Marc S

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1410255088' post='2547479'] ...Seeing how many players seem to talk about taking a back-up amp to a gig, there seems to be a lack of confidence in some marques...?? [/quote] I don't think it's so much a lack of confidence in the amps It's simply an insurance policy I've played a couple of gigs with a keyboardist, who ended up needing my spare! Also, a situation can change I also played one gig where the PA was playing up, so I went ahead without using the PA, and because I had a spare the keyboardist in that band (different guy) also used my spare OK, I know it might seem like I'm carrying spares for keyboard players but I do like the thought of having something "just in case" and you can fit a small spare head into your kit easily There are some good 2nd hand options out there I'd never do a gig without a spare bass - yet I rarely break a string at a gig.....

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1410215145' post='2547305'] If anyone thinks that eastern manufacturers are any less capable of producing high quality products than western manufacturers then they are most definately wrong...... I've worked in manufacturing plants in Korea, Japan and China and been frankly dismayed at how good they are. So don't automatically dismiss a product just because it's manufactured in somewhere other than the UK or US. And don't automatically assume that UK and US made means better quality. It might, or it might not. Frank. Frank. [/quote] In my post, I wasn't suggesting that eastern manufacturers produced anything of "less quality" SOME eastern manufacturers do produce lower quality and even shoddy items, and there are plenty of examples of this It's just that sometimes, there can be issues when manufacturing is shifted to another plant -wherever that plant may be situated This can sometimes manifest itself with initial problems and quality issues, that are then (hopefully) ironed out I've long been an admirer of just how good Squier basses are, especially the last few years of production at the Indonesian factory I've recently acquired a Squier CV P bass -made in China and it's stunning - whereas a few years back, I played a china made P bass which was awful I kid you not, my new P bass is absolutely amazing, I love the feel and playability of it and it sounds great too! I was also a fan of some Japan built basses, many years back, when some other people used the awful term "Jap Cr@p" OK, some of it was - but some of it was rather good, and even brilliant! e.g. some of the JV Squier series, and an earlier "Shaftesbury" Ric bass I wish I'd never got rid of.... Marc

I really like them. The first 2 albums were great Still play them from time to time - great chillout tracks on both those albums Not sure I've got much by way of advice ... except - play the albums once in a while.... Marc PS> Just wondering what the advice is that you need now?

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1410101632' post='2546095'] Sort of on topic, sort of not... where is a good place to buy from the UK at the moment then? I wouldn't mind picking up a Micromark for rehearsals! [/quote] I love Markbass gear. I've got a 210 combo, and it's fantastic I hope their quality remains consistent, now they have switched production to Indonesia Re the micro mark, I used one once, for an acoustic rehearsal, and it was fine for that - I imagine you'd struggle when rehearsing with a drummer though I very recently bought a TC Electronics BG250-208 It's quite a loud amp, and very small and portable At 250W it should cope with rehearsing with a drummer fine, and it has a line out, and additional speaker output I was considering a Markbass 208 combo, but they are rated 100W less So far, I'm really pleased with the TC amp - it's early days yet, but I'm really pleased with it I got it from A-strings music shop in Pontypridd at a very reasonable cost of £249 Just thought I'd give this amp the nod as I said, it's quite small, lightweight & very portable EDIT: and very reasonably priced for the spec, I think..... Cheers

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1409760692' post='2543046'] Haha that's pretty cool! I thought it was something to do with buckle rash [/quote] That's exactly what I was thinking lol

Hope it all comes flooding back! Good luck with it

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1409839241' post='2543819'] Made my own, with Jazz width necks. [/quote] Nice Love that electro-acoustic

[quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1409333688' post='2538795'] I definitely tackled hardest, it's what I was there for! Playing that far back gave me a great view of guitarist and singer trying to outdo each other as golden boy. As for transfer fee, our manager would have probably happily swapped me for half a packet of Lambert & Butler and some pork scratchings, and I was his captain so that says a bit about the quality of the team! :-) [/quote] Ha, the story just gets better Though I would have held out for a full packet of L&B and some scampi fries!

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1409598876' post='2541406'] Proud to be part of the club [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171019.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171026.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171042.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171102.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171137.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/20140901_171151.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Lovely!

Anyone know how good the "Entwistle" NXB pickups are? Anyone had experience of them? They look a good value for money upgrade depending of course, on how good they are.......

I've played quite a number of Jazzes over the past couple of years But the best by a long way, is my MIM Roadworn Jazz It's an absolute stunner, honestly... Having tried several different Squier and Fender options recently, The new china-made CV Squiers are brilliant, as are some of the newer Mexican Fenders I've got a USA Fender, and it's great - but not as good as my Roadworn Just play as many as you can, and get the one that you like the most and as LukeFRC says, don't worry too much about what it says on the headstock...... Cheers and enjoy the search......

