doctor_of_the_bass

[quote name='mikhay77' post='651096' date='Nov 10 2009, 10:23 PM']Thats why I will probably always try or buy even more Basses.[/quote] It never ends, believe me!

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='649468' date='Nov 9 2009, 10:31 AM']Just the one - he sold it to Dr Nick to prop up his 54 basses. [/quote] Get the math correct! 67 basses!!!! Mwahahaha!!

[quote name='karlthebassist' post='649950' date='Nov 9 2009, 06:39 PM']In my hands now is a Stingray 4 3EQ that I have been lent to try out. And bloody hell. What a stunning instrument. It plays like butter. Fantastic tone - not so much the one trick jobby I originaly though. Possibly not as versatile as a two pickup instrument, but then the 3 band EQ is so powerful that I'm getting a good range of very useful tones out of it. Pick-style, fingerstyle and slap all seem to work so well. I think as a live tool - which it would predominantly be used as, as I do VERY little recording - it is bang on... I think I've got something here that would do everything I need...[/quote] Glad to have been of help m8 - great seeing you earlier. That Ray really does the business through your rig. Nick

Allo! Went to Music Live (there is a seperate thread here in General Bass Discussion) and was pretty surprised at how few stands there were compared to previous years...still nice to have a day off and bump into some old mates in the music business. Came out with a Hiscox case which contained a fine bass.....more to follow - its handmade and extremely versatile!!! Anyway, had the immense pleasure of watching our very own Cetera (and fellow bass nut) play in `Dressed To Kill' - absolutely spot on - it was like watching Kiss really, complete with pyros! Cetera has the fastest tongue I've ever seen, I think he was doing hemidemisemiquavers, and as for those other moves....! The bass sound was huge, loads of power and the whole band was superb, very very authentic! Seriously, I stood there and felt very proud! Les Patterson, the sound guy is a good mate of mine (lives local to me) and the PA was kicking! Well done mate! Nick

Velly intellesting! At the height of his powers, Mark had 90 basses. I'm told by a reliable source that he had around 12 Status 2000 models in different colours etc. As has been noted, this particular bass is in very good condition, speaking from experience of owning the famous red Live at Wembley JayDee bass. I recall someone being given one of these, must be the same guy! Jammy sod eh!!! All I got from Mark was an earful of abuse when he found out I'd had his brand new Kingbass out for a play a week before he got it! Hahahah!

I might nip down to see if I can blag some cheap bits later today (sunday!). If you are there, you won't miss me, I will be wearing my favourite tight lederhosen, white terry towelling socks and open toed sandals, surrounded by legions of adoring ladies..!

I've got a load of Markbass gear, consisting of; 2 x 10 Combo 4 x 10 cab 1 x 15 cab 2 x 10 cab 1 x 12 cab Little Mark II head Thus I can use the above in the following configurations: 1. 2 x 10" combo on its own - normally used for theatre work and for amplification of Roland bass pedals with rock band(s). 2. 2 x 10 combo with 4 x 10 cabinet. 3. 2 x 10 combo with 1 x 15 cabinet 4. 2 x 10 combo with 2 x 10 cabinet 5. 2 x 10 combo with 1 x 12 cabinet 6. Little Mark head with 4 x 10 cabinet. 7. Little Mark head with 1 x 15 cabinet 8. Little Mark head with 2 x 10 cabinet 9. Little Mark head with 1 x 12 cabinet 10. Little Mark head with 4 x 10 and 1 x 15 cabinet. 11. Little Mark head with 4 x 10 and 1 x 12 cabinet. 12. Little Mark head with 4 x 10 and 2 x 10 cabinet. 13. Little Mark head with 1 x 15 and 2 x 10 cabinet 14. Little Mark head with 1 x 15 and 1 x 12 cabinet 15. Little Mark head with 1 x 12 and 2 x 10 cabinet I guess you could say I'm covered for most gig requirements.....! Obviously, when running the head into a single cab at 8 ohms, I'm not getting the full power but I'd like a 2 x 10 4 ohm cab at some point! Cheers Nick

He's my brother you see! Nick

Well done thir! Just to add, the bass has had an EQ upgrade to a standard two band Status circuit for all you Statii fans! Nick

[quote name='Sibob' post='645899' date='Nov 5 2009, 01:44 AM']I've played that Delta Arpege, was very cool. I haven't had a great deal of time on fretless (other than my old EUB), and for some reason I was a little bit intimidated by the Vigier, but I found it very easy to play with some great usable tones. Nice one Have you got any JV Jazzes to move on to make room for it Nick? Si[/quote] Its a lovely bass - the more I play it the more it grows on me! Sadly Si, I don't have any JV Jazzes and will be hanging onto my two JV Precisions! Will now be having to let a couple of StingRays go....which is a shame cos I'm really into them at the moment.

