molan

I've noticed that over the years I've been playing slinkier strings and really quite like a set of 40-95's I currently have on one bass. However a recent purchase arrived with something like 50-110 flats fitted & I really quite enjoyed playing with them. I've noticed a lot of shops seem to have big stocks of good old 45-105's and it made me wonder if these are still the most common because people simply like this classic weight & feel or whether it's because they are what a lot of new basses come fitted with & it's the most commonly found in shops? I've set the poll up for 4 string sets simply because it was easier - I'd guess 125 is the most common B string with some heavier sets opting for a 130?

I am totally ignorant when it comes to reading music or any sort of musical theory (I play entirely by ear) but I've just been listening to the Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham classic "I'm Your Puppet" and noticed that they've changed the arrangement in recent years. The basic original sequence was Bf C D then rising to F & G They now start it a semi tone higher on B, same C to D but then rise to F# before the G (at least that's how I'm hearing it!). Obviously the opening note in each sequence is making a difference but the change from F to F# is the real killer for me - sounds so much nicer. Quite cool that they've decided not only to go out playing their older stuff as a duo again but also that they are updating arrangements So I just wondered what the musical term(s) might be for something like this? N.B. They also play it a lot slower than the original as well which makes the change even more pronounced. Here's the new arrangement if anyone's interested:

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1339810' date='Aug 14 2011, 05:41 PM']It's a shame that ESP have made loads of interesting guitars and basses that were never sold outside of Japan for whatever reason, so that makes the Horizon there quite a rare find![/quote] It really was nice, I'm not a 5 string player so not for me but the neck was great & I found I could really get around it easily

I tried [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/products-page/pre-owned/esp-horizon-pre-owned/"]this ESP Horizon[/url] earlier today - definitely a 'rock' bass and it's black with both P & J pickups so you get best of both options & has a nice low B for thundering bass lines - not sure if that makes it good for industrial but it was certainly pretty impressive

I know exactly what you mean - I've always struggled with P basses and flats alike. However it was only recently that I actually put the two properly together after spending some time with two P basses that arrived strung with flats. They sound just great with the tone controls wound right back and my amp set reasonably flat (bearing in mind I usually have a mid-cut)

Andy Baxter imports vintage Ampeg gear and usually has something in stock. They aren't cheap but he makes sure they are all working ok and have been well checked over.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1338529' date='Aug 13 2011, 10:39 AM']Excellent bass for cruise ship gigs! If the boat ever sinks you can use the neck as an oar to row your lifeboat to safety! [/quote] I must admit I do have issues with AC headstocks on some basses - I think the ones with matching paint always look better than simple wood finishes though.

[quote name='dan2112' post='1338337' date='Aug 13 2011, 12:53 AM']Fairplay.....that is one stunning bass what's the weight like?[/quote] Digital bathroom scales say bang on 9.5 lbs

Been playing around on this tonight - sounds really, really nice

my most used gigging bass is a Fodera '86 Monarch - I swear no-one has ever noticed it. . .

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='1337886' date='Aug 12 2011, 04:51 PM']Then he goes and flogs it - very respectful Gorgeous looking bass btw - his loss, your gain![/quote] I've spoken to Jason today & it seems that he didn't have it long at all as he'd already fallen in love with another of Jimmy's basses. I think he played or even owned nearly half of all of Jimmy's early production models, lol. I've been close to buying two others of his in the past - he really knows his AC basses so pretty much anything he's owned is guaranteed to be a 'good un'

[quote name='Gust0o' post='1337683' date='Aug 12 2011, 02:31 PM']Molan, that's absolutely stunning. As is traditional when we meet, I remain somewhere jealous of some of the gear you lay your hands on Interesting on the personal inscription. I've always wondered on the etiquette of such - do you know the story?[/quote] I've asked Jimmy for a little more background but the inscription reads: "built by Jimmy Coppolo for Jason Langley. Thanks for all the years of friendship, support and the push to get these basses up and running!" Jimmy told me Jason was his best friend and I've spoken to Jason a few times via TalkBass. Lovely guy and super friendly, being Jimmy's mate means he seems to get first shout on quite a few of Jimmy's best basses & has owned several of them. I like the fact that this particular one was made especially for him

Agreed a PX deal recently with a really guy in Israel & his side of the trade arrived today. A very special Alleva Coppolo KBP4 Custom built by Jimmy for his best friend [url="http://www.jasonlangley.com/jasonlangley.com/Welcome.html"]Jason Langley[/url] with a personal inscription on the neck, back in October '07. Not had much time to play yet but thought I'd post a few pics anyway. Difficult to really catch the sparkle properly so there's a few similar ones, with & without flash :

[quote name='Bassonata' post='1333993' date='Aug 9 2011, 07:00 PM']For those that own, or have owned them, do you feel they're a sound investment?[/quote] If by 'investment' you mean 'do they hold their value' then I'm afraid it's a resounding no I'm not really sure why but Roscoes seem to plummet in value on the used market. Doesn't mean they aren't amazing basses, just that if you're considering buying new then you really need to believe it's something you're going to hold on to for a long time.

Just got this month's newsletter from BassGear and it has details about the new premises in Berkshire: [i]"Our Big News is that we have now moved to our new premises and are in the process of getting it ready to receive visitors from 27th August. Our showroom address is Unit 2, Twyford Business Park, [b]Gas Lane[/b] (yes, really!), Twyford, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9TU. We are a mere stone's throw from Twyford rail station, which is only 39 minutes direct from London Paddington by train. The A4/M4 and M40 are very close too, and for you high-flyers, Bass Gear is the nearest bass dedicated retailer to London Heathrow airport. Meanwhile, please note that our ecommerce site will [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/08/important-news-bass-gear-shuts-down-temporarily/"]not be accepting purchases from now until 23rd August[/url]"[/i] Looking forward to the opening day on 27th August to see how my GAS is affecting me. . . Nice little article linked from the newsletter from Geoff Chalmers who some of you might have seen at the Yorks Bass bash with Scott Devine [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/07/pros-tools-geoff-chalmers/"]http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/07/pros-tools-geoff-chalmers/[/url]

I've always like tort against sonic blue

Interesting - thanks guys. I read a review somewhere that said they genuinely do seem to Stay In Tune once fitted & stretched in etc. I'll do some digging on the range options

[quote name='Bankai' post='1334445' date='Aug 10 2011, 02:26 AM']Let me know if you fancy coming and I'll give you a private booth to have a noodle in.[/quote] Too slow - he's already got one Bought it from Phil at BassGear (who also lent me one for a few days to try out at home!). I think Phil has several in stock as well now

I wondered if anyone here had used any of the SIT string range? [url="http://sitstrings.com/strings/bass"]http://sitstrings.com/strings/bass[/url] I did a quick search but the last time this seemed to come up was back in '08 & it seemed distribution was pretty sparse.

Isn't that surf green rather than sonic blue? Looks great - I think the 5 string LG is very much Jimmy's 'sweet spot', no-one else really covers this area in the way he does Good on Phil at BassGear for getting it for you - he seems to be able to 'coax' stuff out of Jimmy that other people aren't able to do

I've also heard a lot of good things about Lava cables. Quite a few 'name' players in the States seem to use, and recommend, them.