White Cloud

[quote name='Gully35' timestamp='1356620730' post='1911701'] £1066 and some free strings. It's the same price everywhere I tried. Dawsons didn't have any in stock and I didn't want to wait a couple of weeks. The guy in the bass dept at the GAK shop was good to deal with, he made sure I was getting one of the basses they had in the shop rather than the online warehouse. [/quote] Congrats on the new bass! Nice one.

[quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1356604030' post='1911477'] Second hand musicman sterling? If you can find one they are seriously good basses and the thin neck profile will suit you after the jazz. And I think with the 3 band eq and 3 way pick up selector,probably any sound you could want (certainly is enough for me). What I can't work out about fenders is a standard mex jazz is around 500 and the re issues and '60s' jazzes etc go for £300 more,surely worth getting an American special,although they confuse me even more! [/quote] Agree regarding the MM Sterling, great basses. Fender has really confused the market imo; US models of varied quality and price, Jap models, cheap Mex models, more expensive Mex models, cheap squiers, more expensive Squiers. Just found out that as well as the jap Geddy Lee there is now a Mex Geddy Lee....aaaaaaagh! Its just ridiculous. Far too many variants on one theme.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1356571117' post='1911355'] To be honest, I have played somewhere close to 100 Fenders, (my own, other people's and shop stock; I am fender mad ), and I have only disliked 1 of them. It was an MiM, perfectly playable, nice build quality, but it sounded like cr@p, haha I understand that different people have different standards etc, but I'm not quite sure that I subscribe to the idea that you have to try a Fender before you buy it. I haven't found a Fender that I couldn't get on with within 2 or 3 minutes of casual playing. and besides, if you really don't like it, you have 7 days to return it and get another one [/quote] I like Fenders and have also owned and played quite a few...but I would say you have been lucky. The quality is variable in my experience. The new US models currently being produced are some of the best I have played. Fender has finally got their s**t together!

This is really dangerous in my experience when buying mass produced instruments like Fender etc. When buying online you may get lucky or you may get a real dog. I wouldnt recommend it but you may get lucky. I once bought a Lakland 44-01 online sight unseen and when it arrived it was outrageously heavy for a 4 string at around 12 lbs. It was the last one the particular retailer had in stock so was a little cheaper...obviously nobody else wanted it because it weighed so much. Be careful. If you do decide to go down this route give Thoman.co.uk a try. I found their service to be extremely professional.

[quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1356456849' post='1910338'] If I had the money I'd have a series 2 alembic in the original body shape , but for now I'm gunna try getting one of these Alembic series 1 Alembic mark king Alembic distillate Hopefully something will pop up [/quote] I have first refusal on your Alembic this time next year when you are moving it on!

From personal experience I highly recommend you check out Laklands. My Darryll Jones was superior to any Fender jazz bass I ever owned or played...including some nice vintage models. Lakland also used to do a Joe Osbourne jazz..they were highly regarded also. Sandberg also do some nice jazz basses as do Sadowsky, but they are a bit pricey.

Wal anyone?

[quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1356385833' post='1909891'] As I look around. . . .. Not many people constantly playing Rics, or Alembics may I tentatively suggest.....? Everyone's playing different stuff apart from Lemmy whose spine is probably hewn from a Ric 4003. I love the guy and his music, always have and always will. Motorhead are all that never changed in my schooldays. If Ric would do something about the awful topographical situation around the bridge pup and the U bend from hell it might tempt me back but until then I will admire how they look but despise how they play in my hands. Open Ric-heart surgery to adapt to a u-bend free version leaves a trough which is just a mess. See pic. Why not make the two pups the same as the neck pup and lose the drama. [/quote] Ricks?? Just look at the design...classic! For me seeing Geddy Lee and Chris Squire playing them blew my mind. I dreamt about them when I slept at night. I eventually owned two 4001's and just loved the twang they made with new Rotosounds fitted. After a while though I became annoyed when there was always something missing from my low end with them. Still love them though. Lemmy is outstanding. The real deal and he really is walking the walk and always has. I couldnt imagine HIM playing an Alembic...EVER lol!

