Lfalex v1.1

A friend of mine ordered an Ibanez SRX700 from them. It arrived promptly, well packaged, well set-up and at a good price. He thoroughly recommended them.

Rob Green has Carbon Sequestration down to a fine art; As far as I know, no trees died to make this bass

[quote name='KERMITNT' post='662221' date='Nov 22 2009, 10:50 PM']the question what u would get for 4600 pounds or 5000 euros me definately not a fender[/quote] Probably a Vigier Passion S2 IV and a Ken Smith VI plus a fair bit of beer money. Alternatively, you could probably rent the real Marcus Miller himself for a night for that money!!

Get the G&L, and put a pan pot in it instead of the Pick-up selector! That'd rule. P.S. I hate pick-up selector switches.

[quote name='Linus27' post='664098' date='Nov 24 2009, 06:08 PM']Which ones do you like then?[/quote] The expensive ones? But seriously, my faves are; Streamer Jazzman Streamer $$ Corvette FNA Infinity SN (I own one) Fortress Masterman Streamer Pro M (Okay, some of these are no longer made) I do like Thumbs, but every time I sit down, the damn things jump off me lap. Strap or no strap!

I have played several of all three, but don't own any of those exact models (though I do own a Musicman and Warwick) The G&L can sound monstrous, but my one reservation is the pick-up selector switch. I much prefer a pan pot on dual pick-up basses. There's lots of choice in Stingrays now, even more if you include Sterlings. The good old single H 2EQ is a classic with real clout. I've played some good 3EQ ones, too. I often find that Warwicks are hindered a bit by the MEC pick-ups and EQs (on the active ones) - the sole exceptions being the Streamer Jazzman (which may have SD Basslines in) and The JJ/J set-up in my Infinity SN4. That said, if they're just regular 4 string Jazz pick-ups, upgrading them won't be a problem. I'd feel tempted by the Warwick - find one with a killer unplugged tone and go from there. If it sounds good passive in original trim, leave it alone. If not, try different pick-ups, then maybe add an EQ of your choosing. I think the reason I favour the Warwick option is its versatility. The Ray and G&L can sound great, but lack what I feel the Warwick can offer in this respect. No matter what you choose, you can buy with a degree of confidence as build quality is generally very good from all 3 manufacturers. Otherwise, don't be afraid to try anything and everything in your price range. There are some wonderful instruments lurking out there. Enjoy.

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='660200' date='Nov 20 2009, 02:53 PM']Are there any more through neck P/Jazz bases...[/quote] Quite a few Westone models from the 80's! Principally the ThunderIII. It's a fair bet that the other Matsumoku-manufactured marques (how's that for alliteration?) had a few, too; Check out Ibanez and Aria also. Where's a Bassassin when you need one!?

Mock not the mighty Klaus Voorman. Check out some nifty playing on Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Schmilson" Album... Rendered doubly naff by the fact that Herbie Flowers plays on the tracks that Klaus doesn't!!!

Quite liking the TCV album. Definitely some JPJ influence there Yes, it is very QOTSA-esque. But with the amount of Kyuss and QOTSA in my collection, that's no bad thing. Yes, Grohl's delivery is "Modern" but as also mentioned, super tight. Check out "No-one knows" (From Songs For The Deaf) Live at the Troubadour for Grohl, Homme and Olivieri tearing it up. That said, when I saw QOTSA (on their first uk tour) Alfredo Hernandez was drumming, and they were excellent as well.

All I do know is that my favourite 3 basses have varying degrees of graphite in them; Status Streamline Vigier Passion s3 MIA Fender Jazz I think it's for two reasons: i) Reduced vulnerablility to changes in temperature/ humidity ii) The increased stability of the neck reduces neck movement as the strings are played, and [i]perhaps[/i] more of the vibration causes resonance in the body rather than flexing the neck. I think that truss-rods play a part in the overall sound, too. The Vigier doesn't have one, and I reckon that it's a major contributory factor in its sound. It sounds smooth, with no unnatural ringing overtones. I find that it doesn't slap very well as a result. The all-graphite Status DOES have a truss rod, and slaps like a monster. Still, basses would be boring if they were all the same. You just have to pick one that suits you!

