doctor_of_the_bass

Can't make this sadly as its my last day in panto! Have a good time! Nick x

Hallo! Looking and sounding fantastic! One of my students took a pic of me with my MPC in my studio which is still awaiting the rest of its surgery (the bass, not the studio) - the bottom horn still requires thinning down and the top is to be thinned a tad - and the lower edge of the body is still a bit pointy - the real thing is slightly flatter! The bass is at an angle (I see when I'm with you!!) too so looks a bit thin across the top side etc. Nice hat eh?

[quote name='thunderbass1' post='1011253' date='Nov 3 2010, 07:32 PM']Just had this reply from Patrice Vigier, the horses mouth if ever there was... "This is a rare bird , produced at the very beginning of the Passion bass. I cannot say how many we made with pickups this way, probably less than 10." So that's me told! Many thanks for all help here, I may have to think about selling/trading some time so all your info will help. Cheers![/quote] Nice one! Patrice is a lovely guy! Do let me know if you ever want to sell..... Nick

[quote name='crez5150' post='1035641' date='Nov 24 2010, 09:31 PM'][/quote] Hehe! I hated that kid!!! x

Hi! Due to forthcoming projects/possible time off due to ear operation/other ties, I'm looking for a very good bass player to take over my job in Latino Sound - a Peterborough based project with lots of gigs coming up in 2011. If you are interested, PM me on here or email me: [email protected] They are the real deal, the two main guys in the band are from Bolivia and there might be some work over there too! The emphasis at present is on covers but you need to be able to improvise on the spot and there will be original music too! Cheers! Nico (Nick!)

Hi! He certainly produced a number of guitars - there was certainly a lead version of the Warrior bass and I've seen numerous Strat types that he made! I have four Pangborn basses at present and they are superb! Cheers! Nick

[quote name='thunderbass1' post='1006321' date='Oct 30 2010, 01:45 PM']Can anyone help me find out more about my lovely black bass? I bought it in London around 1985 I think and it was heavily discounted as being shop soiled (2 little dinks on the back of the lower horn) and 'only' passive. I've only home recorded with it (normally I play fretless) and love the sound and feel when I need a versatile fretted sound. The front pickup is in an odd place for a Passion, nearer the neck. Under the rear one it says 23'05'84. There is no obvious serial number visible. Any more info would be hugely appreciated...[/quote] An fine bass guitar! Looks like an early model Passion, Series 1 which would have had a wooden thru neck - again, this might have been a one off as you mention its passive and has the same pickup spacing as the Arpege bass, very nice looking instrument! Ped might know more!

Stunning! The fretted is one of the best sounding basses I played in many years! Punchy as something very punchy! Nick (superb work on the fretless!)

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1006413' date='Oct 30 2010, 04:16 PM']Attached are photos of the fretless VC which I bought from Doctor of the Bass - Nick, when you see it you're gonna be so gutted you sold it to me - recently been to Terry Chapman (luthier - 07901 895639) based in Stevenage - where it had the paint stripped off and returned to natural finish (I'm sure that Nick will acknowledge that the paint had seen better days). Apparently an oil based filler was used on the body in the factory which left a few unsightly marks in the grain which wouldn't sand out so I asked that a stain be used to "disguise" this before being oiled. As you can see the finish is certainly eye catching ( I accept that green may not be everybody's colour of choice). Terry was able to remove the VC logo (seen upside down in these pics but subsequently installed the right way up) before polishing this to a high sheen. New Schaller machine heads, chrome knobs and 30 guage strings complete the refurb. I believe that a new sheen from a few coats of wax should bring this up a treat. Plays like a dream and has inspired a friend of mine to buy a fretless bass to go with his MM Stingray and Sandberg JM (I think) 4 string. Also in gear porn...[/quote] Nice, very very very nice son! I think you got a bargain there!!! Seriously, looks superb! I have a thing about green too! My JD Roadie fretless is to be redone in a really deep translucent bottle green! Well done - a very rapid turnaround! Nick

