Born 2B Mild

[quote name='TomKent' post='1192383' date='Apr 7 2011, 10:48 PM']Phil! Come and try the Krampera stack out tomorrow - got an EBS demo board and a couple of vintage basses sorted. Also trying out a mystery brand tomorrow [/quote]
Hold on ...I'm coming

Saw lots of interesting stuff today. Some is under wraps whilst deals are being tied up, but here's my latest [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/04/messin-with-musik-part-two/"]blog [/url]that features pics of Michael Manring, some neat new amps and the obligatory Bootsy reference.

Frankfurter Phil

[quote name='goblin' post='1191099' date='Apr 6 2011, 09:31 PM']You wouldn't believe the amount of trouble he had with getting Lufthansa to get that bass into the hold too. He was upgraded to business class to meet the weight restrictions.[/quote]
That would add a few verses to his song, me thinks.

Anyone care to suggest some lines?

[quote name='goblin' post='1191079' date='Apr 6 2011, 09:21 PM']What's up with his Fender? I told him not to put it in the hold![/quote]
Me too!

I suggested (well in advance) that he borrowed one from a bass maker who is exhibiting.

It got buggered in the hold as far as I know. It's playable, but only just!

Hi folks,

I've just blogged [b]Day One[/b] here in Frankfurt.

What I really want to share with you is that it's actually worth visiting as a non-trade person, if not this Saturday then perhaps next year.

Unlike some trade fairs, this one ends up opening to the public. It only took an hour and a half to fly to and I can honestly say it's worth it ...both for looking at gear AND seeing live performances.

And I'm not the only Bass Chatter here ...Tomkent is working on the Kampera stand with a f**ked Fender, whilst mentally composing a new song provisionally entitled "Lufthansa breaks guitars".

Pics and comments on the dudes seen playing today are [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/04/messin-with-musik-part-one/"]here [/url]...Divinity Roxx, Bootsy etc.

Hope you don't mind the Heads Up!

Frankfurter Phil

Only 10 years Keith? I thought the Watermelon men were Gladys Knight's original band before she squeezed 'em dry!

[gets coat]




PS. I shall raise a stein to you and the band from Frankfurt, as that's where I'll be instead of coming to see you, tomorrow. Hope it's a killer.

Phil

Parcel2go limit insurance for musical instruments to £1000.

It's well hidden in their small print, but it is true as I recently 'discussed' it with them.

FWIW Int. Parcelforce have never let me down and they pick up from you.

Last courier I used was to Germany about a week a go. I used DHL and they were picking up in minutes of booking, then delivered ahead of schedule. Not cheap, mind, but that bass was a highly valuable one, so I didn't mind the cost.

Good luck with your shipping.


PS. Sometimes it's cheaper to book a return trip on a car ferry and have a wee break at the same time!

Hi all,

I just want to respond to a couple of points raised here.

Spacing is 100mm between the centre of each pup to the next.

The 5-string version is not out yet and maybe a couple of months away.

One of the reasons for the price being lower than your typical hand built Shuker bass is the standardising of the finish and materials used.

Not everyone will ever agree on the same colour of the body etc. Nor the fingerboard wood. But then there aren't enough being made to satisfy everyone!

We quite like the idea of changing the finish colour each year, so 2011 is the year of the Amber Tiger

There may come a time when more variety is offered but until then we have what we have.

It's been a pleasure to bring a new option to bass guitarists, albeit in limited numbers to a lucky few.

Thanks,

Phil

I know, it's not a bass and nor is it mine.

I've played in bands with Mick for 16 years. He's asked me if I can help him.

So, here's what he asked and if you PM me I'll put you in direct contact with him.

He lives in Leeds.

As the topic description says, it's nowt to do with me or my business and I'll be lucky to get a pint out of him for my troubles!.

[i][indent]Hi Phil,
Here are some pictures of my 335
If you know of anyone wishing to buy it I bought it brand new in 2004/2005 (not sure which). I haven't played it all that much and as such it's in good condition. It has an amazing translucent red finish on the top which shows off the stripe underneath that can be seen in some of the photos. It comes complete with Gibson hard case and I am after about £1800 for it.

Cheers

Mick[/indent][/i]

Here's one of the pictures available...

Yep, I'll be there as a visitor. Arriving Tuesday & Departing Friday night.

BUT no Après show gigs/parties lined up yet

(Hint)

Here's the other vid I took of Scott & Geoff. Apologies for the sound quality ...my camera, not the excellent Markbass/Bag End backline!

If anyone doubted that a pair of bass guitars on their own could be enjoyable to listen to, then watch this...

[quote name='2wheeler' post='1179138' date='Mar 28 2011, 08:11 AM']I started the day with a deep suspicion of Mark Bass but finished the day being blown away by the fabulous sound of Scott playing 5-string Zon (model?) through the Mark Bass 12" combo (121P?). I love that VLE control. Scott was a bit upset because the Markbass combo was threatening to outshine his own kit [/quote]

I was in the sceptic's camp too, then Michael Manring came and played in Harrogate through two MB combos & no PA. A few weeks later, I became a Markbass dealer!

Here are Scott & Geoff at Yor'Bash yesterday (captured via my Nokia N8 phone, hence the not so hi-fi audio quality)



Their links are: [url="http://www.scottdevinemusic.com/"]http://www.scottdevinemusic.com/[/url] and [url="http://www.myspace.com/geoffchalmers"]http://www.myspace.com/geoffchalmers[/url]

PS The Zon was [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/products-page/bass-guitars/zon-basses/zon-sonus-standard-5-burl-maple-top/"]this [/url]...the actual same one reviewed in the latest issue of BGM

I thought it was the best Yor'Bash to date.

