99ster

If you have any old master DAT tapes that you treasure - it's a [b]VERY[/b] good idea to get everything transferred OFF them as soon as you can...then make multiple digital copies on other media. Just had some painful experiences playing album master DAT tapes from the mid to late 1990's... Basically your old DAT's are very likely to have deteriorated...hopefully not to the point that they start to error - because there is [u]no way[/u] to fix or recover the audio from them. Some [url="http://www.minidisc.org/dat_archiving.html"]info online here[/url] and [url="http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4627757-1.html"]here[/url]. And scarily these articles are 16 and 12 years old...

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' post='1283561' date='Jun 27 2011, 12:20 AM']I agree on this. Its very difficult to say why (IMO) the old ones sound better, as every post on this thread has merit. "We've forgotten nothing, but learnt lots about making guitars, so they should be better now", is a great point someone made, and difficult to argue against, unless you've played a good (and there are some bad 'uns) early Fender Bass. I think its a combination of everything, the woods, the pickups, the windings, the wires, and of course, the age. Whenever i pick up a 'new' bass, i find they all sound the same, the strings feel very tight, like they are going to snap at any moment. The controls are very responsive, but its all too 'metal-ly, too trebly, regardless of amp settings etc. The old ones [i]are[/i] different, its a fact, i've played plenty, and own a few. They are soft, and warm, and playing one is like eating hot buttery toast in your favourite old slippers, it just feels sooo comfortable, and its as if it knows, instinctively what you are playing and how its supposed to sound, and it works every time. The best playing, and sounding bass i ever had was a '60 Jazz, just incredible, but here's the thing, which will argue about the components being the difference, the closest i've come to that feel/sound, is my '58 P-bass, which feels and sounds very, very similar to that jazz. One has slab rosewood board, twin pickups, stack controls, the other has maple neck, split coil, single volume and tone knobs. Explain that? Plug it in, and you just melt into it, thin, worn neck, with such tone. I have a Custom Shop Relic '58, that looks the same in every way, how does it sound?, it couldnt be further from the real '58. Is it a great sounding bass? Yes, just different. Are the old ones better (I'm comparing a [i]good[/i] old one with a [i]good[/i] new one here)?, in my opinion, and that of most players i know, yes they are, way better! Can i explain why?, as you've seen here....No, sorry! What i will say, is you're ever in a vintage shop, and theres an 'old' bass in (I'm talking at least pre-'64), just have a play, if you havent already, and see, its all a matter of personal taste at the end of the day i guess.[/quote] +1 Sums it up perfectly for me.

[quote name='Sercet' post='1277879' date='Jun 21 2011, 10:52 PM']Did it sell for $16,000 at auction? [url="http://www.guitarsquid.com/Latest/townshend-guitar-sells-for-50k.html"]http://www.guitarsquid.com/Latest/townshen...ls-for-50k.html[/url][/quote] Yes - that's definitely the same one. Really pleased for the guy...

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1276756' date='Jun 21 2011, 10:18 AM']I had a lightweight Rig with a Powersoft Digimod 1500W Poweramp and an Ampeg Pre..i think they were both under 6-8kg together. I also had a 4x10 Neo lightweight cab with 23kg. I also had a Sansamp, EBS Microbass2, GP Lightstone etc. That was workable. Now i play a Sunn 300T all tube amp and 2x15 Sunn Cabs. I only play for having fun. If it is too big, or boosting my ego, if it is overamped for gigs or too heavy. I don´t care, the only reason i use this one, is the fun it makes to hear this combination..the godly tone. Everything else doesn`t matter for me. The audience still believes i play guitar or be to stupid to play 6 strings on a guitar. But i hear the difference and i am the most important person i am interested in. I bought my car according to my rig I have no time for compromises.[/quote] I like your style...

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' post='1273072' date='Jun 17 2011, 07:16 PM']Yup, £650 is way too much. I have a mid-60's Senator, without the staple pickups. Took it to Denmark Street about 8 years ago to sell for a friend, barely got offered £250 for it. And that's without a broken neck. Like Happy Jack said - they're a great recording bass and for noodling around the house, but live they are very limited. (But very cool if you compress the life out of it;) )[/quote] My 1965 needed a complete neck re-set ([url="http://www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk/"]Andy Viccars[/url] did a great job - plays like new now)... I [b]love[/b] it for recording - really pleased with the tone [url="http://soundcloud.com/thereverbtale/piano-drums-bass"]on this recording[/url] I did recently... But I've never tried one live - they are very light - so I'd bet they'd feedback like mad if you really whacked up the volume. You do see people try & sell them for mad prices...

Many, many thanks for posting that. Simonon is a total legend & still THE coolest bass player ever.

Julian bought a T-Bird off me & it was a perfect transaction. Please add this fine fellow to your 'A List' of the best basschatters. Highly recommended!!!

[quote name='Mugz.wood' post='1267449' date='Jun 13 2011, 03:55 PM']thanks 99ster have u used him can u link me up any of your tracks he's mastered?[/quote] He's been doing it since 1969 - [url="http://www.skyemastering.com/pastmasters.htm"]just some of the thousands[/url] - and he's recommended & used by Phill Brown (of the greatest engineers ever) which is enough for me...

[quote name='Mugz.wood' post='1267415' date='Jun 13 2011, 03:32 PM']ok cool do u know of any good mastering engineers? how much do they cost usually? and when u say the mix is gash do u mean if the recordings nasty ot if u dont leave enough head room? thanks[/quote] Try the legendary [url="http://www.skyemastering.com/index.html"]Denis Blackham[/url] - you won't get much better...

PM sent...