White Cloud

[quote name='gub' timestamp='1365197442' post='2036758'] What's all the fuss with these east retros ? [/quote] They sound great!

I say do it. Despite never having played one I have a real soft spot for the T bird design...this could be a great, unique bass. A real head turner and ear catcher. If this is advice wrong then I don't want to be right

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1363296929' post='2011341'] As someone having done the same I couldn't disagree more. The bridge on the Squier is fine. Replacing the bridge would be like replacing a Honda steering wheel on a Cadillac steering wheel. You just don't have to. [/quote] Of course you don't have to, that comes down to personal choice. Leo Fenders bridge is basic, but does a decent job. I still do maintain however that fitting a high mass bridge is a mod well worth making in my experience. Lots of opinions on this post state that there is no sonic value to be gained by changing the stock F bridge to high mass design, but I totally disagree. I can clearly hear a discernible improvement in clarity and overtones...however I do have an exceptionally good "ear". I personally believe that both the Badass and Gotoh 201 are excellent replacements for the stock F bridge...each having their own distinct characteristics. I would argue that the Gotoh is better as it retails for a third of the price of the Leo Quan and sounds almost as good (with a slightly diminished high end).

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1364933275' post='2033010'] I expect you have a good reason for wanting to change the Badass , but I would think twice . If the Badass is fitted correctly and still works properly ( they can be prone to rust knackering the mini adjustment screws ) then it is a great bridge , especially on a Fender - style bass . [/quote] Very good advice!

Interesting topic this. I think you either have it or you don't when it comes to performing. I like to put on a show but my guitarist/lead vocalist has the stage presence of a wet cabbage. It used to infuriate me until, I realized after 140 gigs that its simply just not in him.

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1364915014' post='2032552'] I know Wals are great but I doubt one could transport me back and forth to work each day... [/quote] Yes that is true however you could order a Wal, buy a reasonable bicycle for under a grand....and get fit at the same time!

My own personal opinion on this is that I feel that cheaper, compromised models that cater for those on a limited budget shatter the desirability of high end instruments....almost like a negative placebo affect. I can understand the good intenton of companies like Overwater when providing those on a limited budget with the chance to purchase a good quality look/sound-alike basses - but for whatever reason it puts me off aspiring to he real deal. I was lucky enough to own a Wal custom (bought new on the never, never) back in the 80's. Traded it in for a Jaydee that sucked (thats another story) in one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Despite the fact that there is nothing mysterious about the woodworking/build quality nothing sounds like a Wal. Is £4000 really such a financial outlay for an outstanding instrument that will last a lifetime?? Really?? Most members of this forum have probably spent much more on bland, second hand, mass produced cars....including me!

Looks like a great instrument!

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, love these basses.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1364564644' post='2028234'] Even though I have never owned one ( yet) , I think the Steinberger is up there with the Fender Precision and Fender Jazz Bass in terms of the beauty and functionality of its' design . And as I have mentioned in an earlier post , the Steinberger is the only bass I can think of that I have never owned that I still hanker for . Back in the 1980's when the Steinberger was current I opted for Wal basses ( along with Fenders and Musicman ) , which were fantastic in their own way and which I loved but I don't feel particulaly nostalgic to play them again nowadays despite the cache they ( quite rightly ) now seem to enjoy . I have got some very nice basses now , and have have had just about every other bass I wanted along the way , but the Steinberger will always be the one that got away . Something that strikes me listening to people playing these basses with the balance of hindsight is what a magnificent and individualistic tone they have got , quite unique at the time they came out . They seem to have such a wiry and strident tone , largely due to the graphite , and that is a great sound in itself - it's wrong to want or expect the same warmth or woodyness that you would get from a conventional wooden bass from one of these things , and that is a big part of their appeal to me and their strenghth as a design . All this is making me seriously think about looking into buying one again . [/quote] Funnily enough I opted for Wal and Musicman during the 80's too. The Steinberger low end is completely awesome, but I recall that the top end didn't have quite enough "twang" for me at the time. Wonderful basses though. I consider that the design surpasses anything Leo designed by a big margin.

I have been reflecting on this thread for a couple of days; I personally feel on balance that the XL2 is, for me, the greatest bass design of all time.

