skej21

At least the basses have escaped the AWFUL Min-Etune which comes as standard on nearly every Gibson guitar model in 2015. Such a poor quality, needless bit of design and you void the ENTIRE warranty if you choose to replace them with standard machine heads. Just crazy.

I met Drew a while back now and he seemed like a classy, knowledgable guy and was great to chat bass with for a while. I would not have pictured him as the type that resorts to having a petty dig at competitors with more exclusive, imported brands just because of a different outlook on their business model. The music retail industry is small enough without the few bass shops trying to fight against each other too! Just accept you have different philosophies and sell yourself rather than trying to belittle others. The biggest problem I see is that when I (or any bassist) want to spend a lot of money on a custom instrument, and decide to go British, it's not difficult to pick up the phone or jump in the car and consult/see their goods easily with the builder in their workshop. I don't really need a shop to do that for me. If I want a custom bass importing on my behalf or to try something that's not easily accessible in the UK before committing to ordering, it becomes much more important to have a shop where I can do that. It's a nice idea to go for a 'British-centric' store but not sure if its too niche within an already VERY niche section of a shrinking area of retail... You just have to look at how many Fender and Gibson dealers are shrinking/vanishing to see where it's headed. Good luck Drew!

One less than I'd like :-p

Did someone say 'Japanese bass'... http://youtu.be/cmQvxfo75K0

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1411645833' post='2561468'] Good call! Will do. Thanks! [/quote] No problem :-)

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1411642587' post='2561418'] Balls! I do have this problem with a couple of the saddle height screws...I didn't need to check them after initial set up, but checked last night and three are locked (including both on the G string saddle). I'll have a word with Mark, as I'm also interested in getting an aged strap pin for the back of the headstock!... [/quote] You could just get them here: http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Vintage-Style-Strap-Pins-Reliced-p/he004-dist.htm

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1411561071' post='2560626'] Do you mean the saddles wouldn't move up or down? Don't seem to have that issue on mine...What brass replacements did you use out of interest? [/quote] +1... I had no such issue with the bridge saddles on mine either.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1410783590' post='2553020'] Because some people want to learn more than they would learn on their own. Go to the new guy while he's still teaching and get the most out of it that you can.When those lessons end, it could be worth looking further afield. It's worth traveling for a good teacher. [/quote] Totally agree with this. There is only so much your own brain can come up with and music is about communicating and interacting with other musicians, so why would you want to learn alone or watching a video that only works one way? I must admit I do enjoy Janek Gwizdala's videos as I find his concepts relate to my playing quite a lot but I wouldn't rely on them (and I do wish he'd record the bass directly so I don't have to listen to him scatting along :-P). As for Scott's bass lessons, I think I am the only person on Basschat who doesn't like them. He seems to ramble a bit through his videos (whether that's a lesson, product review or interview - his recent one with Chris may, he spends most of it contributing random thoughts or talking over Chris whilst he's talking about something important... Oh and when watching the video review he did of his own signature overwater model, his mobile goes off!) and (for me) his lessons never really seem to go anywhere... *runs and hides*

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1411071130' post='2556297'] I don't know if anyone else's did, but mine didn't. Had a spare one, so I didn't mind [/quote] Mine didn't either. He offered to sell me one with it but I had a spare so didn't take him up on it :-)

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1411050366' post='2555974'] [URL=http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140705_083443.jpg.html][IMG]http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv109/FuNkShUi/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140705_083443.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Hes had his first lesson from me already. He was complaining about it being too big and wanting a 3/4 scale already. Just making excuses if you ask me [/quote] Damn right! It's not like you're making him playing double bass or sousaphone :-p

Here's mine. Fender Nate Mendel precision, Geddy Lee Jazz and Limelight '64 Precision. Aguilar DB112NT in boss tweed (soon to be replaced by an SL112) and my Markbass LMIII (soon to be replaced with a TH500). Pedalboard is an Aguilar TLC compressor, TC electronics ditto looper, Korg pitchblack in ltd ed blue finish and an Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp/DI. Here's what it sounds like: http://youtu.be/StprZAGF4Yo

[quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1410559526' post='2550911'] My missus always has a go at me for pulling my bass face! [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/vmaxblues/media/10583799_835215419836202_5807944665845068015_n_zps3141fa25.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/vmaxblues/10583799_835215419836202_5807944665845068015_n_zps3141fa25.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Is it just me or do we all do it? [/quote] Your bass face in that picture doesn't seem to be putting Jon Bon off, so live and let live!

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1410706405' post='2552134'] Thanks for that, I'll check it out. Edit* They are a bit expensive but look amazing, she's just one woman doing a sermon in a small church so was hoping to spend about £200-ish. [/quote] Maybe check out the Roland CM30? They are really small and compact (check the photos of its scale next to a person in the link) but really loud when turned up. Sound quality is really good and you get a few input options. They get fantastic reviews (5 out of 5 on musicians friend) and retail about £159 so should be perfect for you're after :-) Link! http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/roland-cm-30-cube-monitor

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1410690957' post='2551915'] In my experience Mooer are hit or miss. I had a Green Mile (TS clone) which was ok, but the Sweeper (Bassballs clone) and Yellow Comp are sh*te, with my set up at least. But for £40 odd quid they're worth a punt, you might find something you like. [/quote] Totally agree. The Ana Echo is awesome though! I was looking for a little bit of delay to put on when practicing so it didn't sound so dry and it works a treat. Tried it alongside the Way Huge Aqua Puss and didn't think the Aqua Puss warranted being twice the price for the purpose I wanted it for.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1410471010' post='2549895'] That's why I'm happy I can do my own; I set them up the way I want them [/quote] +1 I don't understand people who pay for basic setups. It's like owning a car and never learning how to top up the oil and water or put petrol in. Everybody should learn how to do it! :-)

