Fat Rich

[quote name='noelk27' post='833628' date='May 10 2010, 09:09 PM']Any bass I used on stage I'd just get a couple of washers and screw the strap to the body.[/quote] Yup, I take the strap button off but not the felt washer, put the strap into position, then a medium size metal washer then the strap button on top. (I keep the strap buttons on as my Status basses use them as feet so I don't need guitar stands). Sometimes I use a longer strap screw if the original is a bit measly. But if you like the look of gaffa tape then stick to what you know. Literally probably.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='830590' date='May 7 2010, 12:46 PM']I agree with Bilbo, any decent set up will do the job. A simple passive Fender style bass will be reliable and cover most of what you need I'd advise against getting a Status unless you're over 46 and don't need to appear attractive to women [/quote] I usually say to women, "Look at the carbon fibre weave on the neck of my bass, it's like a Formula 1 car. Do you like Formula 1?" It's funny watching them fall over things trying to run away. But pretty much any good bass will do the job for a functions band, it's more about the playing.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='827962' date='May 4 2010, 10:21 PM']The berst result is obtained by using toothpaste, which is something you all have at home, toothpaste containes abrasive micro granules designed to midly polish your teeth enamel without causing damage and it works wonders on lacquered wood surfaces, plastics, and even some chrome metal parts. Put some on a soft cloth, apply to the body in a circular motion without digging into the lacquer too hard, allow to dry then polish away with another clean cloth and admire the new shine in disbelief![/quote] There's some mint condition and control cavities gags in there somewhere but I can't be bothered to work them out...

[quote name='OldGit' post='827315' date='May 4 2010, 12:20 PM']"It takes a minimum 3 to 5 years or 100 gigs to form a relationship with an instrument " Oh that is so true[/quote] So the sooner you buy that Tokai fretless the sooner you'll form a relationship with it and start getting the best out of it... There is no cure for GAS.

Yup, not just strings either..... I used to work round the corner from the Bass Centre in Wapping so I'd pop in when I was out getting something for lunch. Very expensive time.

I tried various bridges on Fender basses over the years, always ended up back with the original ugly cheapo rattly spring stock Fender one..... It just sounds more like a Fender bass should with the original bridge on, you may get slightly more sustain with a Badass but not as much as if you dial in a small amount of compression on your amp.

That's a standard Status Energy from the early '90s, they changed the shape in the mid 90's but yours is the original classic Status shape. It's not exactly rare and it's from Status' budget line of instruments, but it's still a good bass and you shouldn't have too much trouble selling a graphite necked bass. I would say stick with the price you've got in on for, I'd be surprised if you could get more than that but I might be wrong! Heres a link to a brochure (with original UK price): [url="http://www.statii.com/status_cats/adverts/energy_nov_1991/energy_advert_nov_1991.jpg"]http://www.statii.com/status_cats/adverts/...rt_nov_1991.jpg[/url] There are other brochures on www.statii.com also a discussion forum full of Status players who may be able to give you more detailed info. Good luck with the sale

I never used to use them, but recently I've started working on them more..... they can be pretty useful for fills. Instant chops!

Wanted to play bass as soon as I heard "White Lines" by Grandmaster Flash. When I found out it was Doug Wimbish I went to see him do a clinic at the Bass Centre and wasn't disappointed, although it was difficult to see what he was doing because Pino Palladino's big hair was in front of me. Oddly, I don't think I've ever played any of Doug's basslines. These days I'd say I've been most influenced by James Jamerson, Flea, Billy Sheehan, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and Jaco.... although I can't play any of their lines convincingly either

[quote name='OldGit' post='822943' date='Apr 29 2010, 12:34 PM']Cue a million lines on way "Pay to Not Play" is so wrong! [/quote] Or on playing prisons because the audience can't leave.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='822765' date='Apr 29 2010, 10:12 AM']I'm affraid we need this story[/quote] No story, just saw an opportunity for a stupid comment.... sorry!

