skej21

I have a CIJ Non-export '62 RI Jazz and it's outstanding. I can honestly say (after lots of testing) that I would have been happy to pay Custom Shop money for mine, it's that good in isolation and compared to high-end Fender models. I did, however, spend a long time hunting it down and bought from a respected source, but I have no doubt it'll be a great instrument and if you don't get on with it, there will be a queue of people ready to snap it up on here!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1337459759' post='1660519'] Exactly! Thanks. This isn't a Fender vs Musicman topic. [/quote] It almost is, based on your generalisation of all fenders being worse than a single bongo you tried. 'm just saying that a potential recommendation by another basschatter (yourself) was really encouraging me to try a bongo, until you just dissed ALL fenders in comparison, without reason or justification. I then thought, 'total bias.' Would have been nice to read an objective view of the bass instead, so I can make a decision when making my next purchase, that's all.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1337456444' post='1660466'] I have two USA Fenders and rate then very highly. Compared to a Musicman? No contest, the Musicman looks, feels and sounds very very high quality. [/quote] In your humble opinion.

Great review until I read 'this makes a Fender feel like a toy'... Too vague to even class as an opinion. Also, you were playing a Bongo... The bass that looks MOST like the bass guitar accessory for a Barbie doll.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1337212121' post='1657340'] Best way I've found in these situations, (in a practice at least), is to stop the song and just say "we're slowing down", without pointing the finger at anyone in particular. [/quote] I would tend to agree except in this situation you've already pointed the finger privately and he might feel like you're trying to air the issue publicly in order to force him to deal with it... Try and patch stuff up first and then sort it out with him.

But nobody has asked the important question... What does a roadworn look like after 20 years of playing/gigging/road wear?!

Multi-coloured Index tabs. Simple.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1336763273' post='1650831'] It just don't get why Fender called it the '62, for by that time the VVT circuit was well in use by then. They have also done away with the bridge grounding strap and, for all I know as I've never been under the hood of the newer ones, the resistors and pup/control cavity grounding plates.And for the coin they charge, they should shove all that back in [i]plus[/i] the clay dots! [/quote] Unless you get a CIJ '62 RI like mine, and it has the bridge grounding strip and the VVT circuit, like a '62 would have had and without the price tag. Cannot beat the Japanese Fenders for price, quality and (it would appear) historical authenticity!

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1336739516' post='1650246'] The bass player in my band insists he has no interest in playing the guitar, and yet every practice he is trying to play a guitar line on the bass. [/quote] Maybe he's playing them as a hint because HE feels you're not playing the parts properly? Doesn't mean he's right, but he could be thinking it! I've seen a fiddle player do a similar thing with a guitarist, which sparked an argument about how the part was meant to be played. The fiddle player was correct, despite hours of arguing from the guitard who was promptly fired.

I have to say, from a construction point of view, I would disagree that an E string on a 5/6 string isnt as good as on a 4 string. However, personally, I do find that I use the E string differently when playing a 5/6 string than a 4. I feel I can dig in and be more aggressive with a 4 string and tend to be more 'technical'on a 5/6 string due to the setting I tend to use it in (mainly reading gigs). If this is what Mr Turner was getting at, then I would agree.

Also, I think people are a lot more aware of style these days. Personally, I wouldn't put stickers etc on my bass, not because it would reduce resale value, or be side it would be damage to the bass, but because it looks crap (IMO). I would happily alter my instrument (irreversibly) such as screwing pickup covers onto the body etc if I felt it would make the bass look cooler (to me). Maybe the majority of bassists think the same. It would also explain the popularity of faux damage (such as relicing a new bass).

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1336644822' post='1648762'] I like my gear and will always look after it as best i can. It earns me decent money and i spend decent money on it so i want to look after it. [/quote] +1 to this. I look after my gear because it's a tool for making money and I invested decent money in my gear with this in mind. I don't screw the t!ts off my car everyday on the way to work, because I know it will die quicker and cause me bigger hassle in the long run, but I'm aware that it will require some level of upkeep due to wear and tear. Same goes with my gear. Simple really.

Agree with all of the above. You also have to be very lucky to find a project that pays well enough to allow you to support a family. I recently got asked to audition for a signed band that are relatively big (been on jools etc) as I know the singer, and before I even went to the audition he said 'we make enough so that you won't have to pay for anything whilst we're out on tour, but you probably won't take more than £40 a gig away with you'... I've had this with nearly all of the signed artists and 'names' that I've played/auditioned for. Whilst that would be fine if it was just me (and was a great way to get some experience and save pocket money when I was a student) that's no good if you're trying to support others. I've also had a few band mates who have come back home after touring to find the other half has packed up and left (and on one case taken the kids with) too. Gigging and touring is a crazy world to get into and you need to be careful, but if it works it's the most rewarding thing you can do IMO.

