Kiwi

Mark King - I can't think why though...

[quote name='jake_tenfloors' post='150979' date='Mar 4 2008, 11:51 AM']Its owned by a guy called Tom Bowlus on talk bass, you can check his blog here,[/quote] Oh yeah, I've exchanged emails with him a couple of times. Good on him for having a go, if anyone can make it work then he can.

I can't see a lot more there than you'd get through talking to people in one of these forums TBH. It just bundles up selected snippets into a convenient to access package and they charge you a subscription for it. You could probably get the same information from Talkbass by using the search function. I've noticed there seem to be a few 'online magazines' now as well so it'll be interesting to see how long they all survive. We were kind of going for the same thing with the Wiki I guess, hoping that members would contribute or pinned topics would get transferred over but...? Mmmm.

I'm still looking, I was in on an ebay auction today in fact but bids spiralled way beyond what I thought was a reasonable price for a used unit - even one in superb condition. Ironically, there were loads of them around about 2 years ago but not at the moment it seems. The other thing is that its all too easy for shill bidding now that bidders identities are protected. So now its very much a case of setting your price and sticking by it regardless of whatever else is going on in the auction. You never know when someone's trying something on. At the moment I'm trying to secure a used Mk2 (preferably with updated firmware) but if one doesn't come up at a reasonable price used by the time Jon's finished with my bass, then I'll bite the bullet and get one new. I asked Jon the same questions about the Axon and he said the manufacturer claimed it was the best thing for bass out there at the moment. I guess we'll see. TBH, I think I'm going to be fairly easy to please because I had a go on Trev's (G-77) Roland synth and it was a lot of fun, no lag that I noticed and this was a unit that was 20 years old.

This guy doesn't seem to be having any problems. The unit needs about half an hour to set up properly to respond to an individuals playing nuances, so I understand. I've been looking at getting one for the MIDI bass that Jon Shuker is building for me. I suspect you are likely to face paying more than a couple of hundred quid for the full set up though, if you're going for the easier to update MkII version.

If the market value of the bass is more than the allowance for gifts you will have to pay full whack VAT and import duty on the market value, regardless of whether it was a gift or not. This is why HMC&Extortion check things like Ebay auctions so they can keep a handle on what the likely worth of something is. Breaking the instrument into parts isn't going to change its percieved value unless sent separately but even then if the shipments are sent close to one another, someone in HMC&E may latch onto your game.

I'm surprised he hasn't been converted to GB basses through EBS amps yet.

Heh, told you they were worth getting, didn't I? Noice score my son.

FWIW a similar question was posed here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11289"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11289[/url]

I'm amazed at how delicately he caresses his upright bass. Every upright bass I've tried has neede to be fought within an inch of its life to get anything remotely responsive from it...

[quote name='WishICouldWalk' post='148640' date='Feb 28 2008, 10:00 PM']Find whatever you can played by Gene Perez of Masters at Work - his lines are pure joy.[/quote] Gene is an awesome player but surely 70's influenced rather than 70's in origin? Otherwise you could include Julian Crampton as well?

If your first bass is the Doodle, does that make this one the Diddle? Nice to see some progress BTW. Mine was started before yours and its still in bits as far as I'm aware...

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='147984' date='Feb 27 2008, 05:48 PM']You're probably a short step away from where I was recently with the Warwick basses that I had. Even though I'm 'probably' going to regret selling each and every one I have to say that it has been liberating and the fact that some of them literally went from one string/battery change to the next with a couple of hours playing kind of consolidates my justification in selling up. I don't think you've quite reached the point of selling up yet because the decision literally comes upon you one morning when you wake up.[/quote] You've made an absolutely fair point and well presented. I guess that will happen when I decide I'm not into enjoying the instruments per se as much (or the value tied up could go toward something far more important to me). Not there yet though!

[quote name='paul, the' post='147365' date='Feb 26 2008, 06:44 PM']Sounds like it's going to be a real sweet bass, nash. I wonder how much of his business is from BC.[/quote] Lots.

Didn't she do well with her member number though? Was it planned m'dear?

