Fat Rich

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='934361' date='Aug 24 2010, 01:52 AM']Is it adding metal that makes it sound like wood? What does edginess mean to you? My Fernandes Jazz is very edgy to me, much more than my Status was.[/quote] I don't think it's adding metal that changes the sound, I think it's because the graphite isn't rock solid like the old necks were. Probably less resin / glue and more flexibility. My newish Status S2 Classic neck feels slightly springier because it can move a tiny bit like a wooden neck and I think that takes the hard edge off the sound. My Series 1 from '93 has more clarity and fret clatter because it's solid as a rock, but it's also got more bass and sustain despite not being as heavy as the newer S2. They've both currently got new DR Fat Beams on, both are 35" scale, headed 5 stringers and I'm directly comparing them acoustically as well as through some amps. Same story comparing open strings my S2 fretless (truss rod) to my old Series 1 (no truss rod) although the S2 has a rosewood fingerboard which changes the sound considerably as soon as you fret a note.

[quote name='Linus27' post='934186' date='Aug 23 2010, 09:18 PM']Probably not a right or wrong answer to this question due to personnel preferences, but however, what is considered the best fretless bass? Musicman Stingray, Fender Jazz, Status or even something older like an Ibanez Musician or Aria Pro? Any thoughts? Maybe a better question would be what are the best fretless basses?[/quote] What you said! I had a lovely Aria SB of some kind, not sure why I sold it on because it was a great bass. Then I got an '89 Jap Fender Jazz which has been my main fretless up until a couple of weeks ago (although some Fenders are better than others).... For me now, the best fretless is a Status S2 Classic 5 string, but I specified a rosewood fingerboard because I find the phenolic fingerboards a bit clicky (probably due to my poor technique!) It does everything from Jaco-esque bridge pickup growl to various hollow sounding upright bass sounds plus everything in between. Can't stop playing it at the moment.

I fished out the Jabo & Clyde DVD to see if Fred Thomas was on it and ended up watching it right through, I couldn't keep still because it's so funky! Fred features pretty heavily in it although the camera isn't on him too often, he plays his lines with his thumb only (not slap though). His thumb is all over the place on the busier lines a bit like Jamerson's "hook", with just drums it's pretty easy to hear what he's playing and hear how it works with the beat. He's playing some kind of Carvin 5 string through a smallish Ampeg rig. The DVD is available for about £13 plus delivery on Amazon at the moment, it's definitely drum orientated with low production values but well worth a look in my opinion. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Funky-Drummers-Clyde-Stubblefield/dp/B0002IQM70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1282599781&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Funky-Drummer...9781&sr=8-1[/url]

Ok, I've got to admit I'm shocked at how much I've spent..... But when I worked out that I've been playing about 22 years on and off, that's approx 264 months.... It works out at about £50 a month (including all amps and effects) - which is actually completely fine by me for all the enjoyment I've got out of playing bass and the people I've met through music.

This is interesting, I put my first set of coated strings (Elixirs) on a couple of days ago and immediately had earthing problems. If I touch the bridge of the bass it sorts the problem, not much good really when you're trying to play something. I'm having this problem through my practice amp, my rig and my Loopstation, the strings were on a bass I've owned since '93 so I whipped them off and put them on two other basses - same problem. So I did a search on Basschat and on Google but couldn't find anyone with this problem anywhere, until this thread popped up! I'm very puzzled as so many people recommend Elixirs but I can't use them with a fairly loud and constant earthing crackle, which is a shame as they sound and feel really nice. I've emailed the manufacturers of Elixirs but haven't heard back from them yet, will let you know what they suggest and if it works.

[quote name='pantherairsoft' post='933756' date='Aug 23 2010, 03:18 PM']If you consider the Roscoe Century Standard I have at the mo, and the cost of the RIM Marseer & GB Spitfire Basses which are being built and nearing completion at the mo the figure is horrific. 3 instruments and I could of bough a really good car… And thats before you even touch amps and cabs… If I was to add others I've owned over the last 2 years… Overwater Evolution, Warwick Thumb, Godlyke Disciple, KSD Proto-J, Yamaha TRB… I need to go have a sit down! :-([/quote] If you'd have bought a really good car it would have depreciated to almost nothing and have cost you a fortune in running costs. Buying lots of basses is a much better investment.

