4000

Now that sir is a stunning bass! Looks like the wood selection is similar to something I've been weighing up too, even down to the different rear facings. What's the weight like? I'm now selling my Alembic Triple Omega due to back problems so am weighing up viable options (another Sei currently leading the pack if the Alembic does go). The only thing I did find playing a Harlot at Bass Day was that I couldn't really play it fingerstyle as the steep cutaway of the upper bout really hurt my wrist.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='373475' date='Jan 7 2009, 08:41 PM']Martin Turner[/quote] Thank you! Memory failing in old age you know, and too lazy to Google....

[quote name='KevB' post='373142' date='Jan 7 2009, 03:25 PM']Glenn Hughes for a while after he initially replaced Glover in Purple. Didn't like it apparently and switched to Fenders. Think he plays Vigiers now, as does Glover (but different models). Pete Trewavas in Marillion played a ric in the early days. In fact loads of neo prog bands in the early 80's had ric players in them as a result of Squire and Rutherford. Wasn't Rutherford's original doubleneck actually 2 separate rics lashed together before they brought out a propr official Ric twin neck?[/quote] See my prior post for much of that info. BTW, Glenn plays Manne Soulmover basses. For now....

It was seeing Thin Lizzy "Live and Dangerous" (Whistle Test special) that made me want to join a band. Phil was, along with Lemmy, my hero when I started. I only got to see him once and had drifted into a full-on metal phase by then. I wish I could go back. He was as true a rock star as you're ever likely to see, and a great, great talent. R.I.P. indeed. I miss him too.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='372037' date='Jan 6 2009, 02:39 PM']I think 'I'm Rick James Bitch' only posed for the album cover. I heard he didn't really use one. Roger Waters Pete Quaife (Kinks) Donovan John Deacon did use one but had changed to a P before joining Queen Someone on the Rickresource has Maurice Gibb's old white Rick John Entwhistle had one of the first 1999 models Mike Rutherford used a 4080 double neck in Genesis, Geddy also used a 4080.[/quote] Rick James used it occasionally, just preferred his Stingray. Andy Winters has Maurice's old bass. Mike didn't use a 4080, he had his doubleneck put together from a separate bass and guitar. Glenn Hughes used one briefly, as did Geezer Butler; Neil Brewer of Druid used one (I know 'cause i've played it), as did Jon Camp of Renaissance, as did Dave Meros (Spock's Beard), as did whatsisname ?!) from Wishbone Ash, Stanley Clarke (a 4000), Pete Trewavas from Marillion.....have we got Roger Waters? Mike Rutherford also played an RM1999. Doubtless there are loads of others I've temporarily forgotten...oh, the bloke from Manfred Mann is another (my memory fails me regarding his name and I can't be bothered looking it up).

I've not been particularly happy with the tone of my Rics through the Markbass gear I've tried so far (I also didn't like the GS112s - hence why I sold them recently) but I guess it all depends on how you play and what you think is a good Ric tone. You need to try 'em and see. That's what I'm going to keep doing.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='364469' date='Dec 27 2008, 09:18 PM']Once you're into this kind level of price and customisation surely it comes down almost entirely to personal taste? Alex[/quote] Absolutely. I've played several GBs and one W&T and I would just say they are different, and different people will prefer them. I liked them both for different reasons, although possibly slightly preferred the feel of the W&T personally. Tests like this should be taken with a pinch of salt in terms of which bass is actually best for [i]you[/i].

[quote name='Josh' post='364261' date='Dec 27 2008, 04:29 PM']I'd agree with you that that video is not the best example of a Spector being put to good use. I'm not a fan of his playing nor of Cannibal Corpses music, just merely answering a prior question. As you just said yourself, "It all comes down to personal preference", sor eally I could indeed give you plenty more examples of what I think IS a good example of THEE Spector tone. You've shown in other threads that your not one for a Hi-Fi Zingy sounding Jazz like tone whereas I am. Spectors can do that tone, and so really the examples I could show you wouldn't exactly help change your mind. Try asking Cetera though, he will have a whole catalogue of examples of Spectors in action.[/quote] Fair enough. Cetera? BTW, it's not that I'm not a fan of hi-fi zingy tone, just not that hi-fi Jazz tone, which I'd describe as "wiry" rather than zingy. Zingy is fine, but I guess perceptions of "zing" will be different. I wouldn't describe Marcus Miller's sound as zingy, whereas others might. To me he's a mixture of thumpy and glassy. . FWIW, when I bought my Spector (a euro 5) I played it in the shop through an Ashdown Electric Blue 1x15 combo and it sounded great; really ballsy & growly. However using it through my rig at the time (ABM500 and Aguilar GS112s x2) it sounded awful whatever I did, so I took it back. Now I've got rid of the cabs (although yet to replace them), I'd be interested to give Spector another chance. Not saying they'll be for me, but it's worth a try.

