muttley

Was Mick Sweeney the guy that self-built his bass out of aluminium and perspex with LEDs in the neck?

So, which are the headline acts appearing at Glastonbury this year? I know it's not The Wombles but they are probably getting more publicity. Got to be something in that!

I can think of 3 reasons: 1. you already own the bass 2. you get a really good s/h deal on the fretted version of an instrument you like but want the fretless version 3. the instrument you want is not available fretless as standard A possible 4th reason is the relative scarcity of fretless basses. Just look at the FS section here. I reckon it's about 20:1 in favour of basses with frets.

80s revival innit

[quote name='obbm' post='1244391' date='May 25 2011, 03:42 PM']in the UK most US products are handled by an importer who forecasts, orders and buys from the manufacturer and resells to the store, so there are 2 sets of mark-up being applied.[/quote] Don't forget our 20% VAT as well. To properly compare UK to US prices you should deduct the VAT. After all, VAT is charged by the Gubbishment, not the retailer. Also, prices displayed in US shops/websites [u]do not[/u] include any kind of sales tax.

[quote name='arthurhenry' post='1240276' date='May 22 2011, 12:58 PM']Living in the past?[/quote] Is that a song or a reference to the taste of the compiler of the OP's clip? IGMC

I have GAS . In my teens I played (guitar) in a band with a guy that had a Hayman bass. Weighed a ton but sounded great.

He's really into nasty blowy things, but the County is offering some free lessons so we thought "why not?". Also, he didn't seem to take any persuading . I will be interesting to see how he gets on and whether he sticks at it. Watch this space.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1230188' date='May 13 2011, 05:34 PM']I can see this is going to be a long list of all the string makes.[/quote] It would be useful if players wrote a few words describing their experience with each brand/model of string. A list of strings used is about as much use as a price list without the prices!

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1230229' date='May 13 2011, 05:59 PM']IIRC tension is to do with core gauge rather than total string gauge. As a rule of thumb a thicker string will generally have a thicker core, but it's not foolproof, strings can have thinner cores and thicker windings. [/quote] Aye, which is why I wrote "apparent" heavy gauge . These strings were recommended to me and I was initially shocked by the numbers on the packet. However, my fear was unfounded .

OK, I'm a relative newbie but I've just put Rotosound TruBass black nylon-wound strings on my bass. The sound is awesome. It now sounds more like a [i]bass[/i] and less like a [i]guitar[/i] . Despite the apparent heavy gauge, they seem easier to play than standard gauge steel-would strings IMO.

I dunno, but probably Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag. I wasn't a bass player then, BTW .

I've just bought a practice amp off Pete. Very easy to deal with and very accommodating.

I've just bought a s/h Vintage V1004 fretless with maple top for a very reasonable price .

I played guitar a bit in my teens. Was in a couple of bands briefly and also the county youth jazz orchestra (I learned all the chords, but most importantly was completely blown away by the ability of the bass player which is perhaps why, 25+ years later, I am learning to play bass myself). [url="http://www.guitarmaniacs.de/gallery_pics/jzXgu5uvjXMb6zGaxT7xteIU9.jpg"]This is an example of the guitar I still have.[/url]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1190930' date='Apr 6 2011, 07:56 PM']I think it's a bit of a red herring saying that you'll be better off with an unlined bass. Yes, lines essentially a crutch, but even with them you shouldn't be looking at the fretboard that much so it shouldn't really make any difference in the long term, it'll just help you start out. In saying that, I think lined fretlesses are ugly as sin. They do just look like someone's trying to play a fretless but can't be bothered to learn properly to me (not so much with the cheap ones as it's easier to accept that they're new to fretless, but with expensive ones it never looks good IMO). But as a bass teacher I'd never recommend a student not to get a lined.[/quote] Thanks for your helpful comments. I'll discuss it with my teacher a bit more. He didn't explicitly say to not get a lined, just that he preferred unlined.

[quote name='iconic' post='1190753' date='Apr 6 2011, 05:58 PM']..I think I may have assumed you were new to bass (bass lessons in 1st post)...those 'cheater lines' on the Yamaha's and Squier VMJF's do make the fretless a lot easier to play....well they do for me [/quote] I am new to bass and my teacher would like/prefer/has suggested I get an unlined bass. I would prefer this myself as I will develop a better technique. BTW, I also play the violin (I passed Grade 8) which doesn't have any lines either .

[quote name='skhatru' post='1190049' date='Apr 6 2011, 08:13 AM']Warwick Rockbass are good value too, I just dont like the look of Warwick basses, and I had a "posh" Warwick that I really couldn't live with, so don't listen to me on these lol.[/quote] OTOH, I [i]do[/i] like their look so these are on my short list. [quote name='skhatru' post='1190049' date='Apr 6 2011, 08:13 AM']You could pick up a brand new Yamaha RBX 270J for £200? It's a passive bass, with both precision and Jazz type pickups. Lightweight. Good quality, and nice range of sounds.[/quote] I've seen several recommendations for Yamaha, either RBX or BB. However, I'm really after an unlined fingerboard and the Yams, AFAICT, are all lined.

[quote name='pete.young' post='1190085' date='Apr 6 2011, 08:53 AM']Did you see this in the For Sale forum? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120780"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120780[/url][/quote] I didn't, but I've got it in my eBay watch list .

[quote name='pete.young' post='1189560' date='Apr 5 2011, 07:56 PM']If you make it as far as Ipswich you're welcome to come and try mine, and I'm happy to go and check out basses if you end up looking at something at this end of the county.[/quote] That's a very kind offer. Are there any guitar shops in Ipswich? I used to live there but haven't been back in years!

[quote name='Bankai' post='1189396' date='Apr 5 2011, 05:58 PM']If you like the Gibsons, then perhaps look at getting an Epiphone model second hand? Dare I say a Thunderbird? [/quote] Sorry, but <can't find the sick smiley>. Whilst I love Gibson guitars (I even own one*) I much prefer more modern-looking basses. I was a teenager in the 80s when loads of new brands were emerging and developing: Wal, Musicman, Steinberger, Strata/Status, Jaydee, Warwick and so on. I always liked the look of these and now that I have re-discovered playing, albeit on an instrument new to me, that's the kind of thing I want. * no, I won't sell it. It's part of my history, like my first violin.

I'm in West Suffolk, but I'm thinking a trip to Colchester would be very worthwhile. BTW, are you saying that CC in Ipswich currently has a Rockbass? NB: I'm after a fretless.

Well, I can keep the Squire P for pretty-much as long as I need it but my teacher would prefer me to get an unlined fretless. Since this narrows my choice considerably (I've been looking...) it's a good job I'll have the loan instrument for a while!

Thanks for the replies so far. I've been loaned a de-fretted* Squire P for the time being. It's pretty "well used" but seems to play OK but, most importantly, gives me a reference point. I find the weight of this OK. Is the VM Jazz heavier? I don't recall it being overly heavy when I tried one in a shop recently. * my teacher said he would start me on fretless to see how it goes. I have to say I find this very natural coming from a violin playing background so hopefully I can stick at it. Problem is, the choice of instrument is somewhat restricted compared to fretted basses.

[quote name='Shambo' post='1182697' date='Mar 30 2011, 08:33 PM']Although the way Warwick prices are heading ATM, if you save your pennies, you might be able to pick up a posher model quicker than you think.[/quote] That's interesting. Any particular reason for this? Market flooded or general economic gloom?