The Saint

Hi Mart.

No, they are purely acoustic. The one in the photo is mine so I had the electrics fitted. Pick ups are such a personal thing. Whatever I fitted would only appeal to a small number of buyers so you are free to add whatever electrics you choose. Some prefer under the saddle, others sound hole. You pays yer money.....

Graham

I have managed to upload some pictures. The actual guitar is mine, but as I said in my original post they are all slightly different in colour and finish.

If you have any preferences, please let me know and I can send some pics

I have several acoustic guitars for sale. These instruments are the last few of a limited run.

First of all, some background details. Around 10 years ago, I was living in SE Asia and started a company bringing guitars back to the UK. I am on the move again, so the last ones are now for sale. Once these are gone, that's it. No more! So there is a chance to own a hand made guitar that not many people will know about.

They are all built to my design, but the remaining ones are all Dreadnaughts. They are made by one guy who does everything in his house, So they really are hand made. Not just 'assembled' by hand.

They are all made from solid wood, no laminates. All have spruce tops with mahagony back and sides, bone nut and saddle with maple necks and Rosewood fingerboards. There are abalone inlays on the edging and around the soundhole with subtle abalone inlays along the fingerboard. Bridge pins are ebony.

There are various finishes, some are gloss others are matte. Some are light mahagony, some dark. The dark ones tend to have a dark stained neck, the lighter ones are natural maple colour.

They all come with a hard case. The cases are not brilliant, but they are free..!!

One of these guitars were reviewed in Guitar Magazine in 2003 and got a fantastic response from the reviewer, Jerry Uwins. This was a genuine review, unlike an 'advertising review' that some magazines seem to give. At the time they were selling for £599. The guitar was subsequently voted as one of the top three guitars available for under £1000.

I have never advertised these guitars, they have sold by word of mouth. Several high profile players have used these guitars, including Dave Kelly from the Blues Band, Eric Bibb and local (to me!) bluesman Harry Skinner. They have all bought their guitars, they were not gifts.

So now the important bit! These guitars are now for sale at £250. Less than half the original price.

Collection from Southampton is best. I have never sent one by courier, so don't know the cost. But I would rather you come and play it first anyway. I am happy to travel a reasonable distance to meet you.

I have spoken to the Mod's who have been very helpful in allowing me to advertise these guitars here on BassChat. I am not selling them anywhere else.

There are only 6-8 left, so please contact me if you are interested. Please post any questions on this thread, rather than by PM so that everyone can benefit from your query.

Thanks

Graham

PS. I'm having trouble posting pictures, they will be up as soon as I sort the problem...

I bought a set of Thunderguts at a Ukulele festival last week. I've had my Kala U-Bass for a few months (bought it second hand from a BC'er) but have to tune it up almost every time I play it. As a result, I must have trimmed about 2-3" off these strings in the time I've had it. The Aquila strings have required tuning, but nowhere near as much. I get the feeling they are stabilising earlier. They also feel 'better' although I can't really describe why, perhaps there's a bit more tension.

Acoustically, they sound a bit brighter, but through my amp they don't really sound any different to my untrained ears.
The only drawback is that they are a bit more 'sticky' when my fingers slide up the neck. Bearing in mind I'm new to bass playing, my lack of technique may be the reason for that..!!

Overall, I rate them higher than the stock strings, but whether they sound £27 better is a matter of taste.

I do know the U-Bass gets a lot of use. It's so easy to sit on the sofa and practise while Mrs Saint is watching the box. I can't do that with any other instrument I own!

Graham

Just being rather pedantic here, but would the Union Flag be upside down on a right hander?

I got the feeling that Elton had been partying with Macca, as both their vocal performances were a bit below par last night....Didn't stop me enjoying it though...

Water quality is a bit better lately.

But the best bikinis are on the yachts..!!

Graham

PS. Don't know about you, but nostalgia's not what it used to be.......