[quote name='Tony40' post='999370' date='Oct 24 2010, 09:00 PM']Hi Nicko, Yeah I still have the red CS-74. Needs some work on the electrics. Some earthing problem as the treble/bass pot has been disconnected and it buzzes a bit even at moderate volume. I just need to get round to sorting it out. Never played it klive as a result...still using my warwick streamer stage II (made for me in 1989) for everything. i will be getting Martin up at the bass gallery in Camden to sort it out...he says its an easy problem to fix. I went into a bass guitar shop on Denmark Street two years ago and nearly fainted as Chris Squire was in there with his wife. I told him I had just got a CS 74 from America and he was chuffed to bits...said he had two. I thought: 'yep, I know'. He was very shy actually (or maybe just itching to get away!). I think we are probably the only two pepole in the UK with CS 74's. The headstock does not sweep back at an acute enough angle so the strings keep popping out of the nut (just one of many design faults to be honest...it's a great piece of history to have though and I love it). I think Chris's bass must have had the same build fault as I notice he's had a 'thingy' attached to his headstock to stop his strings doing the same thing!! Take care, Tony PS: Not for sale but good luck in finding one. I still have the bass player mag from 1986 (Geddy Lee on the front with his black Wal), which had the original Mouradian ad in the new gear section. I drooled over it back then and it's taken over 20 years to get one. Rumours still abound that Jima nd his son are going to build them again. I would call them direct and just ask them. The ballpark figure I read for them - $3500[/quote] Hi Tony! Wow - I'd love to meet Chris too! Got eye contact with him once at a Yes gig in Sheffield!! Just got your pm message! Thanks for getting in touch mate! Nick!

Bumpos! Anyone else own one????? Nicko xxx

[quote name='gelfin' post='990678' date='Oct 16 2010, 09:58 PM']If I find him I'll offer more than anyone to buy it.[/quote] er, no you won't mate! xxx

the guy in the London area with the raspberry red one! Are you on here, if so I must meet up with you and play your bass as I want one!!! If anyone else owns one, I would be very interested in meeting up to try yours! Muchos appreciated! Nicko xxx

One of the best bands I've ever seen - saw them a year or so ago, absolutely first rate!

[quote name='i love Metal!' post='935588' date='Aug 25 2010, 03:05 AM']Hi Everyone! does anyone know of any good bass tutors around swaffham, kings lynn, norwich??[/quote] I'm bassed (!) in Peterborough and can travel - drop me a PM! Cheers! Nick

[quote name='zero9' post='938772' date='Aug 28 2010, 01:59 PM']Kingbass 'BB' fretless (the first KB fretless made!) [attachment=57583:kbbb.jpg][/quote] Is that you Wil? I just bought me a Series 2000 fretless! Take care mate! Nick

Ah! Its a Series 2000 model - from around the time Rob started doing the `slimline' neck moulding, ie the neck is not the full thickness of the body at the heel. I wonder who bought it????!!!!!!!!! Mwahahah! Nick

Again, very very upset to hear about Si - simple words can't express it but all I know is that he was a very good man and the love felt for him here is a pure and uncoloured testament to him. We met at Northampton and exchanged some messages about the first edition Squier basses and he was as dry as a bone, very funny man. Wherever you are right now mate, we luv ya x Nick

[quote name='Geddys nose' post='925275' date='Aug 15 2010, 12:16 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ovation-bass-guitar-and-ashdown-also-peavy-amp-/170527367461?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ovation-bass-guitar-...ents_Guitars_CV[/url] Early '80 Korean made(?)/US Assembled could be a good buy on its own never mind with the amps.[/quote] Hi! Now Im not an expert but as far as I know, the Ultra basses were a Precision style bass (think P bass with a shorter bottom horn) - this looks as though someone has put an Ovation neck on a J type body - if anyone can enlighten me/this thread then please do so!!! ATB! Nick