Mokl

Tried, and failed, to buy back my FBass BN 4 after seller's regret kicked in. New owner didn't want to sell it back, sadly for me

Hmmm, ok. Just got rid of a couple which leaves: 1988 Stingray 4 1977 Jazz G&L SB1 Wal Mk II 5 string Fodera Monarch VW Classic Bravewood fretless Jazz Doesn't seem so many when I write it down!

Cool, nice one!

The above unfortunately mirrors my own experience re. the disinterest from one staff member when Mark's not about. I've mixed feelings about returning which is a shame as so want to support an independent specialist bass shop which could be such an excellent business.

Complete contrast to Rotosound experience I had recently. Decided to try them again after many years away after inconsistent sets in the noughties. One dead string out of the pack. Contacted them by email but nothing in response at all. Disappointing as really wanted to support them. This is really good service from Warwick.

Thanks, great recommendation. Will check it out

I've a lovely fretless Jazz which was made for me some years ago. I have an issue with the neck side dots being very faint (small clay dots on an 'aged' finish) which makes it very challenging to play in dim light. I was wondering if any of you had any inventive solutions or could point me to some options you might have tried? I've seen various stick-on options advertised, but are they actually usable in real life?

Having a hard time reducing my bass count at the moment, which really needs to happen. One has been sitting in a case unplayed since I moved house 18 months ago. Got it out to restring, clean and check over before definitely putting it up for sale but made the mistake of sitting down to play it. I'd forgotten how good it sounds - fat yet clear with perfectly weighted mid range. I don't think I can let it go now

Thanks all, looking forward to being more forum active

Thanks Dad!

Hello all, Very long time member here and even longer time lurker I've had a couple of years hiatus from bass but finding the urge to play has returned. Luckily I still have all my gear, so gas, for the moment, has been kept at bay. Rediscovering my basses has been great so far and there's a feeling of newness combined with old familiarity which I'm finding very satisfying. Anyway, I probably won't say much (as you'll generally find if you meet me in person!) but I'll be about the place. It's certainly changed from the bassworld.co.uk days but i recognise a few user names. Thanks for listening, Matt.

If you switched gauge it might have messed up your setup a bit making the bass feel harder to play. I wouldn't write off ss strings altogether (from someone that enjoys both nickel and ss).

If that sounds as good as it looks, it'll be fantastic!

When I owned one I felt sure that I got better sustain and a slight but noticeable drop in perceived tension when I strung my Lakland through the bridge. I possibly completely imagined it though!

Thanks, useful reading :0)

Without gigging how do you get any attention from the opposite sex?

I used to be incredibly fussy about strings and found DR roundwounds good in all flavours, but not all of them worked so well on every bass. I find D'addarios a great balance between price, feel, sound and quality. I tend to run the Nickel XLs on my 70`s Jazz (as it is very bright sounding anyway) but also really like the Pro Steels. They also seem to sound good when well played in. I try to mazimise my gig earning potential by not changing my bass strings any more regularly than really necessary, and I've been surprised how long I've been able to get away with them still sounding good.

I don't know about the standard series basses, but the satin type finish achieved is done by taking back the gloss finish by hand (I think with something mildly abrasive like wire wool), and if you hold it into the light, you will see the swirls where it was done. As a result points of contact start to polish up after time - at least they have on my Monarch. If you contact Fodera they'll almost certainly be pleased to advise you what can be done to restore it ( I expect just take it back again with wire wool). FWIW I wouldn't bother as it'll eventually polish up again if you play it much. I rang with some queries about my bass a few years ago and on the first occasion spoke to Joey, and then to Vinnie himself. They are entirely fabulous to deal with.

Sounds like Hell in an exhibition hall to me! I imagine it to be a bit like the world's biggest music store on the busiest Saturday ever known with everyone wanting to try basses at the same time. Hopefully I'm wrong and it will be enjoyable for those attending! I must add I am still in recovery from my music shop days.

Having read this inspired me to play the Quantum for a bit this afternoon. It really is an easy playing and great sounding bass, as was my Thunder. It's pretty impossible to play it without a strap though. I have tried a Rail but not for some years; it certainly was different in terms of looks etc but I must say I found that the moving pickup didn't affect the sound as much as I was expecting it to. Still, if you manage to find one at the right price you are unlikely to lose money on it if you don't get on with it and decide to sell it on. Good luck in your search for one :-)

My first bass was a Thunder I - wish I still had it as it was a great bass. If you're interested at some point in a Quantum feel free to send me a message. I've got one sat in its case that comes to and from gigs with me but never gets played. Anyway, enjoy your Thunder!

I don't think it'd suit me, but that really looks great!

Incredible bass player.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1390158223' post='2342126'] Personally I think that companies like Gibson, Fender etc should offer all offer a demo instrument of their choice to each retailer (cost to be split between retailer cost and manufacturers 'marketing'). If they insist on having stocking requirements and buy-ins and laying down rules to keep dealerships, they should also offer a demo instrument so that shops can have them hung up with a 'WANNA PLAY A *insert brand name* TODAY?! JUST ASK A MEMBER IF STAFF TO TRY ME!' sign. That means anyone fancying a quick ten mins jam on a guitar to fulfil their playing Tourette's/attention seeking tendency can do without damaging shop stock, the manufacturers get more people playing their instruments and it means the actual stock is less likely to be damaged prior to purchase by a genuine buyer. [/quote] That's a really good idea - signs tend not to work though, but it wouldn't matter if the manufacturers were prepared to offer a demo model. Roland actually used to offer a discount to us on the digital drums so that the first kit could be discounted to a realistic price after a while on display. This was the right idea, although we still couldn't compete on price (and we're talking miles out), compared to the online specialists. As a result we stopped selling them as we couldn't afford to lose money on them, and that meant the good people of our town had nowhere local to see or try the product.