Would it add insult to injury if I were to point out that the original bass upon which this is based is just a (modified) off the peg 1976 (?) MIA Jazz IIRC?

Another +1 for the Attitude. The neck on mine is quite large for a 4 string. That said, My Warwick Infinity seems (without measuring) to be narrower but deeper. Perhaps it's rendered more awkward by the small body/short horn 26fret neck issue that throws the headstock almost out of reach because of the way it hangs.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='652404' date='Nov 12 2009, 10:59 AM']But IME unless you're paying serious money for an on board pre-amp (at least J-Retro minimum) then the circuitry isn't really going to do you tone any favours. Anyone with a decent audio electronics knowledge can build a musical sounding circuit when space is no object and you can power it off the mains - your standard amp head tone controls. The real challenge comes when you want to do the same thing in the space provided by a Jazz bass control cavity and power it from a single PP3 battery. That's why the active electronics in your average sub-£1000 bass are a poor substitute for what is already there on your amp.[/quote] Agreed, space and functionality / controlability may be an issue in terms of number of controls etc. Power delivery isn't as much of an issue. Batteries DO have advantages; Freedom from mains-borne interference and a cleaner supply than most rectifed DC sources can achieve without spending a fortune. A lower probability of killing the end user if your wall-wart transformer screws up mid-(sweaty)gig Freedom from another cable (to power your eq) Some circuits can use up to 36v, but I've often wondered how you rout out space for 4x9v batteries (assuming you don't have LEDs, too) and leave much bass behind?

[quote name='fatback' post='652387' date='Nov 12 2009, 10:48 AM']What I would like out of onboard active is intelligence. Or memory, to be precise. Does anybody make a digital onboard, so you could create presets on the bass and then simply select them with buttons (or whatever). The big + of onboard to me would be rapid sound changes while gigging. Control knobs n dials are great for most things, but no good whatsoever for recreating settings on the fly. This is the 21st century! fatback[/quote] Yup. Vigier Nautilus (Just check it out!!) They streamlined it down into the EQ avaliable on the Arpege s2 and s3 until they got to s4 and went to 2x 3 band. One for each pick-up...

Why necessarily go for Vintage instruments or Fenders? If you know what you're looking at (and, let's face it, quite a few people on here do!) you can spot good buys and shift them on at a profit in the short term. That's what I'd do - Think in terms of selling (dare I say it) Second hand cars, and apply that methodology. Make a bit on each one you sell. Maybe take the odd hit, but sell in [i]moderate[/i] volume. Best one I've got (so far) I paid £299 for. New. Best offer to date? £1100. I think I'd break even on many others. It's a stonker, though, so I'm not selling. I consider it a [i]bargain[/i] rather than an investment! Edit for neglecting to mention that you'd keep the really blinding instruments!!

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='371208' date='Jan 5 2009, 06:14 PM']I can’t believe Andy Rourke hasn’t had a bigger mention. Amazing bass player. Some of the lines he came up with for The Smiths were fantastic; so melodic, intricate, technical, and musically sound all at the same time.[/quote] I've read most of the thread, and if you hadn'y posted him, I would've. As an adjunct to that, I saw Morrissey last week. Highly entertaining! Played 6 Smiths tunes, too. Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias (guitars) were very good, but still not Johnny Marr. Solomon Walker (Bass) was soild and didn't drop a note all night. Nonetheless, he was not Andy Rourke. Okay, Matt Walker [u]was[/u] better than Mike Joyce!

[quote name='Linus27' post='166447' date='Mar 30 2008, 05:52 PM']Who was the big stocky american with blonde hair that worked at the Bass Centre in the late 90's when it was at Wapping??? Is that Nick or Alex or somebody else??[/quote] That'd be Grant. Think he might have been Canadian, though. Cut me a superb deal on my Vigier...

