tobiewharton

Good advice. In electric bass terms, 4-string P to 5-string modern super-long scale is a bit of a jump. The transition can be helped by opting for tighter string spacing. Equally, don't dismiss shorter scale lengths - in my experience, a consistent or 'tight' B string is not limited to 35" or above. A brass nut or zero fret will help with consistent clarity too. Most extended range basses will have shallower necks anyway and asymmetrical neck carves are also common. Expect at least 45mm at the nut. As a result of this, ergonomics are very different and really necessitate certain techniques (no thumb wrapped around the fretboard unless you have enormous hands!). Sound-wise, you can't go wrong with soapbars and MMs will be fine too. Modern voiced single coils if you want less welly. Be wary of option paralysis with complex onboard preamps; a simple 2-band eq (even boost only) is plenty as the kinds of pickups in these basses are naturally 'scooped' in the mids. This is generally great in a gospel context where there is much more sonic space for bass guitar; relative lack of chord-heavy and distorted guitar parts really help with this. Modern, clean amps are the way to go with this; think Class D and 10s or 12s. A lot of prominent American players use GK. The role of bass in contemporary gospel means a good grasp of music theory is a big advantage and ear-training is a necessity. Band MDs (often keys players) will call changes; songs are often started by vocalists in their chosen key; music starts and stops at different times, often with very short notice; spontaneous key changes are common. The Nashville Numbers System will be your best friend! A final thought - listen to lots of music! Some artists: Fred Hammond William McDowell Tamela Mann Yolanda Adams Donnie McClurkin Marvin Sapp Kurt Carr Tye Tribbett Mary Mary Israel Houghton Kirk Franklin Darwin Hobbs Donald Lawrence Hezekiah Walker Anthony Evans Some bass players: Justin Raines Andrew Gouche Sharay Reed Fred Hammond Lots of great online content too. I hope some of this helps and enjoy the journey! Tobie

I'd happily weigh it down 😂

Yep - staggering!

Absolutely wonderful sales pitch from Fender Japan: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-fsr-made-in-japan-elemental-jazz-bass-Nimbus-White/968563?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJTywcKXnuHvst8jrD3BJ6m0UKcevyaGgrJaDGSf2hVhHkrqbXRUaKBoCsUQQAvD_BwE 🤣

I haven't, but I would like to - especially the double P version. I've tried a nice Special and also a Lyte, which I was partial to; I rather like Fender's attempts to mess with the recipe in the 80s - would be nice to see a bit more of that these days!

I'm ambivalent about it, but understand the appeal. I'm 1983 and I think the Precision Specials were cool. If I had a need of something in that ballpark and found a good one for a good price, the year matching would be a bonus.

Cracker! Enjoy

You're right, GK aren't Mesa. I mentioned them as an American-made Class D competitor. I'd consider them a premium choice but acknowledge that that's very much a matter of opinion. If we're comparing with Aguilar and Bergantino in the UK, one can currently get an Aggy TH500 for £800 or a Berg neo 410 for £1500. I just don't see the comparisons you're making. This is all inconsequential of course - any products are worth the price that people are prepared to pay for them, which has always been and continues to be absolutely fine. I'm just not sure who those people are intended to be in this case and I'm dubious that they're the same people that were targeted in the past. I've absolutely no issue with companies going 'exclusive', as mentioned in earlier posts by others, but I do prefer those companies to call a spade a spade.

I think you misunderstand me. I'm trying to understand why the gear is now considerably more than similar competitors. I don't have a particular brand allegiance - have owned a big variety. As such, I didn't say I wouldn't buy Mesa because I like another brand more (I actually use a Mesa preamp currently), I said I wouldn't buy new Mesa products because of these prices.

Am I missing something here? Anderton's has the Subway D-350 at £900 and the GK Legacy 800 at £850? The Subway D-800+ is £1250 from the same retailer.

It certainly is! IIRC that was in reference to songs people dislike? Equally true for gear of course. However, the suggestion here is that Mesa may no longer represent what it once did; a competitive choice for gigging musicians. 22 hundred quid for a 4x10? IMO that is pie in the sky. What I find irksome is the apparent disingenuousness of putting this purely down to market forces, with no acknowledgement of the effect of marketing strategies. Everyone can prefer what they choose but I won't be convinced that these offer value for money for the vast majority of players. It's a shame for me - I like the gear 👍🏻

Thanks for the reassurance that I am indeed expressing an opinion 🙄 Whom are the products 'for' exactly? Folk gullible and rich enough to fork out over 2K for a cab that isn't gold-plated?

Interesting thread... Forums like BC are such a great source of many things, from bon homie to amusing belligerence, and I'm sure we're all partial to the full gamut from time to time. This particular one irks me - These amps and cabs? Not on your nelly! I like Mesa stuff but these are priced out of the market for the majority of players. I earn good money from music and there isn't a world where I'd shell out for these products over, say, GK's offerings. I couldn't give two hoots where things are made per se, as long as the product, buyer experience and aftercare are fit for purpose. On the contrary, if I feel like I'm being taken the piss out of it leaves a sour taste, regardless of some superiority delusion masquerading as 'provenance'. Of course this is all my opinion, but it's not lost on me that I am in the relatively unusual position of having the funds and work to justify considering equipment that is towards the pricier end of retail. These are beyond that and yet are not a luxury; luxury is commissioning a build with a craftsman (like Jon Shuker for example, whose skill, time and flexibility add a unique and personal value), not preordering on Anderton's.