Viajero

Other: Ibanez BTB 5-string.

Can I just submit Boogie Wonderland? It covers Earth, Wind AND Fire...

You're right, they are remarkably similar. Helluva lot cheaper, too.

Nice tip - to the internet!

Yeah, that's exactly it. I want this Thumb NT5, but I can't have it. Tantalisingly out of reach. So, I'm going up to Newcastle in a fortnight to hit any and all Warwicks I can find. I look forward to being coverted to a make I'd not got on with in the past. Unless, of course, anyone has about 500 quid they can donate to a worthy cause...?

An interesting challenge might be to set a tune for solo bass arrangement. You could take a standard, or a pop tune, or whatever, and then see who comes up with the most popular version of it. That way you get specialists in all styles doing their respective thangs, and everyone had the same starting point. You'll get both theoretical and/or practical approaches. That could be fun.

Probably outdoorsy shops. I'll have a look.

I was wanting to do that, but because it's a Neutrik it's all contained in the unit and I'm wary of taking it apart. I really should learn how to deal with all this stuff properly; I can't believe I'm still paying people to fix things in my bass after all these years.

I've had trouble with the jack on my bass for a while. Last time I took it in to be looked at, the guy returned it to me and said "I just put some Servisol on it, and it seems to have worked". It was ok, but not for long. I probably need to replace the jack altogether (but it's one of those Neutrik things and I can't solder), but in the meantime I'll get some Servisol. Question is, which one? Which of the various kinds would be best for sorting out a scratchy jack connection?

I get my cover for my basses from Endsleigh, a UK policy which I extend to conver Europe when I need it. Covers theft from a locked car etc etc, all for about 20 quid a year.

Thanks guys, great range of advice as ever. Reckon I'll spend next Saturday in the shops trying a few out. What sparked this off, by the way, is playing a thru-neck fretless Thumb 5 from the mid-90s. Blew me away, but I couldn't afford the price tag. I saw some prices on new gear, and wondered what I might be missing out on in the cheaper models. Cheers chaps!

I've been trying to figure this out, but haven't got a definite answer anywhere because it's all shrouded in Warwick advertising guff. Is there a kind of ranking of the various Warwick models? The Rockbass versions of everything seem to be like entry-level versions, but is a Corvette superior to a Thumb, and what of a Streamer? How do these relate to each other? What're the differences?

Ball gig at a country house hotel in Co. Durham. We were booked to play during the meal and before the DJ, just dinner jazz. Thought it would be about an hour, but after two and a half of medium-swing walking and light bossa/samba my fretting arm nearly fell off. Stupidly long set. Got paid, though, so all's well.

The 105 isn't listed on Ibanez's website. Theres the 1005, the one Willis himself plays and goes for 2000+, and the 35, which is the cheaper one. Thanks for the Fairdeal link - looks like a great price on the previous model, if that makes sense. They've got a good price on the 35, too, but I suspect availaility might come a cropper again. I'll give it a try. Cheers guys!

I'm trying to get my hands on an Ibanez GWB (the 35, not the top-line monster). The word from Sound Control is that Ibanez are only shipping 6 more into the UK over the next few months, and they've already been bought. GAK say something similar, as does everyone else. With the strong euro, it's not worth getting in from Europe. Does anyone out there have any ideas for speeding things up, or know if there are any left lurking in shops?

Did anyone catch what bass that legend was using? His tone was as awesome as his skills. I couldn't stop grinning all the way through.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='164697' date='Mar 27 2008, 07:48 PM']I dispute it, I have a photo from 1214[/quote] Photos taken at lunchtime don't count, surely.

I need to these days bacuse my Neutrik locking spcket crackles if the jack's not pulled up against the side wall. Annoying.

I bet, but if you can't do it in real life you can at least vent it among friends on BC.

Yeah, that would have been funny: "How much was that guitar? 300? Oh, wow, would you look at that? Looks like just about... 300 pounds, just lying around in my wallet. Well, I shan't buy it as it's clearly already been 'worn out' by someone tuning it and wipiing the dust off. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go and buy it somewhere else." [i]Exit, pursued by a glare.[/i] Customer service is rapidly becoming something I'm really pasionate about. No-one likes running a shop and having people take the piss, but courtesy goes such a long way and is clearly the most cost-effective Brand Promotion Solution a shop can have. Every music shop I've ever bought stuff from more than once has had that business becuase they treated customers properly, and that seems to ring true for a lot of us. It is a shame, but the market will win in the end as the crap places fall by the wayside. Really, what we have to complain about is the ludicrous import taxes on basses which drive up the price for both us and the shops. If the governement weren'e busy spending 1700 million a day, they might do us all a favour. Phew, sorry about that. No more late nights and early mornings for me.

Wherever I lay my Hat by Paul Young. Smooth fretless action in a classic 80s tune.

It's very true. I don't like buying stuff without having tried it first, but there is seldom anywhere you can just go and try decent stuff out. Of the five major music shops in this city a few years ago, one has closed its bass and guitar section, one has closed altogether, one has shut half of the shop and rips you off at every turn, one is Sound Control so never has anything desirable at a decent price, and one continues as it ever has but deals only in vintage and second-hand gear. And this is Leeds, a city of nearly half a million people! I'm increasingly using recommendations from people on here combined with occasional, furtive visits to the Gallery (blessed be the Gallery - can I get an Amen?!). Music retailers are to blame for their own demise, but we all lose in the end.

Played trumpet from fairly young (except when I had my front teeth knocked out), and stopped after I took up bass. I picked it up again recenty, though, and am enjoying approaching it from a less pressured, more musically experienced and jazz-based perspective. I often compose on piano but I'd never suggest I can play it. Wish I had a double bass, though...

I find a light 2x10 (I'm using a Hartke Transporter at the mo) and Little Mark II does all I need and is portable enough to carry accross town if need be. I've done 5 shows and gigged with three bands these past two terms, and that gear's never let me down. Light is right.

I've just realised I've been playing for 9 years, which is terrifying. I really should be better! However, in that time I've had just three basses, and I've still got two of them - I'm afraid I boke the rule and did sell my first bass. In fact, I'm thinking of selling my second. As for strings, I've only changed strings about 5 times. It amazes me that people can break them, 'cause I never have. 20 years is a different league, though.