SMART

Hey, anyone mention the soundtrack from 'Dune' by TOTO??? Has some cool Brian Eno too... I have a very large soundtrack collection...luv em!!!! Ciao Ian

[quote name='WarPig' post='236324' date='Jul 10 2008, 09:49 AM']Ive started a new jazz bass project, ive got the body, bridge, neck etc, but i cant find a pickguard that fits I got one off ebay and theres no way itll fit, and i tried my sx one which turned out to be the same as the ebay one. The only problem is im not sure on the make of the body, ive emailed the seller to no avail. Any ideas?[/quote] Try the best in ze biz - the SimS Custom Shop near Ashford Kent, see SimS Custom Plates: [url="http://www.simscustom.com/html/scratchplate_files/scratchplates.html"]http://www.simscustom.com/html/scratchplat...atchplates.html[/url] Give them a call and they'll sort things out for you. Ciao Ian

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='232762' date='Jul 4 2008, 03:51 PM'] How the hell does he play those brilliant triplets, with just two fingers, at a blistering pace... and through a whole gig! does he have some super android fingers that Eddie gave to him? could he lift 500 pounds with his first two fingers on his right hand? Maybe we'll never know....[/quote] He was on the same Virgin Atlantic flight as my good self from Orlando to London Gatwick last Thursday...should have asked him! I have a theory...could be to do with his long hair just like old Samson of ancient Israel times... Ciao Ian

[quote name='StanRobinson' post='230615' date='Jul 1 2008, 03:44 PM']Being an ol' trad. analogue fart I've realised I've actually got the gear to try my hand at this digital recording lark. I've got Garageband free on my laptop and Cubase LE bundled with my mixer. Which would you use? I did play around with Cubase in the old midi / atari days but I suspect those grey cells have been wiped. Any advice appreciated. SR[/quote] GarageBand is fab! Enjoy comparing the two. I just got an M-Audio iControl for GarageBand from an Apple store in the USA last week (told it was the last in the store and got it for USD 50.00 instead of the usual USD 99.00!!!) and it's just the biz with this superb and immensely enjoyable piece of music creation software from 'ol Apple. Just some thoughts... Ciao Ian

[quote name='molan' post='227662' date='Jun 26 2008, 10:35 PM']Have you heard the boxed Cd set at all? Apart from the mono & stereo mix versions there's a whole album of just the vocals (some of which are just amazing) and also one of just the instrumental parts. A few interesting out-takes and stuff as well.[/quote] Talking of the instrumental versions of some of their greatest hits, some years ago now I purchased all the available instrumental versions of tracks such as 'God Only Knows' form the Apple iTunes website which are absolutely stunning. They are exactly the same as the full blown tracks excluding the vocal only. I've also got: 'Sloop John B' 'Catch A Wave' 'Do It Again' 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' 'Help Me Rhonda' and... the superlative 'California Girls' Highly recommend getting them as they are true gems and a great opportunity to hear the track less vocals in great and womderfully enjoyable detail. Just some thoughts... Ciao Ian

[quote name='ahpook' post='222698' date='Jun 20 2008, 10:02 AM']the bass i'm putting together for the festival date in two weeks needs a p-up rout enlarging and a set-up... any ideas for a fast-working luthier in london, preferably centrally-based. ideally i'd like it done by the end of next week] any ideas ?[/quote] If you're in a hurry call the SimS Custom Shop, they are one of the best workshops in the biz period! [url="http://www.simscustom.com/"]http://www.simscustom.com/[/url] Ciao Ian

[quote name='Cairobill' post='223668' date='Jun 21 2008, 04:25 PM']Thanks Just seeing whether Sims do nitro. N[/quote] Yes, they do and superbly! Give Martin or his colleagues a call Monday morning. Ciao Ian

[quote name='andyonbass' post='222874' date='Jun 20 2008, 01:11 PM']Dunno if they do Nitro finishes, but [url="http://www.simscustom.com/html/sprayshop.htm"]Sims Custom Shop[/url] would be closer for you, based in Ashford[/quote] Can't get better! If you want the best there ain't any contest. Note that most of the guitar and bass builders use SimS for re-finishing now including some that say they do everything in-house! Ciao Ian

