Kiwi

[quote name='johnnylager' post='400381' date='Feb 4 2009, 08:17 PM']I would get one from Bernie Goodfellow - 'cos he's funny as f*** and swears a lot. And makes nice basses. And what Ferrett said.[/quote] If Skelf or Rob Green ever wants you as a customer, they've got some tips right there.

There's nothing specific in favour, its a combination of things for me. If anything it's about the lack of something that will make me look elsewhere, such as: 1) Lack of a well set up and stable neck 2) Lack of a comfortable and ergonomic body 3) Unreasonable or inconsistent prices 4) Lack of warmth and growl 5) Lack of agreement on what a good instrument actually is In that order, although the lack of the first two will usually be enough to take the luthier out of the running. The lack of the 4th point can usually be rectified in a custom instrument but there's no point in trying if the 5th point isn't there. After that its mostly about service, a willingness to accommodate and offering helpful advice. [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='400244' date='Feb 4 2009, 05:59 PM']A related question: Do those of you with really expensive basses actually gig them? I don't think I'd want to take a bass worth £1000+ out to a pub gig. I suppose with vintage gear it's a bit different, because I wouldn't mind if it picked up a few scrapes, but a shiny new quilt-topped thing with matching wood knobs wouldn't look too clever with big dings in it.[/quote] Yes! Absolutely. Hard to justify the cost to myself otherwise. Dings on a custom bass don't look good, I have to agree but I don't go leaping around like a man possessed on stage. (I'd probably end up hurting myself or others around me.) You can also select finishes on custom instruments that take knocks better. For example, those mirror finishes may look nice when the instrument is brand new but a satin finish is easier to repair spot spray because it doesn't need the same kind of buffing. Same reason for Warwick using wax finishes I think as well but I don't know how Warwick owners managed to keep their instruments grime free. The beauty of a custom instrument is that you can specify a easy-to-repair finish if you like.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='399923' date='Feb 4 2009, 01:11 PM']I don't know how many exist - it sold for $10k and I think they still lost money on each one. A true 'halo' model like the Veyron. Imagine it stacked on top of their 16H cab - possibly even too loud for Lemmy![/quote] Thats a pretty crazy price. I don't understand how out of date technology can cost so much (unless they're hand built by lawyers...)

looking at the range of comments made in that thread i don't understand why you haven't asked a tech to look at it. Seems the problem isn't easy to isolate and you haven't had any success with any of the previous suggestions either.

[quote name='metaltime' post='399421' date='Feb 3 2009, 09:17 PM']On the Alembic forum a lot of people rate Glokenklang i would love to try that stuff out. It looks immense.[/quote] Do Glock make valve amps now?!

Depends on what your criteria are. If it was sound, I'd say pair an Alembic F-1X with a Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 for a sweet, hi-fi tone... ...or a Burman but they're my little secret. Shhhh! If it was power, there's not a lot to beat a Mesa Boogie Bass 400+, a Trace Elliot V8 for a bit of grit or alternatively an Aguilar DB359 if you want a modern clean tone. If you are lucky, you could pickup an Eden VT300 from the US. They sell for relatively low prices compared to similar spec amps from known brands. If you are after a vintage tone, then there's the Ampeg SVT Classic but I think its a bit of a one trick pony. Alternatively... ...If you really have money to burn... ...find a lesser known amp maker like Torres amps and tell them what you want. It'll cost you the best part of £2k though.

Living with rellies huh Nick? Need someone to pop in and keep all those basses warmed up while you're away? Glad the surgery was straight forward, hope the hearing is fixed good as new too.

[quote name='petervfunkster' post='398903' date='Feb 3 2009, 01:33 PM']another question - is using a different power supply thats 9v potentially damaging to my deep impact?[/quote] If your power supply is one of those multi voltage selector jobbies, sending 12v into the pedal by accident might give it a bit of a hangover. Is the LCD display showing partially lit sectors? If so, this would suggest a short has happened somewhere.

Problems with the power supply perhaps? Is the power socket detaching from the PCB, causing momentary blackouts and resetting the pedal?

A white Sierra Precision copy with a plywood body and a black scratch plate. Put me off Fenders for the next 23 years. I took up bass because I had wrist injuries from volleyball that made it hard to practice drums. So I took up bass because I''ve always been moved by the groove and it seemed a bit more interesting musically.

