hiram.k.hackenbacker

7 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Played it tonight. No chance. Sorry for any interested parties. Too good.

Good. Now pull the Miller as well 😉

By way of a get out clause, I am a 99% fingerstyle player. I didn’t start out that way some four decades ago, but playing with a pick didn’t last long for me at all. I digress.

I’ve never been asked to play Two Tribes before now, so have never really committed to listening to the bass on the recorded version. I’ve tinkered around with it before, but never gave any thought to how I would approach it if I had to play it as the first song at a theatre gig. We usually ease ourselves in with the ultra dull (bass wise anyway) ‘Relax’. The 80’s band I’m in has green lit a whole raft of new songs during lockdown for next years shows, including Two Tribes. Whether we’ll get to play them is a different thread 😂.

This song really does require it to be played with a pick. It’s a strong attacking bass line which needs that pick sound. That was the first stumbling block, for me anyway. Having sat down and given it some attention over the course of a few nights, I really couldn’t see a way of developing my speed to the required BPM. Then two days ago, it was just there. I think the issue was which stroke to start each phrase on. There’s also a couple of ghost notes in there which are noticeable when absent and that makes a big difference. I can now do it at the correct BPM without thinking about it, which is definitely what it needs for a first song at a theatre.

That’s probably bored the pants off most of you, but I thought I would share anyway.

I take your point, but I would rather have an occasional ad from him than about 99% of the adverts on TV. The are many things about YT that annoy me, but SD doesn’t rate high for me personally. I will say that I have never been or will I ever likely to become a Groovehacker 🙄

I saw them at Twickenham. Absolutely dreadful venue. The Police were brilliant though.

31 minutes ago, Sercet said:

But you couldn’t. The Shergold bass 6 has been very hard to get for a long time. My point isn’t that I was right.  At the time, you said I was an idiot for suggesting a Shergold, and you’ve talked about how people do not understand the Eastwood business model. The business model is to reissue quirky designs that are no longer generally available. The Shergold is a perfect example. 
 

x

I thought the idea behind this was to get a quirkily designed 4 string for a decent price, not a more expensive niche 6 string that would appeal to only the minority? You’ve looked at the concept and run with something that wouldn’t have got off the ground when this thread started 2 years ago. The only reason that Eastwood 6’er exists is because of the name attached to it.

😮 not this one too? That is stunning mate. I'm sure you have your reasons. GLWTS.

What kind of craziness is this? Didn't think you would be putting this up? Someone will be getting a great bass.

Paging @AndyTravis & @Chiliwailer....

6 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

The fact that we are unlikely to get enough people to agree on the same thing at the same time to make it worthwhile not withstanding, having just had dealings with Eastwood's custom shop, I'm not entirely sure that they would be capable of producing anything within a suitable timescale for Basschat's members. I have just this week received my Eastwood Hooky Bass 6 Pro bass. This is an instrument that was announced in January of this year at a point when the prototype had already been in use by Peter Hook for some considerable time, and therefore the bulk of the design process should have been complete (especially given that it is essentially a direct copy of his Shergold marathon 6 String Bass). That's a whole 9 months to produce and ship a couple of hundred instruments. Could we really wait that long once the design process was complete?

Well, like most things, some will be able to wait and some won't. Another handful of basses will have arrived and departed my hands before it even gets green lit, but I'm up for it.

6 minutes ago, paul_c2 said:

 

The new guidance is now available but its more vague than ever! In summary, social gatherings >6 are illegal, if its "work" you can still do it though; rehearsals are NOT on the exemptions list (but sport/recreation is); and the guidelines specifically relating to performing arts haven't been altered to distinguish between amateur and pro (previously they allowed pro but not amateur; on 15 Aug it was changed to allow both). So, they're somewhat contradictory. Here is the latest document though, make of it what you will:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Thanks mate. One of the band sent that out last night. Clear as mud.

I was about to say something similar last night @NancyJohnson, but thought better of it as most of the thread turned out a bit weird. I think you know me well enough that if I say I would buy one, however it turns out (if it happens), then I’ll see it through. There isn’t enough quirky in the world to my eyes. 

4 minutes ago, Slappindabass said:

They already were werent they even before this change. 2 household only?

Don’t think so. The studios wouldn’t be open if that were the case.

Episode 7: Hi ho! Hi ho! Off To Paint We Go!

The body went off for it’s refinish on Monday and has been delivered this morning.

It’s going to be interesting to see how this goes. I had about three very different colour schemes in mind for this and settled on the this one in the end. Coincidentally, it was also the one that the guy doing the refin was most enthusiastic about, although I suspect it probably presented more of a challenge than the other two. It’s based on a £7.75k Fender Custom Shop Master Built Precision which is currently for sale at Peach Guitars in Colchester. I went up there and played it alongside a £3.8k Lake Placid Blue Custom Shop Jazz. Both stunningly good, but the prices were a little rich for me - for what they are anyway.