There's a design convention that says something like greater specialisation = less flexibility So if you design something to be better adapted to the shape of a body, the question is WHO'S body are you designing it for? In principle, the best designs are those which can be adapted to suit the specific needs of their user. Thats why I like what Michael Spalt has been doing with his basses. Given Gary Willis's thoughts on technique, the other question is how much do you design for and how much should the player change any inefficient technique to improve things? No hard and fast rules in design. Nothing's ever black and white.

Paypal are still "pursuing" a seller I bought a PC off for £70. After trying and failing to make good on a poor description, he gave up, did a runner and emptied his paypal account. Because he hadn't registered a credit card with them I was left out of pocket. No protection on THAT deal.

[quote name='NickThomas' post='146991' date='Feb 25 2008, 11:11 PM']Very Very nice collection!![/quote] Cheers, small but perfectly formed I hope? [quote name='NickThomas' post='146991' date='Feb 25 2008, 11:11 PM']I thought you sold the pentabuzz a couple of years ago.[/quote] I think that could have been the matching MVP I had? [attachment=5962:pedulla_MVP_035.JPG] MVP [attachment=5963:DSCF0288.JPG] Pentabuzz Both in 'amberburst', the MVP went c/- the Bass Centre IIRC.

we've had cheers from the floor when we've started "Good Times" by Chic, and "Valerie" by MarkRonsonfeaturingAmyWinehouse.

[quote name='TimmyC' post='146827' date='Feb 25 2008, 06:54 PM']You have some amazing stuff - close to 20k invested in all of them? eek[/quote] In terms of what I've paid? Nowhere near that much thankfully because I bought them all used for very reasonable prices. Replacement value is another thing though, esp. with Alembic and Cutlass but so much of it depends on market demand. [quote name='birdy' post='146845' date='Feb 25 2008, 07:20 PM']The basses will depreciate less than a car as well, especially ones such as Kiwis![/quote] Exactly what I keep telling myself. Although I could definitely do with more house deposit right now but the collection has been refined to such a degree now that I'd end up kicking myself if I sold any of them. I've got the best examples for every covers situation plus two very exclusive graphite necked collectables as a slight indulgence (*gh*) and a damn fine Pentabuzz. Plus the MIDI Shuker 6 is going to be on its way hopefully in a couple of months. But you know what? Its all very well having these basses and justifying owning them by using them live. I've been taking three to a gig until recently but changing between them is a pain in the ass mid set. At the moment I'm just taking the Smith 5 and the Stingray to gigs using either to cover the p-bass songs. Can't say I'm that happy about it, I really like using the Celinder p-bass for 'Valerie' and some of the Aretha songs we do and I miss having the p-bass sound. So I'm considering getting a 5 string 'gigging' bass consisting of p-bass and mm pickups in an alder or ash body with a maple bolt on neck. Kind of along similar lines to this Sandberg but with the MM pickup in a more authentic location further from the bridge. Whether I can still justify owning the other basses if I don't otherwise record with them is another question I may have to ask myself down the line.

I've now gigged the V8 + Neo 212 combo and its proved to be a devastating combination. LOADS of growl and huge bottom end. In fact, if anything I'd probably criticise the V8 for having TOO much bottom end - its a thunderous monster, difficult to tame with the paltry bass control supplied. Also the mid control doesn't seem particularly effective at times, I get the impression the controls can be interactive with one another too. I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY really wish that EBS made this 212 cab with a tilt-back option. I can't describe how good the GK RB700 combo has been SIMPLY because of its tilt back feature. Saves me having to park the cab 3-4m away from me on stage in order to hear it. Also took this gratuitous group shot of the basses today when I had some decent light. [attachment=5906:DSCF1201.JPG] Yes there's a 6 string, short scale, piccolo bass in there too.

I own a preEB ray and a preEB cutlass. I think the EB rays are better designed and a late 80's version is probably the best value for money. However any well aged and gently thrashed stingray will have a relaxed and worn vibe about it. Whether its pre or post EB isn't such an issue IMO. Getting one with a stable and relaxed neck with a nice, supple feel is the key. Avoid anything from 82-85 unless you try it first. Musicman had major quality control issues during that period.