I'm only there on the 12th (with a 2x 4x10 Glock rig) which is trade day as I'm abroad on biz in Europe from the 13-19th June then from 20-26th in the US of A. I'll be on the SimS Custom Shop stand which has an incredibly exciting new product launch. If any Basschaters are there I'll be pleased to say 'hi' otherwise Martin Sims and his team will be pleased to help. Ciao Ian

Just to throw something else but somewhat fundamental into the hat to dispel the myths about 'tone' woods is that THE biggest single influencer and source or any instruments tone and sound are the pickup and strings, everything else is to be honest peripheral and a lot of marketing speak has been created (and it's fun and sounds great!) about all of this. Remember to that the make of amplification and its voicing can also make its mark on your tone unless you use an amplification that truly is a transparent as you can get, then it will be your instrument that will shine through... Just some thoughts... Ciao Ian

[quote name='double dave' post='207181' date='May 27 2008, 12:57 PM']MMMMMM...... Yes, I forgot about that. Maby good old thomann are the way to go after all, apart from thay don't sell (to my knowledge) The hard cases. Although it wouldn't be hard to make my own with a pit of ply, a skateboard truck and a telescopic handle from an old suitcase! Thanks for the heads-up. Also as far as returns policy's go I think that thomann may have the upperhand due to shipping costs back out to the states being somewhat of an expense. Cheers. Oh by the way, Does anybody know anyone who is intrested in a Beringer MX9000 desk that I am selling to try and raise funds for said bass? How about a particualary rare Blonde Hofner 500/1 with gold inlays and hardware? I am going to put up a different post if anyone is interested. Thanks again everyone.[/quote] You might want to check out this thread: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=20216"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=20216[/url] If you do your homework on this you may be surprised and enlightened! Ciao Ian

Not advocating comparing it with a Marleaux, you can't at this price point, but even at the price it is going from the photos I just wanted to give some friendly warning because if the pickup routs have been cut rough it's not even a good sign on a £200 bass. Just speaking from a lot of experience and wanted to just help anyone considering these instruments to be as fully informed as possible. You pays your money... Just some more thoughts... Ciao Ian

[quote name='Bassassin' post='206451' date='May 26 2008, 11:48 AM']I'd really like to see one of these in real life - if the £200 it sold for is representative of market price, then I'd guess it's a slightly norty Korean or Chinese-made Marleaux knock off.[/quote] Just had a look at the links you posted and the other range of instruments on offer, certainly looks like very cheap Chinese imports written all over the products on offer that have had a bit of 'local' additions in Germany. You pays your money... As Oscar Wiled once said: "What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." Buyer beware! Price is not everything and we do seem to suffer from this greatly in muso circles; I'm certainly not advocating that we stop looking for the best value for money but there are other things to consider as well other than price that can usually lead to spending more money afterwards that some forum members have discovered to their chagrin ie like a former Basschat member with a used... Just some thoughts... Ciao Ian

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='206370' date='May 26 2008, 09:51 AM']I wouldn't argue but TBH at that price I'd cut a piece of plastic for the back and live with a few rough edges; the bridge looks like the real deal and the hardware in general looks better than most £200 F*nd*r copies. Even if it's only 50% of the bass that a Marleaux is, it's about 80% cheaper than the real thing![/quote] If that sort of detail has not been dealt with properly (and it's a sign of the utmost laziness and complete lack of care in using the right techniques and tooling (preferably sharp) it will in my experience mean that a similar lack of attention will also be the case in other areas of importance. My advice would be not to just look at the price...look beyond that otherwise you'll pay good earnt money for a lemon that will require more spondullies to rectify. Just some further thoughts... Ciao Ian

