BassBod

Music often isn't a great way to make a good living, and people do fall out of it and find "better" ways to survive. Stick the bass in a cupboard, and why buy another cheapie if there is a good one in the house? Wals are a holy grail bass now, but they were pretty common not that long ago and didn't command any special value (compared to JD's Mansons Overwaters etc). Both mine cost around £650 used in the late 80's and mid 90's and I don't recall the prices going up until the company started to publicly fail. I guess they are still generally as heavy as mine were..and that was a big issue for me after a couple of years, I just didn't find them comfortable to play. Must be a nice distraction though....and certainly makes a change from all the Yam/Fender copies. My only similar experience was a student with a 70's Ric, not really in the same league.

He's never been one to adopt the latest gear - for a long time he was still using the old Fishman BP100 pickup. He's a low action player, and was struggling with this mic/pickup/amp stuff back in the late 60's.....so everything probably still feels like an improvement!

Thanks for that - I can remember the original XL Reds from the very early 80's. Probably the second set I put on my Pbass copy after the flats came off! Back them they were bright and twangy, and left your hands with a distinct copper smell, like you'd been handling loose change all night. I liked them...but a coated version must be an improvement.

Great project - look forward to seeing the final bass. I'd just go repro for the pickup, there are some great options these days. I've got a some Voodoo (Peter Florence) jazz pickups in a Fender clone, and they are everything you'd want or expect from an original Fender Jazz bass.

Bound to happen,isn't it? My personal best was a big festival gig...bass guitar...EUB...preamps and switching sorted, ooops no kettle lead for the amp. Easily sorted, but you do feel a bit stupid. But I do know a guitarist whose arrived at two gigs with no guitar.

Great to see him getting some prime time...but did anyone else see the Banjer in his studio? Now I'm worried.....

Jaydee???

I've used his DI boxes (standard and muting version) for EUB/Double Bass for years - they are fantastic, and affordable. Always been very impressed when recording with them too...but I will admit I often use a Raven Labs box, but only because I've got one. I'd recommend contacting John and explaining what you want, as he is very good at adapting things to meet your needs...and doesn't charge silly money for custom work. Highly recommended.

I've still got my Goliath II - love the sound, but it doesn't go out unless I'm on a big stage. Too heavy for run around gigging. The rear port can cause boom issues if its too close to a back wall/corner...but its easily avoided once you are aware, and the benefit is a very natural low end...particularly when its driven by an amp with some real grunt. Great cab, but distinctly old fashioned and cumbersome when you compare it to most recent designs.

I recall reading his graphite neck was a "GMT" - early incarnation of the Status fibre necks? No idea where I read that, but probably an 80's music mag. Did I imagine it..or did early Status pickups have GMT embossed on them?

Another plug for Martin Penning (cheers Greg) - did good things for a good price to my neglected Zeller. And none of that "violin shoppe" attitude towards a bass of lowly origins, just gives you an informed view of what's worth doing. Take a trip to Crazy Town.....

Brandoni necks are good...and fairly cheap - give them a call? I think the old ampeg plexi's suggested using toothpaste to polish out scratches....

Yes, I've used the more modern MB150E version, but having sold (two of) them on, I recently picked up a much older (1991?) 200MB from the For Sale pages here. I prefer the sound - its got a warmer tone than later versions, its not as hissy (the limiter on the MB150E always seems to create a trebly hiss, no idea why...but both of mine did). Its also slightly smaller. Negative points - it hums when plugged in (and not even switched on!) but its not intrusive. The foam speaker surround rots and falls apart (but the current GK replacement speaker fits it...or you can have the foam replaced) and the handle is a bit prone to falling off (and its a weird very small size...so you'll never find a replacement without an old donor GK?). I think its a great little amp. And I like the fact its not built using surface mount components - it should remain repairable for a long time yet, even if its already 20 years old.

I've gone retro recently, even though most of my work is pretty small scale. 20 year old GK 200MB combo, SWR Baby Blue and Electric Blue head. My Euphonic Micro was fantastic, and it was tiny....but I always had to put something (Sansamp, Sadowsky or Aguilar) rougher in front. I think its something to do with the newer power amp module vs old style tranny power. What surprises me is that I like a cleanish sound, and I'm certainly not a rocker....most often I'm playing for diners and trying not to get in the way. Mind you, I doubt if anyone else I play with would notice the difference.

Just bought a gig bag from Phil - goodt communication, quick responses and provided tracking info etc. Great packing job, sent in good time and the bag was exactly as described - a credit to BassChat traders!

Looks good, even though I'm not an EMG Expander enthusiast. My first thoughts are...does a mahogany body add much weight..is there any sonic benefit over alder/poplar....love the truss rod adjuster.

Cafe Walter battery amp. Nice and simple and very good sound (for iPod and bass). Gets through batteries if you use it a lot, and they are much more expensive now, as exchange rates have gone up since I got it. I only use it these days when I have to learn something in a hurry...but when the kids were young it got used a lot more. Now I'll play an acoustic bass rather then plug in.