Marc S

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1412621281' post='2570523'] .....I remember when "Made in Japan" meant "junk" but the reality was that most of the stuff that came out of Japan in the 70s was pretty much alright and that it was a ploy by British manufacturers to try to maintain their sales (of what was pretty shoddy items TBH) by slandering the opposition. [/quote] Yes, I remember that too Several pals had really good basses and guitars made in Japan during that period and I had a "Shaftesbury" Rick copy bass, made in Japan, and it was absolutely fantastic I only sold it cos it needed re-fretting, and I didn't have the cash for that at the time Really regret ever selling that bass now... Among my current crop of basses, is a China-made Squier Classic Vibe 60's P bass in rather fetching pink/red, with tort plate - It looks fab, IMO and it plays better than a Fender US P bass I recently tried (that was good too - just not quite as nice as my Squier) My Squier sounds great too, and it's really well put together - feels, sounds & plays like a quality instrument.... I've bought a lot of cheaply made Chinese tools etc - and usually regret buying them, cos they bend! lol So I suppose it depends what you're buying that's made in China.... If someone were to ask about whether to go for a new China-made Squier I'd always say try it first - but I'd also say "go for it!"

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1412113458' post='2565901'] FWIW I have used an NS5 for a long time and only came to like it when I put a set of Honeys on it and jacked the action right up. [/quote] Useful info - thanks for that owen Did you find it more comfortable due to the lower tension Honeys?

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1412076521' post='2565340'] A full sized Harp? Blimey. They are so heavy that I had assumed when people moved house they just left it there with the bath and the oven!! [/quote] Lol - at least no one at a gig is likely to nick one.... And yes, walbasist - harps really can sound absolutely awesome We had said harpist perform at our wedding last December The reception was in Caerphilly Castle and the sound of the harp was really loud..... in a huge ballroom.... unamplified!

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1412064011' post='2565203'] Have you tried getting a proper DB in an average car with 2 kids and the driver? I'm currently playing in a local music trust group / orchestra that my kids attend. 2 kids, a clarinet, a sax, my amp & EUB is all I can fit in the car! I got my EUB purely because I don't have room for a DB, in the house or in the car. [/quote] I know - DB's take up a lot of space in a car, and by the time you start adding amps, cabs, cables, stands and bass guitar etc That's a big appeal of EUB's for me I do quite a few open-mics and local music club evenings - these are obviously un-paid and it's just so much handier to use an EUB for these sort of events EDIT: I also forgot to mention - I live in a 3 storey house, and sometimes have to keep the acoustic DB on the top floor ..... I really should have a roadie by my age! lol Mind you, DB doesn't cost as much, or take up as much room as kids! A good pal of mine, who is a drummer, has 3 musician kids and is regularly carting a full-size harp and a cello around, along with said kids.....

[quote name='Burg' timestamp='1411989713' post='2564521'] Bugger, I was hoping no-one on basschat had seen this. [/quote] Sorry Burg.....

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1411980720' post='2564434'] SLB100 on ebay at the moment [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-SLB-100-Silent-Bass-/221557909038?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3395e1662e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3395e1662e[/url] [/quote] Thanks for that andyonbass That's a great price at the moment In my watch list already Cheers

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1411945313' post='2564274'] I'm confused. If you want a double bass sound, wouldn't it make sense to buy a double bass? I like the sound of some electric uprights, because they sound like electric uprights and it's a nice sound. But if that's not what you want, don't buy one? I have thought about getting an EUB myself (I've played DB for about 5 years now) but the only ones I would want to own are the Yamahas. [/quote] No, I've already got a double bass It's a beatiful David Gage "Czech Ease" I got from greg on this very forum I want / need an EUB, as I often practice late at night, and in the wee small hours, it's surprising how the sound of a DB can travel it's also surprising just how loud Mrs S can get, when she's woken up! lol Also, I play some gigs where I double up, and play bass guitar too So I'm just looking to travel a bit lighter for some of those gigs, and the rehearsals I do with my folk band.... I had a Stagg, which I recently sold - to save up for a better EUB - something like an NS design It's surprising how much less practice time I'm getting, and, partly due to where we rehearse, how much more of a pain it can be to cart my DB around for midweek rehearsals...... Hence the need for an EUB as well as my DB My original post was really asking about the comparison between NS basses, and an Aria I had only just become aware of (you don't seem to see many of them around) but as ever, there are other solutions too - like the Yamaha BC'ers have kindly brought my attention to But atm, they are a bit out of my price range, sadly Hope that answers your question thisnameistaken Marc

