lozbass

Ah yes, an amp with a chimney. [quote name='steve-soar' post='399480' date='Feb 3 2009, 10:08 PM']f***in' great reply. F.A.F. [/quote] First, +1 - I nearly pi**ed myself! I'd love to try Marcus' rig above - I think that would do it for me (maybe with two Epi ul310s - probably lighter than the amps!)

Thank you! I use a couple of really good luthiers up here in the North, but I don't think you'd get a much better set-up than one done at the Gallery

I've been really impressed by the Mike Pope pre too. I won't get into the 'Foderas overly expensive' argument - yes they're very expensive, but yes, they're generally very good (I do take the point above though - I've played some Foderas I didn't get on with, a friend of mine has just sold all his Foderas to buy F basses, and most Foderas I've come across could benefit from a good set-up). I've found the passive tone with Duncan dual coils is absolutely superb (fat, rich and slightly compressed) - the passive tone circuitry looks pretty sophisiticated but it doesn't seem to make a massive difference as the pot is adjusted: the inherent tone is just lovely. I alternate between thinking I prefer the passive, then the active tone. I suspect that a lot of the quality comes from MP's very extensive experience and experimentation. On purchasing a Fodera - I've heard a few horror stories (wait time, poor finish, fret problems, hardware problems) - and certainly wouldn't order blind. These are very expensive instruments and I'd want to try before parting with the cash. I'd also be looking towards a second-hand instrument - they come up occassionally in very good condition (let's face it, a lot of people that buy them aren't going to knock them about - they're often a bedroom or trophy bass anyway). With a second hand Fodera, you get a chance to try it and any initial problems should have been ironed-out. I'd also say, it's worth getting a really good set-up from a top luthier (whether you buy new or second-hand) - if you're going to pay £3-7k for a bass, you might as well invest £60 in some decent strings and the expertise of a top tech.

Columbus Jazz Bass copy from Mameloks on Deansgate in Manchester - 'rock'n'roll star - what else is there for a young man to be?' (mangled quote from Alex Harvey I think: as true now as it was then)

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='397632' date='Feb 2 2009, 10:34 AM']Newtone can make them to your specification, I've asked specifically if they can make the taper the right length for through body, and they indeed can, just give them measurements.[/quote] I'd recommend Newtone too - they can do pretty much anything you want if you supply dimensions and a detailed spec (in fact, it's important to be careful with the spec becuase Newtone will do pretty much EXACTLY what you ask). I had a couple of custom sets recently - with some unusual features - and have been massively impressed with the quality and service. Newtone aren't cheap but they are good (IMO). If you're looking for something really bright, 'phone the company (or email) and ask for advice - their knowledge is extensive (it's a very small company and making strings is all they do)

Utterly stunning - I love the top and the simple, uncluttered look of the bass as a whole. I've been looking around at some recent additions to this forum and it just confirms that we're extremely fortunate in the UK to have some amazing luthiers (woriking at reasonable prices)

Thanks Pete - good advice and I'll call Alan early next week. On the Sei retro-fit - I can imagine this sounds stunning! I've had a number of Seis - for me the construction, playability and aesthetic is outstanding but I've sometimes found the tone a bit polite/lacking in character. I can imagine that the ACG/East pre will make a massive, positive difference.

Yep, played the MG last night and they're plastic knobs - the volume/pan feels like metal

Hi all, I don't want to hijack the thread but I'm massively interested in the ACG preamp (and I too am a really big fan of filter based pres). Has anyone here tried it A/B with an Alembic Series I/ll or Wal circuit - I'd be really interested to hear of any differences and similarities. Also (sorry, I could look this up easily) can the ACG run in stereo?

I have Wizards in my Sei Jazz (they're custom wounds but installed prior to me purchasing the bass so I don't know the spec). They're big, full-range, articulate and fat - you can get a lot of fingerstyle poke with them too: I've been very impressed. I also had some Seymour Duncan Hot Stacks in a Fender Jazz fretless - to be honest, I wasn't very impressed. They gave a nice even response but were a bit polite and didn't provide a lot of strong poke or growl (the bass had a J-Retro too). I'd strongly advise you to consider Wizard but give Andy a bell to discuss your requirements

Hi Mark, I find myself drawn back to the photographs again and again - thanks for the hi-res images - the quality of woodworking and the detail is astonishing (I love everything but the truss cover is just fantastic - in keeping with the whole aesthetic and beautifully thought through). Thanks for the offer - as soon as I can get over to Nottingham, I'll be in touch. I'm sure you're enjoying this one: clearly a man of exquisite taste (it looks great against the Berg!) Cheers, Loz

