4000

Yawn...(and no, I don't mean U2....)

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='420785' date='Feb 27 2009, 12:09 PM']I went to see a blues band last night - the bassist was using a USA Jazz (looked new) straight into an Ashdown Mag 300 head and an Ashdown 4x10 cab. He had the sound I want and at about a quarter of the price of my gear. Really pissed me off.[/quote] My mate owns my old Dolphin Pro 2 bolt-on and Ashdown Klystron 200W combo. I think they cost him £750 total from me. He sounds absolutely amazing....which I seldom do despite having far more expensive gear. Wish I'd never sold 'em (well, apart from the combo which is a bugger to lift when you have back problems).

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='420504' date='Feb 26 2009, 11:34 PM']Definitely true about having higher action to get more control over your tone, but that does all come down to your playing and your technique.. To be honest, I like lots of different playing styles and bass tones by various players but that's their sound, not mine so I just concentrate these days on trying to do my own thing ( however well or however badly) for the songs that we play in the set. Sean - that's the first time I've heard Matt Garrison and he has an amazing style but it sounds and looks more like classical guitar playing than bass playing IMO.. As for Leigh, well we've discussed that a few times already! Suffice to say I still love what he does. The YouTube clip reminded me of just how cool Matthew was back in those days - sadly missed![/quote] Hi Nik My action is waaaay low; I cant play with high action at all. I absolutely agree about the tone thing though; in my post Leigh and Matt were just used to illustrate a ballpark tone. You may be right about Matt, but I love classical guitar playing (and flamenco even more) so I'm rather into it. It's not so much band bass, but I love it anyway as a thing on its own. Of course he's not actually playing any tunes on that but he's not a million miles away regardless. At home I play a bit like a very, very bad version of that. In a band I'm nothing like that at all; more of an Entwistle/Foxton/Hawkwind era Lemmy. Yeah, it's a shame Matthew's not still around. I miss the band a great deal (Leigh & Annabella may have done/be doing stuff but I don't have much chance of seeing them). I'm so glad I did get to see them the once; they were fantastic.

It totally depends on the context, but 99% of the time I have the luxury of playing music "wot I wrote". Unfortunately that doesn't help me get the right tone. The tone I used to get using my 72 Rick through a Trace AH150 (early model) and Series 1 (?) Trace 4x10 (sealed, black painted) was my favourite tone that I've ever heard. My '72 sounded like a cross between a Rick and a big double bass; not metallic at all, very growly, maybe not the punchiest sound but sat beautifully, thick, natural and wonderful. The bass is very mellow sounding as Ricks go. Obviously it doesn't suit every context though. Unfortunately I can't us a rig like that any more and so have been struggling with my sound; the Rick doesn't seem to like more modern, smaller, lighter gear. Whenever I plug in Trace and hit the pre-shape it's there, but with anything else, not so much. The other tone I'm trying to achieve (using different instruments) is more like a cross between Leigh Gorman & Matt Garrison. I want it to be tight, punchy, growly, somewhat aggressive, thick (but not "fat" if that makes any sense) but still bright. As yet I haven't found it, but I'm working on it (I'd like to try a Bongo). ....basically I like to hear the string and some sizzle but not in a hyped-up tweeter-y way, and I like to hear what I perceive as growly low mids, but not really what many would describe as fatness or roundness. Here's Leigh; this is close but I'd maybe go slightly thicker/bigger sounding... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HQzVO2egDY&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HQzVO2egDY...feature=related[/url] Here's Matt... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe7vyvyzOKg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe7vyvyzOKg[/url]

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' post='419715' date='Feb 25 2009, 11:32 PM']Did you just buy that Sei here a week or two ago? No, it wasn't advertized here. I got it at the weekend, in Tewkesbury. It's a wider neck than I'm used to but super slim. It is hard to convey how smooth and fast it is to play. I can hardly put it down![/quote] Hot damn! That's my old bass, made for me! That was actually next on my shopping list if it was available (well, either that or my custom build, which would already have been underway had I not been sidetracked by the Flamboyant 5 I'm soon to be colecting). Did you get it from a man named (I think) Bob? If you ever fancy getting rid I'd like it back........