The Fender cannot do what the Warwick can do and vice versa. Personally I would take the Warwick all day every day as it is far more versatile....however the resale on the Fender is going to be much better.

I have had similar experiences. I bought a Lakland 44-01 some years ago and it turned up badly damaged. I would personally never use parcel2go again either after they completely messed me around last year. Couriers....bah humbug!

[quote name='sbrag' timestamp='1364114839' post='2021942'] Thanks. If this had been intentional to buy a bass I'd have called him wal (and money was no object). Thanks for the mtd advice. Anyone know what the tobias Toby basses are like? [/quote] I owned one....a 6 string flame maple model. Build quality and playability was excellent for the money but the elecs were a bit weak. Overall a very well designed bass nicely put together. Pimp it up with some good pups and elecs and it will punch way over its weight!

Absolutely great basses. Still uber cool in my book.....and a great sounding bottom end to boot!

A lot of Fenders have neck pockets that are too big for the neck heel. This could be the problem.

The most important factor is the name of the person using the equipment....not the name on the headstock or piece of kit. Equipment obsession is addictive and unhealthy imho. I have known some incredible players who own modest gear and sound incredible, and some extremely poor players with incredible gear...which sounds s**t in their hands.

Ibanez sr basses are unbeatable value for money, superbly put together, play beautifully, sound great and are very light. That should tick all of your boxes.

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1363721615' post='2016597'] I've just had another stroppy outburst!! This is soooooo not like me!! Text from drummer saying the guitarist wants a band meeting tomorrow not a practice..... I have responded with "I'm not having a meeting. We've had meetings upon meetings. We are a band, we are meant to play music. If its not a rehearsal tomorrow I'm not coming" I have my audition a few hours before my practice (I've got a day off tomorrow, and other band members from new band are on morning shift), pray it goes well for me for my sanity! Kev, you are right.... The guitarist is looking for excuses now and I'm not having it!!! I feel bad as I recruited the new singer, and also I have one sixth shares in our PA.... But I'm happy to write that off now, it was only a cheap 2nd hand PA and the singer she's a good girl, I'm sure she will understand.... You live and learn! [/quote] Lol, welcome to the world of making music with other people....band politics drive most players mental! I have seen some great bands ruined by annoying individuals. This is a really good thread btw. Hope it works out for you. Gigging throws up the best of times, and the worst. The first few are a real rush though.

Tal is a great player, irrespective of sex, looks or anything else. Its a shame that she attracts flak

Wow, very cheap for a Stingray. Beautiful!

[quote name='OldG' timestamp='1363594337' post='2014363'] And that warrants HATE? Have a word with yourself! [/quote] Its ok dude, not worth getting excited about. Its easy for individuals to be abrasive, rude and obnoxious over a keyboard online. Its an unfortunate downside of internet communications between strangers who will never meet face to face. Apologies to any other members who found my use of analogies useless and hateful lol!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1363544639' post='2013919'] Useless analogies that i HATE being used, but i agree with the overall point. A guitar teacher i know, who has a LOT of gigging experience said that no matter what kind of gig he was playing, wedding, pub, whatever, he ALWAYS asked to be paid when he was setting up for the night. If he didn't get paid, he didn't play. That way he avoided getting done out of money. [/quote] "Useless" and "Hate" ...two extremely negative words, but I am glad you agree with the overall point. From a professional point of view the guitar teacher that you know has a very sensible relationship with the venues that he plays imho.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1363537193' post='2013760'] We gig to get paid. We have to enjoy it as well but we need to cover costs and gear and fuel isn't cheap. We will do a pub to tick over and keep things going on the basis that we will get a better paid gig out of it... but there is no way I'm playing for nothing. The £500 figure is borderline breakeven type figures for venues. Pubs will loose on those takings, if the band costs more than £200, to my thinking.. Clubs probably more so. The trick is to ALWAYS agree a fee... even when you are just starting out.. [/quote] Dead right. Always agree the fee. No payment = no play.... its as simple as that. agreeing to take a percentage on the door is a nonsense. Would you pay a plumber based upon the amount of times the toilet he fitted is flushed? Would you pay a joiner based upon the amount of times the door he hung was opened? We all love playing, its a passion, but do not let club/bar owners take the piss.

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1363531756' post='2013692'] Happened years ago.... [/quote] Indeed. I believe only 200 or so were produced. Very very rare.