skej21

I bought an SR605 and restrung it E-C. Didn't need to change the but and it plays really nice. I wouldn't spend the best part of £700 on something like this. They should've done the SR1400 (thru neck model) with a 33" scale and the Nordstrand Big Singles. Would have been KILLER and less than £1000. Missed opportunity with this I think...

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1432713415' post='2784088'] Presumably there are limited tickets for this event and if BCers snap most of them up early Fender are going to wonder why 95% of their audience are bass players... ... maybe they will open a bass emporium to cater for us. [/quote] I'm not even too bothered about the basses (or potential lack of) to be honest. If Fender don't bring enough basses with them, that's out of our hands but it's just a really great chance to see some fantastic musicians! Hopefully there will be plenty of nice basses on show though :-)

I was on Instagram this morning and spotted Fender promoting a Fender UK tour, designed to discuss and demonstrate models from the American Standard range. Whilst this is a great chance to try out some gear and talk to the guys at Fender, they also have the All-Star band with them. Tickets are FREE, which means you get to see Randy Hope-Taylor and Yolanda Charles playing for the cost of a few drinks :-) thought it might be of interest to some of you so here's a link! You can follow a link on this page to book the free tickets at your nearest venue. http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/americanstandardtour/ I'll be going to the one at Fibbers so might be nice to meet up with some basschat folk if anyone else is heading down :-) Enjoy!

Sold an effects pedal to Nick. He paid for it super fast and was a delight to deal with. I wouldn't hesitate to deal with him again :-) Enjoy it dood!

They couldn't even get THIS guy to be seen playing a R**********r! ;-)

Interesting the 'value' that people have of music/gigging/instruments. I gig regularly with a guy who has the opinion that spending more than £500 on an instrument is 'a waste' and 'too stressful because Id be worried that it got damaged.' However, he drives his guitar and amp to every gig in his pride and joy, a reasonably pricey Audi. I think it's ridiculous to pay that much money for something and then leave it unattended outside the local WMCs 3/4 times a week! Id much rather have a Fodera.

Id stand back from the Fodera for a brief moment and wait to watch it fall, pin balling between the music stand and the amp it was left up against before watching it smash into the floor. Id then wait for the assistant to come over and find the unsalvageable Fodera, look at me and Id say; 'things could be worse... I could still be the owner of a R***en****er!'

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1425414222' post='2707139'] Whaaaaaaaaaat?! A few months ago they were still selling new MIJ Fenders abroad, and sure people on this forum have bought from them [/quote] MIJ Fenders are carefully controlled for export (so that they don't flood the market and have Mexican/USA Fender models competing with MIJ models too). This is why 'export' and 'non-export' models are often discussed, because the Far East market keeps the majority of stock and exports a small minority out to other markets. Obviously, this leads to 'non-export' models gaining a higher reputation, as people believe (rightly or wrongly, as this is subjective!) that all the 'good' models are kept for the Far East market and the lesser quality models are exported out. I've always found MIJ/CIJ to be great quality and there are ways of purchasing non-export models that have been brought back into the UK (like John at Far East guitars etc).

[quote name='Tullfan' timestamp='1427144786' post='2726484'] So his tenure was Brie f Frankly, no one will Cheddar tear, as for me - I don't give Edam! ... fetching coat! [/quote] I Camembert any more of these awful cheese puns...

You could always ask him direct and cut out the middle man?

[quote name='Bronner' timestamp='1426938068' post='2723658'] They're not my opinions. They are the opinions of others, and I made that clear with the link and quote: [i][b]"[color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif].. There's no shortage of these types of complaints about the company on the Net; do your [u]own[/u] research, [u]form your own conclusions[/u]." <<<< [/font][/color][color=#ff0000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]You saw where I wrote this? [/font][/color][/b][/i] [/quote] They're still nonsense though. I have never purchased a rickenbacker personally (but have played plenty) but that doesn't stop me from posting this; "I bought a Rickenbacker, sent it back, had a huge barny with company director in a drive-thru Starbucks in Las Vegas and he was super arrogant and rude before telling him Id never buy one of his instruments EVER AGAIN!" You could easily quote this as 'evidence' or 'research' to support your argument but it's total lies and nonsense. You cannot use Internet opinions as 'facts' IMO. They are too unreliable. Sweepin generalisations (like you've made in your OP) are called that for a reason. Until you've played EVERY Ric in the world and can definitely tell me they are all rubbish and EVERY bass player would hate them (which you can't!) you should consider presenting your opinion as an opinion.