I speak German so I had a quick look at the website. It's an HK bass, never heard of them but it looks like a German copy of a Marleaux and at this price it may sound (no pun intended!) like a good deal but I would say 'Buyer Beware!!', the cavity cover is not even match with the body, I think it looks like an attempt by someone to make a Marleaux copy on the cheap. If you look carefully at the pickup routs you'll see it is a little on the jagged side...mmm Just some thoughts... Ciao Ian [quote name='warwickhunt' post='206351' date='May 26 2008, 09:16 AM']I came across this on ebay (I think it's more suited to this section rather than eBay as it is about this bass and not eBay per se) and seriously had to do a double take that it wasn't a Marleaux bass [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250249549733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=015[/url] Anyone had any experience with these basses?[/quote]

[quote name='Sean' post='196506' date='May 11 2008, 01:35 PM']Richard Finch. He was one of the founders and has worked with tons of people over the years.[/quote] Fantastic! Thanks for that, he had great feel for the groove keeping things tight and simple. Ciao Ian

One of my fav 70's group is KC and the Sunshine Band, especially 'Get Down Tonight' which has a killer bass line with lots of feel and lots of space. I remember reading about their bass player in an old issue of 'Bass Player' magazine but can't recall his name? I recall he plays a Fender 'J' bass and what a sound! Anyone? Ciao Ian

[quote name='The Burpster' post='196290' date='May 11 2008, 01:02 AM']Barts and flatwounds.....[/quote] Spot on...was going to advise exactly the same solution. Ciao Ian

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='195851' date='May 10 2008, 09:36 AM']And it might have been because I had too much bass in my settings but apparently, the silver grill was rattling quite a bit so I'm going to have a look at that today to see how to stop it happening.. but if anyone's had any experience of that particular problem and has a few hints, I'd be grateful? It never stops does it, this search for the perfect sound!!! Cheers Nik[/quote] Neoprene strip along the edge behind the grill?? Ciao Ian

[quote name='The Burpster' post='194878' date='May 8 2008, 06:05 PM']Can you make your own? material isnt that dear...... [/quote] Give Martin Sims a call at the SimS Custom Shop as they can make any, and I mean any, scratch plate you want and to the right spec. See: www.simscustom.com Hope that helps! Ciao Ian

[quote name='john_the_bass' post='194836' date='May 8 2008, 05:18 PM']i may be wrong, but i don't think they do invoice you in sterling, therefore you may pay a fee to your bank to convert into a euro transaction they are a bloody good company to buy from and put a lot of other dealers to shame IMO[/quote] They will invoice you in Euros so be careful. Remember too that the cost to us Brits to buy in Euros now costs us 15% more than 6-7 months ago so it could be more expensive, just do the math. Hope that helps! Ciao Ian

[quote name='Beedster' post='194320' date='May 8 2008, 12:08 AM']I like to think there's something signficant about it. I was listening to Roxy at the time. Great bass playing whoever it was. Ian, the Flea is the bollocks mate Chris[/quote] Why, Chris, I thank you! The truth is out there... Ciao Ian PS Roxys "Manifesto' is the third of my fav' album of theirs as well as 'Avalon' and 'Flesh and Blood', it has kicking basslines (sorry no pun intended Seymour Duncan!) as well, think Dance Away', one of my first ever singles I bought, me thinks it was number five (number one single ever bought was 'Hellraiser' by the exceptionally glam rocking Sweet).

Basstastic!!! Ciao Ian [quote name='Beedster' post='194308' date='May 7 2008, 11:57 PM']I used to deliver newspapers to Gary Tibbs' house when I was 13 [/quote]

[quote name='Bass_In_Yer_Face' post='194074' date='May 7 2008, 05:56 PM']Just had my IPOD on shuffle and 'Boogie Oogie Oogie' came on by A Taste of Honey. The tone of the bass on that track just makes youur teeth rattle. Played by Janice M. Johnson. Can anyone recommend anything else she played on or other female bass players worth checking out.[/quote] Yep, [b]Tina Weymouth[/b] gets my vote too. Don't forget [b]Rhonda Smith of the NPG[/b]. I met her at NAMM some years ago when we (Martin Sim and I that is) were working with Dan Lakin of Lakland basses when we did an inlay with her initials on the fret board back-lit by SimS Custom L.E.D.s. Apart from being (obviously!) very beautiful she had the tiniest of hands and fingers and still could hold down tremendous grooves! Get playing those Talking Heads CDs!! Ciao Ian