Ouch! Tendonitis can be a very painful ailment Re lessons - maybe some lessons would help, as someone suggested I can personally vouch for Greg Cordez, who is in Bristol, and a really great guy. I'm sure he will have come across this before.... And yes, go to see a registered practitioner - that's the best advice I used to get tendonitis, playing Bass Guitar in a Ramones tribute Which isn't an age-friendly way to play, I can assure you Have you tried Voltarol Emulgel? It's the best anti-inflammatory gel there is.... by a long way Of course, you must read the directions, and take care NOT to take any other anti-inflammatories, like Ibuprophen and it is only to be used for a short period of time, without consulting your GP But it might prove useful, if you have another gig, and are worried about this happening again... certainly as a quick-fix However, as I've said, a consultation with registered practitioner is the best way forward... Like the sound of your band - interesting Good luck sorting the tendonitis Marc

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1409683842' post='2542229'] A very nice Squier it has to be said. The CV series is finished/built to a higher standard than the Mexican Standard basses of 10 years ago IMO. [/quote] Yes, almost £400 is a lot of money But you have to remember, Squier have produced a lot of very different instruments, in different factories around the world And the quality of each model is different These CV series are absolutely brilliant, I kid you not I can well recall being in music shops, when the Japan made Squiers were introduced while customers and staff spoke of them being "Jap Cr@p" .... a hideous, derogatory and incorrect misnoma I don't know how many of those people had admitted to eating their words - but many of these Squiers are now justifiably held in high esteem Yes, you may have been able to buy a Mex built Squier for rather less But again, Mexican Fenders and Squiers have moved on, and are now far better builds than they once were I picked up a CV 60's Precision the other day, and it's honestly brilliant If you haven't tried one yet - you really must The same day, I played a CV Jazz bass, and a USA Jazz, while trying out an amp (I also went straight home & plugged my CV, my Mex Jazz and my USA Jazz thru said amp (after buying it) And I have to say my own CV P bass, and the CV Jazz Squier more than held their own My CV has drawn me back to P basses - it's better than any USA P I've ever played (and I owned a couple) It might be more expensive than previous Squiers, but it's another step up in quality PS. Love the block inlays on that P neck

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1409695090' post='2542444'] You haven't played my Ric. At every Cardiff bass bash the "I don't like Rics" have had a go and changed their minds. There are great examples of all marques, just like there are poor ones. Each to his own, and I like playing my own. [/quote] I do like Rics, but I've played some that I can't get on with I can however, confirm that Gelfin's Ric is absolutely fantastic! Never played another quite like it And if he were to think of selling it, I'd be there like a shot That bass has the power to convert anyone, I can assure you And yes Gelfin, you're quite right - there are good and bad examples of every model, it seems

I've got a couple of Jazz basses, I'm a recent convert, and I now love them Don't know why I didn't swap over to the Jazz sooner I've played several, and the best IMHO is the roadworn series There's a lot of people who don't like the "roadworn" concept and part of me appreciates this However, my roadworn is THE best I've played It's a real keeper I've also got a USA Jazz, which I might now sell But I'll not part with my roadworn I've played a couple of Squiers, CV and VM and they've all been good Great instruments. Just try as many as you can, and don't worry about the decal on the headstock If it's right for you, go for it Good luck with your search, and enjoy it Marc EDIT: I've also got an indonesian made PJ bass, and a new Classic Vibe P, built in China And the quality of both these basses is amazing!

I've just got myself a Classic Vibe 60's P, in Fiesta red It's absolutely awesome. Love the tone of it, and the dark tint thick lacquer looks great and the colour is absolutely gorgeous, with a flawless finish I wouldn't know it's not an alder body without direct comparison, and maybe not even then This bass is definitely lighter than my old USA Fender P, but a tad heavier than my MIA Squier PJ But well done Squier! I love mine to bits already

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1409654801' post='2541850'] has there been a thread before discussing how comes there is such a fundamental and distinct difference in tone between the two when they are so similar in shape? [/quote] I'm sure there has been - and fairly sure I've read on previously It seems an eternal point of discussion, which as someone already mentioned here is testimony to Leo Fender, and his designs.... A big part of the tonal difference must also come from the pickups, and electrics anyway also, the neck will play a part too.....

Re the above posts, I can honestly say, I had an Ibanez SR 500 - which is a 4 string What a quality instrument that was, great build, great sound - massive value for money The only thing I outgrew with it, was that I like a slightly wider neck There are often a few 505's knocking around, second-hand and I've no reason to believe they would be anything other than great instruments .... and those Bartolini electrics & pickups sound amazing! Just picked up a Squier Candy Apple Red V bass It is heavy. But from my point of view, the lovely wide neck does allow me to really get my fingers in between the strings (a problem I've found with 5 string basses) Of course, I still can't get my head around 5 strings yet ... but i got it to at least have a dabble .... and it was mint, and cheap! Let us know how you get on