skej21

Great, great basses. My only gripe is the gold hardware. It looks great on models such as the SR1805 but I think on the SR1600/1605 it would look really nice with black hardware! Also one of the best things about the SR1200, SR1600 and SR1800 models that never gets mentioned but makes a huge difference to playability (IMO!) is the Wenge/bubinga neck. It's stunning!

Dunlop Super Bright stainless steel 40-100. You mention that you want smoothness and the Dunlop strings have a higher wrap ratio than most other string brands, meaning the strings feel much smoother as your fingers glide over the wraps. It's like the difference between driving over speed bumps and driving over a cattle grid at speed. Light and day in the difference of feel to other brands of string. Can't recommend them enough and they're pretty reasonable :-) http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Dunlop-Super-Bright-Stainless-Steel-Bass-Strings--4-String-Set_p_2160.html

I think any good covers band shouldn't use music stands unless there's a valid reason (like if they have a VERY last minute addition the set, for a wedding etc, or have someone depping at the very last minute who needs structures handy or similar!)... Our band leader has a music stand with an iPad on that he uses to control the offstage mixer for sound so that's acceptable too in my opinion. Also, if it's appropriate to your repertoire then fair enough. Jazz bands who improv tunes and have specific stuff to go through and it fits the aesthetic of the group, fair enough. If you're a dad-rock covers band trying to rock the WMC in your best jeans and Zeppelin tee combo, then it'll look a bit out of place. In reality, nobody is even there for the music. They're there for the bingo and the music is just a pleasant time killer in between. They won't care if you're using a bassoon, as long as you shut up when the bingo is on and don't run over so that they can have their cig on time!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1417945531' post='2625239'] I just play each and every note on the instrument, first unplugged and then through an amp. No tunes necessary. [/quote] I like a mix of stuff to really see where the weak spots are (if any!)... For me it's usually a quick once though the main riff of 'Stacked actors' by Foos and 'sidekick' by Rancid with the pick. Then a couple of bars from my own piece for the harmonics/resonance of multiple harmonics. Play some of the Motown tunes from my function band repertoire and 'The Chicken' to hear the differences in the pickups (if it's appropriate - like a jazz or PJ). Then a quick blast through the latter half of 'Sex in the pan' by Wooten as it has a nice balance of muting, chords and harmonics all together. Then I run some scales and exercises including one that covers most of the notes up the neck just to hear the way everything sounds out. Intonation and action is easily sorted so I try to see past that if its not to taste or slightly out. Same with strings. I normally use quite light strings which are never fitted as standard so I have to ignore that too but that's not too difficult.

[quote name='taunton-hobbit' timestamp='1417890614' post='2624944'] People make mistakes - it happens - it's life - deal with it (professionally) and move on.... [/quote] I'm totally with you. It's just a shame that so many customers these days see human errors as an area of exploitation. They too often know that businesses don't want unhappy customers and use that to bully the retailer in to giving them some sort of 'compensation' so that they brag about how they 'won' or got a 'great deal' at the next open mic night (such bragging is a regular occurrence at our local open mic night!). I find that aspect of our culture repulsive. Bullying a member of staff who can't control such a mistake, knowing full well that they will have no choice but to give you something as a 'sorry' for the fact that they did something human is just disgusting IMO. Fair enough if they are rude or offensive etc but not for a simple human error. It's on par with America's culture of suing IMO. One of the last bits of gear that I bought was mis delivered due to a human error (the item was sent out a day early and to my work address rather than my home address). That's just down to a simple mistake. I didn't ring them up and start moaning and kicking off like an arsehole, demanding some sort of compensation like I am OWED it because someone made a small mistake. I just accepted that these things happen and nothing bad came of it. I'd happily use the store again and recommend them to everyone as the service throughout was excellent and mistakes happen. As for the OP, I totally understand the disappointment and I imagine that some of that may have been helped if the manager had been more apologetic about the error and less flippant. From the other comments, it sounds like it's not a common issue with Andertons.

Was this the bouquet gear you meant?

It's also interesting that these MM lovers claim it's not a cult but they all have a 'Musicman', 'stingray' or other related words in their basschat member names :-P The illu[b]MM[/b]inati!!

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1417539483' post='2621512'] Thanks mate. I spent lots of time agonising over which style to go for! I wanted tweed, but thought it wouldn't look quite right with the Markbass yellow. Pictures still don't do them justice though! [/quote] I do like your colour combo. I only went for black and oxblood because I have basses that would all sit nicely with those two colours. So sad but it's worth those little details!

[quote name='bjelkeman' timestamp='1417464123' post='2620666'] Looks very nice that colour combo. And we know it sounds great too. What more do we need? Och yeah they are lightweight and not expensive for what one gets. [/quote] Shhh. Don't tell everyone or they'll all want some!!

I could write pages about my S112 but I think the best thing I can say is that it looks as good as it sounds. Simply stunning. I'm not sure that photos do the oxblood grille justice but is a lovely colour. I popped a photo of the cab cover in too so people can see how good it is!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1417296386' post='2619005'] Lets have some decent photos! [/quote] The problem is that even high quality photos don't even come close to doing justice to the quality of these basses.

