paul, the

[quote name='mhuk' post='6771' date='May 25 2007, 07:51 PM']Hell's teeth! Is that considered vintage? Surely not?[/quote] No, I don't personally consider that vintage - but it had the visual and feel of a vintage bass. In my opinion 1980-present day is non-vintage. But I don't know if vintage refers to a specific period in time or anything about 30 years old or more.

I've been thinking about vintage instruments recently. I used to own a 20 year old bass and I loved the fact that I could see the end of the truss-rod and that I couldn't see my reflection in the machine heads. Now I have a 1997 Precision special. And although it's nicer to play and probably sounds better, it doesn't have the things above that I liked about the old bass. Sadly, I can't really afford vintage basses [u]and[/u] a giggable amp that will do them justice. But I certainly miss their character, personality and charm collated from brand and the bass as an individual. To be honest, I think I passionately dislike modern basses. But hopefully I'll make some money when I'm older and join you as a collector, and a player.

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='6645' date='May 25 2007, 04:48 PM']Hi Guys, I had the first rehearsal with my new funk band last night - minus one guitarist. I decided to get together with a guy I work with and two friends, and although I knew Lee (drummer) was awesome, I had no idea how good my work friend would be. My mate Kris is mad on funk and soul music, and he is a professionally trained vocalist, so he was a natural choice. So, we met up with a lineup of Drums, Bass, Keyboards and vocals - and despite missing a guitarist, we seemed to "gel" really well together. We played Jamiroquai's "Runaway" and "Too Young to Die", Tower Of Power's "Soul With a Capital S" and "Diggin on James Brown", and the classic "Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. I havent had so much fun in my life! It was tight and groovey, and everyone was left excited and eager to get together again and continue - I think I am onto something with these guys! I cant wait for the next one - we have got the next 3 weeks booked up for rehearsals and we are going to learn about 10-15 songs for covers, and then work on writing our own songs. We even had a little play around with some ideas I have been working on for ages, and I think we have at least 2-3 ideas for originals - I will keep you all informed but I wanted to share the joy![/quote] Sounds fantastic. I'm proper FO jealous. Get a cheap recording on BC quick!

[quote name='steve-norris' post='6336' date='May 25 2007, 10:53 AM']Well they are based on a vintage design ( Hagstrom bi-sonics as used on the Guild starfire and M85) but they sound far from retro, have a listen here [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papi84CXQ5U"]jefferson airplane[/url] also they may look like humbuckers but are in fact single coils with large magnets, the 'other poles' are in fact pole piece adjusters (wait untill the 2 min mark for the solo) [url="http://www.basspickup.com"]Darkstar pickups website[/url][/quote] I think I see what you mean. That sounded like a modern bass with effects with a bit of vintage woody semi-acousticness thrown in, despite being 1970 - must have been very interesting at the time. --- So what's the difference between vintage pickups like on Fender RI and modern one. I can see this going into why pickups sound different from each other - which I would like to know. --- I'd still like to hear other vintage ideas, if there are any. paul.

This sort of thing does my nut in! The first emotion that overcame me wasn't sympathy, but pure, unmitigated anger. Your heart must have sank when you heard about this. I recently sent a bass with PF, insured for £1500. Aside from the fact it cost about £45 to send, you're saying hat if it was damaged I would only have received £150? What if an item is lost/stolen in transit? Why can't guitars be fully insured? --- Who can we use to fully insure expensive guitars? --- I hope you get this sorted out and compensated OG. To be honest, I just want to start cracking skulls. £150 my arse.

