Gareth Hughes

Monday bump!!!

If I'd put this up two weeks ago, (and presuming you bought it AJ) I could have had this hand delivered to you by a visiting uncle from Wakefield. Small world, as they say.

[quote name='gnasher1993' post='577553' date='Aug 22 2009, 01:41 PM']I'm kind of interested in this. I've actually being looking for an AI Clarus but for the price you've got on the Focus, I'm considering it. Do you know how the two compare? Cheers[/quote] Hey gnasher1993 - thanks for the interest. Tone wise they are the same, as they share an identical preamp. I used to have a Coda combo, which has the Clarus as it's amp section, and the Focus is identical is sound and function, only with more watts.

Thanks Tom - you're absolutely right. This sounds great with electric too. And even tho it has 2 channels, it actually has 5 simultaneously usable inputs. Both 1/4 inch jacks can be used at the same time, plus the mic channel - and then both effect returns can be used - all at the same time without degrading any of the other signals. Very flexible for small gigs - I've had a singer/double bass/guitar and keyboard all going thru this at once!!

Bump

Hey Folks - Up for sale is my Acoustic Image Focus 2 (series 2) amplifier. Amp is about 4 years old and has never had any problems. In very good condition, thanks to the included soft case that it was always taken out in. (The case isn't immaculate, but then that's the point of cases, right?) Amp is 600 watts and capable of powering a driving rock band, despite it's name. I used to run this into an Ashdown BP1510 (2x10 and 1x15) in an original rock band and it never let me down. The high-pass filter is perfect for removing unnecessary infra-sonic frequencies that eat up head room, and also for taming those boomy stages from hell, whilst still retaining a powerful bass sound. Dual voltage switch makes it a perfect touring amp as it's easy to take into the overhead plane compartment. These amps retail for about £1100 (for the new model). I'm asking £500 plus shipping (which won't be much as these things are so small and light). Here's all the guff from Acoustic Image: Preamp Mic Input : 600 Ohm balanced, XLR connector Phantom Power : 38 volts, on/off switch Instrument Inputs : Low impedance (1 M.), High Impedance (10 M.), separately buffered Direct Out : +4 dB, balanced, XLR connector, ground lift Effects Loop : Parallel type, 1/4" jack w/ return level control Bass Control : Shelving type, ±15 dB @ 60 Hz Mid Control : ±15 dB @ 650 kHz Treble Control : Shelving type, ±15 dB @ 10 kHz Brite Control : ±15 dB @ 9 kHz Notch Filter : -18 dB sweepable from 30 to 700 Hz High Pass Filter : -12 dB/octave sweepable from 30 to 700 Hz • Extended frequency range, balanced, high-fidelity sound • Compact powder-coated enclosure (10x9x2.5 inches) • Light weight F2=5lbs • Integrated preamp and power amp • Two channel preamp (mic and instrument) • Phantom power for mic or outboard preamp • High impedance/low impedance instrument inputs • Four-band EQ for each channel (bass, mid, treble, brite) • Input and master level controls • Effects loop in each channel (parallel, not insert) • Level control on effects return • Switchable notch/high pass filter • Balanced direct out via XLR connector • Ground lift switch on direct out • 600 Watt switch mode power amplifier • Dual speaker outputs via Neutrik Speakon connectors • Switchable dual voltage operation (115/230V) • Detachable AC power cord • Comes with padded case, 6 foot power cable