[quote name='henry norton' post='646219' date='Nov 5 2009, 01:43 PM']There do seem to be active and a passive players on the forum. I like both but do think that most players would benefit from playing a single pickup, passive instrument regularly to improve their technique and tone.[/quote] That's a really good point. In fact, to expand further, many players would benefit from trying somethig [i]different[/i] occasionally. Whether that would be your suggestions, playing through headphones, fretless, an unforgiving instrument (try all-graphite with a phenolic 'board!!), going passive, you name it. In a way, I can see where the OP is coming from. After a profusion of actives (some better than others), I find a passive to be more "direct" sounding, with less in the way. I can only assume that a (relatively) direct coupling, minus Volume and tone controls further improves matters. You'll have us soldering our leads directly to the amp input at one end and pick-ups at the other next!! That'd be really cool !

Took it for a spin vs. a Drummer in a quick jam yesterday. Used my Warwick Streamer LX6 as a comparison also. Streamline delivers again. Cuts right through, but without sounding harsh. Made the Warwick sound rather dull by comparison. I'd definitely use it live. Dunno that the rest of the band would be so sure!

Nice one there, Nick. I played one a good while back (Passion S3, though) at the Wapping incarnation of The Bass Centre. Couldn't justify the outlay, though, as I already have a 'Ray 5 Fretless and a Fretted Passion S3 Fiver. Tried the S4 Arpege and Passion at the Bass Merchant a while ago, but again, not much point with the S4 at home (So I bought a Status Streamline from just down the road...) I wouldn't mind an S2 Passion or Arpege 4 string, but they're hardly cheap for a nice 2nd-hand example. Do you [i]just[/i] have the two Arpeges? (Your older S2 is an Arpege, not a Passion, isn't it?) Out of 66 (is it now?) 2 Vigiers is about the right proportion, I think!!

I've only ever seen one I liked, but damn, was it nice! It had a translucent Emerald finish over what looked like a nice (no defects, anyway) piece of Alder. Best of all, it had Chequered body binding and a matching headstock. Sharkfin inlays on a Rosewood fretboard. Lovely.

[quote name='machinehead' post='639974' date='Oct 29 2009, 12:55 PM']Regarding weight... My Streamer stage 2 = 9lbs 1 oz. My USA '75 Jazz = 9lbs 5 oz. My Spector CRFM 5 = 10lbs 3 oz, but it a 5 string and all maple. The balance is perfect though so the weight is not very noticeable. So the lightest is the Warwick. EDIT. I have another ash/maple jazz and it weighs 10lbs 4 oz. [/quote] Having seen this, and knowing my Streamer LX6 to be a weighty item, I weighed it just to be sure. Then I took out health insurance. 13lb 1oz. Shocking. Just as well I wear it relatively high and close in to my body with a very broad strap!

In fairness, the handmade Smiths are hardly sold in massive volumes, so they're going to be a bit harder to get. On the other hand, if ]you import a new one, at least you can specify whatever options they cater for. The downside is that you aren't going to get to play YOUR one until it arrives. And as for the KS business model, Status Graphite don't supply any shops directly (although for different reasons), and it doesn't seem to have damaged their reputation unduly. That said, I wonder if the Smith customer service experience can match Rob and Dawn's (rightly) legendary customer care.

[quote name='von Braun' post='642304' date='Nov 1 2009, 07:49 AM']Has anyone ever swapped out the bridge on a Westone Thunder 1A? The original bridge isn't bad but I think the bass would suit something a bit meatier.[/quote] I own a Westone Raider 1. Same Bridge as yours. By the looks of things (though I've not measured it) A BadAss II might be a good enough fit. The only reason I'd want to change it is because the brass has tarnished heavily over the years from sweat. That, and the fact that the R1 has Black Knobs, a Brass Bridge and Chrome Tuners. Looks like a right dog's dinner! The Thunders all seem to have better matching hardware...