[quote name='Bushmaster' post='6576' date='May 25 2007, 03:29 PM']Actually, I very much like that sort of toying around with ideas. You can always still give things a second thought. But if you just put up with things as they allegedly are, and always have been that way, blah..., you're helplessly stuck with it. I can't post sound samples but if I may just mention a few recommendable alternatives not yet discussed so far:[list] [*]Dean Markley Ground Round Wound™ Bass (2626 MED .049 - .062 - .084 - .108) [overall powerful sound, mild highs, yet good pick click] [*]Ken Smith Slick Round Medium (.044 - .062 - .084 - .106) [smooth bass, live mids, semi-bright, cuts through played pizz or with a pick] [*]Rickenbacker 95577 Round Ground (.048 - .062 - .077 - .098) [just as expected: a mellower version of their classy pure nickel rounds] [/list]Maybe bass_ferret would be the one to comment on the sound and feel etc. of Status halfrounds -? <expectantly>[/quote] Cheers, brilliant!

[quote name='steve-norris' post='6095' date='May 24 2007, 10:24 PM']The surfcasters did indeed have two lipsticks but they were only produced until around 89-90, not sure if that counts as modern. Tonally they do have a retro sound, warm and friendly. Mine ( my second) now has a Darkstar in the bridge + a HAS sound varitone. Which brings me neatly onto the Lakland Decade, it's got a retro body shape and a pair of darkstars so ticks all the retro boxes, unless you have played a bass with darkstars. They can do the retro tone with the right EQ but a lot more, they have massive output both in terms of volume and tonal range and are very far from being a one trick pony. Check out the darkstar forum over on the dudepit for more including sound clips. I think the reason they are perceived as a vintage pickup is due to looks, I believe Fred is working on a version with more modern looking plastic surrounds which may bring them to a wider audience. Kent Armstrongs lipsticks are a more of a tribute to vintage lipsticks pickups, they have higher output and are much punchier, they do have that 'smoothness' but are more similar to a standard jazz pickup. I had a pair in my Jaguar and it could ( unlike me) sound good slapped. If you really want a modern bass with vintage tone it's got to be a passive p or j fender really.[/quote] Sure 89-90 is modern, anything post '79 I guess I class as modern. I perceive darkstars as vintage because they were described as bing so on the Lakland site. I'm sure Jefferson Airplane were mentioned. I imagine them looking and sounding great with nylon strings and being a modern humbucker - have I been deceived? [quote name='steve-norris' post='6095' date='May 24 2007, 10:24 PM']If you really want a modern bass with vintage tone it's got to be a passive p or j fender really.[/quote] I'm not looking for a bass, I'm just curious and would be astonished if that is true. I'll try and find those sound clips and give them a listen.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='5198' date='May 23 2007, 04:08 PM']I don't know anything about 'parcelnow' but the payment made to senditnow is the Royal Mail on my bank statement and the guy who collects around our way categorically state they are one and the same not a reseller. Either way I've had good service from them and they are cheaper than most others considering they collect from the door and will handle cab sized parcels up to 30kg.[/quote] Do they insure over a grand?

A Tobias Toby Pro 6 sold on Ebay BIN for under £140. I would have bought it had I seen it in time.

Beedster, for someone who professes such disdain for collecting instruments, why do you hold such an intimate eye to vintage basses? Or are you just a guardian angel to prospective Fender buyers? If so, good on ya!

It looks ok to me. I don't think it's expensive, it's a stunner. I sold my '80s P for over a grand. Looks are worth a lot of money with these basses, I bet this will go at least £300 above its lesser looking contemporaries. Pictures could have been better though! - they seem a bit selective to me, can anyone make out the 'fender' on the machine heads?

[quote name='simon73' post='6194' date='May 25 2007, 12:34 AM']Oh yeah. Now I see. Its me after night shifts. Its like having jetlag. My brain feels scrambled.[/quote] It's so depressing, I'm an armchair Kayaker, I've had a saved Ebay search for two years. Let some beauts go for 50 quid.

[quote name='paul, the' post='6048' date='May 24 2007, 09:15 PM']Couldn't you just turn the string around?[/quote] I think that's just about the silliest thing I've ever written. Why do I feel somewhat proud?

