4000

[quote name='Mr.T' post='527993' date='Jun 29 2009, 06:44 PM']Definately don't want to sound like Mark King... Although I would like to have his talent (and possibly his bank balance?). I was always happy with my Trace 1153, which I used paired with a 2x10.[/quote] Oh BTW, our drummer picked the Compact up with his finger the other week. It weighs about half what an 1153 does, and is comfortably lighter than an Aggie.

Could indeed have some valves in the preamp. I know part of the front end was ss; quite possibly the graphic. Mine didn't sound as good for me as my Ashdown except with my 4001CS. For some reason that sounded much better through the Twin Valve (haven't got either now).

[quote name='Mr.T' post='527258' date='Jun 28 2009, 11:34 PM']A Compact is sounding promising... I like the desription of it being like a 'super loud Trace 1153'. Don't get me wrong I think the Aggie is a nice cab, and I nearly bought a second one, but it does lack clarity and top for what I need. I don't want to compromise, I am not very good at it![/quote] Exactly what I found. Compared to my old 1153 I found the Aggie lacked quite a bit of top and a good degree of articulation. It's fatter sounding with the eq the same, but I just always felt like it had socks and mittens on. The Compact is different altogether. Even our guitarist was impressed. As I say though, not perfect for everything; my UL502 wasn't fond of it, and if you want to be Mark King then I'd give it a wide berth. But if you like a big, clear driving sound I think it's a good choice.

I've been using and Ashdown ABM500 head for rock stuff for several years now, and it took me a long while to get used to it (had an ABM combo before that). With the right cabs it sounds monster. A friend had used Ashdown occasionally at gigs and was really down on it; I kept telling him it was better than he thought and he brought a couple of basses (70s P and Stingray) to one of my rehearsals; I was using my mate's combo. Within seconds of plugging in I had a tone that he was mightily impressed with. I wouldn't use it for everything (my Seis don't like it much) but for some stuff it's great. Kind of depends whether you're after Entwistle circa Live At Leeds or Marcus Miller though....

[quote name='stevie' post='525382' date='Jun 26 2009, 09:46 PM']It's only a fair shoot-out if you realize that the two types of cab offer different benefits. *All things being equal* (and I'm not referring to any brand here), a 15" will be louder and go lower. It's maximum output will also be greater. A 12" will be more compact and thus easier to transport. It will also have cleaner mids, a more extended high frequency response and a slightly better off axis response. Which is better will often depend on what you're looking for.[/quote] In the case of the GS112 (unless the response of the NT is different than a GS with the tweeter off) the GS certainly didn't have cleaner mids than the Compact (far more muddy IMO) and it had [i]less[/i] top end. Smaller though, so easier to transport in that sense, but it's 10 lbs heavier.

[quote name='NJE' post='524763' date='Jun 26 2009, 12:12 PM']WooHoo! I expect it to a bit like the A team van but with a sporty finish and some nice alloys, and maybe Bernie Goodfellow hanging out the side with some bling around his neck and a mohawk! (gone a bit too far i think, office work does that to a man) Many thanks.[/quote] What, "I pity the Fender...."????

I more or less directly replaced 2xGS112s with a Compact. I've only used it at one rehearsal so far (our guitarist separated his collarbone from his shoulder a while back and so has been unable to play), but for what I want (though possibly not everything) the Compact is far better. Much purer and more full range, tighter and bigger sounding. Not as scooped or twinky (I hate the Aguilar tweeters so always turned them off). Depends what you want though. I have a mate who swears by his GS112s; he bought them after he heard mine (and several appear to have followed him - wonder if I can claim some sort of fee?). The Aggies I always found to be muddled and congested in the mids without that much clarity (for what I want). The Compact is a bit more like a super tight, super loud Trace 1153.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='523218' date='Jun 25 2009, 01:32 AM']OK, just got back from Brighton - and it's been an interesting two days. Jeff Beck is in town... and so on Tuesday, me and the man dropped off some EBS gear into a rehearsal studio in London for a certain well known bass playing lady. Saw the new GB van - it's a sleek, black, mean machine (I'll get a photo up here if anybody is interested - you won't miss that thing with all the GB logos on it!). Anyway, the traffic in London is a nightmare... glad I'm not based there! Today, the crew are playing their first gig of the tour at the Dome in Brighton. Sell out crowd - and I know that a certain Jimmy Page and Gary Moore were there. (Sorry Jimmy for nearly taking you out when getting out of my car). Brum tomorrow... we'll have to see what that brings. Anyway, just a short note to say that Tal Wilkenfeld has taken delivery of her new GB Spitfire 4... and you know what...? She loves it... (She thought the lights of my Rumour 5 were a laugh too!) ...that's enough for now, I need my sleep! Stay tuned campers [/quote] Ok, that's it, I'm now officially very jealous. Keep your hands off my Tal! I'll be in Manchester on Saturday......