[quote name='dood' post='933797' date='Aug 23 2010, 03:49 PM']I have been very lucky to have spent an evening with Jabbo and Clyde and also watched them live at a drum clinic. They were brilliantly entertaining and gave a real insight to the life of being the rhythm section for JB. At the end of the evening after sitting down and chatting about all things musical, I went to say my good-byes and shake both their hands - Instead, to my surprise I got a massive hug from Clyde!! They were both so humble and affable. I like to think some of that funk rubbed off on me! - Well, it certainly had a profound effect, that's for sure! Brilliant guys. I wish I had my camera there that day![/quote] Cool! They're both legends and on the DVD they come across like really nice guys. I'd recommend their DVD to any musician even though it's mostly about drumming, it gives a really good insight into musicianship and the rhythm section. As bass players I think it's important to understand where the drummer's coming from, particularly with busier players like Clyde.

If you're into James Brown it might be worth checking out the drum video about Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield.... I'm pretty sure it's got Fred Thomas and Fred Wesley on it.. Here's a couple of clips: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdFK-nVys6s&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdFK-nVys6s...feature=related[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iM7ZAg7Xm0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iM7ZAg7Xm0[/url] Class!

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='932347' date='Aug 21 2010, 11:39 PM']I've never met anyone who can tell the difference [b]by sound alone[/b] in a graphite or wood neck. I've met many who claim they can and who will get very angry if challenged about it but have still never met anyone who can tell the difference by sound alone. Hypothetically there should be some minuscule difference and that's enough to argue on the internet but I don't think it can really be heard. If graphite truly had it's own tone why is it impossible to hear graphite rods in a neck without knowing they are there first? Sooner or later everything in a bass devolves into a tone shaping item that the untested experts will claim they can hear. Now as for difference between a Status and a Modulus, sure. But you have different pickups in different locations and you can't simply claim to be able to isolate only what you want in the tones. So you'll get people who will claim one sounds different from the other but try to pin them down on exactly what the difference is and then the fun begins Ask them how does graphite affect the response at 1220 hertz? 1260 hertz? Then get out of the room for your safety [/quote] I think the earlier Status necks without truss rods had a much more distinctive sound, more the kind of sound you'd associate with graphite very hifi with more edginess than a wooden neck. The later necks with truss rods sound much more like a traditional bass and are therefore seem more versatile instruments. I don't know if the same applies to Modulus necks though.

[quote name='YouMa' post='932031' date='Aug 21 2010, 05:15 PM']I once tried inserting my bass,no no no il get booted off the forum! :ph34r:[/quote] Was it a Steinb&*ger? Headed basses really make your eyes water.

[quote name='zero9' post='931168' date='Aug 20 2010, 05:46 PM']Strata #09 [attachment=57076:Strata_09.JPG][/quote] That's got some serious mojo!

[quote name='JTUK' post='931670' date='Aug 21 2010, 09:38 AM']I'd be surprised if someone like Fodera and Anthony Jackson weren't in there as well in those early days[/quote] From Wikipedia: "Though Jackson came up with the idea some years previously, and first approached various luthiers about the construction of his idea in 1974, he began playing the six string bass in 1981, exclusively. Carl Thompson built the first 6-string for Jackson in 1975, but he later switched to basses built by Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella." I don't think AJ ever played a 5 string though, only 4s and 6s.

[quote name='Machines' post='931076' date='Aug 20 2010, 04:13 PM']Not sure if you've already seen this EBS_freak: [url="http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/info:tech:use_of_composites_graphite_necks_in_bass_guitar_design"]http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/info:tech:use_o...s_guitar_design[/url][/quote] Interesting reading, thanks for posting!

I've a feeling the Bass of Doom was always a 3 knob layout, but he had another Jazz he used a lot that was a '61 and he swapped the stack knobs for the newer layout on that one. I read that somewhere but can't remember where, so I too, may be mistaken!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='928883' date='Aug 18 2010, 06:15 PM']Modulus carbon fibre necks are a completely different construction type to Status (and just about everyone else).[/quote] Now you're just toying with us! Care to elaborate?