[quote name='mewsie' post='396887' date='Feb 1 2009, 03:06 PM']it's ok, this bass playing lark.[/quote] The adrenaline's an addictive rush when the crowd is on form, ain't it? Glad it went so well for you m'dear - sorry I couldn't chat earlier on. Ped was around here and I had to take the kettle leads out of his mouth again. No gig for me this weekend because I was facing a drive back to Peterborough from Seven Oaks. Noone in band was able to offer me a place to crash, not even those who had room. BTW because I've moved to Peterborough, my ongoing involvement with my band is back under consideration. Basically they're saying I'm going to be charging more expenses because I'm in Peterborough and to be honest with the travel I already have and the time its taking out of my weekends its the proverbial last straw. They want me to subsidise the band for the extra distance they think I will be travelling to gigs. I really don't want to be dragged down to the level where I'm having to think about every mile I'm travelling and how much that is going to cost me. I do band to relax and collaborate, not to make money, but I certainly don't want to be paying money to the band for playing with them. I've said I can job share with another bassist or I will leave the band. The band has been slowly getting more and more business focussed at the expense of team cohesion and I think its starting to get a bit too petty and harsh. So I want out if that's the way of the future. The drummer is already going as it is so they might well end up having to look for a new rhythm section entirely. I feel like I'm shouting at a brick wall though. Anyone know a Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire based soul/funk/disco band looking for a bass player? [I'm not holding my breath.]

I've moved this to the Gear Porn forum. Welcome BTW. Nice bass and not many of them around.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='396612' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:40 AM']I saw this thread on groove, on talk bass and loved watching the vids..any favorites of yours.....??? these for me are drums and bass at there best!! amazing stuff!!!! [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Je_iqbgGXFw"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Je_iqbgGXFw[/url] [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rc52uu1AQ"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rc52uu1AQ[/url] Joshue Redman.... This is pure groove from Mcbride.....this is bass playing at its best IMHO.. no frills just groove..some might say,(like me) the way it should be in an outfit like this.. You got to watch Christian Mcbride from 5.20 onwards!! this is very entertaining bass playing!! [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY033jfPoNk&feature=related"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY033jfPoNk&...feature=related[/url] it doesnt get any more in the pocket than this, she even slides out of the pocket to give it a lazy funk feel if you listen carefully..Awsome!!!!!!!! This Celinder shes playing was for sale here not long ago i think. I love noodling, but there is nothing like the groove..[/quote] I prefer the drumming on the stan clarke video - Steve Gadd is playing with some formidible dynamics and finesse. Eubassix had the ex-Ndegeocello Celinder, I don't know if he's sold it yet. This is one of my faves of Sharay Reed which I've posted before. There's no mistaking that he's playing a bass line rather than soloing, its distinctive, inventive and completely in the pocket, with a great balance between notes and space. I think this is one of the greatest basslines I've ever heard in my life. I've played this clip hundreds of times and the hair still goes up on the back of my neck each time. I've just found another with Sharay Reeds playing on it at a drum workshop being held by Michael Weatherspoon

Didn't take too long then! Lovely job!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='395642' date='Jan 30 2009, 06:49 PM']Must be the same guy, as their names are the same. [/quote] As a matter of fact I've just had a look at his user account and it is. Thanks for the heads up ASLOGP, hope things aren't looking too shaky for you in Dubai with the downturn there. [quote name='Riot_Basscabs' post='395693' date='Jan 30 2009, 08:00 PM']you can come across a bit aggressive...[/quote] This is coming from someone who threatened to send his mates around to a gig where my band was playing? When it didn't even involve them? You've got a f***ing cheek showing up here. Find another place on the internet to hawk your stuff and make sure you take the courtesy of asking the admin first. FWIW, if anyone else experiences the same threats of physical violence the same steps will be taken with the aggressor.

BC Rich in the first movie, but a Sei in the second wasn't it? (As well Status and Tobias at other points too I think...)

[quote name='bremen' post='394485' date='Jan 29 2009, 12:50 PM']Thread Hijack Alert: what is that bass that Saint Derek plays? with the split P type pickup and the 2+2 headstock?[/quote] I thought Derek Smalls played a Sei bass? The only Alembic with a split pick up IIRC was the Persuader which is now discontinued.

I've tried a few Alembic Spoilers and wasn't that keen on them. They'd be ok if you like a dark sound though, for dub or reggae they'd sound huge.

The body wood that you pair the neck with will have a more critical influence on the sound of the instrument. I've found swamp ash and lighter kinds of ash and alder to produce a fairly nasal sounding instrument. I suggest pairing the neck with a body made from some kind of soft but medium to medium heavy wood to dampen the response of the neck in the right frequencies. It can be soft alder or ash if you like. Also, this is the only time I'll ever suggest them but Bartolini pickups might also help smooth out the sizzle and add midrange fatness.

I really like his playing, it doesn't bother me he's playing an octave up because he makes a beautiful sound. I really wish I could play like that...I'm working on it, but might be a while...

you just missed out on one that I used to own, in the classifieds.

I've had dealings with him too, he's a nice chap.