molan

I've seen a few things about this but nothing explaining quite how it happened. Any news on how they both are?

I don't think it matters a huge amount when gigging. It can definitely make a difference at auditions. I'd generally be tempted to take something 'traditional' looking for any audition because a lot of people out there have an immediate bias to some brands and, more importantly, a huge dislike to anything out of the ordinary. When it comes to the gig I just take whatever is my favourite bass at the time. Sometimes I'll deliberately take an 'inappropriate' bass though. There's quite a rough venue we sometimes play and I usually take a pink bass there, either that or a gold metal flake finish one

Putting new strings on can often be a waste of time / money too. I bought something recently and the seller put on a new set of Rotosound Steels in a 50-110 gauge. I didn't ask for this, he just thought it would be a nice idea. I don't like Rotosounds, rarely use steel and generally have 40-95's on. The Rotos came off immediately and went into my 'spares' box.

It's the same in a few markets. There's a particular watch brand I'm quite fond of (I have about 12) that sometimes has really good sales. There's a few buyers out there that snap up some of the sales watches and, almost immediately, bung them up on eBay at the full price. A current example is a nice watch available in the sale for £1,000. On eBay it's listed at £1,400. You'd think people would be smart enough to check the current retail value if something but a couple of these sellers keep doing this and you can see the watches selling!

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1484222999' post='3213644'] The whole 'x sells this so they wouldn't like Barefaced' argument is a bit tired. Plus, do Bass Gear actually carry Bergantino products anymore? [/quote] No, we stopped selling them at least a year ago. You may have noticed I referred anyone interested in them to either Mark at Bass Direct and The Gallery for Bergantino. This doesn't mean that, as a player, I don't like them and that, as a retailer, I have nothing but respect for their build quality, choice of materials, tone and reliability. Jim Bergantino is also a complete gentleman with a lot of integrity and can't do enough to help his customers. However - We've never stocked BareFaced and won't take them as PX either.

[quote name='chardbass' timestamp='1484044228' post='3212112'] Re the Bergs- I think those who have them, rate them. They are like rocking horse sh*t on here- I'd love another HD112. [/quote] I think that's because Berg owners buy them and realise just how good they are - whereas other brands fall into the 'emperor's new clothes' bracket and consistently appear for sale here. . .

A lot of these will end up in the hands of gigging pros in the USA. It's a very different market over there compared to here with a much larger pool of pro gigs available. At that level the additional cost is pretty small compared to potential income from gigging. One decent gig would cover the cost premium over an alternative high end J or P.

If you like the MB200 then either of the other MB heads is an obvious option. If you can stretch to the cost then the MB800 has a few advantages other than just total power.

There were some nasty Chinese Fodera knock-offs kicking around a while back. To be fair, apart from the nasty looking trussrod, this one looks better than those.

Be careful if you're not buying a matched set. If the bridge J isn't hum-cancelling then you can get some nasty noise when soloing pickups.

[quote name='stoo' timestamp='1483982996' post='3211693'] I suspect you're referring to the impedance, but in case it was the weight.... According to [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Berg_HD_112_210_410_212.html"]http://www.bassdirec...10_410_212.html[/url] the Berg HD210 is 54lbs / 24.5kg According to [url="http://barefacedbass.com/product-range/Big-Baby-2.htm"]http://barefacedbass.../Big-Baby-2.htm[/url] the BB2 is 13kg/29 lbs with the steel grill and even lighter with the cloth.... [/quote] The HD is a ceramic speaker so that's where the weight is coming from. The lighter weight Berg 2x10 is the new(ish) HDN model http://bergantino.com/product/hdn210-loudspeaker/ That comes in at 33lbs / 15KG The previous model was the CN which is the same weight but voiced a bit differently and with a 'carbon-like' finish.

I've seen some Fodera copies before but not anything quite like this. I'd love to see it in the flesh just to see how well made it is.

Totally different league in terms of build quality. Bergantino make real pro-level gear. Not sure I've eve heard a Berg cab I didn't like. Definitely sure I've never heard a Barefaced I did. Bass Direct almost always have a good range of Berg in stock and the Gallery in London generally have some too. The HD series are sometimes a bit harder to track down though because so many people have moved away from ceramic magnets. They sound great when whacked up loud in a live band though

[quote name='Acebassmusic' timestamp='1483962408' post='3211383'] I have family in the New Jersey area of the US and according to them its alleged a certain Mr Springsteen will head out to the local jams or sit in with local bands! [/quote] I was at a gig once when he just sort of shuffled onstage and played rhythm guitar for 3 numbers then shuffled off again

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1483616354' post='3208653'] I would like to see his personal bass - I know he was excited about it all, only got the tease shot of the packaging. [/quote] I'll try and get a picture at some point. It's a real 'one of a kind' custom build and we worked together on the specs. Apart from one major feature I've been waiting to see it as I was going to get something based on the same lines.

I've been holding back saying anything about Vic because it's all a bit too personal and I'm really torn up about it but one thing I'd like to mention here is how important Vic was in 'discovering' new products in the bass world. Especially in the area of amplification. He was instrumental in bringing over things like the Julie Monique, Demeter integrated heads, Suncoast preamps, tks Engineering cabs and quite a few more. His ear for voicing on these was absolutely wonderful and he had a knack of being able to hear, and explain, subtle differences between amps and cabs - even down to marginally different tones from amps of the same make but with different power stages. He also had a great vision for exactly what he wanted from his personal setup and I'm pleased to say he was able to realise this just days before his passing. I've yet to view his personal custom bass but, even in his absence, I'm very excited about seeing it. I just wish he could have been there so I could hear him play it through his beloved Monique

Just found this little interview with him; https://youtu.be/59kD9TKjjTc Lots of interesting little insights into the world of London Theatre playing

Yes, Ian is an Overwater and Epifani man I think. I hear that there's quite a few OWs in West End pits.

I went to see Dreamgirls at the Savoy Thestre on Monday and had central seats in the third row of the stalls. I was totally blown away by the bass playing I could hear (but not see) throughout the show. Amazing tone, beautiful playing and the bass sat perfectly in the front of hour mix. Not sure if there was an amp/ cab I could hear as well but it really was a phenomenal sound. I'd go as far as to say it was some of the best live playing I've ever heard. Note perfect, not as much as a single click, pop, squeaky string etc. I was so impressed that I thought I'd try to find out who it was that had made me smile so much. I didn't have a programme so wasn't sure if the band members would be listed but I did find the MD's name online. Then I Spoke to a friend who's a west end pit player and he said he knew someone who was a serious 'bad ass' player and he suspected it was him. I then found the MD on twitter and tweeted him just to say how much I'd enjoyed he show and particularly the bass playing. He replied to me and I asked if my friend's suspicions were correct and he confirmed they were! So - the player in question is Ian King. A serious pro who's been in many West End shows and also happens to be a member here as 'Kingbassist'. Absolute top class musician and right up there at the top of the tree of London theatre players. You can hear him in action here: https://youtu.be/pxZevYx6vcw