White Cloud

Any musical instrument that is mass produced in large numbers will be variable in quality to some degree. US models fall into this category just like MIM models. The biggest differential is most likely to be more to do with the quality of the component parts as opposed to the skill levels of the respective US/Mex employees. I have played some really decent MIM's...but also a couple of dogs. I could also say the same for US models.

I have not missed Rush in the UK since the Signals tour and have been an avid fan since 1980.....but something strange has come over me with regard to them, and after some (considerable) deliberation have decided not to fork out my hard earned on this tour for the first time. At the time machine tour a couple of years ago I had a moment of clarity and suddenly realized, about mid way through, that I was really bored hearing the same old stuff yet again...and that the new material just is not my cup of tea at all. I also found the video footage featuring the band throughout to be only "mildly amusing" at best whereas others around me were splitting their sides. It's probably just me!. Anyway, that aside, good luck to Rush on the tour and I hope all of the basschatters that will be attending a great gig.

As a believer in reincarnation I am of the opinion that we all have been born at different times. Out of the left field, I know.

Cannot answer your query unfortunately - however I owned 2 4001's back in the day.....one trick ponies, but what a trick! Love Ricks.

I would say at least £2000. A word of caution though, in many years from now these basses will be worth insane money.....a word to the wise - do not sell it unless you really have to. You may regret it more than you realize at this point in time.

I like to preoccupy myself with more enjoyable activities...such as chewing razor blades and eating glass etc etc.

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1368899804' post='2082858'] Hi John You can argue this until the cows come home. Sometimes it's not about tone, coolness, the name on your headstock etc. it's about, 'Hey, you muthafunker, look at me, I've got a Gibson and it sounds amaaaaazing.' I know in these politically correct days, where everybody has to win a prize (even if you're the fat kid who comes in last - and believe me, I've come last a few times), a world where it's frowned upon to brag about what you have or where it comes from, but just this once, just this once, I want to give these people the finger and shout, 'Look at me. I've saved damn hard to buy this and it sounds better than great, it sounds awesome, and hey, look it's a Gibson, a real one, not a copy with a Gibson truss rod cover.', rather than standing in the shadows afraid to say anything in case you upset the guy from the support band who is playing an Affinity Precision bass. Is a Gibson five times better for five times the price? No, of course it's not. It's infinitely better for five times the price! P [/quote] Lol. You have convinced me Paul! Gimme a Gibson Thunderbird....RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1368451034' post='2077181'] I did some work on a Jaydee recently - I was quite surprised. I had the impression that they would be ridiculously well made, sound amazing etc... but in reality... it was kind of... normal. Far from sh*te but nothing to write home about either. [/quote] Worst bass I ever owned was also a Jaydee Supernatural with a ridiculously unstable neck. A waste of my money and my time.

Thanks for interjecting P, nice one. I was in my local guitar guitar a few days ago and was eyeballing the Gibson TB & the Epi classic pro version (7 piece thru neck, Gibson pups etc). The Gibson fingerboard was a much nicer piece of rosewood...but otherwise it was hard to discern any other visual difference. Ideally I would have loved to have played and contrasted between them but I was burning daylight and time was limited. Obviously the Gibson is going to be better...but then again will it be 5 times better for 5 times the price?

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1368814100' post='2081951'] Y'know, for an instrument costing under £100, is the Supertone bridge at approx. £60 worth it? Set of short scale GHS Brite Flats on its way from Thomann. G. [/quote] I am currently wrestling with this very dilemma. I have an Epi thunderbird that I bought cheap....plays, looks and sounds really great. I do believe however that the Hipshot will make it even better. What to do, what to do!?!?!?

Really enjoying this, thanks for sharing.

Its horses for courses......I like these basses too. Glad you are enjoying it, anything that breaks the mould is good in my book!

Its purely a matter of personal taste. I hate pickup covers so would never ever fit one, but I like badass bridges so would leave it be as opposed to drilling the bass.

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1368622728' post='2079311'] Has the op bought it ? nice bass [/quote] These are actually fantastic P basses! Owned an Attitude a while back....loved it!

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1368562268' post='2078681'] Malmsteen gave Billy the idea apparently . [/quote] Blackmore gave Malmstein the idea!

Whenever I try a new bass I always play it unplugged first and pay particular attention to the natural tone and response of the instrument. Try 3 or 4 of the same models of bass side by side unplugged and you will hear/feel the difference. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a technical guy so I wont even try to be expansive in the scientific rationale for this....but it is what it is; its the foundation of the instruments sound.

[quote name='lou24d53' timestamp='1368560979' post='2078647'] I'm sure there's a hundred threads on here regarding this and a thousand of Sheehan's interviews talking about it elsewhere...but...what exactly is the purpose of the scalloped frets? [/quote] Its a gimick. If there was any real advantage to scalloping between frets then most manufacturers would do it...but there isn't, especially on bass. I belive the theory is that it makes the frets seem like super jumbo size and strings easier to bend. Most guitarists who have tried it are reported to find it wierd...but Richie Blackmore did it on all of his strats...and he was the man!

Marcus, can I have first refusal on the Kingbass next week?? Just kidding mate, I hope it is everything you want it to be!!

If you aren't being paid to replicate songs to the minutest detail in a professional capacity you should play EVERY cover version with your personality. I honestly cannot think of one cover that I play with my band that I replicate the bass line religiously....they are all my version (i.e. improved!)

[quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1368443095' post='2077009'] Exactly the same one I have, I had no idea how good it was until I played a few other basses [/quote] Instruments that are mass produced in the far east over the last decade or so are of a surprisingly good quality in my experience....often it's hard to tell the difference between them and their much more expensive counterparts that are built in the USA (or wherever).

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1368354224' post='2075935'] Yep. If you'd kept all your early Fenders, Wals and MusicMen, what would they be worth now? :-) Coincidentally, just this weekend, if my conscience permitted me (which it doesn't), then I could have bought a rare and sought-after bass, which looked to be in unusually great condition, for under £1000 which I'm confident I could have sold on here for £1500 without anyone raising an eyebrow. CB [/quote] That's the problem...I was too impulsive when I were a lad!

I think basses that have acquired wear through countless hours of playing are very cool....but I'm not sure brand new instruments that have been faked tick the box.

Music is art, there are no rules.