Hi Edmouk! Great to see you here! All the best Nick

Hi Edmouk! A fine lady you have there! Price-wise, these seem to go for around £800 to about £1000. Hope this helps! Nick

[quote name='ped' post='643736' date='Nov 2 2009, 08:14 PM']Sensual. Looks like a winner - get it polished though!! I spent a relaxing 30 mins polishing mine the other day (probably about the best part of my week) and now it's like a mirror again!! What strings do you like on the bass? I have tried several, and after settling firmly on Elixir's on the fretted, NOTHING works as well as marleaux strings on the fretless. Maybe because that's what I used at the beginning and so I'm used to them, but they just resonate really nicely with the feel of the bass and are somehow more tactile than the others I have tried. Obviously no need to use flats on these necks! Cheers ped P.s I think we all need to see some proper decent large pics of your 80s and 00's Arpege basses together. I will do a matching one of my twins in reply![/quote] Thanks m8! Oh, she's been polished 3 times so far!! The factory fitted Vigier strings are on there at present - may stick some light gauge Elites on it at some point. I've set it up today to my taste (very low action) and it purrs! Will try to get some pics done! Where's Moo (fretted Arpege's original owner!)

[quote name='Captain Bassman' post='643508' date='Nov 2 2009, 04:57 PM']Bladdy noice Nick!! Welcome to the Viggy club! I love the separate pick-up EQ on mine too, very versatile. Enjoy my friend!! [/quote] You mean the `brand new Viggy not from the 80s with full carbon neck Viggy which I've had for many many years club'!!! Its lovely Dave! In fact, I'm tempted to buy another one but fretted (it will be in around 3 years time once I've saved up enough dosh).

[quote name='Flanker2' post='612208' date='Sep 29 2009, 05:09 PM']Late forties been playing for a long time (for fun). Band broke up so I've been after something new and preferably funky! Milton Keynes area. Own Gear/Car etc but my full time job has to come first, work 5 on 4 off. Thanks, PM me please.[/quote] Alright Steve! Hope you are keeping well etc Cheers! Nick

[quote name='purpleblob' post='643186' date='Nov 2 2009, 11:08 AM']I have some serious GAS for one of these (and a Wal Custom fretless ). This may be a difficult question to answer, but what sort of sonic qualities (if any) do you feel the neck constructions givs to the sound ? Anyway, nice instrument. Cheers Mark[/quote] Thanks for all the comments guys! The neck is very strong due to the twin carbon graphite rods (hence the 10/90 neck system - 10% carbon, 90% flamed maple in this case!) and coupled with the delta metal, it feels indestructible. There is mwah aplenty - however, playing near the bridge(s) yields a very tight almost `fretted' tone but with a touch of mwah still evident. Playing over the end of the neck gives a lovely swell to each and every note and the bottom end is huge. The second time I went down to try it, another customer had a play on it and he said it blew his Wal fretless away! I personally think they are very comparable but the Vigier is very consistent in terms of eveness of notes across the fingerboard, again down to the extremely strong construction. I've just been playing it and its very easy to intonate on it. Cheers!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='642978' date='Nov 2 2009, 12:13 AM']A bit different? Indeed it is! Did you see my latest purchase on the non-graphite thread?[/quote] Yes sire! An fine Jazzus ye have there! Lovely ash body and there's a certain shine to the grain in the neck! We are both norty boys!

Thank you Bro Richard! It really is incredibly well made - bit heavier than my old favourite Arpege but it does have quite a small body and balances nicely Each pickup has its own 3 band EQ - bit different eh?

Allo! Been VERY naughty today - braved the elements and shot down to Colchester to collect a couple of new basses! This is it now for me for fretless bass (although I'd still like an old Wal Custom) - it absolutely sings! Pic courtesy of The Bass Merchant: I've played a few Delta metal boarded Vigs over the years, including Ped's passion which is lovely - you'd expect a hard edged tone but amazingly, there is a lot of warmth and the depth and power is roomshaking. Oh - got a pre-owned StingRay V too...metallic blue with rosewood board! Special thanks to Darren and Chris for putting up with my incessant playing tests! Nick (very norty!)