Kiwi

I use an MPXG2 and its superb. The MX200 uses the same engine. You can't go wrong if you are looking for a hifi response.

They're idiosyncratic instruments, because they were originally designed with some specific [u]studio based[/u] criteria in mind. The intention was to isolate the vibration of the string as much from the wood as possible to enhance sustain. At the time, a dramatic departure from the other manufacturers. So they're distinctive and ground breaking in their own way. Weight does tend to be an issue in the instruments apart from the Series 1 and 2 lines. Some will probably point to the shifting of wood laminates in the headstock joint in a few basses as evidence that they're not all they're supposed to be but this was never a structural issue. Apart from moving exclusively to maple and purpleheart necks, the basic design hasn't changed a whole lot in 30 years so it could be argued that they got it good enough first time around. But they'll still be a bit marmite depending on whether the vision behind the design of the instrument fits with the expectations of the player. But the important thing is that they're hand crafted with a vision and pride by a long standing team of professionals who have been doing the same job for decades. Whether thats worth the new asking price? No idea and its not important if they're available second hand for the same price as other high end brands.

Great link - nice to see someone developing such a detailed knowledge and going to all that trouble, especially with testing and measuring. However...considering that he started out with he intention to develop a 'super growler' I don't think the end result was very impressive with the mutes on. I wish there was a clip without the mutes.

From Ped, the mods and myself. Hope you all have a healthy, happy and relaxed Christmas break, spend the time with those you love and enjoy a prosperous and stress free New Year. [url="http://www.spike.com/video/slap-bass-santa/2808451"]http://www.spike.com/video/slap-bass-santa/2808451[/url] or if you aren't in to slap bass...

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1064912' date='Dec 20 2010, 07:56 PM']Probably due the link on this endorsement of their services which does seem to come across as a bit of an advert. I must admit if it was a comment on one of my sites, I'd have spammed it. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=114441"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=114441[/url][/quote] Mercy moussier, that appears to explain it...

I ask only because they've approached us about sponsorship and say they've been getting a lot of traffic from Basschat. I'm really curious to know why, I can't see any obvious connection.

I don't think an agathis body is anything to get excited about.

[quote name='Musky' post='1048009' date='Dec 5 2010, 09:37 AM']Not sure that was a 'find' really. He seems to have emailed Kiwi with the above information. Nice of him to have taken the time. [/quote] Yeah it was nice, he just emailed the admin account asking for the response to be posted.

On behalf of the man himself: [i]Andy Cichon here. Bass Player with Billy Joel and Old Fender enthusiast. Wanted to answer a forum question. Could you post on my behalf. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/lofiversion/index.php/t111167.html"]http://basschat.co.uk/lofiversion/index.php/t111167.html[/url] It's all about the neck. MAPLE CAP. Super rare. The ultimate P bass neck, 66 maple cap, C width. I own 4. CAR 70, 68 Sunburst over Oly white and another 70 neck on 69 alder. The bass pictured is a 58 SB originally that was returned to fender for the new neck in 66. Later stripped and routed for an original single coil P PU in front of the Split P. It was a combination of 58 and 66 parts and electronics when I purchased. As it is pictured, it is the 58 Swamp ash body, 66 maple cap neck with original lollypop tuners and transition decal. Badass 2 Bridge( Must have mod). 2 % underwound Lindy Fralin Pickups( In all my P's). A truly awesome bass. I have now changed the body to a 71 Black Alder, my preferred body wood. My fave fender. Cheers Andy Cichon (Billy Joel, Shania Twain)[/i]

Mine involves a pair of dental pliers. Oh the irony.

What kind of situation is going to need 900 watts?!

I don't think my V8 is muddy, but I can't compare it to an SVT because the only SVT I've ever played had a 8x10 and it sounded terrible. Compared to my Burmans I'd say my V8 is raw sounding.

The amps are pretty good. The speakers are a little woolly, but do add some nice growly midrange to a jazz bass.

Congratulations to Mark on getting these instruments in. Maybe the recession has made Ken a little keener to do business outside Japan and the US. A couple of years ago Alex said Ken refused to take an order from the Bass Gallery because they didn't sell enough of his instruments! Thats why the Gallery have never bothered offering them since.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1022748' date='Nov 13 2010, 07:35 PM']Why not fit a set of Fender tiltback legs? £50? And piggyback clips and screws if you're running a head / cab arrangement. Another £50 imported?[/quote] Legs don't achieve enough angle for me. I'm nearly 2m tall and on small stages have to stand next to the amp. A stand could be one solution (assuming one can be found to take the weight of a cab) but then that would be an extra bit of kit that needs loading/unloading and setting up. I think a tiltback cab is a much more efficient and stable solution.

I loved my GK RB700 combo and for small stages the tiltback feature was invaluable for getting sound to my ears. Otherwise the amp would be blasting into the audience below my knees. I'd still have it if it hadn't started giving me back problems. I've been approaching custom cabinet makers over the years with requests to build a lightweight tiltback cab and strangely enough noones interested. Ended up doing the initial design for one myself but haven't got the power tools yet to start.

I ended up deleting 26 posts! No porn on this one but lost of puffer jackets from a chinese site masquerading as an american ski clothing outlet.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1022151' date='Nov 13 2010, 07:49 AM']Any one with an internet connection and the ability to post online.[/quote] Thats not what I meant. What I meant was its not possible to isolate the contribution of so many different elements.

His claims have basis in fact, but he's taking massive leaps in logic and contorting the facts to fit his circumstances. The case with the strad violin was more theory than fact. (The only way to prove the fact would be to strip a strad and remeasure its resonancy peaks). Varnish tends to have MORE of an impact on hollow instruments like violins. Less so with solid instruments because they've been designed to be more rigid. Who can say how much the sound of a specific instrument is finish and how much is wood/electronics/hardware?