Lfalex v1.1

Nope. I like variety and a choice of instruments with a distinct character. Yes, I've sold on a few, but I still own 10. I ought to sell the Status, probably at a monumental loss, and buy a nice fretless 5. I find having a good range of instruments keeps my ability to play most bass guitars I might encounter alive. And a nice range of toys/tools depending on the situation.

Just to briefly re-visit this review, the NS CR5 is still going strong. High points are definitely; Sound, playability, EQ and design. Low points? Battery life. But you sure can tell when they're fading, as the sound follows suit!

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1381682323' post='2242240'] Gigging? I doubt I'll be alive. Seriously though, I'm past 70 now and although I still average three a week I've got to face the possibility of stopping soon. I still play OK and knock up an awesome amount of miles up and down the country but I don't want to be 'the old guy in the band' and certainly wouldn't want to be a 90 year old curiosity. [/quote] Alternatively, if you continue to fulfil the rôle of bassist in line with the other members' expectation and still enjoy it, why stop unless infirmity demands it?

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1381645382' post='2241683'] sometimes you can fingerstyle play lines that sound like slap, but aint actually slappin. just get them fingers under the strings [/quote] This. Finger style funk is just as acceptable.

Twunts.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1381679367' post='2242194'] Bass guitars: Steinberger XL2A - huge lows which is why they were so popular with dub and reggae players for a while. Uprights: NS CR4 - the 42" scale provides monstrous lows with the right set up. [/quote] I have an NS CR5- even better with a B. I also have a Yamaha attitude. That's quite meaty, too. Warwick Fortress MM 5 gets my vote, but that's because it has two preamps, one for each coil of the HB, and you can dial in stupid amounts of bottom end.

Check the DiMarzio range. I think they do an appropriate unit. Called the Model one IIRC. Don't know if it's a drop-in fit though.

I saved and saved and saved and saved... Enough for a Thumb 5 NT. Went to the Wapping Bass Centre on 19/04/97 and tried one. Preferred the Streamer LX5. Then found this dusty black thing in the corner from a manufacturer I'd never heard of. I bought that without hesitation. It was a Vigier. I still own it. (But 3 Warwicks have since followed- a Streamer LX6, Infinity SN4 and Fortress MM5) Edit for- wouldn't mind a Dolphin at some point. It'd have to be NT, though.

Incubus Marillion Edit- Genesis!

Not sure about blood wood, but Pau Ferro (Iron Wood) is another good option. Had it on my EBMM Ray 5 fretless. Hard as nails, too.

I'd guess that having a 6-string fretboard made wouldn't be vastly more expensive than a 4-string. Time/Labour is probably a major contributor to the overall cost. My Electric upright has a Macassar Ebony fingerboard, and I think it's a big part of the tone and feel of the instrument. IF the bass is worth it, don't rule out ebony. It looks nice, feels and sounds great, and is extremely hard-wearing.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1381513227' post='2240191'] I've not been to a Church without hymns. Usually go to C of E ones. [/quote] I prefer my 5 string Churches tuned G to B...

ALL cats love anything to do with moving-coil loudspeakers. I base this on the condition of the grille cloth on my stereo speakers, cinema subwoofer and Trace Elliot cabinet carpet covering...

Alright, not a DB'er, but I've never broken a string on a Bass guitar. I don't carry spares for those. I seriously doubt I'll ever bust a strung on the EUB. it's also rather physically robust. I'd be most worried about batteries. Might carry a pair of 9v!

Aieeeee! Magick and Electrickery be gone, for ye are the work of the devil! Take your feeling gauges, keys of Allen and rods of Truss and perish!

A good damping technique is probably at least as important, be it left or right-handed (or both). If that's already in place, a mono-rail bridge might help eliminate that last 1% of cross-talk between strings. I tend to view them as a cost-effective means for manufacturers to make ERBs using hardware that's already available to them. A fine example being the Ibanez 7 string you posted. It'll use the same bridge hardware as the 4,5 or 6 strings. Just more of it. No need to source or manufacture a 7 string unit.

Might have to listen to JMJ's Aero DVD-A now. It's in lossless 5.1, too. Just reading the liner notes...

Fwiw, I tried a mate's e-bow on a fretless 'ray5. It wouldn't shift more than the C and G strings. D, A and E wouldn't move. Do they do a bass version, then?

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1381231917' post='2236054'] Thanks for he tip. Seems like it might be a good one - But I was counting out loud, and my wife thought I sounded like John (Joseph) Merrick. [/quote] It's alright. I tried it laying down and nearly swallowed my own tongue...

Watch the used values climb... Especially good condition Flea basses with the Lane Poor pickup.

[quote name='cemaes' timestamp='1380719496' post='2229473'] The sound needs to be very centered on the note, so no "wah" of any kind. Any advice? [/quote] Perhaps a fretted instrument? Or is that a no-go area with all the other fretless instruments?

He uses Cleartone strings. I've used Elixirs for a while now, with pretty good results. I'm a fingerstyle player exclusively, so don't suffer from the coating wearing off from plectrum abrasion. The set on my Warwick 5-string have lasted in excess of 18 months now and still sound OK.

What're the controls? (Guesses) Passive. Volume Tone Series/Parallel switch ?

Like most people are saying... It all went south after "Justice". In spite of the bass-less mix, it's quite an avant-garde collection of songs. And extremely angry... The first three are fine albums. And the Garage Days Revisited $5.98 EP is great for a quick blast-through. Messy, dirty and fast- with plenty of bass in there. I own the Black Album. It never gets played. I stopped after that. Haven't heard anything newer except the title track to St. Anger. Which was rubbish.

Nice. I think I'd rather have frets and an extra string, but still nice.