My first DB pickup was a second-hand K & K Pickup, with 4 sensors I must say, that pickup did seem to give some "acoustic feel" to the sound Maybe because there were 4 sensors? Or some other reason? Perhaps I should not have sold that one on, and tried some experiments, using it together with one of these Schatten pickups...... ah well Just because you have a sound you are happy with - it doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment further Cheers again guys

Thanks for those replies folks Does it have a "microphone like" sound, as they claim though?

Just spotted this pickup system on ebay I've not seen them before I have a pickup I'm perfectly happy with on my own DB But I recall when I was looking around for one, that it was a potential minefield There are several cheap pickups out there, and a good many expensive ones too The sound produced by each of these is of course, very different and different players will prefer different pickups and sounds What one likes, another may dislike etc But I just wondered whether anyone on here has tried this pickup system? Looks reasonably priced, and the blurb says it produces a "microphone like sound" .... whatever that means.... Just thought I'd ask your thoughts, and maybe bring this to the attention of someone looking for a pickup http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHATTEN-RB1-A-ACTIVE-ACOUSTIC-UPRIGHT-DOUBLE-BASS-PICKUP-PREAMPLIFIER-/371149102201?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item566a35dc79

Perhaps you could post a few photos on here, to see what peoples opinions are? A friend of mine has an old German DB It has several cracks, I think She treats these with beeswax It may depend on the structure of the bass - but is this a possible solution? Hope you sort it Best Marc

Hi winegodess, Welcome to basschat, and to the UK Hope you get to meet other BC members I'm a long way off, in South Wales - otherwise I'd invite you along to a jam session or open-mic You could look for some open-mic nights near where you're staying? That could be a good way to meet other musicians Enjoy your stay in the UK and enjoy your playing too Marc PS. I've got an Ibanez electro-acoustic bass, and I love it! EDIT: PPS, there are some good youtube videos out there, but also try playing along with tunes on the radio, or favourite songs on your iPod etc

Thanks for the info guys I hadn't considered which strings the NS takes Glad to hear it will take normal DB strings Having listened to a few sound clips & vids of the Yamaha, I really like the sound of what I've heard Especially considering t has no sound chamber at all - sounds quite DB-like to me and I like them the more I hear them Sadly, it's quite a way out of my price range though I was looking to spend around the price of a S/H NS, or thereabouts.... Anyone got a Yamaha Silentbass going (very) cheap? Lol

[quote name='E sharp' timestamp='1411074520' post='2556348'] Now's as good a time than ever to buy one on here . Cheaper than I've ever seem them [/quote] Indeed, some are going for silly money, considering the quality of these instruments... I'm not going to link you to my thread which is a Stingray for sale Lol But as Dazed says, you could opt for a USA Sub Personally, I haven't played one - but they are spoken highly of on this forum and by others who own them.... Go for it - you only live once

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1411124355' post='2556671'] The stock NS strings don't sound anything like a DB. They are far too bright. Mark at Bass Direct told me he's trying to convince NS to equip all NS models with the traditional string set instead. They are much better that the stock contemporary strings. [/quote] What strings are you using fretmeister? Has it improved the sound of your NS that much? Interesting.... I had a Stagg, and the strings that came with were awful! Changing the strings improved playability a lot, and improved the sound quite a bit

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1411050987' post='2555983'] Hi Marc, .... each to their own. I'm finding it didn't take long to get used to and would be wary about drawing all over an instument I've just forked a wad of cash on. :-) [/quote] Fair point indeed. Although I'm not sure a marker pen would do too much "damage" For anyone thinking about using paint for this purpose I personally, would choose acrylic paint, rather than something like enamel, which is tougher, and may indeed cause damage I've listened to several youtube videos of different EUB's now, and sometimes, the NS does seem to sound quite DB-like Again, this may partly be due to amplification and or effects.... The search for an affordable, good quality EUB goes on.... But I must admit, I do like the look of the NS basses