muttley

[quote name='Roland Rock' post='1311243' date='Jul 21 2011, 10:09 AM']They look really nice, but there's something about basses based closely on guitar designs that sits uncomfortably with me.[/quote] Like the Fender Precision? I'll get my coat...

[quote name='silddx' post='1303043' date='Jul 13 2011, 11:46 PM']I think we have to ask, what makes a player choose a fretless bass over a fretted bass?[/quote] IMO they are different instruments but they do a similar job. I've only been playing bass a short time but I come from a violin playing background so, to me, to not have frets is natural. I prefer the feel; it's like you are more "into" the instrument. But, as ever, it's horses for courses. I would like to see more fretless players out there though.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1302441' date='Jul 13 2011, 03:10 PM']I like it it's just a shame about the colour choices.[/quote] And they have those funny bits of wire across the fingerboard . Actually, I quite like the look of them. The prices also look OK. They just need to expand the offering a little.

I prefer him playing other people's records.

[quote name='retrohelix' post='1301856' date='Jul 13 2011, 03:11 AM'] [/quote] Sounds far too much like Jaco

I'm sure there was a Fender bass with fretless maple neck posted FS here recently. Could have been a Precision, though. I'll see if I can find the thread. edit: it was a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=143096&hl=fretless+maple"]Precision[/url]. Sorry.

To the OP: how do you feel it went?

[quote name='timo' post='1293045' date='Jul 5 2011, 08:14 AM']I did mine a few years ago and didn't get any UCAS credit for it, but then I was going for an electronics degree... Good luck with the exam dude![/quote] Is that because UCAS did not offer credit for any music grade exam passes* or that the particular course/university did not accept it? * there was a time when grade exams did not help at all with gaining a university place, as was the case when I entered higher eduction

[quote name='Monckyman' post='1286857' date='Jun 29 2011, 07:41 PM']At the risk of being shot down again, I suggest the OP not get put off by all this technical stuff. If you feel like making a box, make a box. You can only learn from it. if what you learn is that using software to design your next box is a good idea, then it`s still worth it. If you get a good box, result. Point is to do something. MM[/quote] Wise words. JFDI .

[quote name='alexclaber' post='1286791' date='Jun 29 2011, 06:41 PM']You could design a neo motor to have much the same non-linearities as AlNiCo or ferrite motors by changing the steel parts, you could even stick some steel in to get similar eddy currents but with the tiny magnets and lightweight frames of most guitar speakers there really isn't much point to the extra cost.[/quote] Static performance, yes. Shaped pole pieces, correct over/under hang and offset, even steering magnets. Dynamic behaviour? I expect that's a bit more tricky... Not tried it myself, though so can't properly comment, but with the help of time-variant FEA and a generous dose of Mr Klippel's kit I'm sure someone has done it.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='1286746' date='Jun 29 2011, 06:01 PM']Guitar is the one area where neo has not yet made major inroads, because most guitar drivers don't use very large magnets nor have high xmax values.[/quote] Thanks, that's what I assumed. I would have thought the main reason is that neo motor assemblies don't have the same non-linearities as AlNiCo or ferrite systems, therefore won't impart the same distortion characteristics as drivers using those materials. Cost issues aside, it seems a no-brainer to specify neo for other MI cabs, but musicians can be a conservative bunch, hence my uncertainty on what the current thinking stands regarding widespread adoption.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='1286582' date='Jun 29 2011, 04:16 PM']As anyone in the industry will confirm, the price of neo is going through the roof and looks set to remain very high for the forseeable future.[/quote] Thanks for that info. I guess the situation as it was was unsustainable. Does this mean a (partial) reversion to ferrite? And I promise to say no more on the subject of Eminence .

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='1286571' date='Jun 29 2011, 04:08 PM']More than a few I'd say. Neo has owned the high end PA genre ($5k and up per cab) for a decade, musical instruments for the last five years.[/quote] Yes, I knew about the dominance of neo in PA. It's not [i]that[/i] long that I've been out of the industry . But for MI, do you mean non-guitar applications?