[quote name='bassman344' timestamp='1356382266' post='1909844'] I had a bad experience with Rickenbackers. I had bought and sold three in the space of a year. Total money out was in excess of £4,800.00 and I was left with a very sour taste in the mouth and not all the money came back the way it went out so I am very skeptical of VERY expensive basses. The Ric bass ideal I had adored all my youth was a disappointment. My playing style clashed miserably with a Laredo, a 4003 and a 4003FL. The neck profile/shape and the U bend on the 4003 was the reason. I bought a mid range Dingwall (ABZ) before lashing out on a dear one and they are worth every dime - but again it's not everyone likes them and that's their right. I love the playability, string tension on the B and the look on peoples faces as they try to figure out what's different on the fretboard. I will continue to try to climb the Dingwall model tree until I reach the top. Perhaps time will heal my gripe with this. Either that or the good Lord will deliver an opportunity to test drive new basses for some luthier somewhere as a full time job. [/quote] I was an avid Rick player in the 80's...just loved them - then suddenly they felt wrong. I looked around & everybody seemed to be playing Jaydee's, Wal and Status. I switched to Wal so hey ho. Its horses for courses! love Dingwall basses but havent owned one...yet lol.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356380895' post='1909816'] If it's any consolation , I think I have seen Orions secondhand in the Gallery in London for not much over a grand , if I remember correctly . At those prices you could take a risk on one and if you didn't like it you will always get your money back out of it . There are plenty floating around that people brought in from the States before the crash when you could get two dollars to the pound so used Alembics could be brought over from shops or ebay sellers in the States for silly prices . If you want to try an Alembic I wouldn't despair . When it comes to basses , it's ultimately a buyers market by virtue of the sheer quantity of used gear out there . [/quote] Good advice here. This is just what I did, i.e. paid just over a grand for a used Spoiler to put my toe into the water so to speak. This combined with my experience with my friends Series 1 left me somewhat disapointed...it burst the bubble of 30 yrs of Alembic GAS. I am also of the opinion that the mega high price ATTRACTS a certain type of buyer. Its almost like a placebo type affect....."I have paid out for the most expensive bass that money can buy, therefore I have the worlds greatest bass, therefore I have become great too!" lol. In fact in the aftermath of my personal Alembic experience I spent the next few years (after moving it on) only playing passive Fenders and Laklands.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1356374445' post='1909721'] Or buy something more affordable. I just don't like the look of them. Or Fedoras. Or Ken Smiths. I fully realise this makes me crass and shallow, but there it is. [/quote] It doesnt mean you are crass at all....it means you have a different taste. If we were all the same it would be a boring world!! Anyway, the name playing the bass is more important than the name on the headstock.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356369139' post='1909628'] They are delicate in the sense that there is a lot to go wrong on them . The electronics on a full-spec Alembic ( and even some of the lesser models ) are very complex by most standards , and it can be difficult to get them fixed properly by anyone except Alembic . Also , the necks can be prone to needing regular adjustment according to some reports , and the dual truss rods can be a bit of a challenge . Bear in mind that Alembic started out as a kind of instrument technology collective for Bay Area musicians rather than as a strictly commercial undertaking and you get some idea of how their unique approach to just about everything has come about . A lot of the things we take for granted nowadays such as neck-thru body construction , use of exotic woods , brass bridges and active electronics were all [i][b]invented [/b][/i]and / or pioneered by Alembic and considering that , you begin to realise their massive contribution to the industry . [/quote] Dont forget that Alembic also pioneered the use of Graphite necks (in conjuction with what is now the Modulus company). Yes they pioneered so much of what is now industry standard and have earned their kudos imho.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356365451' post='1909570'] Alembic basses might not be everybodies cup of tea , but the price comes very much from the way that they are built . They use a labour-intensive process that takes a lot of skilled man ( and woman ) hours for each bass they produce , and so to maintain half decent profit margins the price is neccesarilly high . Add to that the top quality timbers and the fact that all the hardware and electronics they use are proprietary rather than bought- in packages from other manufacturers and you begin to see where the price comes from . Alembic are a unique company with a unique and uncompromising approach to instrument making ; they sincerely believe that if they did it any other way then they just wouldn't sound like Alembics anymore , and in my book that kind of integrity is always a good thing . Their basses are certainly an aquired taste , and their older more traditional designs don't suit me personally , but they are great basses nevertheless . I much prefer the more recent designs like the Esscence Bass , and always bear in mind the Alembic are the original custom bass builders and will bend over backwards to help you design your dream Alembic regardless of what model it is based on . Alembic basses are quite delicate and need careful use and maintainance , but so are a lot of other brands of high -end bass in my experience . The Alembic is not for those who want to beat it and forget about it , that's for sure . Also bear in mind that the quoted retail prices are only a guide ; you get a big discount off that when purchasing through an Alembic dealer if you live in the U.S.A . Other bass builders have caught up with Alembic in certain respects when it comes to high quality custom basses , but Alembic are still a preeminent bass builder . One thing is certain - nothing sounds quite like an Alembic . [/quote] Pretty much agree with the above. Alembic set the ball rolling back in the day regarding hand built basses. I'm old enough to remember when hand made basses were a huge novelty and not many builders were doing it. At that time Alembics were something that you dreamt of and lusted after. Nowadays however there are literally countless makers building basses every bit as good...and for considerably less. I tried Alembic but it didnt work out for me...it is subjective though. More strength to Alembic though. Their order book is full so plenty of folks want them. I would however always buy used if I really wanted one because I firmly believe they are very overpriced new.

