Gunsfreddy2003

I have no idea how long Fodera take to build but I know that when I spoke to Bernie and initially placed the order for my Spitfire it was a 3 month build time but I know that Rumours take longer. I have only said to Bernie that I would like it for a big gig that I have in December and it would be great for that but I am not really hassling him too much! If you will have such a beautiful bass built for you then you deserve to have it taken away to shows for others to drool over! [quote name='EBS_freak' post='317313' date='Oct 29 2008, 09:17 AM']Man, it's still a rapid build compared to the likes of Fodera! Bernie's had a busy year it would seem. If it's any consolation, Bernie has my Rumour. Even though it is built, it has spent more time with Bernie than me. It's doing the rounds at the shows at the moment![/quote]

You're telling me - driving me mad! Still the older I get the more I realise that the good things in life definitely take time to get here. Would just like to get on and gig it - might finally be happy then after changing amp head, speaker, all effects and basses!!! Mark [quote name='EBS_freak' post='317252' date='Oct 29 2008, 07:42 AM']The wait is horrible... but it's all worth it [/quote]

Yes but I did hand over my deposit on May 23rd!! Not that I am counting the days or anything!!!!! Mark [quote name='EBS_freak' post='314322' date='Oct 25 2008, 01:17 AM']Man, you aren't leaving him much time are you?! Hope he pulls through for ya![/quote]

Hope so! I am trying to get Bernie to agree to a December finish. As soon as I pick her up I assure you that I will post some pics for comments! Cheers MJB [quote name='EBS_freak' post='313431' date='Oct 23 2008, 11:19 PM']Sounds good dude. Think you made the right decision there. Its gonna be great![/quote]

Hi, Yes had a good long chat with Bernie last Friday and I have decided to go with the black american walnut and a dark fingerboard which I think is some kind of ebony but looks fantastic! Hard decision to make but took Bernie's advice in the end as he knows more than I ever could about what works or not! Mark [quote name='EBS_freak' post='308455' date='Oct 17 2008, 11:31 AM']gunsfreddy - any news on the choice of woods yet??[/quote]

One of the best tracks that I have heard with the Chapman Stick on it is a song called "Stick Jam" funnily enough by Steps Ahead. It is Tony Levin playing on the album and is a great track also has Michael Brecker on sax too! Cheers Mark

Thats where I am coming from guys - the beauty of both Gabbie and your Spitfire is that they are fantastic basses to play but also look very pleasing to the eye! The English walnut might just be a little to outstanding! Think that no matter what I am going to go with a maple fingerboard! Ferret has a couple of good ideas which I will talk through with Bernie next week. I think that Mike's idea to buy both was great but sadly the lottery numbers did not come in last night. Ultimately I can't wait to join the "club" I am using a KSD 5 string at the mo which Bernie put the EBS preamp into and when gigging I have to switch back to my Warwick fora couple of numbers and the sound from that is pathetic in contrast - such a weak signal and no depth of tone. Can only imagine what the Rumour is going to sound like against both of these basses - Bring it on!!!! [quote name='phsycoandy' post='304541' date='Oct 11 2008, 07:51 PM']Think u may be right, its a overall finish, go with the american walnutty finish, forget whatever i said![/quote]

Yeah I know it's such a stress because you want it to be right as it is not every day that someone builds a guitar for you and you just want to get it right! Out of the pics that I posted I must admit that I have preferred the black american walnut with the maple neck only because it has a uniform look to it. The other wood (which I think is English walnut) is lovely but I do worry that the heavy black figuring in the middle would always detract from the rest of the bass. As I said before I think that Gabbie is the dogs dangly bits and I think that the black american walnut is going to get me much closer to that look. Did you have to go through a lot of choices to get to Gabbie or was it a one shot see it and loved it job? Mark [quote name='EBS_freak' post='304217' date='Oct 10 2008, 10:53 PM']The decisions, the decisions!! I'm not going to say a word [/quote]

Still a fantastic bass - leaning towards this look for the Rumour again! Mark [quote name='phsycoandy' post='303784' date='Oct 10 2008, 12:44 PM']Here you go new pics! [/quote]

