Kiwi

[quote name='steve-soar' post='449865' date='Mar 30 2009, 08:22 PM']How does one sit in a sofa? [/quote] One buys a sofa capable of being sat in.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='449846' date='Mar 30 2009, 08:06 PM']Status basses used to be fashionable? I remember a kid at my school got a Status Empathy when they came out, that must've been 1989-90-ish, and they were even naff then.[/quote] OMG, u went to a school where someone actually owned a Status bass?!!! Ewwwwwwwwww...u r so uncool.

It's all very well for highly critical readers to sit in their Habitat sofas with their plasma screen TVs and be uber critical about something they have no background knowledge on. However I understand that the mag changed ownership recently and, given the current economic situation, there's bound to be some cutbacks one way or another if they're planning to turn the business around and make some money out of it. Of course if people care more about running the mag into the ground more than having a decent bass-focussed publication, then thats up to them. FWIW, they actually some major problems in even getting companies to send them review basses. Not even the manufacturers appear to be that enthusiastic. So I'd suggest that the readership have probably got [b]an opportunity[/b] to shape the publication into something that they'd be prepared to buy every month. Alternatively, there's always basschat. Just my 2p.

SWR are the kiwi bargain tip. They've been a bit uncool since the early 90's but the cabs are damn fine (and pretty light for non neo). The amps are scoopy but thats OK with jazz basses or any basses that are a bit aggressive (eg. Modulus Quantums with EMG's).

hiya bobo, welcome aboard. Where did you source that BFC from?

maybeeeeeeeee...

I saw part of it on Friday but Jon made a bit of a song and dance about covering it up before I could go up to the loft. He said there was some carving that he'd done that he didn't want anyone else to see.

Epics are the "budget" range of Alembic. I'd say that price is fair, they can sell for up to £1100.

I had the same situation myself a while back and ended up getting a valve compressor from Dave Hall. Worked really well although the amount of compression I actually use is minimal.

Well my visit to Jon's wasn't as fruit as I'd hoped. The guitar still needed the bridge fitting and Jon didn't have any neck bolts with a metric thread. However its coming together none the less. He's used a less figured piece from the redwood I gave him to use for my Headless 6. [attachment=22866:DSC01760.JPG] The guitar will be posted on Monday just before Jon goes to Frankfurt for the MusikMesse next week. Ruby seemed to be in a really soppy mood today as well. Jon and I were keeping her amused while we waited for the CNC machine to finish a run of coasters for one of the craft shops in Bamford. [attachment=22867:DSC01755.JPG] [attachment=22868:DSC01758.JPG]

Jon generally doesn't like us snapping pics of other basses Im afraid, so it would have been a bit difficult. Apparently my Steinberger guitar is ready to collect!

...did anyone spot Yolanda Charles on bass duties and singing?

[quote name='dood' post='446013' date='Mar 26 2009, 02:19 PM']Not yet, but doing my utmost to see if I can do Saturday![/quote] Get up there tomorrow, I'll be paying him a visit too.

I've played this same instrument. It's really nice, I think Godin basses are highly under-rated for how they sound. Loads of warm growl in there and they're a very smooooooth sounding instrument. Interesting to see they're using RMC piezo pickups in the bridge - generally considered to better designed than the ones I have from Graphtec. Can't help but wish they'd sort that neck heaviness issue out - how about a headless version? Failing that, I think a bigger body or a single cut design that moves the neck strap pin forwards might be an alternative. I've been talking to Mr Shuker about his take on one of these basses as the headstock heaviness is a show stopper for me.

Thats Rich's neck of the woods....

[quote name='dood' post='391689' date='Jan 26 2009, 01:13 PM']AWESOME pete!! good skills there mate![/quote] Tsk, it looks like a Doodle.

I've deliberately tried to buy reputable brands that other players aspire to own in order to minimise depreciation (unless sound and/or playability were exceptional). The only exception to that has been the Shuker 6. I'd probably lose a load on that if I tried to sell it on (which is why its going back to Jon for further tweaks, if I'm going to live with it, it's got to be right). I think we should be honest though and admit there's a certain amount of prestige that comes from owning an instrument that is coveted by other players. And those owners don't deserve to be singled out for criticism any more than players who deliberately opt for value for money instruments either. If I couldn't afford Smiths or Shukers or whatever (and I can't now, to be completely blunt) then there's always the DIY route or put together from spares. And FWIW there's absolutely nothing wrong with a Fender Jazz for that matter either, very versatile instruments that have stood the test of time. I think we all have the right to feel proud of the instruments we value most.

lol seeing this conjured up conflicting reactions firstly I hated to see any decent instrument being hacked up but [list] [*]it didn't look so bad headless after all [*]its great that a low budget instrument can be reinvented like that - its the equivalent of a former warehouse converted into cheap workspaces and workshops. [*]it may look like a completely new instrument after this work is done [/list] And after all that, I admire your dedication and commitment to this particular tool. The stories it could tell, eh?