I don't know the seller directly but I believe he's a good guy. I know something of the provenance of this bass and it's a nice one. It has some features that you don't find on all Foderas - extra laminate in the body etc. I think the stacked knobs are steel/alloy and the others may be plastic (I'm not sure). Anybody with more than a passing interest in Fodera would have an idea why Nick's was knobless (that must have been very expensive!) To be honest, given the current market, I think the bass is a little on the expensive side - especially so given what looks like a decent-sized (but fixable) ding. The seller has sold some very lovely - and very expensive basses - over the past month or two and his prices are usually on the high side (thus, there's usually some re-advertising and price reduction for anybody who's seriously interested).

Gorgeous - you clearly have generous friends and family!

Utterly breathtaking! Enrico is a really great guy and worthy of anybody's custom. As suggested above, very reminiscent of a Fodera MG (26 narrow frets, shape, scale length etc.) but nothing wrong in that! I'm really impressed - possibly the nicest W&T I've seen.

[quote name='fletchbass' post='390442' date='Jan 24 2009, 03:23 PM']Mine is not such a looker, but it is very special to me. Bought it Feb 83 from the man himself, with money left me by my Grandad - folks expected me to buy a car but I knew what I wanted. It's mahogany core with elm facings. Cost me £600 for cash including case - still got the handwritten receipt. Thought of selling it when times were hard with a young family 15 years ago but my wife wouldn't let me - I still thank her for that.[/quote] Heartwarming in so many ways - the bass looks gorgeous to me and your wife is clearly very special

I suspect drivers for me are a little different to those of many others. I buy gear because I want it. I like basses. I have very little time to play them and I'm not very good. I just like having nice basses and amps etc. around. High end basses certainly don't make me a better player - I'm sure I could improve with a lot more (structured and directed) practice but I've been playing for 30 years plus and know that I have no real talent. However, high-end basses are much easier to play (subjective I know) and tend to sound better (again, subjective). In essence, I buy stuff because I want it and have a passion for bass guitars.

I've had a few Seis with the Bart-Schack combination and haven't been wildly impressed (apart from stunning aesthetics and fabulous playability!) The basses sounded great on their own - if a little 'polite' - but lacked something in a performance setting. The Sei (Jazz) I have at the moment has Wizard customs and a Bart pre - I couldn't really be much happier: it has a thick and lush tone with plenty of power and bite. I'd certainly think about changing both pickups and preamp in your Sei if finances allow - maybe Alan at ACG could fit one of his own circuits and his own pickups (you may get close to an ACG tone?)

If you need a full flight case, BSH in Manchester offer a custom-building service. I've been impressed with quality and speed but it's not a cheap option.

[quote name='Lee-Man' post='384245' date='Jan 18 2009, 06:55 PM']Yeah it's awesome, I've had the 728 for 9 or 10 years, it's a heavy beast though! Nothing sounds like it[/quote] Whoa - stunning - rather look at it than lift it though!

An interesting thread! I'd agree with some of the arguments advanced above - a lot depends on the valve amp. I spent an hour with a Fodera through an Agi DB750 yesterday afternoon (admittedly a valve/mosfet hybrid). Even with the gain fairly high, the bass retained its hifi, clean, artiulate, slightly compressed sound - in fact, the headroom in the Agi allows the dynamics of my (dreadful) playing to come through really nicely. Also, I was using the bass (an Imperial MG) in passive - the Agi coped very well and really pulled out the nuances of left and right-hand fingering. So, I'd say that a modern valve amp (or pre) will work beautifully with a modern, hi-end bass (to my ears, the Fodera and Agi together worked fantastically well). I'm not sure that the result would be so good with a Marshall, Ampeg, Hiwatt etc. - the kind of grit and break up that characterises some valve amps (especially when pushed fairly hard) may not be suited to the natural characteristics of a modern, hifi bass. I'm hoping to try the Fodera with an Epi 502 later in the week (work permitting) and will try to compare.

Absolutely, I love the look and the longhorn is really good fun!

[quote name='Beedster' post='381195' date='Jan 15 2009, 12:56 PM']LOL, and I thought you had found 'The One' [/quote] Haha - I had found 'the one' - I thought the only decent thing to do was let somebody else have a go. Seriously, this is a lovely short-scale, I'm just a serial buyer (and ridiculously indecisive to boot). I'm trying to focus on 'the three' in the next few weeks. Back to pickup covers, this is the best I can do: [url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_pickupsfendemustang.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_pi...endemustang.htm[/url]