Had a long chat with Julian once in the Gallery. Very nice bloke.

[quote name='Josh' post='363676' date='Dec 26 2008, 01:50 PM']Indeed. [/quote] That's really interesting. I think you've just done a great job of highlighting the fact that there are no such things as good and bad tones, and that it all comes down to personal preference, because I think that Spector tone is nothing like what I'd describe as a good tone, even in the context of the music. I much prefer the earlier P sound. Also interesting because I wouldn't mind another Spector at some stage and have been trawling the net trying to find tones I like from them, so far without success. I live in hope though. Any examples would be appreciated.

I'd speak to Chris May; he's an extremely accommodating bloke.

I always get terribly nervous before gigs, and I've been playing 28 years. I've tried everything to stop it, with no success. The only time it stopped was when I was in a band that was pretty popular (in a local sense) and we were gigging a lot (which I find is the only real cure) . I'm currently in a band that I wrote all the material for (every last bit of it) so that makes things even worse, because the band lives or dies on your songs. For various reasons we've only played about 4 gigs in the last 2 years (maybe only 8 in the last 5), and at every single one I've been crapping myself. The last one took me 2/3 of the gig to calm down, and then only after I'd changed basses. It is indeed a horrible feeling, and to be honest is one that's made me think about packing it in on more than one occasion. The reason I haven't is simply because that would be admitting defeat. It's true that the audience doesn't really notice (we also recently went down a storm despite playing terribly) but it's not really the audience I worry about, it's just doing it right. Stupid, I know.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='348186' date='Dec 7 2008, 10:34 PM']Oh he didn't try and [i]sell[/i] you something, did he? He seems to try and do that a lot, but I don't know why.[/quote] More a case of he really didn't want to even [i]talk[/i] about selling me something unless I showed him the money first.....as I've said before he was like a cross between Gimli from LOTR and a Cave Troll, with an attitude to match.

[quote name='Golchen' post='362104' date='Dec 23 2008, 04:09 PM']Any bass designs that really turn you off? I love the Status classic shape, but I REALLY don't like either the Kingbass shape or the newer Streamline. I know that they are great basses, but if I won either they would be straight on eBay with barely a pluck in anger. I find both unpleasant to look at! Another one for me is the GB rumour. It's supposed to have a womans curves, but I prefer my women with a little less ass! It makes me think of one of those chubby assed women in a renaissance painting rather than a curvaceous babe. If I had a GB I'd go 100% for the Spitfire. In no way am I knocking these superb instruments, many people have them and many love and admire them. This is just a totally personal opinion on aesthetics and not intended to offend. Any designs that you lot don't like???[/quote] I like the look of the Status classic shape but the ergonomics are, for me, worse than anything else out there. You would not believe how much pain they cause me. To be honest there are very few basses I really think work aesthetically across the board. If the Kingbass looked like a headless Alembic Stanley Clarke I'd love it but it doesn't, although I like the basic concept. I can't say I'm mad on the new one either. Re the GB Rumour, that's [i]exactly[/i] how I like my women ( i.e. a bit Aurora Jolie....)! However I only really like the daphne blue ones; I find the others a little conservative looking personally, but then I tend to prefer more extreme looking basses. Not over keen on the majority of Fender types, they don't look aesthetically integrated to me, but then that's something I can say about many basses; I like a lot of custom stuff, but find certain details really grate. My favourite looking basses are Rickenbackers (which remind me of 50s American cars, which I love; to me anything pre-73 with full-width sparklies and checkered binding is the most beautiful bass out there), certain Alembics (Standard, Small Standard,Triple Omega, Balance K and Rogue) which to me look very Art Nouveau, W&T Zoid, Warwick Dolphin, Sei Flamboyant and Singlecut (particularly Series 2) and Fodera Matt Garrison. There is very little else that grabs me off the top of my head, although I like the Status Stealth and some of the Jerzy Drozd/CBs/CTs. As I say, I'm not a very conservative guy when it comes to bass shapes. Absolutely no offence meant to anyone who has basses I've mentioned though, plenty of people will hate my choices and that's fine; beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc etc. Heck, most of the women I like are a little less mainstream too; wouldn't give you tuppence for Angelina Jolie or any of the Hollyoaks/Girls Aloud/Pussycat Dolls types.

