Kiwi

Leylandii should be classed as weeds OK, lets get back on topic now ppl, maple vs wenge. If people would like to talk more generally about the influence of materials on sound, we can split the topic up into two threads so they carry on independently.

[quote name='ARGH' post='37535' date='Jul 26 2007, 09:12 PM']If (INSERT FAVE BASSMAKER HERE) insisted that Tapioca rice lam'd between Gnatwood was the new tonal nirvana,Im sure a quantity of people on here would be insisting of having it installed asap. Its taste,but then Reality kicks in,when the next 'tonal craze' comes along.[/quote] Thats a bit insulting to those who think wood does make a difference and particularly to those who are interested in exploring other alternatives to ash/maple. The way I see it, you can't rule out the influence of wood, any more than you can include the effect of all the other elements you've mentioned. As I stated before, its a balancing act and each part contributes to the overall whole. In any event I happen to own two basses that are, for all intents and purposes, identical apart from their neck material. Any bass player doing an A/B of these instruments would hear and feel for themselves that neck material has a substantial influence on the sound of an instrument. I think it's a no brainer.

[quote name='ARGH' post='37534' date='Jul 26 2007, 09:05 PM']Do you like maple as a neckwood..ok,good,do you prefer Wenge? Well great. But discussing it beyond what is stable,and looks/feels nice is kinda...[/quote] ...still valid. I think some input from people who have more experience - ie. luthiers, would be quite helpful at this point.

What one person thinks is good may not appeal to another person. However the purpose of this thread is to seek where the general consensus of opinion lies. Its all good and I think variations in perception will occur according to the number and variety of basses each individual has tried and/or built. There's also a tremendous variation in wood but I think its ultimately all a balancing act. That point of balance varies for everyone and... ...there are a multitude of approaches to achieving that balance, depending on what is most important to a player. Are you a planes, boats or smiley-creepy-crawlies man? Oh wait, its about maple and wenge isn't it?

I think a maple neck with a couple of laminates of wenge is aural nirvana. Growl, warmth, brightness... ...its all there.

Hi Jeff, welcome aboard

I was caught out like this with my Modulus Q5 fretless which had a neck like a banana but to some players who like high action it wouldn't have been a problem. I had to take the hit basically, then I paid Rob Green to skim the fingerboard which cost £75 + shipping and sold the bass on. Luckily I managed to break even on the deal. I've bought two other Modulus basses and a Pedulla MVP5 from private sellers in the US and the transactions were fine. However I will never buy through ebay from a private seller outside the UK again. Its not worth the risk, you're screwed even if they offer a refund because they can ask for the bass to be returned and you'll have to cover the cost of shipping.

maybe a bit of expanded aluminium mesh and some bodge, mate? LOL Is the cage going to provide a support for your vertabrae while the bone heals over the gap or something?

[quote name='ped' post='36361' date='Jul 24 2007, 01:36 PM']p.s just had a walk around and feeling pretty good.[/quote] Blimey, that was quick! How many stitches did they give you? Will you be setting metal detectors off at the airport?

Good to see he's still around The woodwork in the instrument I reviewed was excellent.

I'm left handed too.

Just a thought, but are you using buffer preamp with that David Gage pickup? If not, that could explain your sound.

Tonyf ordered his Modulus Flea from them and I understand he rates them very highly.

The fonts are: For 'Basschat' - Xirod 84pt with an orange outline 2mm thick and a black centre. For '.co.uk' - Bank Gothic md bt 48pt with the 'o' in .co centred on the base of the T in chat Please don't use any slogans thanks, they're taken far too literally. I'm happy to supply a copy of the logo alone on a white background if it makes life easier - just drop me an email.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3238"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3238[/url] Dave I've moved your offer to the special offers and competitions forum

[url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6905722.stm"]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6905722.stm[/url] Thought this story about Ebay's relative success or lack of is interesting. They've realised the auction site would have a limited appeal and have managed to diversify before the competition caught up. Its a well managed company if nothing else

I've been talking to Jon about Delano SBC's for my bass and he was very impressed by them when he tried them in another Shuker owners bass.

[quote name='Faithless' post='33287' date='Jul 17 2007, 09:32 PM']By the way, I was thinking about Ashdown products - what about it?[/quote] Mark Gooday deliberately went for a certain flavouring to the sound, some people like it and others don't. [quote name='Faithless' post='33287' date='Jul 17 2007, 09:32 PM']And, one thing about the power - it seems, that tube amps are waaay more powerful, than transistor ( I've compared it on my friend's, guitarist's amps - 50wt tube and 125wt), so, if remembering Kiwi's suggestion about 100/150+ wt amps, so is there a real need to use multiple cabs?[/quote] There were a few posts around on perceptions of loudness compared to power when it comes to comparing valve amps to solid state. There are more variables than might first appear. In my experience with playing my Alembic Series 1 through my 100w Burman head and two Ashdown cabs (2x10 and 1x15) I had no problems drowning out the guitarist who was using a 100w Fender Twin.

I forgot to add the Marshall VBA400 as well.

You could get your hands on a Sound City 120, 150 or 200 off Ebay if you keep your eyes peeled. That's a lot of oomph for the dosh and you'd probably have a little change left over. Some of the other 70's tube amps like Fender Bassman, Burman and Simms Watts might be worth considering but they're rarely over 100-150w in power rating. You'd need multiple cabs to make the most of them. Hiwatt would be worth looking at too but I've seen them so rarely that I don't have much of a handle on what they're likely to go for - maybe up to £500?

[quote name='bassbloke' post='32468' date='Jul 16 2007, 12:44 PM']Everyone I've dealt with on ebay has been decent. I've bought and sold several amps and basses and all manner of other items and I've never been ripped off, swindled or given too much of a run around and the reason for that is because I avoid stuff that looks too good to be true. If you're interested in a high value item and on first contact, the buyer is unapproachable and evasive, walk away! It's not worth the hassle.[/quote] Fair point but if they've listed the item as a certain specification and then claim ignorance afterwards when it turns out to be something else, then what? You can take them through the disputes process but if they've already spent the money...

Ghad I've got loads that stick in my brain but you've all heard them already.