Thank you Keith for organizing a great event and for uniquely combining origami with the raffle!

I took a few snaps too, and [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49670968@N08/sets/72157626242582339/show/"]here they are[/url]

Phil

Ebony is my personal favourite (though I think some composites do a similar job).

I had a hankering to play something with ebony on it last weekend, took a look round our Pre-Owned section and ended up borrowing this. Every note at every fret was pure. Definitely the best Gibbo I've played and now I'm thinking I need more ebony basses in my own harem.

I've been thinking about what to bring from the showroom. I can't bring everything!

I've surprised myself by deciding on some ridiculous deals on some of the stock that I would like to see more movement on. There are fresh stocks on order and gawd knows what I'll end up being tempted in to at Frankfurt in two weeks.

So please be warned: the deals are for Yor'Bash attendees only and I dare not advertise them. Cards will be accepted.

So that's another reason why you absolutely MUST COME!

See you there.



Phil

[quote name='yorks5stringer' post='1170663' date='Mar 21 2011, 01:50 PM']Just adding to the Raffle Prizes:

Hartke Effects Pedal Courtesy of Korg UK

"Something" from Mark Bass courtesy of Proel UK

2 Musicians Tool Kits

101 Bass Tips by Gary Willis

6 packets of Dunlop Bass Strings courtesy of John Hornby Skewes

2 packs of Hartke Bass Strings courtesy of Korg UK

There will also be a Bass Bash Discount on Mark Bass products bought through Bass Gear Ltd[/quote]


And some of our popular Bass Gear exclusive T-shirts are to be won in to the raffle too.

Don't forget to bring bags to take away your prizes. Most people win something ...there is likely to be as many winning tickets as people at the bash.


Phil

GOOD NEWS

The organisers have got the message about the noise and as I write we are in the first of the 'every other half-hour' quiet slots.

It's eerily quiet now!

But we have a headphone set up for these periods so the show goes on!

Phil

Actually, Basschat could act as an intermediary in that funds are released to the vendor when the buyer receives the goods. A wee charge for this (like 2%) could compensate for the effort involved at the Admin end.

I've just bought a laptop after searching around for a few weeks.

Your uses may differ from mine, but FWIW I went for a [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004ISKZCI/ref=oss_product"]Samsung R540[/url] from Amazon

By the way, I'd really like a Midget for my own personal use. Tempting ...I'm even on hols in the Cotswolds next week too!

Phil

[b]Basschat special.
[/b]
This is what you'll find at [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/02/be-a-guest-of-bass-gear-at-the-london-bass-show/"]http://www.bassgear.co.uk/2011/02/be-a-gue...ndon-bass-show/[/url]

[indent][b]*Competition*[/b]
To win a pair of Guest Passes to the London Bass Show, all you have to do is email [email protected] and put in the Subject Header “Competition” and tell us which item currently offered on our site you would chose to have for free … and your reasons why. To add to the fantasy, you must 'keep' this item for the rest of your life, so the financial value doesn’t come in to it.

The competition ends midnight February 28 2011 and a winner will be notified very soon after. [/indent]

[i]But what you won't find there[/i] is the news that in addition to the original pair of Guest Passes to be won, there's now an additional pair up for grabs that can only be won by a Basschatter. Just mention your avatar when entering.

The reasons you give can be three words or three hundred!

A couple of days a go, I got a call from Mike Walsh of The Purple-Chili.

The cabs are being re-launched with different specs and a very different exterior. Customer feedback has driven this ...even to re-doing the logo! They are due to make their first official appearance at the Guitar Nation show at the NEC in May. However, I've suggested that he gets an early production cab down to our stand for this show and Mike's going to try and do that.

Meanwhile, there's just a few of the original versions left in our stock and we are clearing them at silly prices, in case you are interested.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1100374' date='Jan 24 2011, 03:57 AM']Any news on this? Was fiddling about with my Burman, and thinking, the option of plugging in before or after a gain stage is kind of cool, as is the three gain knobs, so you can control the gain at various stages of the preamp. Keeps it all valve, but will make the knob twiddlers happy. Probably bit much for bass amp purposes though.[/quote]
Had a long meeting with the amp makers last week. We all agree that it's got be good/innovative to appeal to the discerning user. The blank sheet we have started with has now become a wish list of specs that has been influenced by many of the posts on this thread. So the next phase involves seeing how these ideas can be made in to reality via design and/or parts sourcing.

When things get more actual than theoretical I'll be able to report further.

Thanks,

Phil

I sold my very own Barefaced Compact to Richard, who is a splendid Basschatter to deal with. He now has a Barefaced stack that you can hear from the other side of the border

Speechless

Trades?

Superb input so far everyone. Thank you.

I'm trying to be as open minded as possible but it's in [i]my [/i]mind that A) it's for gigging mainly, and B ) it'll be the price it works out to be ...even if that reduces the amount of buyers to only a few dozen in the first year or so.

This doesn't mean that studio versions or even lower-cost versions are never going to happen ...they may well do. I just want to start with something that is simply the very best in sound, design and reliability.

Of course it's got to have a return on our investment, but at least much of the customers money won't be going to fund non design/production cost such as the slices of pie that exist for the larger volume products e.g. import cost, distributor margin, high profile marketing etc.

I believe that cream will float to the top, and your ideas are going to help bring to the bass scene something above average. I'll try and find some way to acknowledge this when it arrives.

In the meantime, please keep those ideas coming.

Thanks,

Phil