White Cloud

Hi fellow bass chatters. I seem to be having difficulty changing my profile picture here at the forum, tried to upload several new pics without any success, and have lost my original pic in the process too As something of a technophobe I am stuck. I hate not having a profile pic. Dont remember there being any difficulty when setting up my account here originally. Can anyone point out where I am going wrong & why pics just wont upload?

Thanks for sharing Chris. You have a beautiful collection there. They are all utterly gorgeous...but the MTD is the one that really floats my boat. You are lucky to have such a nice group of instruments. How does the MTD compare to your stunning Sadowsky?

I have used Parcelforce many times without any problems whatsoever...but have heard others complain about them. I would NEVER use Parcel2go ever again after they messed me about in a big way last summer when shipping to a fellow bass chatter. Utterly useless!

Great demo's thanks for sharing. Beautiful sounding basses one and all!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1357137779' post='1917933'] I spent 15 minutes with one of the Charcoal Frost Pz above during my lunch today. It’s safe to say I won’t be going ahead. Heavy, lots of swirling in the paint and a few minor scratches, a tiny crack in the paint near the neck joint, and a pretty ugly piece of wood for the neck itself. I also found it very uncomfortable to play. That is probably a setup issue though. The neck joint was good quality, and the pickup placement/string alignment was perfect. As it should be. I’m not sold on the new pups yet....but again I was probably too quiet on the amp to hear what it has to offer. I’m also confused as to what they coat the back of the neck with now. It doesn’t seem as easy to play as my 2009 version of the same bass. It seems to stick a little. Hmm. It just seemed very dry, but unlike the dryness of a Musicman neck, it wasn’t smooth and fast. I sometimes feel like the P and J I currently have are the cream of the crop. I’ve played loads of shoddy American Standards since. I’m probably spoilt by Musicman’s QC and attention to detail as well. Finding another P has been a long journey that still hasn’t ended. Its worth bearing in mind that as of Jan 2013, the Charcoal Frost Metallic and Candy Cola have been discontinued, so shortly all stock will go down to around £899 in the stores, (for a 2012 Fender....I presume the 2011’s will be even cheaper soon). Oh, and the new colours are.....de dahhhh! Mystic Red and Mystic Blue. Take a look on fender.co.uk. AWFUL. They look like the low end Squier colours. C’mon Fender, bring back the pastels! [/quote] Agree. Finding the right Fender can be a lengthy process. The good ones are worth the hassle though. Also agree about the pastels....bring em back! Guitarguitar however seem to be going that extra mile at the mo...buy now pay 2014 etc. Hats off to them for making instrument acquirement easier to poor plebs like me.

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1357140515' post='1917986'] All basses sound pretty much the same, don't they? [/quote] To most non bassists...yes! Dont forget there are also still many out there who consider bassists to be second class musicians. This is not quite as prevelant as it used to be. When I started playing there was almost a stigma about taking up the bass..."Your only a bass player because you couldnt cut it on guitar!" This is still the case with many of the uneducated and ignorant. Surely others on the forum can relate???

[quote name='ZenBasses' timestamp='1357087941' post='1917466'] My GB has a lovely ebony Fingerboards and I was just exploring the possibilities of Phenolic.. The ethics surrounding ebony make me stir away. I have always loved the look of Pau Ferro.. Maybe this is probably the perfect option. Maple fboards are the obvious option.. But something a bit differ would be preferable The GB is super bright and attacky I am wanting a more rounded and Warmer sound So u guess that rules out composite straight off.. Hmmm Pau Ferro..... I likey [/quote] To be honest if you want a more rounded and warmer sound composites are not the way to go. In my experience the type of response that you seem to be seeking will be best served by Rosewood. It took me over 30yrs of experimenting with everything from Maple, Rosewood, composites...even Pau Ferro and Cocobolo before finally coming to the realisation that Rosewood is the fingerboard material that gives me what I like best. One thing that always surprises me is the misconception amongst loads of bassists that Maple is harder than Rosewood. It is much brighter...but certainly not as hard.

Every bass is merely a variation on a theme. Its subjective really - the P & J basses cropping up all the time in this thread is totally understandable...but after some consideration I think the Stingray 5 is the bass that ticks all the boxes. This bass can be used in virtually every musical circumstance with great success.

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1357078620' post='1917331'] I have a funny love / hate relationship with these beasts. I have owned 4 different Stingray 5 bass guitars so far. I am currently going through a quiet spell with regards to regular gigging. We have 2 kids and they are currently of an age that necessitates me to take a step back from regular gigging. It has got me thinking ........ I spend a lot of time playing/practicing bass at home playing along to CD's etc. I sold my Stingray 5's as I did not like the tone of the bass when I was noodling solo at home etc. But , when I have played these bass guitars in a live band situation I have loved the tone and alway had great feedback from band members as the Stingray tone just seam to fit "in the pocket" with the rest of the band. I have been a berk ! I need another Stingray 5 and I really regret selling my 2005 buttercream stingray 5 with maple neck !! Please help , Am I right ?? Have I been a berk ?? Please Help me see the light !! [/quote] I think you are being hard on yourself. Its all part of lifes rich tapestry. Every member of this forum probably can relate to the "post bass sale" regret feelings that you are currently going through. I also think I understand where you are coming from regarding the home rehearsal vs full volume band practise scenario...its a whole different dynamic. I have been there! I have only ever owned a 4 string Stingray back in the 80's - it recorded beautifully and every engineer seemed to adore it. The 5 string version appears to me to be a bit of an industry benchmark. I love the look of them but have been told they are typically heavy...not good for my ruined back. Bottom line?...buy another when you can afford it!