[quote name='Mattmit' timestamp='1417255653' post='2618556'] Yea.. My gas had been surprisingly low since getting my limelights too.... Haha, sorry. That's blatant baiting! But I have been pretty settled since having the precision, jazz, and a 5 string sandberg precision type. I'm wanting to get rid of my other basses so those guys get my full attention. The precision is really good but I got it early on and his relicing wasn't as good as it is now, each one he does looks better than the last, a blessing and a curse. [/quote] I must admit, I have had almost zero GAS since getting my Limelight. I've even been quite active in trying to find a bass to obsess over and just can't find anything. Grrrr!

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1417129643' post='2617460'] This is the second time its happened to me and in these times of independent shops fighting to survive against the internet giants it constantly surprises me how little effort some stores put into selling their products. Roll back the clock about 3 years - its a significant birthday for me and i have some cash (£1500) to splash. Always wanted a Warwick Streamer so i hunt around and find one in a shop about an hours drive from me. I call the shop to check its ok to pop in and have a widdle on it a few days in advance. Turn up at allotted time and wander around for about 20 mins in the shop waiting for someone to say hello to me. I eventually give up and grab a bod to ask if its ok to plug the bass in. I am directed to a 15watt Ashdown combo and given a lead. The bass has 10 year old strings on it and a set up that you can drive a bus under and sounds crap. And the combo isnt working properly either. I politely ask if i could use a different amp and could they pop a new set of strings on it and give it a tweak so its playable to which they answer "not unless youre going to buy it". Anyone spotted the flaw in this approach yet? I go for a walk taking my dosh with me and buy something else a few days later. Now to todays experience. Saw a Musicman bass (think zingy, twangy, lively.......) on ebay that i was interested in - Xmas just round the corner - and its for sale in a shop thats in the way back from work. Pop in, locate bass, ask politely etc........ 2003 bass with the original strings on it again and in dire need of ten minutes with an allen key. Sounded like a rubber band. Suffice to say, i dont have a nbd to report. Is it just me being picky or do people just not know how to present a product to its best advantage? No wonder theyre all going bust....... [/quote] From what I can see, your choice of where to buy and locate potential buys is probably contributing to the overall poor experience, in addition to the poor service you get tbh. The first instance is just annoying and the ugly side of music retail. Those experiences happen. As for avoiding the second situation, if you're going to consider buying a bass after viewing it on fleabay first, it's unlikely to be a great experience. Maybe go to a specialist who cares enough to have their own decent website to advertise their stock (and expertise!) properly and somewhere that has sales assistants who offer good enough customer service that they don't have to flog off their cr@p on fleabay to a blind buyer as a last ditch attempt to get rid easily. Having (recently) dealt with one of the specialist Bass retailers in the UK, I couldn't have had a better experience. Superb communications, highly knowledgable staff, polite and helpful. Got my new cab and a great feeling from the experience. Difficult to find that quality from an independant, Jack-of-all-trades retailer that you find through an ebay link and popped in to (as proven by the old strings and lack of knowledge to give a basic setup!).

Janek Gwizdala's new book 'All The Good Stuff' is 30% off today :-) Was going to buy it when it was released last week but waited for amazons inevitable price drop today and it paid off!

[quote name='scoobystig' timestamp='1417129068' post='2617451'] Whoa. They look tiny against that double bass [/quote] They are tiny against any bass!

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1417033556' post='2616507'] Nice one. Looks great. They pair up well with the Little Mark amp too, huh? [/quote] They really do! Spent about 10 hours with it today and it's stunning. I'll try and get some recordings up sometime soon :-)

[quote name='scoobystig' timestamp='1416948314' post='2615454'] Pics please to keep me going, had my email from Tommy today they're in production !! [/quote] :-)

[quote name='mingsta' timestamp='1416956058' post='2615578'] For $450 I'd expect it to make me sound like Marvin Gaye. [/quote] $450 for a Motown DI?! "What's going on?"

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1416648097' post='2612175'] Looking forward to the review! [/quote] It arrived this morning. First impressions are stunning. More to follow when I have a bit of time :-)

[quote name='datainadequate' timestamp='1416611526' post='2612018'] Does anyone have any recommendations for soundhole pickups for an acoustic guitar? I have a nice Ayers AS that I got a few years ago with no intention of ever using it amplified. Of course, now I want to use it amplified, but I don't want to go drilling holes in it. So, what actually works and doesn't produce feedback and gives a halfway ok sound? Thanks, John [/quote] The LR Baggs M1 Active is my favourite. Really great sound, adjustable pole pieces and a quick and hassle-free installation :-)

Her indoors and the family always complain that I never have anything on my list for Christmas. This year, Christmas is sorted :-)

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1416843260' post='2614163'] Come on guys everyone knows how BC works... All the gear you currently own = unsurpassed quality & tone, the best gear ever made at any price point. All the gear you don't own = rubbish, pointless and only for people who don't understand how good your current gear is OR so good you have to have it. NOW!! [/quote] Fixed :-)

Poorly worded waiver if you ask me. It needs to be fair for all parties. Waiving your right to complain about noise from the venue means that you can't even complain when the noise is not music related (or uncontrolled fighting) and opens up the possibility of landlords who are benefitting from the noise to abuse the clear loopholes in the waiver to keep the punters happy. Having set times at which noise can occur (in keeping with current legislation), what kind of noise and at what miaximum level should be specified so that it is clear when a complaint can be dismissed or taken seriously. That would make things more amicable for the venue, residents and the poor sods who have to get involved to sort it out. I'm all for change but it needs to be presented properly from the start or it just doesn't look like it should be taken seriously.