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='419689' date='Feb 25 2009, 10:47 PM']I think headless basses might be the bass equivalent of quiche. +1 to that, but what wasn't to like about that bass? It was sex on a stick! Low action, loads of growl, very supple and playable.[/quote] Action was possibly a little high for me actually! String spacing was also too wide, but mainly it was the tone. Either we play very differently (likely) or we have different definitions of growl. I just found it pretty honky sounding to be honest, more so than any other Sei I've tried, but again, that's probably the difference between my technique and yours and also possibly an indication of our personal preference. I'll add that I wouldn't describe Status as growly either. On the same day I played the Sei 5 headed I'll soon be bringing home and Urb's 5, and they were both far, far more to my taste, far more stringy and detailed sounding, and also strangely to my ear far more growly. Just goes to show you can't always judge from another players description. Loved the weight and balance though; its a great bass, just not to my taste sonically.

Aaagh! Don't show me pictures of the CS! Mine's still for sale down the Bass Gallery and I don't need to see how cool they look! FWIW, love the ACG too, but in a different way....

Oh, and I really fancy one of these (but probably a four, for weight reasons if nothing else) in this finish...anyone got here got one? What are they like in the real world?

There's no substitute for trying them out. Be careful though, because as I always say, different examples can vary so much, and your taste may not be what another player's is. For instance, CrazyKiwi loved the black Sei 4 Original in the Gallery, but after trying it myself it's one on my least favourite Seis that I've played (although the lack of weight was fabulous). Of course you could also have something built that may not sound or play like any other examples you're likely to find. It's a tough one. The strong point of Status IMO is the stability of graphite combined with a fairly consistent tone and feel (ballpark-wise) from instrument to instrument. Seis will vary more IMO because they are built for individuals. I've only played one Shuker headless and it had its own thing going on; nice enough, but not really my thing, but then neither are Status. As stated earlier, picking a luthier who seems on your wavelength is a great idea, but that doesn't help you in the trying out stakes unfortunately.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='418503' date='Feb 24 2009, 04:06 PM']The idea that a bassist can do no wrong implies that there is a 'right' way of playing. I think there is a continuum between boring and repetitive and highly creative and original and, determining where a player is on the continuum is irrelevant. It is where the listener is that matters and we are all in a different space. Every mention of jazz here is shortly followed by references to random noodlng. But lots of the 'can do no wrong' players mentioned here bore me rigid. A great player playing tedious music (Marcus Miller) is no more use to me that a bad player playing great songs (Phil Lynott). One mans 'interesting' is another mans 'inaccesible', one man's 'in the pocket' is another man's tedious and repetitive. The mix required to make a player 'flawless' is individually defined so this debate is moribund.[/quote] You know, I was utterly with you there until you called Phil Lynott a bad player.... FWIW I'd ultimately much sooner have a player who hasn't got great chops but who can write great, memorable lines than a great technical player who can't. In Phil's case things like Dancing in the Moonlight spring to mind; Sting would be another player, although doubtless his chops are better than he shows, and McCartney would be another; also the reason why I'll always take a Squire over a Berlin, although Chris's chops are reasonably ok. I can forgive flawed technique, but not bad writing! However, as you so rightly say, it's all subjective and ultimately means little. I'm sure many out there think my picks for great lines are simplistic nonsense or over-busy waffle.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='418060' date='Feb 24 2009, 12:48 AM']It surprises me that more people aren't aware of Jimmy Johnson, very much to my liking I have always admired his consistency and note choice, always putting the music first so will play really simply, but has absolutely phenomenal facility. So..... Jimmy Johnson[/quote] Superb choice.... FWIW I love Stu Z and his tone (particularly on ROTSC and TWM) is one of my favorite ever. Paul's a great player but I guess you could call me a Stu Z fanboy.

One of these... and one of these... and one of these... and one of these...one of the nicest tones I've ever heard (although no use at all in my band!) [url="http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/movies/KatsujiMorioka.mov"]http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/movies/KatsujiMorioka.mov[/url] Oh, and a Wal Pro 2 and any sort of Alembic that weighs around 8lbs or less.... Of course there are a dozen others. My main GAS is for an Azure early 70s Rick with all the goodies (that's underway ) and for a Sei like Urb's or 6stringbassist's, although with the Series 2 shape (like my Melt). I'd love a headless Status Stealth too, except I don't think I'd get on with it....

