Lfalex v1.1

A Black head like that needs a good squeeze if you ask me...

I think I have a (slight) grasp of this one.. I think with some combinations of strings/bass/bridge there are TWO points at which the saddle achieves the correct position to deliver accurate intonation. In some cases there's only one, but almost two; the saddle won't quite go back or forward enough. The issue occurs when we start trying to chase the position where it's not quite in range. There are fixes; cutting the springs, heavier B strings. Maybe a "reset", as detailed above, might help. The science? No idea, but I've a gut feeling that it might be to do with nodes/anti nodes?

Under my corrosive, sweaty mitts; Chrome pits and tarnishes Gold wears off/goes green Nickel pits and goes crusty Rust just comes off on my hands Black survives best. So black it is.

Hmmmmm.... What's next? Seems like an EDC700 or better still, a 705 is in order to complete the Ergodyne set. The EDA's performance is tempting me to try and obtain another and have it de-fretted or have a new 'board made. I note with interest that the Afirma has a separate (stacked) Bass and Treble pot for the Magnetic Pickup. Perhaps that's a sensible alteration... But I think the piezo bass bass control should stay on the back. It's safer there!

Unusual to see a bass with a vibrato. It was doing well until I read the price tag. Its got some serious competition at the £3k price point.

It's the Magnetic Bass & Treble that's causing the misunderstanding. Both are on the same (single-knob, not stacked) pot. (Viewed as though playing)Turn it clockwise, bass and treble decrease. Turn it anticlockwise, bass and treble increase. It works, but it's weird. Stacked B&T Eq for both Mag and Piezo might've made more sense. I'm convinced that one of the reasons they weren't more popular is that no one could make any sense of the controls in a shop environment, even if the explanatory sheet of plastic was still present. Furthermore, if some of the rear pots weren't properly set, the whole thing would sound broken! No one would buy a bass they couldn't coax a decent noise out of!

I deliberately didn't say, as I try not to infuence people one way or the other regarding bass purchases- what's right for me mightn't be right for them. As we're a way down the thread now, it was (and still is) a Vigier Passion 5 series 3 standard. So that's a neck-through 10/90 carbon& maple neck, alder wings, 18v semi-parametric eq in a solid colour (black) Schaller tuners and a Kahler bridge. Excellent instrument.

On reflection, I can't help but to think that these would make excellent instruments for beginners, but for 3 things; The aesthetic really isn't for everyone The EQ would surely bamboozle those new to bass Having played one, it might be difficult to transition to heavier instruments with (much) chunkier necks Otherwise, they seem to tick all the boxes, particularly the lightweight, comfortable ergonomic aspects.

Definitely. Thanks, Paul And Alcytes for the EDC after The Gallery let me down on an EDC700...

Thanks to @PaulThePlug, my latest addition; An Ibanez EDA900. Weird and wonderful, but lightweight and well-balanced. The ergonomics really are very good. Controls are bonkers; Magnetic Vol, Piezo Volume, Magnetic Bass& Treble (twinned, not stacked!) Piezo treble. 'Round the back... 4 Piezo saddle level matching pots, 1 Piezo level trim pot and set & forget piezo bass level control. The magnetic pickup seems to be the same as the ones used in the EDB and EDC700/705, but the piezo is the real power house in this instrument. If it's not kept under control, it can dominate the tone. Mixed in conservatively, it works well with modulation effects, and solo'ed it does a passable impersonation of a plugged-in electro acoustic. It got very close to the bass tone on "Alice in Chains Unplugged" and Sevendust's "Southside Double-wide Acoustic Live" In summary, an idiosyncratic oddity, but quite versatile. The EDB605 is more jazz-like and the 3band eq can deliver a decent selection of tones. The EDC915 is a bit of a one-trick-pony, but like a 2EQ Ray, it's quite a trick.

Bought an Ibanez EDA900 from Paul. Rather than ship it, we agreed collection after lockdown eased a little. I collected it today and it's in great shape. Paul's looked after it for ages until I could go and get it, which I really appreciate. He gave me the opportunity to look the bass over and try it out, too. Top man. I'd gladly deal with him again. Thanks, Paul.