Up for sale is my Ernie McMillen Custom 4 String Fretless. Ernie McMillen builds guitars for the Avalon Guitar Company. Recently he has been working on Zematis guitars at Avalon, which retail at $15,000 in the US. Before that he worked for 15 years for Lowden Guitars, during which time he built many of the Goodfellow Basses that were made there between 1992-96. All this to say that the construction is top notch. Enough about Ernie and now the bass: I had the bass made in 2000, and whilst I do love it so I'm mainly playing upright for most of my gigs so this bass is criminally underplayed. Body is a regular jazz shape (taken from a mid 70's Fender template) and is one piece Mahogany with a bookmatched Rosewood cap (that has some damn sexy stripes running through it). Neck is a 5 piece: Maple Walnut Wenge (I think, or possibly Rosewood) Walnut Maple, Ebony fingerbard with Maple lines and dots above the lines. Scale is 35 inches. The headstock has Schaller tuners with a Rosewood cap and mother-of-pearl logo. Bridge is by ABM with adjustable 16-20mm string spacing. The pickups are by Bill Lawrence, the J45 model. These pickups have a huge frequency response and are very even from low to high. The electronics and standard Jazz passive: Vol/Vol/Tone. The bass was originally wired with a Bartolini TBIBT preamp (more on that later) with the jack socket side mounted. I didn't get the empty jack socket filled in, just discretely covered, so an active system can be installed without any modification. About the Bartolini preamp - I still have it and it still works, but I think it needs a new blend pot. Last time I had it installed it seemed to be quieter in the 50/50 middle position with both pickups on equally together, and significantly louder when either pickup was soloed. Asked around, someone thought the blend pot might be the wrong value. I don't really care for preamps so took it out and left it alone. I'll include it with the sale tho for your tinkering. And finally - the price: All in, with the pickups and pre, this bass cost £14-1500 to get made. I'm selling it for[s] £900 £800 £750[/s][b] £675 [/b] o.n.o shipped to the UK with a hard case and the Bartolini preamp. [b]Here's some examples of other basses that Ernie has built:[/b] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=53343"]Ernie McMillen Jazz Bass[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=57031"]Ernie McMillen Jazz 5[/url] [b]SOUNDCLIPS[/b]: Tracks were recorded straight into Garageband via an MBox Mini, with no added EQ or Compression, etc. [attachment=52539:Both_PU__s.mp3][attachment=52540:Neck_PU.mp3][attachment=52541:Bridge_PU.mp3] [attachment=52533:Fretless_Body_Full.jpg][attachment=52534:Fretless_Front_1.jpg][attachment=52535:He adstock.jpg][attachment=52536:Neck_Woods.jpg][attachment=52537:Back.jpg][attachment=52538:Body_1.jpg ]

If you're having a hard time deciding (which I guess you are, hence the post) then sell whatever gets you the most money to buy the thing you're after. If they're all equally good instruments in your eyes/hands then you're not really losing anything.

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='569112' date='Aug 14 2009, 03:05 PM']Lowden made the other GB basses as well didn't they?[/quote] Yep - from 1992 to 1996. I'm not sure of the model names/variations but I've seen a few that Ernie made, including his own personal one, and they really are a perfect blend of function and craftmanship.

Bass is now sold folks, thanks for all the interest. Might have a 35" 4 string fretless by the same luthier up for sale soon. Mahogany body, rosewood car, lined ebony neck. PM me for more details. I'll get a proper post up soon. Thanks, Gareth

Afternoon bump

Morning Bump! (not to be confused with wood)

[quote name='Captain Rumble' post='567223' date='Aug 12 2009, 07:47 PM']That is one beutiful bass tell me is it still possible to sell children for scientific experiments -_-[/quote] I think it depends on what the experiments are. I'm sure we at Basschat would understand such actions and the authorities need not be notified.

Up Down!!! Or - Up the Irons!!! (I'm a Maiden fan, but it still works here) and of course - wha bou'ye?

Bumpage

Why thank you. *blush* :blush: (yes, I have been told I'm a sarky b*****d) All the basses I had Ernie build for me have a similar headstock. Just something about that shape I love.

Then you know you want it Or the torture will continue!!! Good to hear from you Dave. [quote name='LettuceFunk' post='565333' date='Aug 10 2009, 08:08 PM']Gareth i saw you play this one night in Bellini's in Newry with Matt McGinn and fell in love with it then. Now you are just torturing me. Dave[/quote]

Good point indeed. Edit done. [quote name='largo' post='565282' date='Aug 10 2009, 07:16 PM']That's a very nice looking bass. I have one word of advice. If you say the back has some "staining" then you should probably show a picture of it, if you can. Other than that, good luck with the sale.[/quote]