The Burpster

I'd suggest a Warwick with a p/j set up or a Fender US P. Either using flatwounds will give you that warm tone.

I started with an RBX 170 and it was a very good introduction. They sound OK play pertty well and can be set up easily. Yamaha for me.

Rob, I'm sorry I forget the Forester. Very good car and I have been tempted myself - although economics have meant that I'll keep this Jeep (or actually get a similar age Wrangler) rather than a new Subaru - however if you can afford one of the newer ones (diesel boxer) they are very good on road and the best of the modern crop of Jap soft roaders.

Currently owning (rather than talking about) a 'proper' 4x4 and having owned several others and access to countless different types I would conclude this:- If your only concern is to be able to use it off road properly then the Land rover option is pretty sound - However and this is a big however Landies do have draw backs in real every day use (yes I have owned them, and driven them a lot) They are noisy and cold. If you can ever get one to go fast enough on a road to worry about handling, they handle like a pig. Dont ever take a first date in one if you want to take her on a second date. Actually dont ever take a date in one. Unless you've washed and polished it so you can see yourself in the paintwork - dont go anywhere posh in it if you want to go there twice. Unless you have a perfect back and posture, you will walk like you've been riding a stallion bareback across ploughed fields if you drive it for any length of time. After a period of time you will be able to sport a full beard, smoke a pipe, wear a flat cap and silk waistcoat whilst waxing lyrical in a CAMRA pub about how 'brill' Landies are. What do I own? A Jeep. They are a great compromise between a vehicle you can use on a daily basis, and one that will go properly off road and not get stuck. Also you can go out in your DJ in it and not look a tw4t! They are quiet, warm and comfortable on the road and very capable off it, and very reliable. If you cant stomach buying an American vehicle - then Toyota Land cruiser or Rav 4. My ex has one of the last Nissan Terranos (3.0l diesel) which is excellent but tyres can be a problem as it has ridiculous 17" rims and only 1 company makes an A/T tyre for that size. Steer clear of anything else with 'rover' in the name (ie, discovery, freelander, range rover) unless you want to spend as much sorting out niggling problems (some major) as you do using it.

Make sure you get the correct model and the correct size post (3/8" and 1/2") otherwise you will be cussing when it comes.... All of my basses have one fiitted - if you play in drop D they are invaluable.

So without going into the boring details I find myself living on my own again. The last few months haven't been fun, and the thing that's suffered most is playing..... So herein lies the funny thing - Part of my settling in my new digs, is liberating my CD collection from the ex's place and having them out to play - ALSO having set up a hi-fi again to play them through. ( ipods were about the limit of the ex's musical prowess!). I haven't gone overboard with the set up but optimised it - its a Fatman with a TEAC CD player but re-valved and QED connects and speaker cables. So what? you say.... Well.... I've started listening to music again, no - [u]really listening[/u] - and can after 10 yrs of sh!t compressed MP3 can finally hear it again..... WOW ! what have I been missing? some of the bass lines are way more simple than I've been trying to emulate, although some are considerably more complex... Listening to CDs how the artist (or mixer) wanted it to be heard is a revelation - I urge you all to get your CDs out and forget the convenience of MP3 ! !!! Oh and to reason for the post, my finger tips hurt again from trying to play new stuff - not felt that for about 6 years!

[quote name='fatback' post='1111452' date='Feb 1 2011, 06:57 PM']An important point is that cheap basses can be very good to play but let down by their cheap electronics. If you don't have much cash, go passive. You can add a preamp, onboard or outboard, later. [/quote] I'm not dissing any other posts but for the OP (that's you shinkicker!) the above is the best answer so far - So Shinkicker, this always comes down to how much money you have to spend!. Sorry but that's the way it is. You're hooked so that's not a problem what to get next is - Work out how much you have to spend and then trawl through the basses for sale section on here. Most of the basses sold on here (apart from posters using BC as an alternative to ebay - Grrrrrrrr!) have usually been used by someone who's been playing a while and probably set it up fairly well...... If you have a shop nearby go and have a play if they'll let you, and see what floats your boat. The active passive thing really shouldn't be a sticking point for you (although its good you ask). Feel, style and cost should. Don't get too hung up on the old sour pusses above who advocate one type over the other, they have honed their preferences over a period of time and probably spent a great deal of dosh as well coming to the conclusions they have. I'm not even adding my opinion as its irrelevant.

Unless it has issues - or is battered any Ibanez for less than £100 is a good buy.

Stevie, Go on the Hippy website, find which one of their bass machines is the same as yours and the D tuner then has the same classification- The guys are correct with their assessment its the BT-2 you need.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1106673' date='Jan 28 2011, 08:18 PM']My understanding was that the Mexican Fenders were actually US parts shipped to Mexico for assembly,where the lower labour costs made the product cheaper?[/quote] US wood parts, that is correct but they are finished/ assembled there, but also have locally sourced components as well.

Its not finished yet - it is to have a satin finish, and needs a couple of 'low spots' filling and recuring. Should be finished in around 2 weeks..... WOW..!

Just got this pic from Harris.... OMG this is my neck.....

[quote name='Killerfridge' post='1103024' date='Jan 26 2011, 12:16 AM']I still get a proper smile when I pick up either of my basses, because they sound beautiful![/quote] Irrespective of cost, make, or genre [u]that[/u] is the only thing that matters! [quote name='Davo-London' post='1104592' date='Jan 27 2011, 12:06 AM']I don't think i have ever seen so much ignorance and jealousy in a single thread. It's up to the owner whether they keep or sell their custom bass. It's no-one else's business.[/quote] Fundamentally I agree with the topic of your thread - But - ignorance and jealousy....? Sorry but I don't see that. The OP provoked speculation about why this should happen, that's all I see most posts in this thread being - speculation.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1104131' date='Jan 26 2011, 06:22 PM']Or.....People really like Fenders (strange I know). I know that even with all my fancy instruments,my 'go-to' basses are Fenders.[/quote] I personally think its to do with image. Only bass sists or anal-retentive g'tards would appreciate or notice if you were playing anything but P or J on stage. Play one of those (or a very close copy) and folks say... 'so your the bass player then..!' Fact of life - but TBF the P or J do fit into most music genres without looking massively out of place. Try saying that about a Warwick Vampyre NT ......

+1

That's the sad reality, whilst there are oooodles of basses out there better made, better QC'd, cleverer and more tonally proficient, if you're playing live, folks understand if you play a Fender.... ....whatever.....

Seeing as that post was 18months ago I'd be gobsmacked if they are still around.....!

I'm not aware of any frets that are that soft that they'd wear out in 12 months, even playing 8hrs a day every day.... I'd say that was a load of old tosh. Squires are usually bomb proof!