mcgraham

I agree to a certain extent. I like my bass to have a great plug'n'play tone, that is easily tweakable to achieve variations on that tone. To that extent, I feel the tone of my bass is important. As I've stated in other threads, I think a lot of bassists/guitarists overexaggerate the impact that wood and 'acoustic' properties of an electric instrument actually have in an instrument's amplified tone.

I didn't realise that demand for Warwick's was so high. In my mind there's the cost associated with workmanship (e.g. time, materials, style of the product, etc) alone, and the added cost associated with trying to balance supply and demand (e.g. enough people want your goods so you charge more to balance this out/take advantage of it). I realise it is hard to separate the two factors, but if you can get something of equivalent workmanship for less money, unless you're bothered by the name, then I'd go elsewhere.

Very true about the 'cost is all relative comment'. For example, when a BC'er posted a comment in another thread with the (effective) message 'you've got nothing to moan about compared to those in Haiti', it struck me that you can cast almost any comment in a selfish light relative to something else. The MIM fender being a good example. Back on topic, I've never tried a Fodera. I'd love to try one at some point, but I think CK raises a valid point that a lot of their cost is due to demand. Hence, I couldn't justify that amount of money on one. Mark

Wandered into Millenium Music in Nottingham today (replaced Soundcontrol) and what do I find?!? The entire range of TC Electronics bass amps, bass cabs, guitar effects, everything! Very very exciting! Also very reasonably priced as well.

I'd choose my wife, but I'd try for compromise... and this is assuming there are genuine reasons given for this. I could imagine 'I want us to spend more time together' or 'you spend too much money on gear' or 'you're obsessed it's not healthy' are common complaints of spouses with musicians, though I think there must be room for compromise unless it was an absolute ultimatum with no reasons given, in which case I think I'd put bass and music on hold til we sorted out our issues. Fortunately, my wife loves the fact I'm a bassist and musician Mark

Bilbo, whilst I agree with the sentiment that some things aren't as fun as other things, I disagree that fun is overrated. Yes, there are some things that may seem more tedious than others (e.g. running scales, theory, vs slapping, playing your favourite songs over and over), I'm a firm believer that if you are not having any fun at all whilst doing it, then you are doing it wrong. My opinion is that those who find a particular aspect devoid of fun simply have not tried to explore it in the right context. Doddy, if you read any of my other responses (which you may have done, I just don't know), you will appreciate that I am a huge proponent of learning theory. However, I feel that over in Theory and Technique, sometimes we theory-advocates are all too eager to give beginners an absolute hammering of 'learn this learn that, theory is really important' without actually giving them any practical outworking of how to do that. The sole purpose of my post was to give a constructive practical suggestion, that would encourage the OP to go away and improve that aspect of their playing. Sure, I didn't advocate learning scales or learning intervallic relationships, and maybe I should've emphasised that more, but for someone who wants to learn to improve their ability to create riffs, I feel that my post gave a sound approach to improving that element of their playing in a way that was accessible to them. Apologies for getting defensive, I took a dislike to the facetious tone in your posts. If I read that tone into your posts I apologise for that too.

No worries! Above all, make sure you have fun! If it's not even remotely fun, then you're doing something wrong.

I think you may be right...

I'd say transcribing is a great way to work these things out. Make a list of your favourite riffs/hooks in songs. Work out how to play them by ear (don't look up the tabs!). Play along with the song. Now, try and identify in a way that is meaningful to you, what makes that riff sound cool to you. For example, the Master of Puppets intro riff sounds cool to me and I identify this as being because each note goes down the neck one fret at a time. This gives quite a distinctive sound, particularly when coupled with the rhythm they are played with. Try doing that with your favourite riffs and see what you come up with. Try also to vary the riff slightly, play around with it and figure out variations that sound cool. Perhaps even splice riffs together. Does that make sense?

My wife is a quick learner. She now knows each and every one of my instruments, the brand and model of each instrument, all the features of each of my basses, and is fully aware of each and every amp I own. We also have a flat so small that another instrument would stand out like another person in the house. I couldn't sneak one in if my life depended on it. Fortunately, she trusts me, knows I am very good with money (she's not bad either!), and good with funding new purchases using old gear. As such, she didn't bat an eyelid when I said in May of 2009 'sweetheart, I'm planning a new Wood&tronics fretless, it'll cost even more than the last one... hope that's ok'... Her response: 'sure, what features is it going to have?' I love my wife

Sorry Owen! They are great bits of kit though, and a tremendous bargain when you consider how much stock electronicky gear costs at the moment... and this is totally custom!

I did consider a racing stripe, but I felt it would be a shame to cover up the figure in that wood.

I was thinking more along these lines...

So, developments... our church has almost completed a deal on a building in the centre of Nottingham. Verrry exciting stuff. What is also exciting is that the person who is in charge of sound/PA has taken my IEM experiences on board and decided to go hardwired IEM for the new venue (e.g. drum booth for drummer plus headphones, IEM headphone boxes for stationary band members and those who stand by an amp such as guitarists, keyboardists, bassists, etc). Finally! We're getting somewhere! Mark

Me too!

Yup. I'd confirmed ETA with Mark @BassDirect earlier this week. ... <set mood to EXCESSIVELY HOPEFUL>

<set mood to HOPEFUL> I hope this doesn't mean that the delivery of my bass will be delayed any further! Mark