Bigwan

My mates in school wanted to put a band together and they didn't have a bass player. Now I'm the only one of the original crew still playing an instrument...

I think some of you are missing something quite vital - obviously the look isn't to everyone's taste, but surely the worn-in feel can be something everyone can appreciate? If a relic is done well it should feel like a vintage instrument as well as look like one - from playing a few vintage basses (never played any relic) there's something about a 45 year old bass that's been played a lot that makes it feel so much better than a modern version (thinking a 66 P bass vs. a current US P bass, obvious production differences aside).

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1008372' date='Nov 1 2010, 11:59 AM']What we thinking these are going to come out at?[/quote] I've asked the question. I'll post here if/when I find out.

Oh I like that... I wonder how much...

No contest in my experience. Buying new it'd have to be the Line6 Studio 110. There are quite a few on here who will agree. If you need bigger/louder think about buying used where your money will go MUCH further.

The 'Rockxxxx' monicker is a fairly recent thing compared to the age of your Warwick (good taste that man, btw - always fancied a thumb 5 from the same era) so you can be sure it's not the basses original case. Must get a local bass bash organised soon...

[quote name='acidbass' post='1004671' date='Oct 29 2010, 02:25 AM']Marcus closed about a month ago, unfortunately. Two of the guys in my band are former employees, and they said it was coming for months. A real shame really as I noodled away many a good afternoon in there![/quote] The attitude of some of the Marcus staff left much to be desired as I understand (not saying it's the same guys you know). I believe there was a bit of a boycott by the guys on fastfude - there was certainly a multipage rant about them anyway. A smile and being polite doesn't cost anything... Having said that they never did me any harm. Only time I really had any sort of conversation with any of the staff was when I pointed out they'd the wrong price on an Ibanez BTB they'd just put on the wall that minute - they were selling it at trade (guy said I probably saved his job)... that's years ago. They wouldn't want to have been relying on me for business - I gave up on most music shops here 10 years ago, just before I snagged a Wal off of TKM in Ballymena for peanuts (relatively speaking)!

I'd swap out the tuners, although if they're anything like the CV ones you might not need to. Squier's producing some top notch stuff nowadays!

[quote name='greyparrot' post='1003323' date='Oct 28 2010, 08:28 AM']personally i think these basses have had a bad start in life, but i think they are becoming more and more accepted in the bass comunity now for the tone beast that they are. I think also more players are using them now and that will creat more interest. Look at the wal bass 15 years ago bass centre could not shift them at £700 now look.[/quote] Yeah Wal's got hit with the whole 80's stigma backlash... Bongo's just got hit with the ugly stick! j/k I actually really like the look of them, but then my wife tells me I have weird taste (don't think she gets the irony in that!)...

+1 to all that GP. Love mine!

There used to be (Rea Sound in Cookstown was probably the best for bass @ a time), but alas no more. I'd love to do the bass equivalent of Mr. Drums (Coleraine), but don't currently have the time, space or money! Oddly there seem to be more drummers out there than bass players - don't know how that works... (note to self: must go down and have a word with Rob @ Mr. Drums and see how feasible it would be to do it for bass...) I find an occasional trip to London the best way for a bass fix (The Gallery) although I've yet to visit BassDirect - kinda scared to really...

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1000763' date='Oct 26 2010, 07:47 AM']Absolutely everything you can get your hands on! No, really! Considered going second-hand? There's some lovely stuff in the For Sale section, and your money'll go a LOT further...[/quote] +1 to all of that

"heading to the UK fiarly soon . . ." you say. Anything you wan't to share with the group Barry?

I would entirely disagree with my learned colleague. If it were me, and this is only my opinion, immediately strike the Stingray from your list. Any of the other 3 can be great basses, but play them first to take out the 'pig' factor The Burpster mentioned. The 4 string MM Stingrays I've owned/played have been entirely underwhelming - I prefer the Ibanez ATK any day of the week at 1/3 the price. The Bongo can be magnificent though.

Yeah! Grow a pair! You're not guitar players...

From your description a v-type pre would be the answer, but they're not easy to come by.

The way I see it I'd rather they spent 3 years getting it right before releasing it than spend 3 years fixing the problems that should have been found in R&D - the lightweight offerings from GK are a prime example - they're up to release version 7 now I believe... Having said that Larry probably should have kept the Kilo idea quite rather than saying 'coming soon'.

Unless you're handy with a soldering iron I'd go with the John East, which is plug and play (no soldering) - literally! If you're going to have to pay someone to install an Aggie pre you're almost into the East territory anyway. (If you're handy with a soldering iron you could have a go at fixing the error in the MM preamp for a start before spending any money - see the Harmony Central review of the MM for a description of how to do it.)

...and please don't be put off listening to any samples by all the self advertising BS on the website - not my choice of how things should be done!

Perhaps not as impressive post mix!

My former band have finally released their debut album. It features drumming by former Paradise Lost/current 'Six Of The Best' drummer Lee Morris (a real gent) and a guest appearance by former Cradle of Filth female vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva. Available UK wide now via Code 7 distribution and iTunes. There'll be ads in Kerrang, Metal Hammer, Terroizer and Rock Sound in the coming weeks and months, but have a look at [url="http://www.creationstears.com"]www.creationstears.com[/url] for more info, studio diaries, pics, clips and nonsense! They're sans bass player at the minute, so if anyone's interested in some melancholy metal/dark rock in the vein of Katatonia and Paradise lost then contact Eddie via the website.

I have the 4x12 that I've contemplated selling... alas you're bleeding miles away and it ain't small (and it's the older livery - Tech Soundsystems era)!

Having owned one in the past I'd say no, for me they wouldn't be worth the money at the current used/new prices. Nice basses, but not THAT nice for me. Nice for the £500 I spent on mine (although it was a VERY well used example at that price) IMHO and YMMV.

I've been doing this lately too - actually recorded my last bands whole album on methelated Elites! Works a treat!

As per you Andy, I've always been an Elites man. I think initially it was because they were available locally, but I've grown accustomed to their feel and sound. They maybe don't keep the zing as long as some others, but that suits me just fine. I vary my gauge depending on the bass and tuning, but I've come to conclusion that if my fingers can take it I'll be moving to the heaviest I can stand (50-110 at the minute, but only on my 34" scales) - it really does help my sound.