Yes I know but hard to make the decision! Thread below now has some pics of the options that I currently have. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17506&st=100"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17506&st=100[/url] Mark [quote name='bass_ferret' post='303322' date='Oct 9 2008, 08:56 PM']Its your bass - if you want maple have maple.[/quote]

Here goes then! Pics below show the proposed facings and wood options - what do you all think? Mark [quote name='durandassi' post='303400' date='Oct 9 2008, 10:53 PM']Sure thing, post those pics! James.[/quote]

Hi Guys, I am struggling to make a decision on the wood facings and fingerboard for my Rumour. If I post the pics that I have from Bernie would you guys give me some feedback on which you think is best? Mark

Quite agree! I have told Bernie that if mine came out like that I would be delighted! Just have a penchant for maple boards over darker ones!! Mark [quote name='johnnylager' post='303288' date='Oct 9 2008, 08:19 PM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25843&hl=gabbie"]This[/url] is the most stunning creation ever. That Spitfire is a close second though. You getting buried with that too, Russ? <Rubs hands with glee & waits...>[/quote]

Hi, I have seen Mike's bass and that is what made me think that it might just work having a maple fingerboard. Bernie has mocked up some facing samples and the necks against them to try and give me an idea of what it might look like but that has not helped really! I am still struggling to make a decision on the facings too. Perhaps if I post the pics up you can give some feedback? The bass has to show the thru neck as that is why I opted for the Rumour in the first place! Like you I have tried to listen to Bernie as you are right he has built loads and you have to take his point of view on this. Spec so far is Rumour 4, with the G Spot and kick drum but no LED's! Mark [quote name='EBS_freak' post='302579' date='Oct 8 2008, 10:16 PM']I know what you mean. I love my Spitfires fingerboard against the walnut, although I will have to say, the Rumours do seem to suit darker necks. Have a look at my Rumour to see if you like it - that's the sort of vibe it will be taking on. Mike Brooks has a kingfisher blue finished Rumour which has a maple neck. Looks cool... but that is paired with a painted finish. It may be worth while knocking up a quick photoshop so you have some idea of what a Rumour with a maple neck looks like. Both my basses were heavily guided by Bernie afterall he has built loads and knows what works and doesn't. I have to say, I tend to agree that the Rumour favours darker necks... the only other thing which may work is if you dont have the through neck exposed and have front and back fascias or a bolt on Rumour... but I guess thats defeating the very reasons for having a Rumour. So, what are the specs that you have settled for in the end?[/quote]

I live near Cirencester and some pubs do pay OK but you have to pick and choose them! We play jazz/funk so tend to aim for wine bars or more upmarket pubs. On the whole £200 is about normal for a pub gig for us. Mark [quote name='ARGH' post='302490' date='Oct 8 2008, 07:59 PM']Do the country pubs pay in the SW?? Where are you based?[/quote]

My 4 string Rumour is under construction by Mr Goodfellow as we speak but I am having a few problems making a decision on the fingerboard! One of my favourite basses is the Spitfire that EBS Freak owns as I love the contrast between the black american walnut and the maple fingerboard. I am trying to replicate that on my Rumour but Mr Goodfellow advises that it may not look right because of the thru neck design of the Rumour. Come on GB owners give me some advice and let me know how you decided on the finish for your basses! Mark

I personally would not travel more than 30 miles for a share of less than £200. You have to at least cover your costs I reckon. That said I do enjoy playing the music that we do and with 5 mates to boot! [quote name='ARGH' post='302482' date='Oct 8 2008, 07:50 PM']Pub gigs are getting thinner....esp if you are charging more...you can play in a 5 piece and get gigs aplenty if you are willing to accept a £150-£180 gig...but given the financial times are you willing to travel a round trip of 100 miles for such a gig?? Some people just want to gig and get their Beer paid..I dont,Its a job,I dont enjoy the tunes,I want the money,It pays bills. It really really f***s me off when a 'Well known' Leeds venue WONT pay anymore than £150 on a weekend night..AND the pub is ALWAYS full to the rafters. The C-Crunch has affected 3 things,Fuel's,Food,and peoples paranoia.[/quote]

