skej21

I suppose people have preconceptions of what gear you should be turning up to a gig with, in the same way they expect certain types of repertoire, clothing, atmosphere etc! I imagine most of us have gear that we've taken to gig wondering 'is it a bit weird to take *insert bass* to a gig like that?'... I certainly did when I turned up to a WMC with a coffee table 6er as i had come straight from an afternoon rehearsal of a theatre show I was doing and it was my reading bass at the time lol!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1383823697' post='2269529'] Because, in my professional sphere, I have repeatedly seen research carried out in order to generate news. Simple as that really. [/quote] And research that exploits differing environmental factors to manipulate the outcome... '9/10 bass players voted *insert bassist* as the greatest bassist of all time' is a good (hypothetical) example. What you're actually saying is that in a survey of instrumentalists restricted only to bass players,most of whom will have listened to/searched for bass lines in music specifically and are likely to remember who played those lines, had a similar view on who is the greatest within a specific area of a topic. If the same research was conducted with 100 people walking out of the supermarket, 9/10 people would probably not have even heard of *insert bassist*!

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1376413658' post='2173638'] Okay - have some Chromes on my fretless atm. I like the feel, I like the sound (after a couple weeks) but I definitely do not like the tension. Anything out there like Chromes but with lower tension? Ta! [/quote] Why not try the 0.40 - 0.95 set of Chromes (D'Addario ECB80)? The string tension on the ECB80 is significantly less than the standard gauge sets of Chromes!

Have a listen to Blackberry Smoke. They are more Redneck Rock than country but they're real southern boys! http://youtu.be/EOvlXEnHWok http://youtu.be/_xu2rUL_FDw Also, if you like slide players, Derek Trucks solo stuff or Tedeschi/Trucks band stuff is superb too!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1383691828' post='2267884'] They might have a problem, not least because the, rather wonderful, T-Bone Wolk is dead For those of you who have never heard of him (and have probably already decided they wouldn't like him anyway) he's another of those strange professional musician people with a string of hits to his name and he's credited on over 600 albums [/quote] I was being sarcastic... I totally agree with you

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1383688974' post='2267814'] http://youtu.be/mQZmCJUSC6g [/quote] I bet that would sound exactly the same on those instruments if they played it today

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1383685859' post='2267759'] You know what, I pretty much believe this. A world class player will always sound good, because it's about their talent. I don't think for a second that they can't tell the difference in quality between the student model and the Strad. Equally, if they were forced to use the student model for some reason, most of us listening wouldn't know the difference. When I hear Bobby Vega doing his funky pick style. It's Bobby I'm hearing, not whatever bass he's playing. I'm sure we'll disagree on this, but that's ok, I'm cool with that [/quote] I kinda agree with that sentiment. However, I do believe there's an equilibrium with any amount of talent. No matter how talented someone is, there's a point where the tools hold back that talent. You put Sebastian Vettel in a micra, he'll still drive like Vettel but he's not anywhere near the level of concentration, skill and talent it takes to drive an F1 at full speed. Same with basses. I play a HUGE variety of guitars, pianos, drums and basses every single day through work and I am 100% sure that whilst I can keep my playing 'identity' on anything, playing a £70 bass guitar has drawbacks (height of action, poor pickups, poor tuning because of cheap machine heads, no shielding etc etc) that undoubtedly decreases the quality of the sound that my fingers can produce.

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1383682046' post='2267691'] Maybe the answer's very simple. Anything that has at least a half reasonable name when it's new will always increasingly increase in pseudo mythical status as it gets older. There will always be some people who's prefer 'an old one' than a brand new one. My limited budget very recently would have bought me a new Yamaha RBX170 or the 1982 Squier JV Precision that I bought. Do they sound very similar ? Yep. Do they play very similar ? Yep. Old stuff will always be worth something. Its actually efficacy at doing the job is neither here nor there. You buy an old one because you want to, not because it's a better tool for the job. [/quote] I couldn't disagree with you more. What if the best tool for the job is a pre-fender SWR amp? a '70s Kay guitar? a Stradavarius violin? I'm pretty sure your argument would convince all professional concert violinists that they should ditch their Stradavarius for a Stentor Student II. I mean, they're just buying old for the sake of it anyway and the efficacy of the Strad at doing the job is neither here not there...