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1356348427' post='1909338'] thanks for the kind words. It's a fun band to do because The police always were and still are my favourite band [/quote] Yes totally agree. Great band and you do them justice...not an easy gig in my experience!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356360849' post='1909504'] Because the amount of time and skill involved in making them and the quality of the materials used . [/quote] Even so..when you are quoting prices that would get you two Ken Smiths, two Wal's or 1 1/2 Fodera's (and thats just the Mark King model..not the REALLY expensive Series 1 or 2's) then purchasing one of these bad boys needs SERIOUS thought. I have the Alembic t-shirt. Very heavy and unbalanced and a bit odd to play...but they sound great. I would however say they are not built with any greater skill than about a trillion other luthiers instruments out there. Just my tuppence worth. I am of the opinion that when bought new they are hugely overpriced - but its your money dude. Good luck.

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1356332338' post='1909203'] yes, I try and go the whole hog. I even try to match outfits with the different basses. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WynWzIiixYM[/media] I haven't got any pictures of the new bass in action as it's only done one gig. Pics have been taken but I've not seen them yet. It's a great bass, it almost plays itself and the neck feels perfect [/quote] Good job...great vocals and a really nice band you have there. Nice and tight! Enjoy the beautiful new bass and play it healthy!

I hadnt even heard of Bravewood basses until a few days ago on this site. His website is very cool and his work is outstanding! Your bass is stunning, congratulations. Btw do you do the full Sting thing, i.e. sing as well as play the bass?? Its one thing replicating Stings bass parts - but a whole different story trying to emulate his vocals! I speak from bitter experience of playing Police covers lol.

The Jap version is a great bass...as most Jap built guitars are! Love the Badass too, every Fender should have one imho. Play it healthy dude!

[quote name='Tobiasthegiant' timestamp='1356217207' post='1908175'] Any ideas on which Xtender would be the best fit for a Overwater/Tanglewood Classic J. The tuners they have have a singe screw on the top of the tuner, but none of the Hipshots have. What do? [/quote] If I was you I would contact Hipshot via email and also drop Overwater a line for clarification. I contacted Hipshot 2 or 3 yrs ago to ask for advice on which Xtender I needed for one of my Laklands and they were incredibly friendly and helpful. I found their customer care to be fantastic and they sorted me out (they even sent me freebies). Top company!

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1356045491' post='1906315'] When I was 14 I got to see my bass hero at the time who was playing with Eric Clapton at the time - it was Nathan East. It was my first ever concert and it was at the SECC in Glasgow and I couldn't hear a single thing he played. I was so disappointed [/quote] The low end within the SECC is shocking for some reason. I have seen some incredible players there but can honestly say I have hardly really heard any of them. One of the few venues where Geddy Lee & Neal Peart both sound S**t on each and every Rush tour! Regarding the rest of the thread, getting the sound right live can be the biggest challenge of the gig for me. I cannot bare it if my sound is not sitting right in the mix. To quote the legendary Miles Davis "turn it up or turn it off!"

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1356210830' post='1908102'] em, i'm 20 in just over a week (so yeah, 19). as far as i can tell, any set of 10 years that sees Rick Astley as a star is not a good one [/quote] Lol, yes a reasonable observation. I would however point out that anyone from the lady Gaga era has a bit of a cheek criticising Rick Astley

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356200422' post='1907945'] The sad irony is that Paul has had to put his prices up significantly since he started making Wal basses again , and if you had pulled the trigger on one when he resumed production it would already be worth more than you paid for it in all likelihood. I too can remember when nobody was particulaly interested in Wal basses - the were considered an an 80s thing - and you could get MK1 Wal basses secondhand for about £600 . I remember it so well because THATS WHEN I SOLD MY THREE ! I too thought about ordering a Wal again when Paul took over , but my better judgement tells me to leave the past alone and I remind myself that there was a reason why I stopped playing them in the first place . Still great sounding basses , but however well Paul makes them ( and I am absolutely certain that they will be just as good as they ever were ) I don't think buying a Wal will make it 1983 again , and that is probably what I really want . [/quote] In all sincerity I think you have nailed it on the head. The 80's were incredible and I often wish I could go back and do it all again(except better). If there are any youngsters reading this then take heed....this is wisdom!!