[quote name='tom1946' post='822635' date='Apr 29 2010, 06:56 AM']I have some black ones from egay and they work perfectly.....[/quote] Egay? You sure they're beer bottle washers?

I've been paid to leave my one of my own gigs if that helps?

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='820781' date='Apr 27 2010, 04:09 PM']My frankenJazz bass currently has a neck from a no-name POS I got from hatherleigh car boot for £15. Killing it will not make me cry, in fact it will be a nice excuse to get a new one. Do you need a radius block to do it properly, or can you skim by eye with some heavy grit, and then smooth it off?[/quote] Mine's been skimmed almost flat so I did it by eye with a sanding block. But stay away from the heavy grit, you'll be surprised how little you need to take off. And super glue can help as BassBod says, you have to apply it super quick or you'll glue whatever you're applying it with to the neck instead of to yourself.

Roughly in order: Aria cheap bolt on with ply body, better than you'd expect (from Allbang & Strummit, remember them?) Some kind of Yamaha bolt on, maple board, neck too chunky for me Custom Warwick shaped body with the neck from the first Aria 4 or 5 Aria SB basses, various models and ages, one of them fretless Aria bolt on 5 string, but strings too close together '62 Jazz, so beat up that you had to examine it closely to see that it was sunburst, no finish left on the business end of the neck (which is why I could afford it). Sold in '90 for £1250, probably worth a fortune now that relics are so sought after, I'm such an idiot for getting rid of it. Still have: Late 80s (I think) Jap Jazz '62 reissue, sounds and plays like the real thing so I sold the real thing '80s Jap Jazz fretless, great bass but hardly any fingerboard left Early 90's Jap Precision reissue, has Jazz EMG pickups fitted 2 Status Series 1s from '93: 5 string fretted, 6 string fretless Status Energy 5 string, mid '90s wooden neck Amps, only 2: Marshall bass combo sold to buy Hartke 3500, XL115 & XL410 cabs Peavey Bassfex Suspect I'm going to be buying more stuff now I've joined this forum

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='820689' date='Apr 27 2010, 02:43 PM']Now this is probably where I'll end up, I do pretty much all my own maintenance on my instruments, done fret dressing enough times, will probably read up on it when the time comes and have a go. A friend of mine is a furniture maker and often comes up with ingenious fixes for basses, I think he'll help.[/quote] Groundwound strings are good place to start, they're still pretty bright but super smooth under your fingers. You can slide harmonics for miles with them too which is great fun (but maybe not for the audience though) You'll probably be surprised how little skimming is required to get rid of the marks on your board, I've done it myself several times and you just need to go carefully and slowly and not take too much off. But if it's a classic bass then get an expert to do it, whoever had my old Jazz bass before me has taken off everything but a millimetre or two of the rosewood fingerboard, I'm expecting the truss rod to burst through the front any minute like in the Alien movies. On the plus side, it's the slimmest Jazz neck in history!

