skej21

I always thought that Fodera were known for NOT giving any kind of freebies to endorsers. Those guys endorse the products and pay for them because they believe in them. Im also pretty sure that Foderas are finished and won't wear that quickly. Also, US dollars aren't doubled to get the British prices. £1000 is roughly $1500, so if anything the price in pounds of stuff on that list is about a third cheaper (plus postage etc). Personally, I agree about the sound. They are stunning basses both aesthetically and in terms of quality and worth every penny from that side if things but the thing that would stop me from buying one is that I PERSONALLY don't like the sound and sooner or later it would bug me enough that id sell it.

They have dramatically redesigned a lot of the earlier models which may mean that you can only find the 'newer' Venus model in image searches?

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1382047070' post='2247377'] If I were a small boutique bass maker, like fodera, or even small scale like Letts or something, I would team up with a local shop for each territory and let them do the customer facing side, they get a few instruments in stock for folk to try and so on. the public get to try your stuff, they're happy. the retailer gets a cut and a sale, they are happy, the builder gets to do less talking to the unwashed public - they are happy. [/quote] But often in that process, greed rears it's ugly head an the builder wants to take as much profit as possible for his/her incomparably excellent product...

At which point do you guys get to name and shame because from the sound of this, I'd personally like to avoid any dealings with whoever it is. Especially as I'm currently looking at buying some boutique pedals!

If you purchased the bass via the Internet/phone, you have 7 working days from the point that it arrives with you to return the bass if it's not to your liking under the distance selling act and they are legally obliged to refund the money to you. Then you have the cash to oh and buy something you do want More info here; http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/distance-selling-regulations/

I've noticed a lot of guitarists (Guthrie Govan being the most obvious example) are turning to the AxeFX unit but personally I can't see what all the fuss is about. In this video, Guthrie uses a number of guitars and while they all sound ok, there's no 'wow' factor about his tone considering the amount of nice amp/pedal gear you could buy for the price IMO! http://youtu.be/O5tcxpbETLA

I can't even concentrate on the playing... The weird proportions of the bass and against the player's tummy make me feel dizzy. It's like watching a bass player in a circus mirror!

Dont do it!! You'll just end buying them back later. Put them under the bed while you feel like you don't need them! I have two gigging basses and one that I keep purely for sentimental reasons and only gets played in the house. However, none of them is a precision... So looks like I need one more to be 'complete' and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a Nate Mendel.

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1381525884' post='2240450'] I didn't realize it was a competition. : ) [/quote] It's not. It's not even close

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1381525060' post='2240427'] I didn't say kill it. [/quote] But you were thinking it... We were all thinking it

Until that guy with the bow can produce something as well crafted/executed as this, then I have to say the OPs opinions will be the polar opposite of mine. Wooten would wipe the floor with that guy everyday of the week! http://youtu.be/5BPwEPm90Gs

If people are scared, they should check out the new 'Fender University' site. Includes videos and guides for all types of guitar/bass care including set-ups, string changing etc and also some free lessons from Berklee! http://www.fender.com/en-GB/community/university/

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1380911879' post='2232404'] I can't stand them. Hate the sound & the feel of them (I really dislike oiled or waxed finishes on any bass), and I also think they are the ugliest range of basses I've ever seen - the Corvette is just an abomination IMO. The only decent model shape they have they quite literally nicked from Stuart Spector [/quote] +1 Looks, sound and playability are exactly what I don't like in a bass. Nothing against them and they have a place, it's just not for me!

I've got my '85 MIJ Fender '75 RI Jazz with Howard at the moment for a refinish. I'll be posting pics when it's done but based on the work shown here I'm very excited!

[quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1380714764' post='2229327'] Hi. I'd like to try some flats on at least one of my basses without spending a lot of cash as it's more of an experiment atm. Any suggestions for inexpensive flatwounds. Or 'pressure wound' or halfwound / groundwound etc ground wound etc..? [/quote] Get Fender 9050 flats. They're pretty cheap (under £20!) and they're actually not bad. Obviously there are better sets but save those for IF you decide you like them

I'm having similar issues. I've got a few nice vinyls I want to move on and the dilemma is; 1) ship and risk them all snapping in half or 2) collection only and miss out on the larger market places.

It has to be said, I've had dealings with a couple of the custom builders on here. After having a jazz bass body from one of them, the communication and customer service was poor to say the least and the builder has since gone on to needlessly rant on here (publically) in a very negative way about Fenders and the clientele who buy/own them (which would include me), so I would not use those services again. If builders are hit-or-miss with service and as passive-aggressive as the Basschat rants would suggest, they have no-one to blame but themselves if it affects business. You can have all the luthier skill in the world but it's wasted if your attitude puts customers off your services.

Only just found this but it's stunning. I've just dropped my bass off with Howard last week for a refinish and hopefully it'll be as nice as this!

Epiphone Allen Woody! Short scale, looks really cool and the quality of the build is really great. They retail at £279ish, so not a fortune either. I'm not sure it's as easy as just taking with because it's small though.

My bass that is away getting a refin... And a Nate Mendel precision!

If it pops up second hand, an Epiphone Custom Shop Allen Woody Rumblekat. Stunning bass!

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1379621863' post='2215049'] I have never expressed this view upon seeing any bass player play because I fully believe that with the right amount of dedication, persistence and hard work, anyone can play anything that anyone else can play. I hear and read the phrase a lot though. If this is a realistic acknowledgement of lack of time, pressures of everyday life, etc. I understand. However, if it's due to a perceived lack of talent, or the idea that it would be impossible for one to reach a particular standard, I say that's rubbish. [/quote] I can understand it. Whilst you're right that with enough practice you can copy someone else's playing, it's the creativity that one may never match. It's the originality, the innovation, the muse that separates imitation Jaco (or any other bass great) lines from the brain of the player that can hear those lines before they're played. Some players will never nail that, even with 1 million hours practice!

Markbass LMIII as it was the nicest lightweight at the time (although thinking about a TH500 now!). Usually use either an Aguilar GS112 or the DB112NT depending on what I'm playing or how big the needfortweed is! Very rarely use the full rig but it sounds killer when I do and pushes a LOT of air. I can carry my entire rig in one trip, even with both cabs so its here to stay!