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='6069' date='May 24 2007, 09:42 PM']Well I guess it depends on how exactly you define feel. They do vary but the ones I currently use are very smooth, nearly flat smooth. But they dont have the stiffness of flats. This is what Status say about the ones I use: "This design of string is ideal for use on a fretless bass where you want to retain the clarity of the note but reduce the possibility of marking the fretboard. It starts life as a round-wound string then has the outer wrap ground down slightly to produce a small flat on the outer surface." Rotosound Solo Bass Stainless Pressurewound - The original pressure wound bass string designed in the mid 70's. The strings are rolled to flatten the surface. This process produces a brighter tone than flatwound strings whilst still eliminating finger noise & reducing fret wear. These work well on fretless basses. D'Addario ENR Half Round Bass - Half Round bass strings are wound with pure nickel, then precision ground, leaving the outer surface semi-smooth. They retain the flexibility and most of the tonal characteristics of round wound strings. Try them for their flatwound feel and a vintage roundwound tone. These are the ones I found sounded most like flats: Elite Groundwound Bass - Quality Groundwound Strings ideal for that worn in feel and sound to your strings.[/quote] Thanks for the informative thread! I might look into getting some half rounds. Do you know any bassists/youtube/audio clips that use them? Cheers, Paul.

[quote name='simon73' post='5820' date='May 24 2007, 03:31 PM']Great pic of you paul. I need more pics like that of me[/quote] That's not me!!! sorry. It's a quote, that's BeLow. Sorry for the mixup.

If you're the average 4 string conventional lover. I think two basses is enough. If you're more flamboyant, then 2 basses of each type at the most. --- Luckily, I'm in category one - although I only use one bass. Although I'd love to have two nice fretted basses. And maybe a fretless and an URB.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='6038' date='May 24 2007, 09:06 PM']Half rounds start off as oversized round wounds. They are then squashed (rotosound) or ground (everyone else) to take the round tops off to make them feel like flats but sound like rounds. At least thats the theory, some achieve it better than others. I use Status half rounds myself on all my basses to keep a consistent fell but others do it with different strings on all their basses. The journey to string nirvana is a long and expensive one, what one person loves another will hate so its impossible to tell you what strings to buy. But if you are gonna be slapping flats dont really do it.[/quote] Really? I thought it would be the other way around as I prefer the sound of flats but like the feel of rounds. Couldn't you just turn the string around? I think I'm going to feel really embarrassed very soon as I don't understand. paul.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='5855' date='May 24 2007, 04:23 PM']and seeing as you havent changed them in a long while you may want to go for a set that lasts longer,like some of the DR's or the Elixirs. the Elixirs are coated roundwound strings (see above explanation) but unlike other coated strings they are coated once the string has been wound (the round string wire is wrapped around the central string core) so the coating lasts longer and you get a brighter sound than some other coated strings. i've had mine on for 9 months now and they still sound good. Though there is a drawback with the longer lasting strings is that they cost more, DR's are around £40 a set and i think the Elixirs are about £30-£35 a set. so it also depends on how much you want to pay in one shot, cheaper strings will be cheeper in the long run but as you have to replace (or not ) them quicker they can cost more in the long run. unfortunately you can't tell what they are gonna sound like until you try them ( many years ago i spent alot of money buying blind until i found something i liked) oh and i play in a rock/blues type cover band and the elixirs sit in nicely. this site is a good place to start on the different brands [url="http://www.stringbusters.com/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/[/url][/quote] I paid £15 for my DR Nickel Plated Lo-Riders - but I'm not overly impressed. I think I'm a flats man. --- If you have a music store near you, a vintage one would be best - try out the basses and have a look at how they are strung. Listen to the differences between strings and how differently they feel under the fingertip. paul.

[quote name='BeLow' post='1196' date='May 18 2007, 09:21 AM']Well I don't really do pictures of me but - this is a bit of my world in pics Relaxing in Plymouth Sound [/quote] That's all I ask for in life.

[quote name='subaudio' post='5801' date='May 24 2007, 03:01 PM']Would that be the real book?[/quote] Oh! Could be No it wasn't, it wasn't in the real books 'distinct' style. I have the real books on my old PC, if I can get it working I'll check again. paul.