[quote name='ARGH' post='417865' date='Feb 23 2009, 09:13 PM']Here we go,another 'I like.../No you are wrong' thread...[/quote] Marcus is a great player. Unfortunately I just happen not to like what he does. The problem with a thread like this, sterling effort though it is, is that ultimately someone will mention someone who hasn't been criticised and then someone else will jump in and immediately criticise them because they're not to his/her taste. I think there are very few players that everyone will like, if any. I'm sure there's someone out there who isn't that keen on Jamerson. You may have to go some to find them, but they're out there somewhere.

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='417728' date='Feb 23 2009, 07:16 PM']Well for me, Marcus is everything a lot of other slappers aren't. Soulful, heartfelt and knows what to do and when to do it.[/quote] Dull is another word that springs to mind...IMO of course

[quote name='BeLow' post='415853' date='Feb 20 2009, 10:45 PM']To be honest having more than one is overated - theres the increased level of maintenance, switching from one to the to other can cause you to get confused under pressure and play things incorrectly, and then to to top it all off how you decide which one to take to the gig ... but that's enough talking about women, what bass are you wanting to get?[/quote]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='415906' date='Feb 21 2009, 12:18 AM'] So do I I still wonder if they are that much better than Wal, Sei, GB etc etc etc[/quote] Only if you think they are. That's all that matters. In some ways it's trying to quantify the unquantifiable. Using an art analogy, is Picasso better than Van Gogh? Whose art is worth more? It's purely subjective.

I think it's a great idea.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='416022' date='Feb 21 2009, 10:44 AM']While I spend all my days slaving in an office surrounded by self-obsessed w*nk*rs in suits, he gets to jet around the world doing something he (presumably) loves doing. So good luck to the guy, I say [/quote] Did I write this post???????? Crikey, we're leading parallel lives!!!!

[quote name='flippyfloop' post='414836' date='Feb 19 2009, 10:46 PM']Why do bagpipes make me want to pull my teeth out ?[/quote] They make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. In a good way. I love 'em.

[quote name='YouMa' post='414939' date='Feb 20 2009, 03:12 AM']I would be suprised if the bass gallery lasted much more than a couple more years. I really am being honest here you can learn in a couple of weeks what they charge you a lot of money for,you are being taken for a ride.[/quote] ???????????????? You know they build Sei basses right? Some of the best basses you're ever likely to come across? They're also about the most reasonable in terms of charges that I've ever seen. As has already been pointed out, many top pros use them, which is surely endorsement enough. With regards to the OP, I can't explain this particular incident but I know they have been dreadfully busy recently, so maybe that's a factor. I've never had a bad experience with them and I've been going there since 1996. Did you explain at the time when you needed it for? They're usually very accommodating.

[quote name='Nick Brown' post='413990' date='Feb 19 2009, 10:52 AM']I think it's all down to how a particular instrument fits your dreams and/or needs. Urb hits the nail on the head. IMO Fodera instruments are as individual as any other "boutique" basses and individual examples will either float your boat or not. So the value question is not one that can be covered in a blanket way IMO, it all depends on the particular instrument.[/quote] This is something so many people fail to grasp, that individual examples of a marque (particularly a boutique one) can vary so much and for so many reasons that one example may be exactly what a particular player doesn't want and another may be spectacular. I can say this about every single make of bass I've ever tried, boutique or budget, that no one makes instruments that I will like 10 times out of 10. FWIW I haven't yet played a Fodera I've loved, but I'm hoping Loz's might change that situation. I have however played Mike's Sei which is as good as anything I've ever played; so good I was going to commission one very similar until sidetracked by a Flamboyant 5 hanging on the wall in the Gallery. The commission will therefore have to wait a while. I also tried Loz's (formerly Nick's) s/cut, but unfortunately was also defeated by the neck. Mike, have you played Matt's bass? If so, what's it like? I love the look and the sound he gets, although my personal favourite is probably Janek's, which looks like the easiest playing bass in the world...