Kiwi

Alcohol before a gig makes me feel lethargic, so I never touch it until after a gig.

Durability? Quartz is rated 7.0 on the Mohs scale. Stainless steel is rated 5.5 - 6.0 but quartz is also very brittle. Crystal frets are not going to result in noticeable sustain or amplification by themselves, there's more to creating sustain than just hard frets. It requires a more rigid neck/fingerboard too but that also changes tone...you might notice more prominent attack, just like stainless steel frets but that may also result in more clatter, depending on what the fingerboard is made from.

Don't believe the hype, we're all failed guitarists really...just like Paul McCartney. Welcome.

It's a bit like fishing stories over there, only someone ends up having to take the brunt of it. You aren't the first to experience it.

Do they sound like Fender combos?

Wow, that looks like a class act!

That price is almost insulting the intelligence of the bass players...

Wish there was some vids of them being played. [url="http://www.avbasses.com/AVB3-5AV.html"]http://www.avbasses.com/AVB3-5AV.html[/url] The body woods are a combo of my favourites.

[quote name='1SHOT1HIT' timestamp='1330728534' post='1562420'] Yeah kinda takes me back too, What was funny is that all of the legal mumbo jumbo was all based off of speculation. [/quote] Welcome to the world of forums, where ignorance rarely gets in the way of an opinion.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1330682363' post='1561368'] A psychologist would have a field-day with this thread! On finding "the one" must one abandon all others as long as ye shall live? [/quote] This is the core principle behind marriage...only basses don't judge us if we play around a bit... [quote name='paul j h' timestamp='1330701949' post='1561898'] Hi all, i am in the process of looking to sell the two Fenders in my signature as i am just a bedroom player who really has no need for three quality basses. [/quote] Oh get off. I'm essentially a bedroom player too (for now)

Good luck to you

Welcome BB

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1330449736' post='1557732'] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nswcAPvH0P8#!"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nswcAPvH0P8#![/url] [/quote] CLEARLY this factory ONLY selected the best quality rosewood and who had a NO COMPROMISE approach to manufacture. Look at the obsessive attention to detail in the use of the bandsaw...the painstaking and obsessive compulsive manner they stacked the wood. On the other hand, they could just be whacking out product to meet demand...I could be wrong though...

[quote name='untune' timestamp='1330652589' post='1561160'] Really hoping that my good fortune drags out a bit longer because I've got a really promising second interview for a job next Friday [/quote] Hope you don't go dressed like that...

In reply to the OP: Yes. I've tried my Spector against all sorts and its wiped the floor. It's closest competitor would be a Smith BSR5 or Yamaha BBNEII. I can't think of a way to improve it. Not all the sound I like hearing is from the instrument, some of it comes from the peavey amp and EBS speakers. But I have the sound that is in my head.

That's great news! Congratulations matey.

You were lucky, he's been a sick boy recently. Needs another kidney transplant.

Three hours ahead of you chum. Welcome aboard. .

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1317833590' post='1395192'] The point of plywood is that it renders an inconsistent material consistent. You can take wood with all its flaws and inconsistency, and laminate it to provide some consistency in the end product. [/quote] Structurally consistent but not resonant. Plywood is adequate as a bass building material but lacking in character. Alder is a pretty damn fine wood for character. Sycamore is a fine wood also and it grows like a weed in Europe. Don't see sycamore being specified very often though. Arguments against the influence of wood on tonal character are a bit like Nelson sticking that telescope to his eye. Fine if someone doesn't hear a difference but just because an individual doesn't hear differences doesn't necessarily mean other people shouldn't.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1330141286' post='1553352'] Mids are your friend. A healthy dose of low mids has always helped my monitoring on stage. If you keep the high mids as flat as possible, it helps stave off the nasal sound you could encounter. Massive lows are not the answer in rock situations, it will only muddy up the stage. [/quote] +1 Have been harping on about this for a long time

+1 for Andy @ Wizard as first choice. However he's having to pull back his operations a little due to health problems, so doesn't do epoxy potted pickups any more. Alternatively, try Aaron Armstrong, son of Kent for any custom work.

Ain't it great when you find a way to dial in your tone for hundreds of quid rather than thousands?

In all fairness, I don't actually play guitar, I murder it. However, this is what I aspire to play... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJ5FsklZXQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJ5FsklZXQ[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yC32rRSKbs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yC32rRSKbs[/url]