I forgot to add, I have this on order: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Funkmasters-Rhythm-Sections-1960-73-Guitar/dp/1576234436/ref=sr_1_6/202-9301154-2827032?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180014861&sr=8-6"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Funkmasters-Rhythm...4861&sr=8-6[/url] I expect it to be another Allan Slutsky masterpiece. I'll let you know when it comes.

[quote name='Bidd' post='5614' date='May 24 2007, 11:13 AM']EDIT - Sorry I think i put this in wrong section of forum I'm on the verge of joining a band in Uni, that play Blues and Funk - Hendrix, BB King, Howlin Wolf etc, and I've realised that I have yet to change the strings on my bass even though I've had it for 18 months and have been playing with stock strings since. Basically, I've been playing a lot for the past 18 months but in bedroom, and a few half arsed jams so I've never really cared about the tone of my guitar, but I think its time to buy some decent strings. I simply do not really understand a lot of the technical side of the bass guitar, I basically read tabs and play. so I need advice badly cos I know fook all. What strings would you more experienced lot recommend? I play a basic Washburn T14 so its hardly packs a nice tone, but because I plan to play slap and 12 bar blues type stuff, I want to treat myself to some new strings that may improve the sound. You have to forgive my stupidity as words like Roundwood or flatwood, or 105 super slinky gauge blah blah have literally zero meaning to me as I havent experimented with other basses, so please treat me like an idiot[/quote] I really don't know very much about strings as after buying expensive instruments I don't really like to pay for extra and I don't know a thing about the science behind them. But I'll try to help but Burpster covered adequately. To put it simply gauge refers to the thickness of the string - the higher the number 'gauge', the thicker the string is. 45-105 refers to the high G string having a gauge of 45 and the low bottom E string having 105 with the D and A strings in between. Heavier strings (higher gauge number) like the LaBella strings I recently sold with a bass: These are 52-110 (there are heavier). Heavier strings are generally perceived as being more 'powerful' due to the size an weight and the increased attack required to pluck them (which can make them difficult playability wise). Heavier gauge strings can also mess with intonation (bass goes out of tune the further up the neck you go). Although in a tradish blues band, this may not be an issue. In a blues band, heavier strings are sometimes expected. The strings pictured above are also flatwounds, which can also be expected in a blues band. The stock strings on your bass are probably medium gauge roundwounds. Roundwound are bumpy to touch (run your finger along a string), usually flexible (easily lifted and bent) and produce a 'zingy' sound which will deaden in time. Whereas flatwounds are smooth to touch with a large surface area (can be painful after a while), often aren't flexible and (should) produce a softer, warmer, (traditionally) bassier/upright sound. If you want to play slap bass, you would probably need roundwounds. But if you want to do Howlin' Wolf covers, you'll probably need flats. So you could either put up with rounds on everything or ask to stick to fingerstyle funk (the funkiest funk around). There are other kinds of strings which I do not know enough about: Nylon tape wound (black nylon covered), half-rounds (how the f' do they make those?) and many more I'm sure. --- [b]I think this thread should be pinned as a string thread somewhere. I for one would like to learn a lot more about different brands/types of strings.[/b] --- [quote name='The Burpster' post='5740' date='May 24 2007, 01:47 PM']Flatwounds sound warmer (some say dull) but IMO more applicable for blues & r'n'b (Herbie Flowers) which is what I play. Flatties buzz less and are easier on the fingers IMHO- But I re itterate may sound too dull for for your choice.[/quote] I played Herbie's Jazz last year, it had nylon strings on it. Did he use flats in the past? (did they have nylon strings in the past?) --- Have you seen this book on Ebay? It might be useful to you: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/learn-blues-bass-with-cd_W0QQitemZ320116111222QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31211QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/learn-blues-bass-wit...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] paul.

Is this your 'bathroom' Mike?

[quote name='MB1' post='5716' date='May 24 2007, 01:29 PM']MB1. its never a good idea to just stop taking your medication without first consulting a doctor![/quote] Taking medication before consulting my Doctor was the mistake.