Ben Jamin

Well in my opinion if you've already got a five-string I'd say it's worth having another go at - even if you don't use the extended range that much I'd rather have it there than not, so that if you're playing along and you hear the need for a big low note... Re the whole C to G thing - I think what he was getting at was the ability to play more in the extended range of one position - handy for doing big runs to a low note and such. I like my little runs so having low notes always accessible on either the E or B string is really useful unless I wanted to slide everywhere. And the trouble with using an E as passing note is that it isn't always going to be appropriate for the music

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330379613' post='1556633'] I'm in a melodic death metal band (apparently) and unfortunately at this moment in time I can't tell you about our attire as it's going to be a secret until our first gig back at it. Lets just say it's in the manufacturing process now [/quote] ?

Just remembered a few years ago in my first band (15/16 years old "we're gonna write awesome songs and be famous because my Dad knows a guy who knows this guy..." kinda thing) our frontman decided we needed dedicated 'stage clothes', so to speak. Weird idea, I thought. But since I was the one doing the art GCSE at the time I got to pick his 'gear'... So naturally... White spaceman-esque trainers, white t-shirt with pretty flowers and a thin white scarf with pretty birds ensured he looked as feminine as possible. Managed to convince him and he felt very cool wearing it (thought he was just playing along at first, as he has plenty of money to waste)! Felt a little bit bad but it was all part of the band banter Then he found out and moved to America.

One of the two pairs of trousers I own and something to hide my lack of a manly chest. Anything really Our guitarist has recently taken to wearing one of those silly flat cap things though. Everyone thinks/knows it looks ridiculous but we haven't had the heart to tell him yet

Great for keeping the notes low in any key - and for the big band stuff I do which often involves playing tuba parts and that dreaded Eb I don't use the B-string loads and I could cope without it but I'd definitely miss the extra notes every now and then!

Yep! http://www.basscentre.com/bass-collection/bass-collection-jive-bass-islington-blue.html

Never tried one but I'd very much like to! They've got some great reviews Is it 'Jive bass' jazz copy you're on about? I think that got an award for best bass under £1000 a couple of years ago. Looks good to me!

[quote name='JJMacL' timestamp='1329581969' post='1544518'] There is always that option. Wish I had kept every amp I ever owned... [/quote] You can have my last amp! Crate BT220. It's so good it's been gathering dust at school for about six months now Actually to be fair it's not too bad, especially for a first combo - but can't wait for my Matamp!

That new Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz looks pretty cool? Individual knobs for distortion mix and clean mix, plus an independent boost!

You haven't got a Precision bass Seriously though, if I were to spend on 3k on four strings = straight to the custom jobs/luthiers!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1328199082' post='1523524'] Just called to pester them about this, prototype is on the test gear, and should be there to have a go on in a week or two. It is all solid state, with a mid control that can boost and cut. If this goes well they are going to work on a valve pre one, there is complication there due to relative levels and input sensitivity, an also treading on Orange TB territory. [/quote] Sounds ace. How do you get to test all this stuff out!? [size=2][size=4]([/size][size=3]Oh and don't suppose there was any mention of my amp? Mine's supposed to have a valve pre[/size][/size])

Eddie Tatton's a session player who hangs out here in Lincoln and he's one of the most expressive and tasteful guitarists I've come across - he just knows what/when to play! He put a nice little solo on this track on my brother's band's latest EP (well technically it's the Viv Murrell Band, but my brother's been playing guitar for her for years from the start!) So Viv's on the clean Tele, my bro's on the clean-then-crunchy Strat, and Eddie's on the ES335-awesome-solo-duty after the 2nd chorus My brother's a great player too imo, if you care to listen to the other EPs on the soundcloud [url="http://soundcloud.com/viv-murrell/on-your-side"]http://soundcloud.co...ll/on-your-side[/url] (Oh and the Hurry Home EP and the Closer/Embers EP on Viv's Soundcloud also features Isaac Marshall on bass, 'Isaac' on here!) http://soundcloud.com/viv-murrell/hurry-home

Jazz bass?

[quote name='Dave Tipping' timestamp='1327138745' post='1506778'] Nightmare! I was literally going to buy a terror bass head today, until u read this post! Anymore info on size / style etc? TB is now on hold / [/quote] Can't really comment on what the digital amp looks like because I only saw a prototype back in November, but I hear it's pretty small - smaller than the Terror Bass anyway The hybrid hasn't been built yet so I don't know But they said they'd try and fit in into one of their little boxes like: Go for the Matamp!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1326923645' post='1503948'] That guitar's going on the wall of a plastic surgeon in Santa Monica never to be played. [/quote] I guess these are the 'select people' I don't understand the idea of guitars as ornaments. I mean they look great, but they sound better - play the darn thing!

So, erm, it'd be really cool if Fender told me a little about the guitars and/or basses that I'll be spending 3k on? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qypWcLXx9wg&feature=youtu.be

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1326561950' post='1498920'] Hi Ben - I had a shaftesbury that was very much like that (fitted a trapeze type stop tail because the top was collapsing under string pressure). Also my first guitar was an Eko. One more I forgot - this is really rather special, but I can't say where I got it from: [/quote] Please tell me that's real!? I've just noticed Proguitarshop have started uploading some demos of some new Ekos - I didn't know they still made them but they sound pretty good to me

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1326665300' post='1500297'] I've got an old Teisco vibrato on my guitar, which works a bit like a Bigsby, but is even more crudely designed. With a roller bridge and a bit of attention to the nut slots (namely smoothing the slots and using a bit of graphite), I can honestly say it doesn't give me any tuning problems unless I go into the aforementioned full whole-tone wang mode for extended periods. I find the long arm travel but smaller range of this style of vibrato tailpiece makes it much easier to get a smooth, even vibrato than with a Fender or Floyd. It is definately less touchy than a floating trem when string bending etc. I'd say go for it, and you'll probably find yourself using the Bigsby more than you expected. [/quote] +1, I've got a Bigsby on my ancient Eko, and it's never given me any tuning problems in the slightest, and I find it a lot easier to use than Floyds etc. Oh and it looks fit.