dc2009

[quote name='longtimefred' post='1365505' date='Sep 7 2011, 05:36 PM']I used to cringe at the thought of a Chapman Stick, just thought it was a really uber geeky thing to play. That guy playing on the video was really good. credit to the man. Now put it in a song..... lol (waiting to be hit with links to videos of songs with chapman sticks in now to prove me wrong) lol.[/quote] There's a guy on here who used to play live bass for Cynic (I know, I was drooling with admiration), he used the Stick with them on occasion.

I agree and my preconceptions tend to match what I think of the people. Where would I like my basses made? Places where precision and workmanship are commonplace, IMO that's Germany and Japan, and to a lesser extent Korea and one or two other European companies. Where do I think the workforce are most likely to be lazy slackers? The USA, Mexico, the UK (yes, I said it) etc. I'd far rather have a MIJ Fender than an MIA...

[quote name='MB1' post='1365302' date='Sep 7 2011, 02:19 PM']MB1. Yes but unlike the internet, shops do have large overheads to meet[/quote] Digital Village have about 7 stores?

[quote name='funkle' post='1364890' date='Sep 7 2011, 07:19 AM']Hadn't thought of that. Could I take a 5 string SJ5 and restring it E-C and have it sound good? I'll need to check their literature on that.[/quote] I think it would most likely sound immense, but check the literature, as there is definitely the right combination out there for you. Also, if I had the money, I'd own a fanned fret bass today, I was thoroughly impressed with the Canadian Dingwall.

Unfortunately mate, it's probably largely the courier. I very much like dv247, who are great for prices and service in my book - unfortunately their courier is DPD, whose drivers are liars that also cannot work doorbells.

Knowing my basslines inside out doesn't guarantee me not making a mistake! Having a decent sound man is another one. If he doesn't know what's going on then it sounds like fart if you ask me

Fanned frets could be a possibility, especially given how you like to string. Check out some Dingwalls would be the obvious answer, though there are other luthiers out there that may better suit your scale length desires

[quote name='gjones' post='1364855' date='Sep 7 2011, 01:23 AM']I hate to be a killjoy but an average classical guitarist could do that on a guitar easy peasy. The guy's just making it more difficult for himself by playing it on a 4 string bass. What next? Is he going to try playing it on a unicycle while tightrope walking over the Niagra Falls. Impressive but ultimately pointless. I'm such a heartless bastard![/quote] No worries mate, I wasn't impressed by the technicality of it, I myself can play arguably more technical two handed tapping pieces, thing is, he wrote that, and IMO it sounds bloody good, not just the tone but the whole piece, that's what I was impressed with!

[quote name='Deep Thought' post='1364087' date='Sep 6 2011, 01:56 PM']Our guitarist recently went to Manson's. He's been looking to change his whole setup-guitar (he's just got a Les Paul), amp (trade his US Fender Strat and Fender tweed combo for an orange head and cab), and get an electro acoustic. Manson's just didn't want to know-offered him derisory trade-in figures on his Strat and amp, which would have given them ridiculous profit margins, and he got the general impression of 'We're Manson's, we can do what we like'. He went round to Project Music and came away with a good deal on a Blackstar head and cab, and a Fender acoustic, with a hard case thrown in. I've been to Manson's many times, and although they have a decent selection of stuff, I don't recall anyone ever asking me if I wanted any help, however long I've spent in there. Pretty hefty prices to boot.[/quote] The boss guy in project music is always a real gent too, a pleasure to deal with. Hugh Manson seems like a grumpy old sod every time I've been in there....

[quote name='thegallery' post='1364706' date='Sep 6 2011, 10:05 PM']Hi people I take on board all the comments, and it's true I can come across as a tad surly from time to time, and it is inexcusable I agree There are a lot of time wasters and people who come to try gear, and then go and buy it cheaper on line. I do get a lot of people in like yourself billy, who say I've just come in for a look round, which is all well and fine, it's not a case of being deliberately unhelpful but if you had said, I've come to try the Wal i'm interested, then of course It's no problem at all. The bass does belong to a customer, and i did assure them that i would keep people trying it out to a minimum. To other people who have had a bad experience, all i can do is apologise, we are a small, busy operation and it's sometimes not easy to give people the time they deserve. alex[/quote] What a response. This is first rate customer care, and I will definitely be back in! I didn't so much have a bad experience myself, just a little disappointing. I asked to be put through a different amp when trying out something, and then was put through another very similar amp of the same brand, just at the other end of the shop. Not a big gripe but it really didn't give me the right idea! I really would like it if you guys had a payment system of installments. I'm a full time student and can only manage part time, minimum wage work to supplement my income, meaning disposable income is slow to roll in. I'm London based and tried a Tanglewater in your shop, but I would never be able to afford a new one in one go (I would just spend the money on something cheaper on the For Sale forum on here on ebay if I tried saving up). I've resolved to buy one in the coming months if I can, but the only place that seem to do such a payment system with a competitive price for the bass is bassdirect, who at present, it seems I will probably have to go through, even though I'd rather buy from you as I tried it (among other basses) in your store. I appreciate most of your customers are far more liquid with their funds than I am, but it really would go a long way to persuading me to buy from you guys and not anyone else. Dan

I've never seen a shop demo bass that is for sale at full price if it has been damaged in any way. If it has any demo dings, then it is usually priced accordingly, and you can certainly haggle that price too...

I've had unhelpful service from that John guy before, but very helpful service from that Martin guy. Now I don't look like I have bags of money and I don't, but will fork out what I can for the right bass. As said in another thread, when I asked if they would do an installments based payment for bass and they said no (only a Tanglewater 5), I realised this was not the place to take my business, when other places will.

PM'd

[quote name='charic' post='1363725' date='Sep 6 2011, 08:06 AM']Definately understand the maple fretboard syndrom (may well have complimented the blue one nicely). Don't get me wrong, I love both but I have serious GAS for a blue flame maple Shuker atm and yours was pretty close [/quote] If I could've kept both, believe me I would've done so That Shuker does sound lovely too. I think Antonio misses it too And don't worry man I'm taking good care of her. She's living in the hardcase, which I've had to make room for in my bedroom as she's getting played all the hours I have! Sounded fantastic at an acoustic gig I did the other night, got another one tonight I've just remembered, where I'm sure she'll steal the show again.

I've broken/had ligament damage in various fingers over the past few years, mostly through sport, though one break was falling over drunk. It's gutting when you can't play, but the one thing I've learned is that if it hurts at all when you're playing, don't play at all, as you're only aggravating the affected area.