lozbass

[quote name='misrule' post='404895' date='Feb 9 2009, 11:00 PM']Stop showing pictures like that, Dave -- you'll ruin me Cheers Mark[/quote] +1 - I thought I was done with heavy gear but that stack's a stunner! I've gone all green

Hi - I played and bought my first one last Friday and I'm really impressed and enjoying it! Mine's a Wechter (bought here on BC!) and it's pretty loud even with TI Jazz flats - I think phosphor bronze strings would be even brighter and have more attack. It's a bit difficult to judge the volume and projection when you're playing the bass (your sat behind it) - it's probably better to stand in front and listen to somebody else playing. The bass is big but surprisingly easy to play - I was told that the action was as low as a lot of electric basses and - amazingly - it is! It's good to have a bass that you can play anywhere (no need to mess about with cables etc.) I haven't tried it against an acoustic guitar but suspect it could just about hold its own. As for using it against amplified instruments...I doubt it could cope (unless amplified itself - it has a Fishman fitted). As ever, my advice would be try a few - the Gallery in London has a really good stock of ABGs.

[quote name='dickandjill' post='402200' date='Feb 6 2009, 05:37 PM']I just emailed an Ebay seller in the US who sells pickguards for US and CIJ Mustangs. He states they are not interchangeable. Anyway I emailed him to see what the actual difference was. The difference is that old Mustangs have smaller pickups! Puzzle solved!! Anyway I now need a pair of older U.S. Mustang bass plastic pickup covers if anyone has any available I would be most grateful.[/quote] In one way, I'm very relieved to hear this. In another, I'm sorry - the quest goes on. I'll keep looking (in fact, I was looking whilst the bass was in my ownership but didn't find anything). I hope everything else is going well - it's a fantastic player!

I love the title of the thread - I don't know how many times I've said the same! On to the new rig - very nice indeed! I've never owned Warwick gear but what I've heard has been very impressive. On the with/without sleeve question, I'd go for the latter as I like the industrial look. If you're gigging a lot however, it may be better to have the protection of the sleeve.

Hi Nick, all the best mate - we're missing the cheery wit and infinite wisdom and it'll be good to have you around again asap - take care and keep off the Tango

This is really weird and I'm sorry I can't offer an answer. It may be worth asking BC members with mid '70s and those with recent re-issue Mustangs to measure the pickups/covers and spacing for the adjustments screws. The only explanation I can think of is that the re-issue pickups and covers have different dimensions to those on a '70s model but it would be good to have this confirmed. As the seller of the bass, I'm pretty concerned. If it turns out that there's something strange/inauthentic about the Mustang in your possession, I'll undertake (publicly) to offer a refund.

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='399872' date='Feb 4 2009, 12:21 PM']On the Alembic forum, you tend to get people with money who would rate anything as long as it is expensive. Other than DFUNG there's hardly anyone there who has anything acoustically or technically sensible to say about amplification.[/quote] That's me sorted out then

To take up some of BossHog's points: I agree entirely that Foderas should be gigged - it's what they're built for and my suspicion is that they're amazing in a live situation: I don't gig mine 'cause (i) I'm sh*te and can't get a gig, and (ii) I'm too old. I agree too on the price issue - 'certainly worth the outlay if you want one sufficiently (and we're talking seriously good basses here). On the wait and build time, well I'd certainly balk at 2 or 3 years plus. This is one of the reasons that I went down the second hand route. The other reason is that I wouldn't part with the sums that Foderas fetch without playing a bass first. This means that you don't get to spec the bass yourself, but you do get a chance to see if it suits your playing style and tonal needs. It's also likely that any initial problems will have been dealt with. I haven't heard too many horror stories re: Foderas, however, given the price, most players are going to be justifiably picky and require a 'perfect' instrument out of the box (or a quick resolution to any initial dissatisfaction). As BossHog suggests, the 'certified used' scheme is probably a good way of sourcing a great used instrument without a crazy wait. All this said, I've never bought a second hand bass that I didn't take to be set-up to my liking straight away. This is no reflection on the sellers - some basses have been set-up beautifully but not to my (somewhat idiosyncatic) taste. It's good to have the details of the new MP pre - I knew this was available but didn't know of the cost of retro-fitting. I'm perfectly satisfied with the original version and personally have no need. I also don't want to be without the bass for a number of weeks. I'd considered replacing the pickup covers with wooden versions on the MG but I learned from Fodera (in a very rapid response to my email) that they need the bass on their premises to effect the change. The covers are no big deal and I'd rather have the bass around so that I can play it. I must say though that I'm impressed with the turnaround time on my enquiry (a lot of questions were answered in the message too) - I don't know if anybody else has experience of Fodera's customer service, but it looks good to me. On the NYC models, I suspect that Fodera is trading on its brand identity and trying to enter the (substantial) market at the $2-3k pricepoint. I've seen NYCs but haven't played one. I can understand the strategy and business model, however, the market is crowded with other high kudos brands. I'm sure that NYCs will sell because of Fodera's branding and profile. I can't comment on quality but suspect that the customs are quite different in terms of construction and attention to detail. Finally, some thoughts on my own experience with Fodera. The electronics are superb. I've owned and played a good number of high-end basses but the Fodera sounds 'better' to me than nearly all of them (i.e., it's capable of exactly the tonal characteristics that I look for). In terms of playability, it's almost flawless. The action is super low, the tension is very low (not to everybody's taste), and there are just three 'dull' notes around octave c-e flat on the high c (I've only ever played three basses that didn't have any dead or dull notes - two Alembics and a Sei). Ergonomics are perfect for me - the MG is a very compact bass. The 33" scale feels shorter because of the body shape and positioning of the bridge. The bass is very heavy but extremely comfortable either on a strap or played sitting. It simply 'feels right' and I suspect that considerable thought was dedicated to ergonomics and comfort throughout the design process. Construction is amongst the very best I've ever seen: the MG is made from a lot of pieces of (exceptionally beautiful) wood and the jointing and finishing is simply superb. This is not just my view - I took the bass to a famous luthier and he agreed. Even unplugged, the bass is incedibly resonant and the fundamentals ring through across the board. In sum, the Fodera is very much at the top end of high end. For me (and I've only owned the MG), Foderas are superb working instruments and can fit just about any bill. Fantastic to play (with a good set-up), aesthetically pleasing, solid, and tonally very versatile. Again, I don't want to get into the 'too expensive' debate. The MG wasn't cheap, however, I am very pleased with the bass, so no problem.

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).