alanbass1

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Welcome aboard. You can generally attach four or five to a post

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1320249092' post='1424359'] They make them because people want them and will buy them. [/quote] Yep, plain and simple....because people buy them

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Welcome Aboard

Another big fan of Steve Hillage here - I remember buying L and playing it several times over non stop - that must have been around '76. Wnet to see him the same year at Hammersmith Odeon. I kinda liked the first Gong album, Camembert Electrique, which had lot's of wacky parts and a few really good songs

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Like others I purchased when prices were on a par with similar quality basses. I bought my Thumb NT new in 2001 for £1,600 when visiting the bass centre in Wapping looking for a high quality bass. There were several in the store, along with many other basses and this particular one stood out (for me) and it has been my main gigging bass since. They are expensive now and I haven't seen a new Thumb NT in a store for years so I have no idea whether they are any different now to when I bought mine. Lot's of people are saying 'you can get a hand built bass from a british luthier for less than a new Warwick' - I agree, but my only experience with going this route was severe dissappointment. Even when trying my Thumb in the store, the one I purchased felt and sounded better (IMHO) than the two others they had in the store........you might have a massive choice of options getting a custom built bass, but you are stuck with paying for it whether it meets your expectations or not.

I think there are too many which seems to be done purely for marketing purposes rather than giving the consumer maximum choice - unless there is a new product launch (even as a revamped current model) the music mags will not review/reature/talk about it and, the consumer won't have it thrust in their face. I understand that most people think it great to have the choice, but typically choice only appears on the 'net as most stores will only stock a limited selection of what is available. Then there is the added confusion of all the Fender clones - whether they be high quality clones/updates or lower priced copies. When I started playing in the mid seventies my mind was 'bogled' by seeing a couple of variants of a Fender P (maple and rosewood 'boards), two Fender Jazzes, one with a 'bullet' truss rod, several copies from Aria/Ibanez - upper priced copies, to Sakai - lower priced copies, and then there was a Ric with checker board binding next to a Ripper bass............................now, what was that Mary Hopkins song?

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Welcome, seemed to have started around the same time playing in what I referred to as sleazy rock and roll bands....................

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In my view learn the basics and start jamming with likeminded/experienced friends. There is no better learning than playing with other people

I just replied to an IM from Sparky Mark on this subject and thought I would post my response here for reference Hi Mark, My favourite set up is the HT112/EX112 combination. It is loud, punchy, clear and articulate with the best 'top end' I have ever heard form a bass cab (fantastic tweeeter on the HT112 which I believe is not available anymore). Coupled with the EX (which doesn't have a tweeter) it is amazing - the EX112 has more 'thump' than the HT cab which I guess is down to not having a crossover network to get through to the speaker meaning the signal integrity is purer/more direct. The AE is also an excellent speaker and better/more solid sounding than any other neo speaker I have owned. It is more aggressive and less articulate than the HT and needs more careful placement to get a consistent sound as the cab has a rear firing port, but this may be preferable for someone looking for more 'grind'. Also, it is lighter by 7lbs (33lbs versus 40lbs), which may not sound much but in real life with gigs having awkward access does make a real difference. I like both cabs (and now have a pair of AE112's for gigging), and will use both pairs dependant on mood/gig. But if I were to have just one I would go for the HT/EX combination. Hope that helps

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1318800255' post='1406403'] Wow, that's a real keeper. Hope it stays to be part of your will (in a nice way you understand!) [/quote] Yep, she ain't going nowhere and my son has his expectant eye on her.........he plays as well, so he wants to inherit what he calls 'The Keeper'

[quote name='Robert Manning' timestamp='1306880159' post='1252203'] why would you buy a fender rip off when you could buy a real fender? ;P [/quote] .....because they are better for the more modern sounds that a lot of players are after. For the more traditional Fender sound I agree a Fender is better

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Howdy

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