[quote name='tino' post='928859' date='Aug 18 2010, 05:56 PM']I think 2 and 3 can be scientifically proven as applicable to the followers whereas 1 can readily be applied to BP......could this be the same BP that has just devastated the US coastal ecology Nearly forgot to mention.....I shall be selling extra lightweight and totally see through necks,sorry but these are available only as fretless and will not be supplied with tuners or nutt . They sound superb and are a great improvement on my last venture,I feel that I should at this point apologise to all of you that bought the previous model,but please remember it was the postal service that lost them,all 398 of them. The new C-Frew neck PAF and registered with several military Dictatorships will be sent UK for an all inclusive price of £420......Sorry but this will only apply to the first 250 units. At which point the price MUST increase to £495 & postage,this just about covers production plus my usual 855% mark up Please be assured these necks will take roasting to another level,in fact in an experiment carried out earlier today we used a plasma cutter on the prototype and there were no signs of damage at all.....................AMAZING or WHAT.... Cash sales will receive a further £20 discount Thanks & love & Peace to one & all Tino[/quote] I can't wait to get one, it's guaranteed to be wonderful if you've designed it. And the picture at the end of your post looks great although without nut and tuners it's difficult to tell where it is exactly.

I guess Modulus charge what the american market will pay for a graphite neck. The main competition is presumably from Status and before the pound weakened against the dollar a Status neck probably cost a fortune in the US. Now we're the ones paying through the nose for Modulus gear they may have to rethink their pricing to compete with us. When I spoke to Dawn at Status she told me my order was in with about 15 other basses being assembled that week, and all except mine were for export! (although maybe not all to the US)

[quote name='amj' post='928849' date='Aug 18 2010, 05:49 PM']Nope I dread to think what condition the neck's in now![/quote] It'll probably be OK, fish it out and string it up and give the neck time to settle itself before doing anything drastic like taking the frets out.

Very nice! But stay away from his vid with just the g string

[quote name='absolutpepper' post='928624' date='Aug 18 2010, 01:39 PM']Yeah I know they do one but it fits headed and headless Statii. I'd prefer in the first place to get one for a headless (more portable) but its good to know that failing that there is another option. Cheers CP[/quote] Fair nuff! I've a feeling the Hiscox guitar sized case might be big enough, but best to try one out first. There's probably plenty of them about.

[quote name='absolutpepper' post='928542' date='Aug 18 2010, 12:24 PM']Having sold my Eclipse 4 string to Jez over the weekend I managed to pick up a bargain 84 Washburn/Status S1000 in transparent red. Needs a little bit of a setup and the pots cleaned but it's great! I'm a big fan of the S-2 shape and to get the aesthetic for not a lot of cash was fantastic. I really need to find a Washburn or Status H/C for it now...easier said than done I reckon. Pics to follow...[/quote] New Hiscox case from Status is £68 and available from their on line shop if you can't find one anywhere else. Edit: [quote name='EBS_freak' post='931717' date='Aug 21 2010, 10:24 AM']Not quite; Subtotal 68.00 Delivery 25.00 Tax VAT 16.27 TOTAL 109.27[/quote]

Yup, I'm definitely a bass snob :snob: But playing a Fender every now and then is the dirtiest thing you can do :brow:

[quote name='walbassist' post='927366' date='Aug 17 2010, 11:26 AM']My fretted Veillette has them. They are the version made by Hipshot, called the [url="http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=223"]Triple Lock Down[/url]. As you can see, I left my comments of what I think of them on their website. Cheers Gareth[/quote] In your comments on the hipshot website you ask about adjusting the intonation, if they're the same as the ABMs there are a total of 4 grub screws per saddle assembly: 2 on top either side of the string to adjust the string height blocks 1 in the saddle facing the pickups to unlock the string the string height blocks 1 in the saddle facing sideways just behind the string height blocks that unlocks the saddle / string height block assembly to adjust intonation The last one isn't obvious on the black coloured bridges, it took me a while to find it!

Status use them a lot on their basses because there's a version for headless basses too. I think they're made by ABM in Germany and they're also available with built in piezo pickups on eBay. I actually don't like them much and have taken them off one of my basses and put an ABM single piece 5 string bridge which gives a much more focussed sound and slightly more sustain too. The monorail rail bridges sounded a bit hollow and weak by comparison to my ears. Also you need to be careful when adjusting them, once you've loosened the grub screws the bridge pieces and the saddles have a tendency to fall out and disappear under the sofa! I would imagine the monorails are very difficult to fit and get each of the pieces perfectly aligned and parallel to each other, maybe they come with a drilling template.

First thing I'd suggest is get it out of the loft - the extreme changes in temperature from winter to summer might not be doing it much good..... especially if it's unstrung and the truss rod is tensioned up. It's probably OK but it might need a little while for the neck to settle down. For something a bit different you could string it with flatwounds and try a thumpy kind of sound, depends what kind of music you play.