The Precision’s colour is called ‘Aged Ice Blue Metallic’ which has been turned greenish by the nitro. Opinion is divided among those I’ve shared it with, slightly biased towards the positive 😂. I like it, so I guess that’s all that matters. Here’s a few photo’s of the Precision.

I guess our 7 piece are screwed for rehearsals then? 🙄

7 minutes ago, Beedster said:

PS having said the above, I have to admit that I prefer heavy basses, no idea why, they just seem to have, well, more.......

Ooh, is this a fill in the blank type quiz?

Allow me to be the first to say ‘heft’ 😂

On 06/09/2020 at 13:30, Woodinblack said:

Funny, I would view it the other way round. I would expect an expensive bass to be lightweight and a cheap bass to be heavy. I don't know about stingrays though. My expensive basses are the swamp ash ones, my harley benton was the heaviest bass I had!

2 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Obviously the weight doesn't equal quality, but I know on the few occasions i have specified the wood in a bass, the lighter ones were more expensive.

OK, I should have said expensive 🙄

On 06/09/2020 at 13:30, Woodinblack said:

Funny, I would view it the other way round. I would expect an expensive bass to be lightweight and a cheap bass to be heavy. I don't know about stingrays though. My expensive basses are the swamp ash ones, my harley benton was the heaviest bass I had!

I really don’t get this weight/quality thing. Ritter’s are very lightweight. Alembic’s aren’t. Both are quality in my book.

On 06/09/2020 at 13:34, Beedster said:

I think I get the comments, we all like a light bass, but a body that's too light can really stand out on a quality bass, just feels wrong

I’m not sure Jens Ritter would agree with you.

Let me get this right, you shipped a bass in a hard shell case that was wrapped in cling film?

1 hour ago, Chiliwailer said:

You’re right, I doubt I could have ever sold it had I bought it. I still had the purple FB4, and that was why at the time I couldn’t justify buying it. 

...and stop thinking about thinning that  hurd of yours! 

Yes, but you know why 😉 

Just now, Sibob said:

Ok....after shifting some stuff around that I’ve wanted to sell (and buy of course), I’m in for the next 6 months haha.

Basically I’ve said that I won’t buy any basses or amps until AT LEAST April 2021. I’ve no intention of buying pedals, but might buy a DIY kit.

Wish me luck lol

Si

Ha ha ha. Does that amount of luck even exist? 😂

23 minutes ago, Chiliwailer said:

Love that bass so much - always regretted not getting the last one from Bass Direct - and it was 7.5lbs 😢 

Wow! 7.5lbs! I bet you would still have that if you had bought it. It’s bizarre that they can very so much from such a small batch. My one is 9.2lbs. Just crazy. 

22 minutes ago, BassTractor said:

Aye. It's stunning indeed, and as you say much better in person.
It's also one of only two basses that I miss of the 16 that I let go - the other one being a '98 StingRay 5 fretless  -  that too an instrument that starts playing the moment you just look at it.

Edit to add I let three or four Bongos go too, and thought it would be very, very hard. Never missed those.
Strange how these things go.

Poor Bongo’s. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride 😂

12 minutes ago, Deedee said:

I let mine go a few years back and have often had a tinge of sellers remorse. Lovely basses.

I bet, if it was anywhere near as good as this one.

Back to the drawing board then. The next option was either the 30th I bought from @martthebass or the Sledge. I’ve had the 30th out recently and I doubt I’ll find another as good if I sold mine. The Sledge likewise and it’s the only Ray that’s wearing flats at the moment, so that’s staying for now. I really don’t know how this ‘thinning the heard’ thing is supposed to work 😂.

6 minutes ago, thedontcarebear said:

What kind of price are these new? Feel free to PM if better!

Depends what you’re after. Mine was just into four figures. Small upcharge on mine to get a premium grain body as it was for a natural finish.

I was photographing this to put it up for sale today (don’t get the wrong idea - I’m fully paid up already) and I just can’t bring myself to let it go. It’s just a really lovely example. Looks stunning (much better in person), plays beautifully and sounds just like it should. The neck is as smooth as silk and it’s weight is very reasonable. I’ve never gigged it and I’m not sure it’s even seen a rehearsal space actually. Back in storage you go 😎.

EDIT: It’s a PDN Neptune Blue by the way. Purchased from @BassTractor a few years ago.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about these and as a fan of Jazz basses, I would love to take that off your hands.

However, I need to be selling rather than buying at the the moment, but that’s a very classy looking bass.

Good luck with the sale 👍.