I'd be really interested to try one of these too (especially that MM pickup version) as my back is getting worse by the day. Must admit I haven't generally got on fantastically well with Status in the past (a bit "clacky" or "pingy" for me, and also don't get on with the "classic" bodyshape - carpal tunnel from hell - and I've had 4!) but I'm always willing to give things another go.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='359736' date='Dec 20 2008, 05:42 PM']North Asian Throat Funk[/quote] Can you get tablets for that?

Nice! Have to say though that the clip reinforces my opinion of what is my least favourite bass sound, which is that wiry, modern Jazz Bass tone; I think I only like Js with flats! BTW, is it me or is Bootsy dripping the Funk from the very first note he plays on the clip of him?

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='359398' date='Dec 20 2008, 09:25 AM']I love Metal, AND Jazz. Again just lucky I guess.[/quote] +1000 What will eternally baffle me is why anyone thinks "their" genre is better. How's about thinking outside the box and labelling it all....*gasp*....music?

[quote name='Cabal' post='349231' date='Dec 9 2008, 12:02 AM']Cool. Actually, now you mention it mine's a bit on the quiet side, so i should maybe raise the pickup somewhat. I reckon it could do with a bit of a refurb too after 35 years. It's on my list. [/quote] The pickup on mine was very high, and mine was a bit of a beast.

I'm not a huge Jaco fan, although I appreciate his talent. For me (as I believe someone mentioned earlier) his greatest talent as a player was his rhythmic sense and his ability to groove. My favourite playing by him would be tracks like Okonkole Y Trompa etc, where he plays repetitive figures. I particularly love the live Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley off 7:30; lots of space, and then he goes into that manic repetitive figure in the middle. Never been much of a fan of his tone though and I feel he played a lot of "licks" when you listen to him live. What I will say is he has been a huge influence on 2 of my favourite bassists, Stu Zender and Richard Bona, amongst probably countless others. I bought his debut in about '82 after first hearing about him, and my dad bought me Stanley Clarke's Brown Album at the same time. I was more interested in Jaco and less interested in Stanley; boy did that change after I actually listened to the 2 albums! I also think Stan has been rather sidelined since Jaco has died; when I first started they were both still alive and they were generally considered neck and neck as bass innovators/giants, whereas now it appears to be "Jaco this" and "Jaco that" with no mention of Stan at all which I find a little sad.

7string; was only up for sale due to the credit crunch and because no-one was interested in the other bass I was selling (I really need the money). I now have some interest in that regard and have decided I want more Seis in the future, not less! Urb; that is stunning. I want one!

My current Sei, which I'll be withdrawing from sale shortly..... My first Sei, a Flamboyant 6 which now belongs to a very nice chap in the States.... My second Sei, a Flamboyant 4...incidentally if anyone has this bass then at some stage in the future, when cash allows, I may be interested in buying it back... BTW Mike, I love your Sei. I'd love to get one pretty much like that myself, once again when cash allows...

[quote name='Mike Brooks' post='302186' date='Oct 8 2008, 01:16 PM']Thought it was about time I added some pics of the beast I acquired in the Reverb sale 2 months ago....it's not possible to have too much Spector porn anyway. [attachment=14507:DSCF0984.JPG] [attachment=14508:DSCF0986.JPG] [attachment=14509:DSCF1309.JPG][/quote] Now that is gorgeous! I'm kind of thinking when I get some cash together I'd like another go at a Spector Euro LX....assuming I can find one at the right price. Unfortunately things to sell in the meantime...