2 (Superfilter) is Series II electronics in a shallow rack mount unit - indeed, it has even more options and a broader palette than than a bass-mounted Seriies II system, though you don't get the low impedance pickups of course. I have a SF2 and the performance is outstanding. It can make a conventional bass sound quite a lot like an Alembic (if that's what you want).

I've had quite a few Overwaters, mainly 5s and 6s - all neck through and higher-end instruments. My overriding experience - and the word I'd use to describe them - is 'chunky'. They're generally very well-built and feel solid and reliable. The neck profile is frequently too chunky for me - I prefer very narrow and slender necks (I'm sure that Overwater can do this if you specify). Fittings are very high quality and the basses (IME) play well with the possibility of very low action if desired. Range of possible tones is very broad but the basses don't have a distinctive tone for me - Overwaters can sound like a lot of other basses with judicious tweaking and I suspect that's why a lot of pros and session players use them. They're solid, well-built, reliable, sound like a pro instrument, and if you wish, can look pretty spectacular with exotic top options. Very good pro-level instruments, to me however, they're not the most exciting basses.

Stating the obvious, yes, cheaply and to me... However, on reflection...unless you really need the money (and if this were the case, I'm sure that your father would approve), I'd hang on to the bass. Alembics are not easy to find in the market and this one has special significance. It wouldn't be easy to replace if there's post-sale regret. Use it for recording - there's nothing that sounds like an Alembic (and nothing that sounds better in my opinion). I wouldn't bother gigging it - use your other basses for that. I play Alembics almost exclusively but wouldn't really consider gigging them - too heavy and balance can be an issue. However, for playing at home (sat down) and recording, there's nothing that comes close...again, my opinion but firmly held Ahh...additional, I've just seen the bass - a standard point body. These really don't balance that well. Same story though, keep it and record with it. Are any of the tracks on the band's site recorded with the Alembic (I'm using cheap buds on my laptop - I'll listen with decent cans later)?

I was at the Manchester gig last night - I've seen the Who a couple of times many years ago and they were exceptional. However, the performance last night was towering - Daltrey and Townsend were clearly enjoying themselves and the band was peerless. A perfect, exceptionally powerful rendition of some of the finest material from the rock canon. I dislike the MEN Arena intensely but the sound last night was very impressive - clearly a great deal of thought and expertise in assemblage and operation of the FoS rig. Don't get me wrong on this - I'm a massive fan of Pino - a great player and a good guy, and his handling of JE's lines is fantastic (about as good as anybody could get I'd say). The bass tone however, lacked any penetration and some of those Quadrophenia tracks that are highly bass-driven were missing the essential note definition. Without malice or critique of PP's performance, I'd honestly advise the use of a Status or Alembic (or something similar). The passage in 5.15 in which we're treated to archive visuals and audio of JE is outstanding (JE is playing his Status Buzzard) - no lack of definition at all and a glorious, aggressive, clanging menace. I can't help thinking that (i) PP should try to reproduce JE's tone (in keeping with what is a fairly straight presentation of Quadrophenia) and (ii) this wouldn't be massively difficult. PP has the talent and technical ability to pull off the lines extremely well - let's hear them as they should be heard. Back to the performance as a whole. If you can get yourself a ticket to the remaining gigs on the tour, treat yourself. Astonishing and magical. As good as a gig can be for me.

Another perfect deal with Martin on a sunny morning in Fallowfield - strings this time (and looking forward to getting them on). Deal with complete confidence!

I've just received some straplocks from Ambient - great communications and packing, rapid shipping and a great item in perfect condition. Thanks - a trusted member of our community!

Some lovely looking basses turning up in this thread - the sonic '66 gives me goosebumps (the bass was in Rumbleseat in the US for a while I think). The sonic stack knob is also gorgeous. Back on topic, there's a lot of info/details around Basschat on a '62 re-issue J that was re-sprayed in shell pink - a lovely job undertaken by the original owner, Kevin Lindsay (the bass is on sale on here now I think). http://basschat.co.uk/topic/165861-fender-usa-62-jazz-bass-refinish-at-home/page__hl__shell%20pink%20jazz Maybe have a go yourself - nitro paint cans are available from Steve Robinson in Manchester - there are instruction videos on Steve's site to assist the process? If you can get a result similar to the sonic above, I'll be insanely jealous!

I've just received a US Lakland JO from David - an extremely easy and very friendly deal. Fantastic images, full and honest details, great communications - David did everything possible to expedite the transaction. Packing was excellent and the bass arrived exactly as described - shipping was a little over a week (but this was largely due to Parcelforce delays in the UK - not something that either of us could do anything about). A very friendly, honest and straightforward transaction - there's always a liltte extra concern with overseas deals but David did everything to ensure a perfect deal - most highly recommended!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1369989988' post='2095185'] Mine comes in the Aguilar rack... which is a substantial unit. I might see if a 4 u case is lighter..but it would need to be beefy...so not a cheapy. Min standard would be a Gator, I'd suggest. I knew mine was heavy as my 210 cab is around 62lbs ..and it sems the same sort of weight, all-in. But having said all that... it isn't an amp I would use for small gigs anyway, so I am prepared to lug it around for the right gig as is. [/quote] Same with me - I'd have the amp properly rack flight-cased for regular/touring use - it's worth lugging for the bigger/prestige gigs but not really an 'everyday' option