[quote name='fretmeister' post='522055' date='Jun 23 2009, 09:10 PM']A mate just picked one up and knows nothing about it: [url="http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41457"]http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41457[/url] Anyone got any ideas of value / history etc? ta[/quote] I had Twin Valve head until recently. 115W, I believe a solid state input with valve power stage, good sound, fairly rare. Value depends on who's after one at the time; they can be a bit difficult to shift. The combo is a bit of a beast for it's size weightwise, but definitely quality. Some people swear by the TE valve gear, and it's easy to see why.

This is a perfect example of why nobody should ever write off another bass or brand based on someone else's opinion. I've played the Stealth in question and I hated it (not the case with all the Stealth's I've played BTW), but I'm glad to see you liked it. FWIW, I think although Statii do have a signature sound, I think the Stealth's I've played have sounded a little different than the S2s I've played. I'll leave it to the Statii connoisseurs to be more specific.

[quote name='Wolverinebass' post='495003' date='May 22 2009, 11:31 AM']Thanks for the suggestions. I must confess that Warwick looks great and I'm not a particular fan of them either. I would be very loathe to spend more than £4K on a Zon as The Status Buzzard I own cost that much and IMO that's the best bass ever built. If I ever paid more than that for a bass it'd better come with a free house and be prepared to do housework as well. As much as I like the Alembic I have I prefer the buzzard as it's just so incredibly brutal. I wouldn't mind a graphite neck, but I've never played a hybrid bass before (i.e. wooden body and graphite neck). I suppose the question is which does it sound more like wood or graphite? Does anyone have any experience? I suppose it might be worth giving Status a phone to see if they do forays into 8 strings. The last model I was aware they did was the 8 string buzzard and that's at least 4 years ago. In terms of the Hagstrom, I would like to at least try one, but trying to find one is rather difficult to say the least. I assume that the fact the strings don't have individual saddles is a real problem based on the info you've mentioned regarding intonation problems. It may also be rather silly to get a bass that's £450 when the dip in quality will be rather apparent I assume in comparison to my other 2. Money isn't too much of a problem, but of course I'd like something that's good. Cheers Andy[/quote] You're correct about the 8 string Buzzard, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rob wouldn't knock you something up if you ask; an 8 string Stealth maybe, or a Buzzard 2? If money is no object, I'd definitely consider something custom built. Personally of all the 8 strings I've played (and I've played many of those mentioned here, although I've never played a Tune), my favourite by far was my Ric 4003s8. That thing [i]sang[/i]. Admittedly I'm a big Rick fan but that was an amazing sounding instrument. If I hadn't been after my custom built Alembic I'd never have sold it. Never had problems with the intonation either, despite not having individual saddles, but it was a pain to set the intonation in the first place and also to change strings on. I love 8s actually,but then I suppose I have a guitaristic style.

[quote name='SteveK' post='520625' date='Jun 22 2009, 11:50 AM']Personally, my right hand fingers prefer a heavier gauge, while my left fingers prefer a slightly lighter gauge.[/quote] I find that too, and the same when using a pick. My right hand likes 45s, but my left doesn't. FWIW, players who use light strings: Mark King = 30-90 IIRC Les Claypool = 2x40s, 2x60s last I heard Stu Zender = 35-95 (don't know if they still are) Joey DeMaio = 40,50,60,70 Stanley Clarke = think he used to use 35-95 on his regular basses, could be wrong; piccolos probably much thinner, although I also think he probably changed his mind a lot... Our very own Urb is using a 30 set I believe. I've played his Sei singlecut and it sounds and plays fabulously. A lot of it has to do with how the individual player strikes the strings; whatever works for you.

[quote name='Starless' post='519515' date='Jun 20 2009, 07:30 PM']The previously noted contempt for their customers, the shoddy Quality Control, and the fact that any famous Ric player through history has only really played them as a passing fad (McCartney, Roger Waters, Geddy Lee etc etc) leads me to finally believe that they really are not special and are now shockingly over-priced for what you actually get (even one that has managed to escape the factory relatively defect-free).[/quote] So Chris Squire and Lemmy don't count then? Oh, and Geddy still plays his occasionally....McCartney says he stopped playing his because of the weight.