[quote name='BassBus' post='820494' date='Apr 27 2010, 12:06 PM']When I visited the factory recently Dawn informed me it was the S2000 that turned so many people on to Status basses. With the promised new models next year maybe that S2000 reissue will happen. They were keeping their cards very close to their chests.[/quote] That would be great, with a headed option for eccentrics like me!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='819828' date='Apr 26 2010, 07:32 PM']Wow, that's some money's worth, Rich! They sound really nice & as they say, imitation is the best kind of flattery Looking forward to the pics of these two stunners! Why do you tend to go for the headed models, btw? (Just curious - I always go for the headless models for Status basses, apart from if I eventually order a KB-MkII. That would have to be headed!)[/quote] I've noticed on the Statii forum my tastes seem to be a bit different to most people there. I've never been into headless basses and I also don't really like the look of the tone blocks through the middle.... the line of the neck through isn't parallel to the line of the tone block and that looks a little odd to me (maybe I've got OCD!) so hence the 2 piece body specification. If I remember correctly my blue 5 stringer was one of the first headed Status basses they built and it just looked and felt right, I'd never considered a Status before that. However I'm starting to get tempted by the headless classic ones, preferably all graphite so who knows.... it all seems to be very addictive.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='817900' date='Apr 25 2010, 10:48 AM']Shocking! Another example of shoddy technique here: Can't see the young fellow in the film having much of a career with such a sloppy approach :ph34r:[/quote] Yup, and what about that Motown bloke who could only pluck with one finger. Amateurs!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='818037' date='Apr 25 2010, 01:34 PM']Lovely basses, Rich! What S2's did you order in the end? I seem to recall replying to one of your comparison threads on Statii. Rich.[/quote] Thanks! The new S2s were partly inspired by a couple of your basses, hope you don't mind... S2 Classic 6 string, Fretted, Headed, Neck-thru Standard pickups and electronics, Gold hardware 2 piece body with dark figured walnut facings to front and rear Maple fingerboard to contrast with the dark wood facings (inspired by your 5 stringer) and also: S2 Classic 5 string, Plain fretless, Headed, Neck-thru Standard pickups and electronics, Gold hardware 2 piece body with medium wood facings to front and rear (hopefully a bit like your Myrtle wood bass) Rosewood fingerboard to contrast with the medium wood facing Hopefully the rosewood board will soften the tone of the fretless for a woodier sound as I've already got a nice bright phenolic sound from the Series 1. They're due sometime in July / August, can't wait!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='814912' date='Apr 22 2010, 12:50 PM']Pointless worrying about it... Tone is completely subjective and dependant upon the other instruments in the group and genre of music. Also just because one bass player can make a certain combination of instrument and amp sound good doesn't mean anyone else can.[/quote] In the '80s I really wanted that Marcus Miller sound (even though my slap playing was rubbish!). All the fender basses I could afford were a bit dodgy and there was no way I could afford an SWR rig. I recently saw an interview with him talking about his old '70s Jazz bass and how he knows exactly where all the dead spots and rattly frets are on that particular bass, and knows how to work with the problems rather than against them to get the best tone. I reckon if I played his bass and rig I'd sound exactly like me, a bit rubbish. Nowadays, I sound like a combination of my playing style and the gear I happen to have ended up with. So long as it doesn't sound terrible sometimes it's worth sticking with it and seeing if you can find your own voice with the gear you've got.

Also, it about balance in your life. Some pro musicians spend 3 months or more touring worldwide with an artist and come back feeling worn out from the almost inevitable poor diet, too much drink and drugs (not suggesting anyone discussed here does this!), sitting on a bus or plane all day and endlessly hanging around for soundchecks and gigs. All they want is to spend some time at home catching up with their family and friends, and do a bit of TV work like Jools Holland or chat shows and maybe a few music videos to pay the bills. Then it's back on the road again....

[quote name='purpleblob' post='814750' date='Apr 22 2010, 10:45 AM']Welcome. Is it possible to play a status without slapping - wow I never realised [/quote] That's what I thought when I picked up the first one, but I was attracted by the carbon fibre weave on the neck, no trussrod, and the super glossy sunburst finish. As soon as I played it I loved the neck, low action and the hi fi sound (although it can be a bit too bright with fresh strings it can be tamed with some EQ). Up till then I'd wanted a Warwick Streamer but ended up with a bass on the other end of the tonal spectrum!

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='814897' date='Apr 22 2010, 12:39 PM']Indeed, and a two-part detuning bridge too. [/quote] Approx 4mins in: "You can buy one of these.......... if you don't mind selling your car!"

[quote name='chardbass' post='814385' date='Apr 21 2010, 10:13 PM']My favourite reply is the "if this had one more/less string I'd have it off you in a second..etc" Is that like saying to a first date "if you didn't have such a big nose I'd be paying for your meal"? [/quote] Yup, I'm guilty of saying exactly that.... She did have a very big nose though.