doctor_of_the_bass

I predict.........A RIOT!!!!* Hehehe! Go for it Craig! * you could use this for your marketing but I fear its been used somewhere else!

All the very best to you (op). Many years ago, I was presented with a locally made bass guitar. It was perhaps the ugliest instrument I'd ever seen, but it was fairly well constructed; thru-necked, maple and mahogany neck, maple board, walnut body wings; it played very nicely and had (joy of joys!) red LED position markers. Upon investigation, I found out that it was made by an associate of mine who I'd lost touch with. Less than a year later, that same guy had produced (with help from myself) a bass that ended up being voted bass of the year 2001 by The Guitar and Bass magazine - some of you guys have actually played said bass (the Hornet bass owned by bassworm - Mike Edmunds of Harpenden). So, what I'm saying is that perhaps Craig is not `currently' endowed with the technical expertise/knowledge of Alex (who seems to have a brain the size of a small planet from what I've read) and all the other experts on here (incidentally, prior to co-founding E Basses, the only woodworking skills I had concerned the construction of coffee tables!) etc but his enthusiasm will hopefully win through; he will glean help and info from others, he will build his cabs and who knows! He might end up with a great position in the marketplace. I wish him well. Oh, by the way, just bought another bass today! Squier P!

Ello Matt! Fancy seeing you here! I used to abhor these basses, purely on looks - but being a well rounded player (talking belly size here) I spent a little time with one and I actually think as a player's instrument, they are superb! Very easy to play; very comfortable. The shape reminds me of Hellboys' cut-off horns but it has grown on me! Kev - send me a pm! Might have a bass for you...

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='394582' date='Jan 29 2009, 02:18 PM']And quite rightly so. I've played the flamed maple one with the pearloid guard a couple of times now & it's amazing to both hear & play. I actually preferred it to the King Bass Mk-II!!![/quote] Brother!!!!!! I cans't believe thy words! Thee prefereth the bass of `T' over the saucy MkII!!!! Hmm! Prepare to be severely punished! Hehe!

My brother spaketh the truth! I'm seriously tempted by the other models in the range - might have mentioned somewhere else that I went to buy the Jazz, ended up demoing it for a customer in the shop and the guy took it - didn't have the heart to say that I wanted it! (still, it is me dad's shop I spose! And no, I don't get free basses - would be nice!). Rich - do you have any pix of yours yet? Cheers! Nick

Well done sir! Again, not a massive fan of erbs (used to be many years ago as a yoof!) but that is a stunning piece - love the fingerboard! What strings are you using? Look like the old Superwounds!

[quote name='Toasted' post='394190' date='Jan 28 2009, 11:23 PM']Some pretty luddite views in this thread. There seem to be a lot of members scared of change, which is kind of ironic considering that the thing that brings us all together is an instrument that was invented less than 60 years ago.[/quote] Agree completely!

Thinking about it Fosk, we could do the Pboro bash in my studio! Hehe! Just about fit 6 people in there! As far as a national bash goes, then it seems the consensus is somewhere in the Midlands or Northants as has been the case for previous events - I'm still however thinking about an `Anglian Bassh' (c NJS2009!) as perhaps a separate event which would more than likely occur later on this year. The nice thing is, there's little problem with oversaturation because each event attracts different members etc. I'd try and get people like Colin Hodgkinson there (he's a good mate of mine) and other players such as Alan Jones who would be more than willing to attend. Ciao! Nick

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='391981' date='Jan 26 2009, 06:14 PM']I just bought the Squier Classic Vibe 60's Precision today in sonic blue. It's cost me £220. Not a lot in bass terms, but why? This thing is the best playing and sounding Precision I've ever played, and that includes the [rather expensive] 08 American Standard I had last year. It has the trad P bass sound with a more modern zing with it & a great slap sound, too. The neck is very close to the average jazz neck thickness & the build quality is utterly stunning! Rich.[/quote] + 1000! I've got the '50s P and it too is superb. The budget range of Ibanez basses is excellent, and of course, the Yamaha BB range - great value product.

What kind of money are you offering (aimed at the OP!)? I'll get me Taurus pedals serviced if its decent!

[quote name='budget bassist' post='392757' date='Jan 27 2009, 02:31 PM']Alembic "soiler"? [/quote] You're taking the `P' surely! Nice basses! I'm having that Jaydee...!

