Kiwi

Seriously?!! YOU GOT HERBIE TO COME?!!! I'm planning a return to the UK around that time any way...there's a lot on my list of things to do but I wonder if I could slide this in too...?

[quote name='vintage_ben' timestamp='1460878563' post='3029422'] Just received an email saying mine will be ready to ship within days. From what I've seen on heard (physical niggles aside) this is an amazing (sounding) pedal. I'm thinking of hooking it up to my recently purchased Eventide pitch factor, so I can control some of the filters via midi using an expression pedal. Running before I can walk perhaps, but sounds like it could be fun. [/quote] I tried the Pitchfactor with my Deep Impact - it was OK but the Pitchfactor tended to compress things a little making it sound slightly less analogue and rich. The arpeggiator was fun though but its a massive faff to get around the factory arpeggio presets so I sold it. Really wish someone out there would make a non MIDI programmable arp pedal...a couple like the Pitchfactor get so close but there's always something that detracts from useability with bass synth.

I've been messing about with mine this week. Patch 85 is Thriller's bass! Anyone found the knobs a bit wobbly compared to the Deep Impact? Has anyone tried editing patches in the software editor yet? Also, the edit/patch knob isn't indented making it easy to overshoot the desired patch. All niggles though. Where the Deep Impact was a pedal that made bass synth noises, the Future Impact is an authentic bass synth in pedal format.

Bubinga top is really unusual! Nice purchase.

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1459709066' post='3018843'] Just to give you guys an update, I've this afternoon pushed the button on a Hexavalve so once it arrives, I'll let you know how I get on. In the mean time, if there are any specific tips and tricks regarding one of these particular old heads, please let me know. [/quote] Well done! Wouldn't mind one myself in an ideal world.

120kg of tone! Incredible weight saving. How on earth do they manage this magic?

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1459335557' post='3015497'] My thoughts exactly! Pentabuzz - all five strings are too low! [/quote] Play one and you won't think about it any more.

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1459305021' post='3015322'] Is the pentabuzz sustain largely down to the polyester coated fingerboard? [/quote] It's down to the hard rock maple through body neck, ebony fingerboard and the stainless steel rods inserted under the fingerboard. The polycoating adds to the singing character in the treble frequencies

[quote name='pmjos' timestamp='1459252648' post='3014737'] I think want something that 'sings and growls'.[/quote] I'm surprised that the suggestion of a Pentabuzz hasn't recieved comment!

Status Groove 5 basses are well worth a look - squarish neck profile and slightly offset body but the built quality is outstanding and there's plenty of growl on offer.

I have a Pedulla Pentabuzz and it knocks everything else mentioned here so far into a cocked hat with perhaps the exception of a Wal which sounds woodier and, with a matt finish, FEELS nicer to play. The key thing about the Pentabuzz is the mid response and ridiculous amounts of sustain (due to the super stiff construction). Cranked on stage, the Pentabuzz will feedback like it has a sustainer on board if you stand within range of 2x12 or larger pointed at the bass while going at full tilt. If you play lightly the poly fingerboard coating won't need replacing for many many years. (I got mine in 2005 and the board is barely marked). [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKAE2o4oA2Q[/media] I've played Warwick Thumb fretlesses after seeing one being played by [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvgXF_8-gds"]Tears for Fears at Knebworth[/url] and loved the sound they got but in reality found them a bit unresponsive in character. I found the Ibanez GW boxy sounding and lacking in sustain. Stingrays are nice if a little raw sounding and it's important to find one without deadspots - I suspect that Pino's has an ebony fingerboard as it looks too dark for pau ferro. Status basses are very nice but again its important to find one that isn't too bright sounding so bolt on necks are a safer bet (but there are always exceptions - like the one I own). If you are looking for a more traditional sounding instrument, go for single coils, if you like an assertive sounding parp from the bridge pickup go for a bass with humbuckers. Also worth considering is the Godin A5 - very reasonably priced and huge sounding for the size, thanks to sympathetic brass rods in the chambered body. There is a slight tendancy for the headstock to dive but a [i]really[/i] nice sustain and easy on the back. If I played fretless more often, I would have an A5 too for more upright sounds. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNYc8Pg5yXA[/media]