That is stunning and I want one!

[quote name='urb' post='516149' date='Jun 17 2009, 09:45 AM']For what it's worth this is a 33" scale Sei 6 and having played it I can assure you it felt and played beautifully - and with less stress on your arm due to the slightly shorter neck it makes getting around all 6 strings a lot easier - even I loved it and I really don't get on with 6 strings usually: This is one of the nicest basses Martin has made - it has a Mike Pope pre in it with Nordy pups - the sound is massive, with a lovely warm fingerstyle tone... Mike[/quote] Ah, that's the one I mentioned Mike. Sounds like a good job I didn't get to play it then!

[quote name='Golchen' post='518910' date='Jun 19 2009, 10:18 PM']My big regret is that I have never played music with other people. I lack confidence in my abilities now and can't see me ever doing it. Is this music only? cos I regret not having sex with more girls before I got married! I'm the faithful sort so it's too late now![/quote] First point; get out there and do it. On a good night it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on....which leads me to the second point. I'm not married but am in a long term relationship and I agree wholeheartedly! I'm sure that's something most of us will regret when the tall bony guy comes knocking. Amongst my biggest regrets gear-wise is getting rid of my Trace AH150 and early 4x10, which were my sound. I've never been right since. Also px-ing my lovely Pedulla MVP (one of my favourite basses) for a Wal Custom that I never got on with (although that bass now belongs to a mate who loves it to pieces so I guess that has a silver lining). Even dafter, selling the Wal for £550 in 1996 to my mate to buy (groan) a Marshall Dynamic Bass 200w head and 1x15 cab, which I also never got on with. Then there's selling my first Ric 4001CS for £800. Selling my buckeye Sei Flamboyant irks me too, I wish I hadn't, but I was after my 2nd CS (also now gone). The one that really hurts though is having to sell my custom built Alembic Triple Omega because of back problems. That will hurt til the day I die.

[quote name='Johngh' post='517844' date='Jun 18 2009, 09:17 PM']Glenn Hughes ex Deep Purple and now awesome solo artist, I can't stress how much of an influence this guy was I getting me to start to play bass. [attachment=27294:GH_Photo.jpg] Many thanks to Wartypig for the use of the photo.[/quote] Genius.

[quote name='chilisfan16' post='516673' date='Jun 17 2009, 05:39 PM']actually, i played a ricky for the first time in ages yesterday, and to be brutally honest, i was bitterly disappointed from all their hype. the sound was very bland, and the action was amazingly high.i would advise againt them.[/quote] They have to be eq'd properly; many people assume they can just plug in and use the same eq as for anything else, which isn't the case. They seem to favour certain types of amps and cabs too, and really don't like others. Listen to players like Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, McCartney, Foxton etc; if you don't like them then maybe they're not for you, although there's no guarantee you'll get them to sound like that. FWIW action can be adjusted; I've always had incredibly low action on the bulk of my Rics. I would never advise against any type of bass because what suits you might not suit someone else and vice versa, and individual examples of instruments vary greatly.

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='517382' date='Jun 18 2009, 01:51 PM']Saw a Zappa plays Zappa concert on Sky. Probably an earlier tour but still really really good![/quote] I've got that on dvd. Breathtaking.

[quote name='barry44' post='516573' date='Jun 17 2009, 04:30 PM'][attachment=27230:25665692...13e8b7e0.jpg] for me, it would be Klaus Fluoride's 66 jazz. now that's what i call reliced!![/quote] Awesome.

Lemmy's original Ric, the natural one with the walnut headstock wings and TBird pickup. That bass taught me how to play. I'm not even sure it's still in one piece. Either that or JPJs BecVar 8 string, with Chris Squire's Ric third. Or Jamerson's bass, to sell....

[quote name='Skywalker83' post='514690' date='Jun 15 2009, 08:22 PM']Getting my bass build started in the Autumn and just finalising the design and specs to give my luthier. Its going to be a string single cut. I was thinking about a 33" scale for my 6 string. Is this do-able? whats the pros and cons? What's the availability of strings like for a 6 string of this scale? Are there any makers of 33" 6 stringers. i once heard that Fodera commonly make 33" 6 stringers. Any input would be appreciated.[/quote] Sei have made one; it looks like my s/cut without the melt top. Luckily I didn't get to play it before it was bought s/h because if I had [i]I[/i] may have bought it.