Here is one to think about! Two pubs in Cheltenham we played one in May and got paid £150 and it was pretty busy and went down well. Same pub in September offers us £50 for the same gig. Meanwhile a pub right across the road which is starting to do more and more live music booked us for last Friday and paid £300!! We packed the place and they have booked us for December again already. The point I am making is that the credit crunch is a global excuse for everything at the moment including a tight fisted landlord trying to shaft 6 muso's!!! I hope that every band says no to his pathetic offer of £50 and they will have no choice then but to pay a better price for bands. If things are tight then the pubs need to do something to entice people out of their houses and into the pubs. Doing nothing at all is hardly likely to make the pub busier is it? Good job that I do not make my living from the pay from pub gigs otherwise I fear that the wife could be living in a wigwam!

Nice one - let us know how you get on with it? I have never used one but was waiting in the wings if you didn't take the one of Higgie!!! Cheers Mark [quote name='Shaggy' post='285746' date='Sep 17 2008, 12:19 PM']A big thanks for all the great posts on this; just to wrap it up, I went for Higgie’s original Mutron, hopefully coming soon. So now skint AND about to get cadmium poisoning! But vintage cool maintained [/quote]

Hi Mike, That is some collection of basses that you have there! I was interested in your Kingfisher Blue GB Rumour - Bernie is building one for me as we speak and I want to go for a black american walnut type front but still have a maple type neck and fingerboard (what is yours BTW?), however Bernie insists that Rumours look better with a dark coloured neck and fingerboard as it works better with the thru neck design. I can see what he means but I like the contrast of dark and light woods like EBS Freak has on his Spitfire. Sounds like you were told roughly the same thing? Yours looks great though!! Cheers Mark [quote name='Mike Brooks' post='281466' date='Sep 10 2008, 10:06 PM']Cheers guys, Funnily enough, Bernie wasn't keen on the 'Kingfisher Blue' with gold hardware combination when I told him what I wanted, really wasn't enamoured with the idea. It was my bass so I wanted it how I explained. I think he conceded defeat once it was built!! Mike[/quote]

Hi, When it comes to envelope filters I would offer the following advise - these are only my thoughts and opinions and not written in stone! EBS Bass IQ - Excellent filter and the best of all that I have owned over the years. Great for getting the funky squelch and never loses the bottom end frequencies either which is really important with filter pedals. Dod FX25 - Hated this pedal, sound was not that funky and when it was used in a live situation the bottom end dropped out completely. I know Flea used one but just no good for me. Maxon AF9 - A pretty good filter but just not quite as funky as the EBS. You can get these 2nd hand for about £70 so probably has the edge price wise on the EBS stuff. EHX Bassballs - Apparently this was designed by the guy that made the Mutron but I could not get a sound like that out of it. Not bad but just not as good as some of the others! Mutron III - This is supposed to be the daddy of all of them and everyone who has one raves about them. I have never played one and would dearly love to own one but the £300 upwards price tag has always put me off. I just cannot justify that on one pedal. Chunk Systems Agent 00 Funk - This sounds great on their website and Bootsy Collins uses one so it must be funky but again this going for £300ish so certainly not a cheap option. Lovetone Meatball - Nick Fyffe used one when he was with Jamiroquai and you can hear it on Live at Montreaux DVD on Blow Your Mind I think and it sounds great. They are not made anymore so the price has gone up but still a good option. Line 6 BassPod XTLive - This did have a good emulation of the Mutron but I found the whole thing so complicated to use that I just went back to stomp boxes! Hope some of this may help you with your decision. If it was me I would take the easy option and go for the EBS Bass IQ. You won't be disappointed. Cheers Mark [quote name='Shaggy' post='280879' date='Sep 10 2008, 09:07 AM']Thanks fellas, really useful stuff here. I’d really love Higgie’s Mutron – always prefer the old and authentic option with gear (or as Mrs Shaggy prefers to call it; festering pile of old junk), but hard to justify that amount of dosh – I guess it may be the Pod after all, especially as I’ll no doubt think of some other effect I can’t possibly live without. Hmmmmmmmmm……….[/quote]