doctor_of_the_bass

[quote name='Hamster' post='544987' date='Jul 19 2009, 10:42 PM']Did someone here get a bargain? - it sold for £536.75[/quote] Considering it was up at 2k then yes! Dunno who got it? (no, not me!)

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='544874' date='Jul 19 2009, 07:48 PM']When gigging again, I intend to do exactly that with the Streamline... It's ideal for it IMO! One thing no-one's yet mentioned is the resistance of graphite necks to changes in humidity & temperature. They are very stable, which is beneficial when travelling. BTW, Rob has a Trace 1110 (4x10 combo) in his workshop... I had one as my first proper "big" amp![/quote] Many years ago as bassist in `0898' (1992s top local pub rockers here in Peterborough!!), I used a Status Series II (with a plec!) and then a heavy metal band which then turned into a chillis type rock band (Urban Surf - we used to do a lot of work for Performance Bike mag and they used our music on a couple of their Video Nasties!). Still use my 2000 for certain rock gigs. I think there will always be an association of Status basses with funk/slap but they are very versatile instruments - whack a heavy set of strings on (which is painless of course!) and you've got the ultimate rock machine! Stick some 30s on it and you've got the MK bass! I tend to play quite hard on the rock gigs and the graphite can handle the extra `welly' as one calls it!

Just for info. Tune were part of Washburn. Superb basses - I always wanted a pink one!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='543940' date='Jul 18 2009, 01:09 PM']I'm suprised Rob lets you anywhere near the factory. [/quote] So am I! Thanks Mr Melly!

[quote name='4000' post='543652' date='Jul 17 2009, 10:22 PM']Nothing to do with the tone controls on either IMO. I've now owned 4 Statii and every one of them has had what I can only term a "plasticky" sound. I've found the same with the dozens of others (and the Vigiers, Zons and Peavey B Quad 4) that I've tried. Tone off, tone on, boost lows, boost highs, both, mids, whatever, I have never been able to get them sounding anything other than synthetic. I suspect that some of this comes down to technique and some comes down to individual perception and taste. What sounds like plastic to my ears might sound like "super smooth and zingy" or "tremendous bark" to someone else's. FWIW our guitarist feels the same. Speaking of the Peavey B Quad 4, that bass has the nicest-feeling graphite neck I've ever played.[/quote] Interesting thoughts! I've just got home following playing at a friends retirement party with a 50s/60's rock and roll band - normally I'd take one of my JV Precisions but having been ill all week, I used my Vigier as its nice and lightweight. The tone was spot on - fat and warm - nothing synthetic or plasticy. I would say that the amplification used might have some effect on this `emphasis' that certain graphite necked instruments sound more plasticy (I found that my Trace rig made anything graphite sound very `clacky' and harsher). For whatever reason, the Vigier/Markbass combination just works perfectly for me - as Ped notes, the semi-thru neck system perhaps adds warmth as the bridge is set into wood not graphite etc. The B Quad basses were vastly underrated - one of the best basses I've seen - used to borrow a trans purple one from Peavey!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='543272' date='Jul 17 2009, 03:01 PM']Haha! Cheers Grahame [/quote] Welcome back Brother! Missed ya! Nick (sniff, its me hayfever!)

This bass belongs to Tim Gyton, the chap who co-owns the Norfolk Guitar and Bass Centre. Its up for sale at £1999 in the shop - nice bass!

Wahey! Thats a good example of the Gypsy bass - complete with rotational pickup housings which enabled different tones to be obtained! Looks like it would clean up nicely!

Graphite works for me personally, my two main working basses are graphite necked (one is all graphite!) and they provide what I crave which is `consistency' of tone and playability. The constancy of action (i.e. no movement), tuning and lack of dead/hotspots does it for me. I've started using a StingRay again recently and it sounds great but I feel happiest on me Vigier!!! As Kiwi also notes, I do like the idea of a wooden board on a graphite neck; my graphite necked Warlord has an ebony board and the tone is very good; one of my old Status Series II's had a similar board and again, sounded great. The new `phenowood' board that Rob provides as an option on the Status range is excellent - Rich's (OTPJ) five string headless is incredible! Where art thou brother?!

Nice one! Hard to really tell from the pic but it looks in good condition! I've got one of these, mine was originally the same colour but it got refinished in vintage white back in the mid 80s and the original p/up was replaced by a DiMarzio. The build quality is superb, almost on a par with the original Tokai range imho. I think the model name is the MB-0101 (Jon will probably correct me on this!). If you ever want to sell it, get in touch, be nice to have another one! Nick

I used to work in music instrument retail and sometimes, get drafted into help out in my old chap's shop here in Peterborough. The problem you mention is solved swiftly - I muscle in on the miscreant (young slapper!) and say, `wow thats cool, can I have a go?' The mop-headed herbert grunts, gives me the bass, I then destroy him via sheer musical power and skill! They then slope off, having been made to look silly in front of their posse!!! Hahah! Nick (old slapper!)

Hi John Welcome indeed! I remember seeing your basses on the older Jaydee site - I'm another JD/Alembic/Status fan! Cheers! Nick

[quote name='Chris2112' post='540692' date='Jul 14 2009, 08:51 PM']So, he either really like to thump or he hadn't played it much? [/quote] He's an airline pilot - I think he'd played it three times!! Heavy gauge strings too; plus the action was around 9mm off the frets! Terrible! But a lovely fella!

Pete Cornish is well known for building boards/rack control systems etc - main users include Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Trevor Rabin etc etc. Bob Bradshaw was the US equivalent!