[quote name='Bronner' timestamp='1426933669' post='2723558'] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4]To the folks that like these basses at whatever price, fantastic, it's your choice. Enjoy your instrument and make good music. However, in doing a little Google search, the fanaticism of defending this brand with Ad Hominem attacks seems to bring up a lot of similar experiences by others. A few quotes from other sites, and a link. [url="http://www.thezookeepers.com/ricknews.htm"]http://www.thezookee...om/ricknews.htm[/url][/size][/font] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][i][b]"[color=#000000]> After Jeff and I hung up, I called Rickenbacker again and asked the [/color][/b][/i][/size][/font][/indent] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][i][b]> receptionist if she could give me the name of the president of the > company. She said, "No, I cannot,"[/b][/i][/color][/size][/font][/indent] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][color=#000000][i][b]That's comical. His name is John C. Hall; he used to post on this[/b][/i][/color][/color][/size][/font][/indent] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][i][b]newsgroup fairly regularly a few years ago!"[/b][/i][/color][/color][/color][/size][/font][/indent] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][i][b]"I recently called Rickenbacker and told them about this new group and the message I just read. I told Rickenbacker that I will never buy an instrument from them because of their new reputation."[/b][/i][/color][/color][/color][/color][/size][/font][/indent] [indent=1][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][i][b]"I see you know the same lying, scheming, slandering, con- spiring and threatening [company employee] as I do. And I've dealt with him for close to two decades. You're certainly not the only one on these news- groups who shares similar experiences, makes similar observations, and shares the same opinions regarding [the employee] as you have expressed."[/b][/i][/color][/color][/color][/color][/size][/font][/indent] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000][color=#000000]... There's no shortage of these types of complaints about the company on the Net; do your own research, form your own conclusions. No need to rely on what I say. [/color][/color][/color][/color][/size][color=#000000]However, it raises suspicion when a few people defend a shoddy brand with more vigor than they would defend their own mothers, while using improper Ad Hominem attacks just because someone doesn't fancy a product. [/color][/font] [/quote] Quite hypocritical to make sly digs at people with shoddy arguments when you've used a subjective Internet source with no real substance to back up your own opinions. I personally dislike Rickenbacker but I could use the Internet to find narrowminded opinions to back up any half-informed opinion I wanted. It says more about you that you bought a bass that you didn't like... Anyone with sense would have tried it first and realised (that specific bass) wasn't worth the money and walked out/returned it.

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1426878712' post='2723119'] Very nice, I had to google that one, but did have a Strat that colour a few years back! Will Mark do pretty much any colour?! [/quote] I can't see why he couldn't do JPM if he can do burgundy mist, shoreline gold, LPB, CAR etc as it's the same process but with a different top colour.

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1426877945' post='2723102'] Right,I want in on this. Now, Shoreline Gold as seen and admired above,LPB, Pino clone or other?! With a rosewood board are there any other slightly more unusual colours worth considering? [/quote] Jade Pearl Metallic? It'd look nice alongside your TKS cabs :-)

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1405159852' post='2499236'] Clever idea, but shouldn't the tuner circular slots be slightly extended towards the nut to prevent string catching on the circular edge? [/quote] Surely there's no difference betweent the string moving against the edge of that recess or the more traditional Fender string tree?

Check out the Fender Nate Mendel Signature Precision. Slim '70s profile neck with a narrower nut width :-)

That colour! *drool*

[quote name='andy67' timestamp='1426343274' post='2717145'] The SR-605 is an incredible 5 string for the money! I sold mine for £275 and regret it completely, stunning in every way! [/quote] Yup! I love mine. For the small amount I actually need a 5 string, it's a great quality bass that can be picked up for a very reasonable price. Another ibanez (possibly the SR1405) would be first on my list if I ever felt I needed to upgrade but the SR605 is perfect for what I need right now!

This thread is great. Some great advice and contributions from members. Whilst I studied most of the technical side as part of my degree, the advice about plug-ins etc is a great angle. Bit of a 'heads up' from a recent purchase. I've just picked up an Audient iD22 interface while the € conversion is good. At £300 with some Thomann vouchers thrown in, it's probably the best purchase I've made in terms of studio gear. British designed, includes two VERY high quality audient preamps, intuitive hands-on controls with assignable function buttons and pristine AD/DA convertors. If anyone is thinking about upgrading from something like a Scarlett and want high level quality without spending stupid money, the iD22 would be ideal!

[quote name='sifi2112' timestamp='1426093973' post='2714333'] Nice [/quote] Thanks :-)

Oh my lord... That Shoreline Gold is making me want to ring Mark and get a new Limelight! I think I'd end up going to LPB or Sherwood Green but there's something about that Shoreline Gold that is just magical. Argh!