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1357077925' post='1917320'] Well, i think this is turning out to be the best music show on tv this Christmas/New Year. Great songs, fantastic band including the freaky upside down left handed bass work of Lee Pomeroy, and excellent guests - including James Corden, who can sing pretty well and camped it up on 'Pray' a treat, including some nifty dance moves. iMHO it's been a woeful time for tv this year and I'd given up hope of anything enjoyable, then the Mrs put this on. Oh, and some very nice Yummy Mummies in the crowd too! [/quote] I agree. Nicole schersingwhatshername strutting her stuff in kinky boots was also a nice distraction!

Very nice basses. I had a nice example and stuck a Badass on it...it sounded great and was a gigging warhorse. Sold it to fund something else after a bout of GAS and kind of regret it.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1356962918' post='1915664'] Yup, playing at a private function @ the Cardross Coachhouse from 10pm til 2am. Three 1 hr hour sets with a couple of breaks! Not a big gig I suppose but there will be 200 Scots partying down. Played the same venue last year and it was great! All the best when it comes folks! [/quote] This gig turned into a bitch. Arrived to set up the gear to find that the venue had just kept prinitng more tickets when they ran out...the venue was mega crammed with unhappy people because there was nowhere to sit/stand/whatever. The area where we were asked to set up was full of diners eating their dinner...by the time they had finished we had virtually zero set up time and zero sound check. My guitarist turned up with untried new gear and sounded like a novice all night as he couldnt get to grips with his bloody new pedals...volumes all over the place. Amateur hour on the biggest night of the year. I'm seriously unhappy. NOT to be repeated...next year I am staying at home. At least we got paid tho lol.

When I first saw this thread I thought "oh no, not another Fender P bass" - but after seeing it I have to admit it is a really beautiful Precision bass. Love the slight worn look...and the Badass is a really nice touch. I would like one!

Just love Jons basses. A Letts bass is on my "things to own in 2013" list lol.

Yup, playing at a private function @ the Cardross Coachhouse from 10pm til 2am. Three 1 hr hour sets with a couple of breaks! Not a big gig I suppose but there will be 200 Scots partying down. Played the same venue last year and it was great! All the best when it comes folks!

[quote name='Dr Chocolate' timestamp='1352558673' post='1864611'] Hubba Hubba [/quote] Drooooooooool! Another Jon Letts beauty. Look at that top

Congrats, simply stunning. Really love Jon's work - I need one of his basses in my life!

I have always wanted to fluently play "Joe Frazier" by Jeff Berlin.....but I am lazy and cant be arsed putting the time and effort in lol.

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1303804958' post='1211443'] Do people think that Ibanez aren't capable of making high end instruments or something? If you've ever played an Ibanez J-Custom guitar, you'll know they're among the finest crafted instruments you'll ever see in your life. If Ibanez are saying there's two grands worth of materials and construction in these then I'm keen to play them, to be honest. One grand of Ibanez is often to the level of two grand of some other, let's say, more respected manufacturers. I would fully expect these basses to be the dog's burritos. I'd agree entirely with the Yamaha comparison, just because they're great at making great value for money instruments doesn't mean they're incapable of making something special that justifies a premium. That's logical, right? [/quote] Spot on!

[quote name='SlapbassSteve' timestamp='1356895737' post='1914897'] Personally I love the look and tone of them, but that doesn't stop them being seriously uncool. Lovely sound though! They'll probably come back into vogue soon though, weren't Fenders really out of fashion when they started making headlesses in the early 80's? [/quote] Fenders were uncool to the point of being only slightly higher in the bass pecking order than firewood in my experience of the early 80's. Its ironic today to look around and see so many young players who have the exact opposite opinion 30 yrs later.

I owned an XL2 in the 80's and I consider it to be probably the best designed bass I ever owned. It took a bit of getting used to; the neck wasnt super friendly - but I loved the portability, reliability and overall sound. I recall it had a very distinct low end that suited what I was playing at the time. If I had another chance (and cash) to buy one in good condition I would snap it up.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1356703437' post='1912619'] [size=5][sub]At this time, bass playing had been thoroughly influenced by the likes of Pino, Jaco, Louis Johnson, Nate Watts, Norman Watt-Roy, Mark King - so things had become technical - look at Nick Beggs - Kajagoogoo (top 10 single etc).[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]So basses of the era - Musicman Stingray, Sabre or Cutlass.[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]Ibanez Musician; [/sub][/size][size=5][sub]Steinberger; [/sub][/size][size=5][sub]Wal[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]All choice basses of the time. Alembic if you could afford one (few people could); Jaydee if you couldn't.[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]Fenders were off the radar for many serious players at this time as seriously out of date and unhip, but found in the hands of punk rockers etc.[/sub][/size] [/quote] Lol, totally true regarding Fenders...very "boring and old school" was the perception I remember as a young bassist at that time. You could hardly give away 70's Fenders during the early 80's. Aria & Ibanez were really good quality "hip" instruments for young poor(ish) players to aspire to during this time...and both represent good value for money for you on your quest today!

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' timestamp='1263282719' post='709691'] The tone also comes from your fingers. I've tried using cadburys chocolate fingers & birds eye fish fingers, but found that my original ones sound best in an A/B comparison. [/quote] At the heart of this humourous posting there are extremely wise words. The single most important factor in the tonality of any instrument is the touch and creativity of the individual player that is playing it.