Barrie, would you agree that for the difference in price and the fact that it's Class D (so no valve maintenance hassle), the TH500 gives a close enough tone and offers reliability, portability and volumes that would be great for gigging musicians? I've always viewed most +500w heads as a 'touring' head, intended to be used for much larger venues and feel that while it would be nice (possibly a luxury) to regularly gig a DB head, the impact that regular use would have on the valves (and my back!) does not warrant it being viewed as the 'must-have' amp, despite its lack of competition on the tone front. I also find that in most bigger venues, I end up using the PA for the FOH volume and my TH preamp offers a lovely tone via the DI, meaning most of the time, my rig is for monitoring purposes for me in these situations and 500w head is loud enough. In smaller venues, 500w also seems to be loud enough and offers a nice source of sound. I've been thinking about getting a new head and just wondering whether you think its worth going with the 'work horse' TH500 or just go full throttle and get a DB751?

As a full member of the MU I think it's completely worth the money. The legal cover, pre-written performance contracts (legally sound and written by the MU lawyers), instrument insurance and the security of pre-agreed working rates (for tuition, performances and recordings) help to protect my income and my gear. Plus, £183 looks like a lot of cash on paper but it's not much across an entire year... Also, a couple of years back my band had two wedding gigs unfairly cancelled a few hours before we were due to set up (both had 'overspent' and thought cancelling the band would save them some cash!) and thanks to the MU contracts we had signed with the clients, they ended up paying us in full with little hassle and the comfort of knowing we had quality legal cover if needed. Those two gigs covered the cost of the annual MU fee alone, so totally worth it IMO!

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1383431150' post='2264527'] Can't really comment on the bass front , but out of six Stratocasters that I own ( 3 vintage , 1 Custom Shop, a 25 th Annaversary, and a JV Squier that I picked up from the local ads for £200 ) the JV is one of the most playable Strats that I own . Yup , I keep looking at some of those JV basses as well. [/quote] I must admit, having recently A/B/C'd my friend's CS '63 relic precision, a MIJ '57 RI Precision and a Nate Mendel and the Nate Mendel won on all fronts for me. However, I don't want to overlook other options even though I'm pretty much sold on the Mendel... Argh, decisions! I wish I was one of those people who just bought stuff blind without any reason or research :|

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1383430011' post='2264515'] I will have to try one again, with your comments in mind. Only two things put me off- Rosewood (i prefer maple), and the fact that I f****** hate the Foo Fighters. [/quote] I must admit, I'm not a huge FF fan either but my intention for the bass would not be the same as Nate's. I had the same dilemma with my Geddy. Played everything blind and that's the one I chose, then realised it was a Geddy signature model! I've never played ANY Rush on it

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1383426995' post='2264463'] Yeah, the 1.75" neck is a drawback on the Roadworns, but they definitely have a magic about them, the three I have played anyway (including the one I own). I played a Nate Mendel recently and it was good. I paid £699 for my RW brand new, in 2010. [/quote] Pretty similar to a Mendel then, in price. I like that the Mendel has Quarter Pounders, nitro finish, relicing and the 1.161" slim nut. I've played the same one in my local shop about 8 times already! I might just have to bite the bullet and add it to the collection.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383424619' post='2264423'] I used to have a JV Series Jazz Bass and subsequently a JV Series '62 Precision back when they were current , which must be thirty years ago now . Looking back , they were terriffic affordable basses at the time , but if I take off the rose tinted spectacles, I can remember them well enough and knew them intimately enough to say that they could easily be substituted with new instruments made in the present , and I would not even remotely consider buying one of these basses at the prices they go for today . They were nice budget basses, but that's all they were . The Holy Grail status they have taken on in the interim period is disproportionate to their true worth as instruments , and in all honesty , I would recommend that you take a look at the current American Standard range for a much better use of your funds if you want a solid and reliable bass that will give you years of good service . I would also question the worth of a JV Series Squier as a long term investment . It's only a matter of time until the bubble bursts and people start realising that the Emporer has got no clothes on in terms of the market value of these basses. Mental health care has probably changed a lot in the interim period , but if you had suggested paying the equivalent sum as they are going for today for one of the Squiers thirty years ago , you would have probably been Sectioned. I got my Squier Precision secondhand for thirty quid and it was in mint condition , ( but in those days you could always find hippies in need of cash). I think my Jazz cost £185 brand new. The Roadworn Fender remind me a lot of the old JV Series Squiers , and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they become sought adfter in a similar way after they are discontinued . The only drawback to the Roadworn Precision is the 1.75 nut width , whereas the Squiers had a 1.625 nut that lots of folks , including myself, prefer . That's the width on the current Am St bases , and they are superb basses . To give you some indication of how good I think they are , I went out a few years ago to buy a proper vintage Fender with enough funds at my disposal to buy anything that took my fancy , and came home with a new 2009 American Standard and most of my money intact . [/quote] The Nate Mendel comes with 'road worn' swing tags implying it is given the same treatment as the road worn precisions and features light relicing, whilst also coming with a 1.615 nut, which is what is putting it top of my list at the moment! The quality for £700 is great.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1383408346' post='2264175'] be careful what you wish for Fender fanbois, if you kick up too much fuss they will probably add a few more and sell them at a premium as lightweight deluxe versions or something! [/quote] Like Gibson and their 'weight-relieving', 'chambering' or 'modern weight-relieving'...