[quote name='andytoad' timestamp='1459039158' post='3013126'] I have had a V6, Quatra and now have a Hexa. The V6 lacked top for me, but others may tell you different. It had immense power with a Barefaced Super 15, proper vibrations, deep and heavy! The Quatra was great, 8/4 ohm, about the right volume to push it when live (sold it like an idiot when I needed dosh), my thoughts are it would probably sound 'thinner' compared to the V6, I now have a Hexa, 4/2 ohm, a little too much power if I am being honest. Still sounds great. The preamps on the Quatra/Hexa are far better (IMO) that a V series, a lot more versatile and what it sounds like you are used to! If I had a choice, Id go for the Quatra. All are heavy, with the V series being the heaviest (that also put me off after a while with the realities of lugging the gear around). [/quote] As an ex-V8 owner, I can't add anything more to this. My V8 had monstrous low end - perhaps too much for pub/function band stages. The eq was also a little simplistic and the mid control was almost useless. I've had a play through a Quatra and really liked it but it wasn't as pleasant to listen to as a Mesa Boogie 400+. But that could be down to speakers, room acoustics and perhaps a whole load of other reasons. Hard to make a call with just one try.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1458852637' post='3011654'] This one still gets me today Always banged out loud at our school disco's. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yURRmWtbTbo[/media] [/quote] I should have added that one to my list along with Shake Yer Body Down (incidentally which has a bassline which is a LOT of fun to play for the attention it gets). [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgUGKTRFVKY[/media]

Disco will never die. It was more punk than punk at the time because it was so inclusive. Sure the clothing got a bit daft but it still stands for good times even 35 years later. Just when the world needed cheering up after the recession, who should pop up but Nile Rodgers. Exquisite timing on his part (or perhaps luck). My faves: I Feel Love - Donna Summer?Georgio Moroder Pretty much anything by Chic Gimme Gimme - Abba Lady Marmalade - LaBelle Givin' Up Givin' In - Three Degrees

[url="http://www.meraguitars.com/eng/index.html"]http://www.meraguita.../eng/index.html[/url] A Russian guy, Dimitry has started supplying headless bridge and tuners for new basses and guitars. If you're specifying up a new bass or make instruments, they're work a look.

At least he's not playing that damn 7 string.

Talk about your keeper basses or kit and the reasons why. Mine: Spector NS5CR - heavily modified with custom soapbars, 3 band parametric eq and coil switching. Sounds like the bass in my head on stage. Alembic Series 1 - graphite neck, not many around. Always lusted after an Alembic since I started playing. The one I have represents the ultimate in many ways. Panborn Warlord - graphite neck, not many around. Very comfortable to play (for me because I'm used to Alembics and Jaydees)

She's a goddess.

Andy Cichon, Billy Joels bass player has been a long time fan of slab p basses and offers these thoughts. [i]"I've never played the 66 made for UK P basses but I own the neck on a regular Alder 66 body. C width at nut 1 3/4" with fantastic neck profile. I can only speak of the Maple Cap necks from this period of which I own four. My first contact with these necks was with a 1968 P bass owned by Mark Evans, the original bassplayer for AC DC. It was at that point, the best sounding Precision I had ever played and begged him to sell it to me for years. He never did. Wise man. I finally found mine on ebay years later and have tracked them down and bought them whenever I could. They sound that good. Very very aggressive tone. When you think about how many bodies John Entwistle grafted that same neck onto over the years, it should be apparent that if you want that snarling P bass tone, this is your neck. 1966-71 only. Custom order from Fender. The new P's have them now but I think the thickness of the board is different. Anyway, I've come close to getting a made for UK Slab/ Maple Cap P but so far they have just eluded me. I know that some of the others ended up in the hands of the bassists for 'The Glitter Band" and T- Rex. Fender have made a re issue which I have yet to play. I will say this. If you have the opportunity to own a 60s maple cap P grab it. BTW, When I played Warwicks for 20 years and now Foderas, I always had them made with Maple Cap necks. Vinny Fodera does all his maple boards as caps anyway. That's one of the many reasons I play Foderas"[/i]

Calling Mr Cichon...

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1457940903' post='3003085'] it's not faulty, it's just terrible. I experimented with it a bit last night at home and even when it does find a note, it lags, it's not very accurate and you have to wait patiently and mute the strings and start over, it's a tedious and laborious process, defeats the whole point. I am taking it back for a refund for sure. [/quote] If it was me, I'd send it back anyway if it's not well designed.