More fantastic plastic joins the family.. EDB605 Newly acquired EDA900 (courtesy of @PaulThePlug) Recently acquired EDC715 (courtesy of @Alcytes)

Try out everything you can get your hands on. Just because it's unfamiliar, doesn't mean it can't possibly be any good! My first decent bass cost a goodly sum of money at the time, and was made by a manufacturer I'd never heard of before. It just felt and sounded better then everything else they had. 24 years later, it's still arguably the best bass I own. It's tough at the mo', but when the shops re-open and/or you can meet other bassists and try their stuff, it'll help give you an idea what you do and don't like. Needless to say, your budget will go much further second-hand.

I have two favoured security methods when gigging if required; Keep bass in a case, out of sight, in the car. A long cabled bike lock. Wrap around the case (through the handle so it can't be opened) and secure to something sturdy/ of structural significance. Not perfect, but prevents opportunistic theft if I'm not around.

(Back in the day) My Trace cabs came without the aforementioned plugs. I called them and purchased a pair for a tenner. Looked nicer, but in reality were no better than the tightly rolled-up small towels I'd shoved in them previously. 🤣

Try a bit of EQ? Don't head for the fundamental, though. Most equipment can't reproduce 31Hz adequately. Try and boost the second and third harmonic frequencies at 62Hz and 93Hz respectively- or the nearest that any preamps/amps/eq pedals etc. may allow.

I was considering some of the issues raised in this thread, thinking; I'd buy a vintage bass if I picked it up and it played well and sounded good. Then it struck me that string technology has progressed since the 50's/60's, and that a vintage bass wouldn't sound like it originally did by virtue of having more modern strings. Strings (and electrics) strike me as the area in which bass manufacturing has advanced most obviously. The woodworking and mechanical engineering less so.

Pretty Sure that Die Monster, Die! did a song called Vagina Dentata. Better still, one of their members was called Stikki Nixx...

Then, the frightening point arrives. When they stop being vintage. And become Antiques. Then watch the prices soar. Edit- lifted from the internet, but it seems a reasonable set of definitions; Antique: a collectible item at least 100 years old. Vintage: A culturally significant item ranging from 20-99 years in age, worthy of being collected. Authentic, aged pieces in various conditions. Collectible: something inherently valuable or worth more than it was originally sold for.

Under unusual circumstances, possibly? If, for some reason, you end up borrowing a bass at short notice or sharing one at an open mic night, possibly depping for someone at very short notice.. The bass you get "stuck" with is less likely to cause you issues. (That said, it's most likely to resemble a Fender!)

I've tried it. Mainly to see how a cab was voiced with regard to full-range recorded music. I started with the device level at about 25%, gain at Zero, master at Zero. Worked the gain up gently whilst watching the input gain meter. Then gently turned up the master. No harm done, but it sounded crap with music, as the cab was (rightly) optimised for reproducing bass guitar. As for the fried Ampeg, you may have gotten away with it. The damage may stop it from functioning, but may not be terminal. A repair tech will give you a definitive answer.

I had an Ovation. Suffered the same issues as those that everyone else has noted; Lack of acoustic volume vs guitars Vulnerable to feedback at volume when amplified Potentially fragile Difficult to get cases for- The Ovation definitely was! Looked nice. Gathered dust. Got moved on. @Frank Blank Is barking up the right tree with the Rob Allen and Godin combo. I went for an electric upright instead.

I'm inclined to agree. It's taken me a while to become fully comfortable with a new (16.5mm also) Ibanez. Yet I already own a similar instrument. More so than to-ing and fro-ing between 5 string EUB, Chapman Stick and other basses to which I am accustomed. I think it's something to do with our expectation that because it's a bass guitar, it should feel like X, and when it's not quite what you expect, it throws you a bit. This applies also to neck profiles, and (I find) the way a bass sits on its strap.

As EZ says, Genuine Vintage instruments are a nice thing to have IF you have the time, buy a nice new instrument (take your pick!) and let it mature in your possession. Then it's your vintage bass.

To answer a question with a question; What do you currently own besides the Squier CV jazz? There's not much point in duplicating instruments you might already own. Status and Jaydee basses will be big money, both new or second-hand. There are other, equally worthy manufactures that could also be considered, depending upon your taste etc.