mart3442

This is probably the longest long term test ever, certainly the longest I've come across. To cut a long story short, I was the Bassplayer in one of the resident Bands at Liverpools legendary Cavern Club and Pub Venues. The band still holds the Saturday residency (11 years and counting) with the Weds slot being around 4/5 years. Factor in various Thursday and Sunday stints, and you see the hours adding up. After flirting with various amp sponsorships, inc Blackstar, Vox and Fender, the venues finally settled for the rejuvenated Orange Amplification range. The initial Bass setup was the Bass Terror, coupled with the Smart power 410. I was never too impressed with this setup. based on an experience in the 'States, I came to the conclusion that it was the Cab letting the side down. After about six months of cajoling on my part, these were replaced with the AD200 and OBC410. What a difference, like night and day. I've owned and used 4 different all valve SVT heads, (a c2001 SVT2 Pro, a c2005 SVT Classic, a 1996 SVT2 Pro that was the best of the Ampegs for me...And one of the 500 reissue SVT's they brought out a good few years ago.), a Mesa Boogie 400+, a 1979 Marshall JMP SuperBass and an ancient Simms-Watt that I wish I still owned. To my ears, the Orange knocked 'em all into a cocked hat, closest in tone was the Mesa but the Orange has a grind and bottom end that none of the others could match. The simplest of tone paths lets you dial in "your sound" instantly. My only beef is that it has no DI out but I can live with that. The amp and cab work really well together, as you would expect, producing some magnificent old school Bass tones, much more than just a rock workhorse, the AD is surprisingly versatisle, capable of a much more modern tone than you might expect from an all tube powerhouse. The amp runs very hot and has no internal cooling apart from venting at the rear. Having said that, in over two and a half years of nightly use, the Orange has proven itself to be supremely reliable. One power tube needed replacing in all that time. The highest compliment I can give the setup is that after I left the aforementioned Band, I bought the identical Orange setup to the house rig I'd been using all those years.......

I don't, he did a lot of remedial work on a 1960 Jazz Bass I have. First rate work all the way.

The last thing I wanted to do was stir things up for the sake of it and I certainly wasn't having a go at you Jon, I apologise if thats how I came across. Thanks, I will have look at the original thread. Best regards, Martin.

Was I questioning anyones conduct? I'm just trying to ascertain whats gone wrong in the customer/retailer ralationship. Far from being a "Fanboy" who believes John Elliot can do no wrong, I'm interested to read about your experiences and admit to being more than a tad surprised that you guys have had a bad time of it as I can only base my opinion on my own experience. I can't speak for bravewood and would never presume to do so, but I can't imagine that any small business would be able to continue to trade if all customers were dealt with in the manner that you guys have described...... Isolated incidents and miscommunication hopefully.

Apologies, the actual term was "Kit of parts" not collection of parts. You are quite correct about any issues you may have had in your life being none of my business, I have merely put my opinions across on a matter that you raised on a discussion forum where the members may freely exchange their views an opinions...... I am a member of this forum am entitled to voice my opinion, just as you are. I do find it quite surprising that once you had agreed to the proviso regarding the first thread, you start another once the neck has been repaired (regardless of whether you had to pay for that or not). Surely, your point had already been made? As previously stated, I am can only go by my own experience, thereby giving others the option to decide based on my experience as well as yours......

I'm a bit late coming to this thread but I find it puzzling that you didn't contact Bravewood when the problem manifested itself. The Bass was within warranty so you would have had no issue. Then, having lived with the problem for four months, you take the Bass to another Luthier rather than contact the builder first. I've had dealings with John Elliot and have no complaints. To refer one of his handmade instruments as a "collection of parts" is an insult to the man and his skills. As for his customer care, or lack of according to you, As I'm not privvy to the tone of the dialoque between you both I can't comment and I'll try not to read between the lines. I can only comment from my own experience with the man.

I own 2 Westbury Basses. I'd put my old German trade Bass into the shop for some much needed repair work. My "courtesy" Bass turned out to be a Violin cornered Westbury. I did a stack of gigs with it and fell in love. The shop owner used it himself and wouldn't part with it, so I bought another through him and used that as my main Bass, although I still wanted the original. After a couple of years, he decided to sell and I bought it. Its the best Bass I've owned and my guy said he couldn't buy the quality of Wood to make the Bass for the price they sell for. As with all instruments, they improve with age and use. I highly recommend them too! BTW: They are imported by Eastman strings, but my two (C2000 and C2004), are Chinese made. Don't know if thats changed but certainly the case back then.

Still searching for the most useable Bass overdrive. Anyone here have experience with Amptweakers Bass Tightdrive? Cheers.

I've got one of these, I bought it from an American friend 12 months ago. Having already owned a USA L2500 fretless, I actually prefer the tones from the 5500. As previously stated, these were only made for about a year, so i wouldn't do any routing or drilling. Keep it original.