Ha.. No wellies. Just nice to stroll along the shore, take in the air and admire the scenery, boats and bikinis......

Hi Psycho

We have a couple of music shops here, Fret Music being the biggest followed by The Guitar Store and a smaller indie called the Music Shop. They each have their appeal and worth a browse although they don't have anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks, I'm thinking of something well known that doesn't gallop along too much. I have a couple of books/CD's and I'm about to start lessons next week

My tastes are mainly blues (so 12 bars are on the list!) but anything that has a repetitive bass line that I can pick up easily, bearing in mind this is the first time I've played bass.

Keep 'em coming...

I now have this bass in my hands. Thanks to project c's patience, help and advice I seem to have a mighty fine instrument...

Graham

Having spent the last 40 years bashing the hell out of guitars, I've recently decided to try my hand at learning the bass.

When I started out on guitar,a friend told me the best way to learn was by playing along to records. Remember them..?? It helped me get going, although I'm still playing at the same standard! But it helped with chord changes and hearing them coming.

So following on from that theme, what songs would you recommend for a beginner to play along to? I've got 'Stand by Me' but I need a few more. You know the sort of thing, a song you probably hate playing live because it's so repetitive, but has a simple bass line that doesn't change too much during the verse and chorus but will help get my fingers landing on the right fret.

Any suggestions?

Ta

Graham

Thanks guys

Hi Kiwi

Small world! I still like getting down to the Rising Sun on a Sunday after a brisk walk...

Thanks Bert

I like a bit of lurking now and again....

I know what you mean about weight, my 12 stone guitar amp is about to be replaced by a mere slip of a 4 watt practice amp.

I'm finding the U-Bass is a lot easier on my back though.....

Graham

Thanks for your advice guys, seems pretty unanimous on medium gauge roundwound.

Chris B, interesting thought about the heavier strings. I've been blessed with girls hands so I think I'll woose out on those...

Don't go away, plenty more questions coming.......

Graham

I'm just starting out on bass, having played electric and acoustic guitar for a while and I need some help on choice of strings.

When starting out on an acoustic guitar I would advise a beginner to use a light gauge string, purely because it's easier to play. They can change their sound later by moving to heavier strings/using phosphor bronze or any of the huge range available.

By the same token, as a beginner on bass, would there be any advantage for me in choosing flat wound or round wound? At the moment I'm more interested in ease of playing rather than how they sound. That'll come later...

Are there any other types that I should consider? At the moment I'm more interested in the gauge and type of string I should consider rather than the manufacturer, although specific recommendations would be welcome.

Sorry if this sounds a bit basic, but I have to start somewhere...!

Thanks

Graham

Hi Folks

I've lurking around the forums for a month or two and getting to know people.

Through the forums, I've managed to buy an EUB, a U-Bass and am presently waiting to collect a bass guitar from fellow chatters.

I have to say that it seem very civilised here and you have some very helpful guys only too happy to pass on their experience. I'm a moderator on a non-music related forum and it's like trying to separate kids in a playground sometimes...!!

I've played guitar since I was a kid, but now looking forward to getting to grips with the rather large bass ....

Regards

Graham

Hi All

Great thread, I've learnt a lot from this. My situation is a bit different, in that I'm a complete beginner, although I do play guitar. I've just bought a bass guitar to go with my Kala U-Bass. My priority is not what sound I get from new strings, but more emphasis on the playability. Is one type of string easier to get me started than another? I'm thinking of the difference between flats, rounds (and others that I may not know about) rather than the make of string, if that makes sense.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Graham

If it's punchy and up-tempo you want, it has to be Revolution....

It's now mine.

All mine......!!!!!

Thanks Fello

Graham

I've just bought an EUB from Simon. Really helpful guy who went literally miles out of his way to help me.

Thanks a lot......

Graham

Bought this bass at the weekend, now looking forward to learning how to play the beast!!

Thanks to Simon going (literally) well out of his way to help me, it was much appreciated.....

Graham