[quote name='redstriper' post='1286509' date='Jun 29 2011, 03:15 PM']Really? I've had them in my cabs for years and never even noticed the crapness, but thanks for the heads up. And all the Barefaced range are crap - better tell Alex Claber, I'm sure he'd like to know and Bill Fitz will be interested since he also recommends them.[/quote] Perhaps I came across as a little harsh, but all the Eminence drivers I have seen looked like a dog's breakfast. Yes, they make a noise but then a 2CV will also get you from A to B. [quote name='redstriper' post='1286509' date='Jun 29 2011, 03:15 PM']And all the Barefaced range are crap - better tell Alex Claber, I'm sure he'd like to know and Bill Fitz will be interested since he also recommends them.[/quote] Sorry, I don't understand the point you are making here. I gave my opinion. Others are entitled to theirs, surely?

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='1286423' date='Jun 29 2011, 02:00 PM'][url="http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?pageid=winisd"]http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?pageid=winisd[/url][/quote] That's a good piece of s/w (I was a beta tester about a dozen or so years ago... oh, I see it's still in beta ) Go for the Celestion driver. Eminence speakers are crap. BTW, Celestion used to offer a cab design/info service (they certainly did when I worked for the company) so it may be worth checking their website or giving them a call/e-mail. Neodymium used to be a problem in terms of its instability at high temperatures (pro loudspeaker motor systems can get very warm when driven hard). That, coupled with relatively high cost, ruled it out of many applications. However, newer alloys coupled with good quality Chinese sources have addressed these issues. I've been out of the game for a few years now so don't know what the latest thought is on neo but I would say go for it. Your back will thank you!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1286320' date='Jun 29 2011, 12:40 PM']At the moment fretless bass doesn't really suit either of the band I play in[/quote] That's an interesting observation. Care to elaborate?

[quote name='dannybuoy' post='1286231' date='Jun 29 2011, 11:29 AM']My first bass was a fretless![/quote] Mine too! I acquired a fretted bass a the w/e. It feels, er, weird

[quote name='FlatEric' post='1283975' date='Jun 27 2011, 12:38 PM']I also have one. [url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2010/09/little-more-aria.html"]SB Special II[/url][/quote] Thanks for that. Any idea how much these basses are worth? Mine's in OK condition, obviously well used but in still in good shape.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='1283877' date='Jun 27 2011, 11:27 AM']The first digit of the serial number is generally the year of manufacture; 0=1980, 1=1981 etc. - I'd expect to see a 3 or 4 at the start of yours.[/quote] Thanks for that. Serial number starts with a 4 so it's a 1984 then.

I just acquired this bass: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5875982555/"][/url] It's an Aria Pro II SB Special II, made in Japan. What approx year of manufacture are these basses? Are they regarded as good instruments? It certainly plays well and has a good punchy sound. BTW, I did put some photos in the [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=87338&view=findpost&p=1283765"]Gear Porn[/url] thread but I realise my questions would be better answered here.

I've just acquired this Aria Pro II SB Special II: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5875982555/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5875982555/"]DSCF5610[/url] on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5876542782/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5876542782/"]DSCF5612[/url] on Flickr Thumb rest is obv. not original but generally the bass is in pretty good nick apart from a few cracks in the lacquer. Can anyone tell me more about this instrument? It was made in Japan and I'm guessing early 80s but catalogues I have seen on-line don't picture this exact version with the 2 matching pickups. TIA . ETA: @FlatEric: looks like the same model as your last 2 pics in post #5.

There's a nice bass [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142040"]for sale in the classifieds[/url]. Lots of bass for £200 IMO.

[attachment=83193:DSCF5506.JPG] Vintage V1004

I'm new to bass playing so I only have one (so far ). [attachment=82839:DSCF5604.JPG] I bought it on eBay for a little over £150. I think I did rather well.