bassaussie

[quote name='guyl' post='8380' date='May 28 2007, 10:57 PM']Hey - Thanks for the advice guys. I'm off to check out the options that you suggested. On reflection, (and after a dozen years together,)I'm a bit emotionally attached to this old lump of wood and metal and would rather make it sound better (and more gigable) than just sell it off for a younger model! Interesting to hear that Bassaussie doesn't rate MEC electronics. I think this bass was manufactured just before the Streamer 6's were sold with stock MEC inards. Guy[/quote] Hey, definately DON'T sell the bass!! I think they're great basses. I just think the MEC electronics are a weak point for them. Others may think differently, and I'm far from an expert, so I guess it's up to your own experiences.

I'll just list the things I think have potential. I think most have been covered above, actually. And, to be honest, most of what I'm listing is already attracting attention. MusicMan - there's already a growing interest in pre-EB Stingrays. The graphite neck Cutlass demands a lot of interest as well. Wal - obvious! Status - I think the earlier instruments will attract interest, say up to '88 or so. I'm thinking of the classic designs, the Series II and 2000. Steinberger - Already interest in L series (not the "XL", but the "L"), trans trem models and custom colours Fender - the Precision Special and Precision Elite, especially the walnut versions. Also, the original vintage basses they produced around the same time (around 1980 or so). Ibanez - definitely the Musician. Also some of the earlier Fender copies Tobias - the pre-Gibson stuff is already attracting attention Gibson - probably one of my only original thoughts, and more of a prediction, but I think Grabbers and Rippers will get more attention, as well as the Moog equipped instruments (the RD Artist and Victory Artist) Somebody mentioned DeArmond Pilots above. Personally, I couldn't see them taking off, but I could definitely see the original Guild versions getting some attention. Roland - already some interest in the synth basses.

If they were Warwick's own electronics, wouldn't that make them MEC? Personally, I've had two Warwicks. One was from new, with MEC pickups and electronics, and the other used, with EMGs. The MECs were most definitely the weakest part of either bass. I've also used MEC pickups in a Jazz bass project, and my opinion was the same. I've always heard that Seymour Duncans (pickups and electronics) can sound pretty amazing in a Warwick.

[quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='7083' date='May 26 2007, 12:10 PM']Haha, yeah, imagine that?, why, we'd have to charge PORTUGUESE prices... lol See ya tonite mate. if you still catch this, and you dont mind, bring your ATK over for a while.[/quote] Give me a call!!

[quote name='nash' post='6569' date='May 25 2007, 03:19 PM']basses 70’s fender p-bass, SB maple f/b, shell s/p. 70’s fender p-bass, White maple f/b, shell s/p. 70’s fender j-bass, SB maple f/b blk blocks and binding, shell s/p. 70’s fender p-bass, SB maple f/b, blk blocks and binding shell s/p. 70’s fender p-bass, Natural maple f/b, white s/p. Fender Jag SB maple f/b, blk blocks and binding, one piece s/p (shell) and just volume control with a 3 way toggle like the jazzmaster, aero pups and a badass II. Gibson Grabber in white, maple f/b. Gibson Grabber in black, maple f/b. Gibson RD Artist in white, maple f/b. Gibson RD Artist in black, maple f/b. Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird. Gibson Thunderbird in White. Gibson Flying V bass in silverburst circa late 70’s/ early 80’s. BC Rich Heritage Mockingbird. ESP EC404. Rickenbacker 4003 all black incl hardware. Rickenbacker 4003 all white incl hardware. Amps/cabs Ampeg Anniversary head and 8x10 (silver/blue cloth). Fender 8x10 rebadged with a Sunn badge for my Sunn 300T. Trace V8 and matching 8x10.[/quote] I always get a kick out of doing this - it's a real hoot to see how long the list can get without much effort! I won't do a full list, but mine would be a few 50s Fender, a lot of 60s Fenders, a few 70s Fenders, a large amount of Sadowskys, and a few customs to cover 6 string, fretless and other more exotic items.

Bitten!! Unfortunetaly, my tastes steer towards Fenders, which means big prices. I've often thought about brands like Hofner, who, while being collectable, are certainly far more accessible to the average punter. For the money of one pre-CBS Jazz, you could easily buy 5 or 6 nice examples of Hofner, and probably have a lot of change left over.

[quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='6688' date='May 25 2007, 05:43 PM']We have Indeed. We're even thinking of going into business together. [/quote] Yeah, we were thinking of opening a specialist high end bass store in Portugal. After we thought about it, we realised it would be easier to simply the burn the cash on a bonfire!!! How ya' going Dave?

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='3042' date='May 20 2007, 07:47 PM']Thats why I use an EBS Microbass II. Programmable BDDI is another alternative.[/quote] That's exactly the kind of tool I'd expect a person to use who's doing swaps between instruments that have really variable outputs. I guess some of the best tools were the old programmable preamps that a few manufacturers offered back in the 80s - I know Trace Elliot had one, and I think the other brand was ADA. These are probably overkill, and there's also the problem that they make on the spot tweaking a little difficult, but they did give the user the ability to set up different preamp settings for each bass.

This may sound like an obvious point, but when you guys are swapping from one bass to another, I assume you're setting the amp's EQ relative to each bass, right? Again, probably and obvious point, but if you're running your amp with an EQ setting that's meant for a bass with a fairly low output, then swap over to something that's got a really hot output, then obviously things are going to take a turn for the worst sonically. Ideally, you'd want to have a basic idea of how to EQ each bass you intend to gig with, and this would be something you'd sort out in rehearsals or at home. It's a bit optimistic to think you can swap from one bass to another and expect the same EQ setting to work for both, especially if the two basses have completely different output levels.

I think if you can afford it, and you're not neglecting other obligations to buy new gear, then it really comes down to how many you want. I guess if you were to look at it from a practical point of view, it would be easy to argue that a minimum requirement for a gigging bassist might be two 4 strings, a 5 string, and a fretless. Personally, I've got 10 at present, and I think I was up to around 15 at one stage.