[b][font=arial, sans-serif][u]Product overview/description[/u][/font][/b] [font=arial, sans-serif]The Havalina Fuzz (which translates in English as 'Javelin') introduces yet another innuendo to the array already emblazoned across the pedals in the Way Huge catalogue. First released only in the[/font][font=arial, sans-serif] US market at NAMM 2014, the Way Huge Havalina Fuzz was later released into the UK market and promised a vintage-inspired germanium fuzz to sit alongside the beloved Way Huge Swollen Pickle. [/font][font=arial, sans-serif]As the Swollen Pickle has proven to be so popular amongst the bass community, I've decided to demonstrate and review its germanium counterpart to show its capabilities! Here is the official blurb direct from Way Huge about the pedal;[/font] [size=4][font=arial, sans-serif][i]"The Havalina Germanium Fuzz from Way Huge Electronics is a germanium-powered fuzz box inspired by a vintage 3-transistor design that became the psychedelic shot-heard-round-the-world for guitar players, ushering in the new sound of rock. Designed around hand-selected Russian germanium transistors and a passive tone circuit, this peccary of a pedal can go from a soft, mellow crunch for meaty chords to a maelstrom of sonic fur that will make every note feel like a summer of love. Prepare to have your mind bent when you ride the Havalina!"[/i][/font] [/size] [font=arial, sans-serif]My demo video of the pedal features both a Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass and a Fender Nate Mendel Signature Precision Bass to give a better idea of how the pedal sounds with different pickup and tone control combinations.[/font] http://youtu.be/FzyE3dqj0AM [u][b][font=arial, sans-serif]Sound[/font][/b][/u] [size=4]The analogue, vintage-inspired design really shines through in the sound of this pedal. Ranging from dark and muddy to glassy and aggressive, the Russian germanium transistors allow for a truly characterful fuzz tone. There are only three controls to the pedal; 'Tone', 'Volume' and 'Fuzz', which means that the control of the final signal is not as comprehensive as the Swollen Pickle (as the Havalina Fuzz does not feature any internal modifications). However, I did find that altering the 'Tone' and 'Fuzz' controls immediately offer distinct changes in character and this is manipulated further when changing pickups/tone controls on the bass itself. Whilst using exactly the same setting on the pedal, the difference in sound and character between a jazz bass using just the bridge pickup and a precision bass with no tone is very evident and both offer a quality fuzz sound.[/size] [size=4][i][b][font=arial, sans-serif]8/10[/font][/b][/i][/size] [size=4][u][font=arial, sans-serif][b]Durability/Construction[/b][/font][/u] Bombproof! It's a simple as that. A tough metal casing with large, flat-profiled control knobs, well-recessed jack sockets and a sturdy stomp button to engage the pedal, its difficult to see how this pedal may get damaged in normal gigging conditions. The stage-ready LED is bright and clear to view in any light but may need covering up if you find this sort of thing offensive. Additionally, the 9v input is easily accessible and sensibly placed between the jacks at the top of the pedal (unlike some companies who insist on placing at the side, next to the jack inputs which then make it a nightmare if you're using right-angled jacks!) and if you prefer the idea of using batteries, the battery compartment is placed helpfully on the bottom of the pedal. The biggest advantage of this appears to be that you can change the battery without having to remove the pedal from your pedalboard. A well-designed and robust pedal with the end-user/use clearly at the heart of its conception. [b][i][font=arial, sans-serif]9.5/10[/font][/i][/b][/size] [size=4][u][b][font=arial, sans-serif]Overall[/font][/b][/u] [font=arial, sans-serif]I am really quite impressed with this pedal. A more immediate offering of tonal shaping (and no need to have the back off like a Swollen Pickle!), great quality fuzz sounds, excellent 'boutique' aesthetics and bomb-proof makes this a great addition to any pedalboard. Additionally (at only £99) it comes in under the price of nearly ALL of the alternatives (MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe, Way Huge Swollen Pickle etc) and offers a similar level of control and tones.[/font] [i][b][font=arial, sans-serif]9/10[/font][/b][/i][/size]

Someone once described compression like this to me and it's how I always think of it. I'm sure someone can tell me if its right or not! You make a sandwich with all the fillings, and then make another sandwich with all the fillings. You put the first one in your sandwich box but they won't both fit in together, so you put your hand on top of them both and squash (compress) them down so that they both fit into the box, without having to remove anything from each sandwich. In compression, you squash each track's highest and lowest points so that the ratios in between are reduced. Therefore the relative distance between the highest and lowest note and highest and lowest dynamic peaks (attack, volume etc) stay the same but are plotted within a smaller space, allowing room for other tracks to sit alongside with less intrusion? I'm still not sure if this is entirely correct or not but it's how I always think about it! Happy to be told otherwise :-)

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1426025684' post='2713662'] Did you keep the greasebucket with the aggie pickup? [/quote] The Nate Mendel doesn't have a greasebucket, it has a Quarter pounder, which I have kept in addition to the AG4-P60 and switch between the two.