Thanks guys... I'm looking at a precision to complete my collection and just wanted to clear it up as the Classic '60s Jazz bass models are vastly different (lacquer and non-lacquer models), so just wanted to clarify as it'll help me make a decision between the options, which are currently; Nate Mendel Precision, Classic '50s (Lacquer) and a AV '63 RI. Mendel is winning it for me so far!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1383417734' post='2264325'] Compared to the classic '50's …. not even comparable. Compared to the AV '57ri …. comparable - one feels and sounds very very modern though, one feels and sounds like the baselines on your old records How big are the necks? 43mm or so, an accurate vintage width (unlike the AV'57ri) How thick is the finish? My old one never chipped so not sure. No thicker than any other, not as thick as the classic '50s felt to me. Do they have rolled fingerboards? yes, and one of the nicest neck you'll play. Are they resonant? Yes and some, an amazing projecting acoustic tone when unplugged. Even unplugged mine somehow sounded like a P bass should do. Are they light? usually under alb [/quote] Are you referring to the Classic '50s with flash coat lacquer finish & hardcase (which I think is a fantastic instrument withs thin finish and a real vintage vibe!) or the Classic '50s with no case and poly finish?

[quote name='Shonks' timestamp='1383407748' post='2264171'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-GUITAR-/221308507423?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item338703d51f"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-GUITAR-/221308507423?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item338703d51f[/url] [/quote] It looks like Fender have based the new headstock shape on the classic 'peavey milestone' era headstock...

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1383349909' post='2263609'] He says it's an American Deluxe but looks like a stock picture of a Geddy Lee to me. [color=#000000][font=arial, sans-serif][size=2][b]Dear 1962gareth,[/b] Its an American Made Jazz Bass, Active.. Hope that answers your question [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=arial, sans-serif][size=2][b] - protecsolutions[/b][/size][/font][/color] [/quote] Yeah. Not enough control knobs for a USA Deluxe Jazz.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1383258993' post='2262409'] This smells fishy. No feedback, stock photo and minimal info. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251369187840?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co....984.m1438.l2649[/url] [/quote] Oh no, some fool has bid on it... Although it's probably legit as he is in need of 'a quick sale for genuine reasons'

I'm very much looking forward to putting my Bassdoc refin on here next week when I pick it up and get some 'after' photos!

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1382961628' post='2258398'] I need to drop the action at the nut on my Ibanez SR605 a little (1mm at most),and was looking for some advice and hints on how to proceed, and in particular any pit falls to avoid. [size=4]I'm aiming to get the clearance at at the first fret close to that at the second fret when fretting the first (as it is on my 505). [/size] I'm pretty handy with stuff, but the only nut work I've done was to remove a complete nut, take 1mm off the bottom and then replace it. I've never actually modified a nut slot. I don't have nut files but I do have a selection of flat, square and round needle files that will fit into the B to D string slots quite comfortably. Thanks in advance. [/quote] Fender University has a great little video on this; http://youtu.be/racmaWTYvNg

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1383226745' post='2261799'] He's got a photo of the insurance valuation letter (wot his pal Nobby knocked up on his PC), so that's alright then. [/quote] He used word art, so it must be legit!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1383210290' post='2261472'] The use of that lavender / purple colour is inspired ... I'll bet even Vic wouldn't spot the difference. [/quote] I'd love to see a YouTube 'reaction to' video from the guys at Fodera inspecting the copy of the Ying Yang bass and pointing out all the differences...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1383208889' post='2261460'] [/quote] This is pretty much what she is attempting by adding a printed 'insurance quote' rather than a CS Certificate of Authenticity! To be honest, I'm surprised it's lasted this long without it being removed. A very obvious fake.