Brave Sir Robin

He's got a couple more with the ATK, and also a stingray to do the comparison.

ACG will build you a very nice custom as well. That's if you can handle the wait (which might not be possible in your case).

Really like the 64 Jazz I got. I've yet to try the 84 for any length of time (swapping some electronics), but first impression is like 'bigger' 64, but I like the openness of the 64s.

tbh, for 300 squids, you can have very decent gear. Even the bottom feeders are decent (no more plywood crap unless you go for stupidly cheap and unbranded). I still have my Hohner BBass IV professional (the one with the Drop-D tuning and Steinberger bridge), that I paid £300 at the time, and it's in great shape (although in the middle of upgrading the electronics). Coincidently, Hohner does good gear too. Ibanez SR are great for guitarist, as they are light, slim, and small bodied, while still balancing very well. My K5 feels like a toy (although well built) compared to the Warwick or ACG. In this day and age, you could find some crazy deals if you shop around. It's not unheard off seeing Warwicks for a shade more than £300, and I found my Ibanez K5 for £220. Active gives you an EQ at your fingertips. I'm not a fan for cheap models as the preamp is usually the weak point, even though they still do the job.

Yeah, stick with good brands like Ibanez, Yamaha or Squier (although I'd avoid their bottom range, but their posh stuff is very nice), and you'll be fine. Also to consider are Epiphone (Gibson copies) Cort (they actually manufacture a lot of stuff on behalf of other companies), Peavey, Rockbass, ESP, Washburn, Schecter.

best buys imo are... Ibanez SR300 (like a cheap SR500). Ibanez SR500 (bit more expensive, but try one very well rounded). Ibanez ATK300 (aggressive stingray tone). Rockbass Streamer Standard (look for the new models with the new two-piece bridge, and without the cheesy headstock). Rockbass Corvette (ditto). Rockbass Fortress (ditto). Squier VM Jazz (it's a jazz!). Squier VM Precision (it's a P!). Squier Deluxe Jazz (it's an active Jazz!). Yamaha BB414 (very good all rounder). Yamaha BB415 (5 string version, very decent). And of course, second hand stuff is cheaper. A choice is a personnal thing, but any of these imo can suit any beginner. Personnal choices would be the SR500 (second hand would be under £300), the VM Jazz, the Deluxe Jazz, or the Yamaha BB414. Dunno about the T-bird, but if you try one, try one standing up with a strap. Or any bass for that matter.

A Warwick Thumb BO would be great, if it wasn't so weirdly balanced. I'd give a Traben Chaos Core 5 (or John Moyer sig, same thing really) a go, but they are hard to come by. Another would be the ESP Surveyor LTD, again hard to come by. EMG P-MM config. And Spectors, but they are expensive. Another expensive model would the Warwick Stage 2, or for a cheaper version, a Warwick Corvette Bubinga 5. Heavy, and the neck is on the thick side but it's tight!

[quote]My next bass has to be 5, and has to be nice and light, comfy, with a fast 5 string neck.[/quote] Light warwick? Corvette Bubinga and Thumbs are heavy despite the reduced body size, haven't tried a SS2. Swamp ash (corvette standard, $$) or maple (SS1, Streamer LX, Corvette Proline, Jazzman) are more reasonable. Dunno about the SS2, but I hear it's on the heavy side (especially 5 strings). [quote]I'd like to know what a Warwick can offer me over, say a Lakland DJ5 or a MM Stingray5.[/quote] Depends. They have in general a bump in the low-mids instead of full-on bass, which gives them a specific voice. They don't sound like Fenders, or Musicmans. They have models that are quite unique, like the Thumb, The Streamer Pro-M (discontinued sadly, all maple, sort of Stingray-ish), the Vampyre, the Dolphin, and their special editions (Thumb Dirty Blond, Corvette $$ 2008, ...). In general, it's Streamer LX, Jazzman, Stage 1, Stage 2, the Thumbs (odd beasts), and Corvettes you will most likely encounter. They changed their neck profile recently to something less fat, and more conventional. Try if you can. The Corvette $$ is a popular model, however I wasn't so keen on the 5 string model (bit muddy down low). The Thumbs are peculiar. Imo, Stage 1 and Stage 2 is where it's at.