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1410430855' post='2549309'] For me the whole point of signature basses is that they offer an instrument with a design and features that doesn't otherwise exist. The actual signature name is irrelevant if the bass appeals to you. Apart from a handful of models the Fender signature basses seem to be just a combination of cosmetic features that aren't usually available for the standard models. Not really a compelling reason to buy one. To me the AC bass posted earlier in the thread is just a green Jazz Bass. I can't see what all the fuss is about. [/quote] Totally agree RE the Adam clayton. It's essentially a green USA standard with blocks and a matching headstock. I used to hate the idea of signature models and would never have bought my Geddy Lee if the Internet had been the place I was looking, just because I didn't like the idea. However, I went with my teacher to get my first 'decent' bass and he just got a load of stuff out that was in my price range and made me play them all and I instantly fell in love with the neck on the Geddy. He then told me it was a signature and I recoiled, then bought it and got over it. The signature is on the back of the headstock where I (and everyone else) don't see it, I put a black plate on it and forgot all about it... It's my bass as at as I'm concerned and I've never played anything remotely similar to Geddys style on it either.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1410427063' post='2549259'] Arrives a damn sight quicker than a custom build as well.... [/quote] Yup! I got mine off the shelf at a decent enough price that I can take it out without worrying but get the advantage of a familiar neck profile, hotter quarter pounder pickups (ideal for the majority of our pub/function set) and nice nitro lacquer. Even at retail price of £711 (the RRP when I got mine in January) it was a good £100 cheaper than my Limelight precision. Whilst my limelight precision also has a jazz profile nut and was quite custom in its spec, it also was more expensive and took a coup of months to turn up, so I can totally see the appeal of buying a genuine Fender with uniquely similar spec at a lower price point straight off the shelf.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1410422566' post='2549205'] How much difference does a signature make? do more people actually buy them? I guess they must or fender wouldn't bother... For me thats a lovely bass ruined by a signature... [/quote] Find me a Fender (or any brand!) precision bass with a jazz width nut, nitrocellulose lacquer, hand-rolled fingerboard edges, Seymour Duncan quarter pounders a gig bag and cost under £750. There isn't one, except the Fender Nate Mendel signature, so I bought it. I also own a Geddy Lee jazz bass. There isn't a SINGLE bass I've ever played (including all the ones that went through the music store I worked for and all the ones I've tried in other stores and belonging to friends etc) that has a neck profile like the Geddy Lee. It is unique! Some signature basses offer a bass off the shelf that is less costly but uniquely suited to some players without having to have a custom build. Im all for them :-) Also, sound and tone comes from the player (phrasing, note choice, rhythmic phrasing etc), not the bass, so I don't follow that logic :-) I've never had anyone comment on my playing after a gig and say 'it was awesome but your bridge pickup sounded a bit too much like Geddy Lee'

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1410380113' post='2548889'] It also sounds like PMT were desperate not to give you money back. Cash flow issues ? #devilsadvocate [/quote] First off, stunning bass!! However, the OP did mention finance and in defence of PMT, it's not as easy as issuing a refund when technically the finance company have paid for the bass and own the item until it is paid off, even if the item is faulty. Just for balance, all my dealings with PMT have been equally awful. They took money from me for something they said they could get but turns out they couldn't (which it turned out they'd known from the start) and then made it very difficult to give me back my money (trying to make me take an exchange for the stuff they had in stock instead!). It's a shady way of dealing in my opinion.

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1410260449' post='2547530'] Burgundy Mist 64 J Bass should be coming my way shortly... [/quote] Nice!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1410280479' post='2547789'] Clayton lost love of his Lakland basses these days then? [/quote] Interesting that Bono and The Edge join the Fender board and another U2 related instrument pops up :-P

I thought the difference between the two was that with passive controls, you can only affect your sound by turning things off (turning off the volume of individual pickups or rolling off the tone) whereas with active you can cut the frequencies or boost the frequencies without turning off pickups or tone (so if you wanted a burpy jazz bass bridge pickup tone, you can simply boost the appropriate frequencies on an active bass rather than having to turn off the neck pickup like you would traditionally on a passive jazz bass). Therefore, if you have a true bypass passive/active switch and the controls set at flat, then the controls would be in a position where they are all turned on (volume wise) and no frequencies are being cut/boosted/turned off. So that SHOULD sound the same on both active and passive. Or have a missed something? As far as active/passive goes, I use passive basses because the characteristic sound of a bass that you alter by removing elements suits the kind of stuff I play. No other reason.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1409847061' post='2543923'] Anyone tried the Dirty Donny edition of the Swollen Pickle? http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/dirty-donny-swollen-pickle It loses one of the internal controls but has the remaining internal controls now on the outside, plus the pedal is smaller. Anyone know what that missing control is and if it makes a difference to bass use? [/quote] I have had all three of the Way Huge Fuzz pedals from Dunlop to try. Whilst it had the least controls, the sound of the Havalina fuzz was just incredible. I quite liked the size and ease of adjustment of the Dirty Donny swollen pickle.

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1409855716' post='2544054'] There are variations? No one told me Where are they? Actually don't worry, I don't play this song...phew! (I actually said no to a rehearsal recently when I saw Dakota was on their set list...and Sex on Fire) [/quote] When I say 'variations' I simply meant that there's an occasional third thrown in. Bloody awful song but for some reason, the punters bloody love it and at the end of the gig, they pay my wage so I'll keep playing it. I hate the song though lol.