Must admit, I was sceptical when I heard about these in February, but having seen the stock image on the website, they look like they will fit right in and compete nicely with the other basses around that price point. Having owned one of the first Aspirations and moved it on, I'd be quite keen to give an Inspiration a try, when stock samples exist.

For anyone who is interested, they've finally been announced by Overwater. Look pretty good and a nice step on from the Aspiration range!

The reason I was annoyed was because my belt was clearly well-covered by a t-shirt and jumper (intentionally so as i knew i was off to try instruments). They clearly asked me tore move it in an attempt to make trying the instrument more of a hassle and increase my chances of walking out and not taking up their time. It worked. I don't think that is a reasonable request. It would be like asking someone to remove their glasses in case they slipped off the face and fell onto the bass. Also, having worked in a music shop, the only stock we were careful with was stuff with nitro finishes. Anything else, we were happy to get a little shop worn and would always offer new boxed stock if someone wanted to buy or discount the floor stock if someone was happy to take an instrument with a few scratches. That way, you never have to make any potential customer feel awkward/unwanted/unvalued. [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1336460961' post='1645787'] Seems a reasonable request to me. Personally I don't want to buy a guitar thats been scratched and dinged on the back when other people have been trying it out! The staff have to balance letting people try stuff against taking care of their stock so I don't mind if I get asked to take off my belt / jacket when trying something out. In fact, it actually makes me think the staff care! [/quote]

Which guy?..... Ohhhhhh!

[quote name='MuckedUpFunkies' timestamp='1335730095' post='1635198'] I have never ever seen or heard anyone ever complain about thomman. Everything I've ordered has been delivered really quickly at a great price. I saw one guy on here buy an amp, the money didnt clear because of an account issue and they still posted too him because of the fact he had past dealings. Thats superb customer service IMHO [/quote] +1 to this

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1335682323' post='1634462'] Yes, it should be noted that the Warwick custom shop is extremely pricey. What I find crazy is that they will build you say, a Thumb. Ask them for a Bolt on Thumb, built with the same materials[b] in the same way as the standard[/b], off the rack Thumb and you'll get the same bass but at a monster mark up! [/quote] And this is where you are wrong. It will be hand-built by one of the company's master craftsmen and will reflect years of knowledge and experience as both a builder and musician, rather than parts mostly built by a clinical machine. Its like saying all singers should use backing tracks because it does 'the same job' but doesnt cost as much.

Gotta add another one for the Aguilar TLC compressor. There isn't a pedal I value more and it's an essential part of my rig both live and when recording.

I own one. It's incredible for the money. Get one.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1335445907' post='1631266'] My first thought was "Caramac" [/quote] When was the last time you had a Caramac? They're cream coloured, not brown! By the way, that bass is awesome. I'm off to the US next Easter and will be in the vicinity of a Dingwall stockist... I've got some money set aside in case there's something truly special! Cannot wait

Great help Dood, thanks! Also, what a bloody amazing bit of gear! I've been looking at the new Super P and almost went for it the other day but talked myself out of it... Your review has sent me back drooling!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1335115997' post='1625971'] I appreciate your a very small team, Nick - but I've seen other, equally small teams, do better. It's the basics which keep putting me off - someone asks a question, you get no answer. What part of that transactions says [i]this is something I can trust and want to get involved in?[/i] Answers on a postcard. [/quote] As a potential customer i can only agree. Taking subscription fees and then offering most of the content for free is just going to help you alienate current subscribers and put off potential subscribers like me! Not that giving feedback seems to work as they ignore one of the forums containing a huge target audience. No wonder you guys are struggling. Youre making hard for yourselves!

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1335032597' post='1625078'] [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqmFcuRgEUY&feature=g-all-u&context=G275d7aeFAAAAAAAAAAA[/media] My review of the Dingwall Afterburner ABZ 6 string bass. The link to the full magazine article is in the YouTube video comments. I try not to do anything 'widely' in any of the videos. You'd rather listen and see the bass than me 'woodshedding'! [/quote] Dan, you say that the bass has a laminate maple neck. Which wood is the laminate maple covering? I must admit, in my ignorance I thought that laminate woods were something only budget instruments used, so I'm suprised that it's used on a high end bass like a Dingwall.