I'd try on a piece of wood first, but then I'm not really good with paint Both basses are Valenti's btw. He is a TB member, but I'm not sure he does the finishing himself. Maybe worth a PM.

another light burst on quilted. I think it would look even better with a maple board.

this one is well cool too

Not a fan of black burst, but blue to darker blue, yeah Like a calm gentle ocean waves on a tropical beach... Maybe not the look for a Fenderbird.

this [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/180/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Gallery/180/[/url] for £700, you have loads. Also, try a Ray35 (34?) (it's a stingray copy). YOU have a lot of choice.

That's a great family heirloom! The first pic cracks me up. Like a kid at Christmas

12 hours for 1/2 way, 24-30 hours total. Seems a bit fast, but say 1 hour a day average, letting the glue set, drying and finishing, that would push it to a couple of months. you do 6-8 basses in parallel, that's 40-50 basses a year. That seems about right? I've seen the Ken Smith video, and it's amazing how quick and precise they are for some tasks, mainly routing, shaping and frets. Great videos by the way, if a bit short. The Ken Smith tour was amazing. So, another day at the office of Mike Tobias.

AFAIK he went back to stock electronics. This does sound like the original pickup. He is good. You can tell by the fact that he can make a P.O.S. fleabass sounds great. :snob:

A Streamer sounds the ticket. Probably the WW that is the easiest on the eye, and also comfortable. If you try a Thumb, try them with a strap.

could be the difference between a good MM and a bad Sterling, as already said

[quote]EACH BASS WILL BE MADE WITH CARE AND THOROUGHLY CHECKED FOR QUALITY. WE TAKE PRIDE IN EACH INSTRUMENT IT IS OUR STEADFAST INTENTION TO MAKE AN INEXPENSIVE BASS GUITAR THAT IS NOT A TOY THAT BREAKS AND HAS LOUSY INTONATION, AND HAS AWAKWARD ACTION, LIKE SO MANY CHEAP BASSES I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH YOUNG MUSIC STUDENTS BUT IS A SERIOUS INSTRUMENT THAT PLAYS BEAUTIFULLY AND THAT WILL ONLY GET BETTER WITH TIME AND LOOKS COOL AS HELL[/quote] big LOL

Looks like they are clearing up their inventory for the new range. The new Rockbass are pretty sweet. Warwick two piece bridge, and no cheesy headstock. this looks good too. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rockbass_streamer_standard_5_03.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rockbass_...andard_5_03.htm[/url] Christmas present?

Wear probably. Could also be a change in temperature. Maybe it will settle after a while. If you think about it, it doesn't take much for the string to rattle on the next fret, especially if your action is low. Maybe it's time for a checkup with a pro. A '88 Thumb is an old horse!

[quote name='lojo' post='622874' date='Oct 11 2009, 08:25 AM']I know I have had some strange gear choices over the years, but would this really interest anyone?[/quote] people with lots of money and not knowing what to do with it. 10K is nothing to some! You'd pay more for a modern art piece. I think a vintage Jazz would look miles better than some crap art! Plus, it has residual value, and probably a safer bet if you want to 'invest'. However, that particular bass is overpriced. It's worth a punt, doesn't cost much to advertise.

as a starter, with 500 in the coffers, I'm definitely go second hand. 200 can get you a nice bass, 200 can get you a nice amp, and 100 will get you the rest (case / bag, cables, strap, couple of lessons, effect, starter book+CD, that sort of stuff). Yamaha and Ibanez are the 'safe' option. They are light, comfortable and good quality. I dont have much experience with Squiers, but they seem good starter choices as well. Trabens, Peaveys and Corts are also options. For the amp, with 200 second hand, you can get a ashdown, gallien krueger backline, Hartke, or Roland combo, with more than enough power for practise and holding your own in a band, and good solid tone. I got a Ibanez K5 second hand for £220, which like a souped up SR505. That's the kind of gear you can get if you shop around.

Any of these wouldn't be a bad choice tbh. Then it's up to you which one feels more at home. Active electronics are ok, even on cheap models nowadays. It's up to you in the end IIRC, the Ibanez can switch to passive if the battery dies or something. Basically, Yamaha, Ibanez, Corts, Squiers, Peavey, but no no-name piece of crap (Stagg, Embassy, that sort of thing). You should probably go second hand to save money, and you can get a very decent bass for under £200 (got a K5 for £220).