Allo! I went last year and made some really good friends - superb event! I personally think that if it goes ahead, it would need a bigger venue - it got a bit tight in there (probably my fault with my mini-collection!). I'd love to help organise something...I was thinking about a Peterborough bash but being slightly to the East, it might not suit everyone espec. if its a national event. Cheers Nick

Hi Tim! Nick here (X-elle!) - did you get me txt? Hope you're well m8! Just to say, Tim is one of the best drummers I've ever worked with, shame I can't sing for toffee!!! Get in touch with him! Cheers!

[quote name='Eight' post='392186' date='Jan 26 2009, 09:50 PM']From previous lesson experience (not bass), I find it critical to have a teacher you really like as a person. Someone you enjoy going to visit as well as learn stuff from - otherwise the hard parts about taking lessons become a real pain and it saps all your motivation. If they have a web site or some info available, read it and try and just see if there are clues there that make you feel a bit warmer to them than the others. Obviously you won't know for certain til you get there but it might help narrow down your list of potentials. Edit: I think the older you get, the more important this becomes.[/quote] Agreed! From a teacher's perspective, the most important aspect is empathy with your students - I might be a fat old bald geezer but can still identify with 14 year old boys who think they are the next Flea! They are of course put firmly in their place and then taught the basics in a very severe manner!!! Hehe. Seriously, there are very good teachers around and those who deliver are those who can give what the student needs and at the same time, instill confidence and enthusiasm for the chosen instrument; and provide a solid foundation in theory and musicianship (that is my own teaching philosophy).

Nice one mate! Funny you mention the slap tone - I can get a very close approximation of the famous `Milleresque' Jazz bass using both p/ups on my old Vigier - run passively with the treble up! I've got the old parametric style eq which is, in many ways quite scary - it will out bass any other instrument and can destroy most name brand amps! Blisters?! Ah yes, who said that? Where are you? (eyes not good!!!).

[quote name='crez5150' post='391259' date='Jan 25 2009, 09:28 PM']Wasn't she the guitarist in 'The Belle Stars'?? I'm sure she was...[/quote] Not sure - I don't think she was! However, I was of course a secret fan and the bassist in the Belle Stars used to play a lovely black Aria SB-1000 as I recall, being a gangly pubescent wannabee bassist back then who would spend his time playing along to tapes of The Shadows on his Aria CSB-450! Used to love Rockschool - Henry had a great style and it was quite inspirational at the time. Deidre is a very competent player but I always felt she put little `soul' in her playing imho. Her band's bassist did use a Wal - there was a picture of them once in Guitarist mag - I might have dreamt it but I think that band was called the `All Stars'! Ah, the 80's eh?

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='391173' date='Jan 25 2009, 08:14 PM']Yes, I own lots of them & I do swear by them! I've been playing Status instruments for nigh on twenty years & for the types of playing I do, there's nothing better. The build quality is second to none (I have a 19 year old SII which has definitely stood the test of time!) & the sound is amazing. Not only do you get massive growl from the graphite necks, but order with the right tone block in the middle & there's more tone than you're ever going to need. Headless models are perfectly balanced & you never need worry about any variance in the neck with temperature changes. No movement ever. Period. And if you're fed up with basses with weak output from active preamps, look no further. The Status preamps are if anything, overpowered. More shove, again, than you're ever going to need. Speaking of the preamps, the electronics are bullet proof & will last a lifetime. Possibly the best bit about Status is that you get the best possible customer service. The company is run by Rob Green & his wife Dawn. They only have another couple of employees on the wood/graphite production side. Rob deals with electronics, hardware & setups. That way, you're guaranteed that every bass coming out of the factory has passed through Rob's hands and Rob's idea of quality control is nothing short of anally retentive! In fact, I know of one international customer that ordered a KingBass retroglide which had a slight imperfection in the graphite weave on the back of the neck. Rob had the bass back under warranty & made him another. Free of charge. So if nothing short of perfection will do, you know where to go! Hope this helps Rich.[/quote] My brother spaketh the truth! I too have owned many Status basses over the years and they are amongst the finest available in this reality!

I've tried the new Passion model - superb - can't wait to get my blistered mitts on the new Arpege! I do like the Passion bass but having played the Arpege for many years now, I prefer the pickup spacing on that model!

[quote name='bassmanady' post='391034' date='Jan 25 2009, 04:06 PM']Having just bought a Markbass LMK amp,thought i'd take a picture of it with the rest of the amps i seem to have collected,since 1987...i seem to find it hard to sell amps,i like to keep them just incase one or two pack up in one week,well thats my excuse!! Yet to use the LMK at a gig but at home it sounds pretty good to me.[/quote] Today must be crazy rig day - great collection - we should get together and open a shop!

Heheheheh!!! Nice one (or should i say four!)