thebassist

On 28/03/2019 at 08:38, binky_bass said:

I spoke to the shop about this one a while back... They said seller is the builder and even with it being second hand the builder reckons £7000 is reasonable... madness! They tried to say it's worth the price because the body is made from an old bar top! 😂 

So a free piece of discarded wood means 7k? There's barely anything out there in the custom bass world that costs more that 7k new, I just can't fathom the logic behind the price. 

This will simply never sell... it wouldn't sell at half the price either! Some people are dreamers.

A 6-string Rickenbacker rip-off for £7000! Incredible. I reckon they'd be amazingly fortunate to get anywhere close to £1000 for that thing.

Servant Jazz Quarters address is 10a Bradbury Street, London, N16 8JN.

SJQ are within two minutes walk of Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction Overground stations.

The following buses stop nearby: 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 236, 242, 277, N38, N76.

I've just moved on my Aguilar equipment. I have one SL112 left to shift now.

I played using two SL112s powered by two TH350 heads. I thought they were okay at the time but the new stuff I have is far better in my opinion.

While the SL112s are very, very lightweight, it comes at too much of a cost in my opinion.

The weight/sound ratio is perfect on my new Trickfish TF112 cabs.

4 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Because I really know the value of money.

This might help.

https://www.thebalance.com/value-of-money-3306108

10 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

As a subscriber, I was supposed to have access to all SBL content : THAT is the problem, because since a few months Scott started extra paying lessons, courses, masterclasses, ... even for regular members. As I wrote, I don't give a sh*t about money and hate it : my wife owns everything including the house and I'm paying for all. But if I pay for something, I want to have it (for my wife or sometimes myself) : is it so hard to understand ?

I know Scott isn't insane and that he loves his wife too (the 50% share is a proof), but he's making promises to the subscribers he doesn't keep.

That's what's been hurting me.

I think you should start Hellzero's Bass Lessons.

When I commission a new build, I'm happy to accept the risk that comes along with it. I think of getting a build wrong and selling it on at a loss as what it would have cost me to have rented the instrument.

I actually have a new build due for completion in June and I've only changed two elements from the bass I have currently. I feel like I can finally say that I'm 99% certain I've gotten the specifications right.

23 minutes ago, Mickeyboro said:

I seem to have a history of being too opinionated and probably missing out as a result. But am I reasonable or a pain in the neck?

Recently auditioned for a Commitments type group. Learned five songs, all uptempo stuff. The drummer was about 19 and, at my audition, tore into everything at a rate of knots. I commented on this, and also asked if we could do a ballad (My Girl) as a contrast. They played that too fast, too... I didn’t comment, but knew my goose was cooked. 

More recently auditioned for a 70s Fleetwood Mac tribute. The volume at the first rehearsal was way too loud, so I commented straight away and got black looks. They did turn down though. The second rehearsal I said nothing but could actually not hear myself at all!

I sent an email to the leader putting forward my concerns, and that the drummer and guitarist, both heavy rockers, could do with throttling back  and getting under the skin of the music rather than bashing it out with no regard for dynamics. The reply was similar to the one Lindsey Buckingham got a year ago... Go your own way!

Finally, for now, on Saturday I quit my regular gigging club band after 18 months of biting my tongue and accepting plenty of lucrative gigs in exchange for not rocking the boat. Sum total of my contribution - two new songs in an otherwise unchanged repertoire. 

Maybe I should just go solo... 😉

I don't think anything you've written here is unreasonable but I'd probably have waited until another rehearsal or two before speaking up myself. It's a tricky one though.

And was the regular gigging club band originals or covers?

Electronics

• Middle Pickup: Custom Shop '60s Split Single-Coil Precision Bass
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Pickup Switching: None
• Pickup Configuration: Split Single-Coil

34 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

That's them out the game then. The 4 string may survive... but modern amp manufacturers trying to branch into basses? (I state Modern because I know somebody is going to mention the F word.

Remember that Italian company that tried to branch into PA...? I can't remember their name... but they had little yellow speakers that looked like owl's eyes... Not doing so hot right now...?

At this price point I think you’re absolutely right. These look like they should be at the £300-£500 mark to me. Thinking about it... even then I wouldn’t buy one.

It'd be really great to see some of the Basschat community at this event.

3 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I'm really keen to start playing again, so I recently signed up for this:

https://abbey-road-music.com/abbey-road-army-registration/

The details have just come though and it looks like enough people have signed up to form five 'bands', including a good number of returners from the previous one (which has to be a good sign!)

There will be a first meeting this month to divvy us up (a bit like the Sorting Hat?) There will be seven rehearsals starting in April and a seven-hour several  bands gig on 19 May.

I'm pretty much the target demographic (50's , haven't played in a band for decades, vaguely competent rather than talented...) and it's a lot cheaper than buying a Lamborghini.

Now I know the timetable all the questions start coming... Who will I be  playing with? What if the music they want is crap or needs a Billy Sheehan/Pino Palladino? What if I suggest a song then find out I can't play it &^£^%$*^!!!!!

Big worry is I know it takes me an hour to settle down my nerves when playing with new folks so at first I will come across as complete crap!

I know the aim (and what I want) is just to enjoy the crack and make some music but what if they all go off note-perfect first time like the Commmitments playing Mustang Sally....

Has anyone on BC done something similar?

All the backline is supplied for practice and performance; for some reason taht's making me worry even more about choosing which bass to play. I suppose I should take the one I find easist first time,but it's tempting to think 'which one will sound best' or worse 'which one will give me the most cred'.

Crikey this is worse than worrying about my first band audition over 30 years ago (which was a miserable disaster - I spent weeks trying to learn all the songs on a tape, then they didn't want to play any of them).

Sounds exciting mate and try not to worry - the way I think of things nowadays is that in 100 years I won't be about anymore so sod it - go out and have fun.

I play stereo bass in a bass/drums duo too - I use stereo mainly for ping-pong delay - it’s a lot of fun.

Hmmmm that is tasty.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis. It's such a nice chill out record.

Steve Lawson playing Servant Jazz Quarters, London 18 April with support from Tom Herbert (double bass/effects) and Minus Pilots (electric bass/drums)

Facebook event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/274739173195153/

Tickets - https://store.championversion.com/merch/ticket-to-steve-lawson-x-tom-herbert-x-minus-pilots-18-april-2019

Steve Lawson - Beat-infused electronica, post-rock, ambient-jazz, solo bass, Steve Lawson is the UK’s most celebrated solo bassist. Steve spends a lot of his time making ambient atmospheres and emotive sounds with hip-hop tendancies making the eventual hybrid of jazz, electronica and ambient.

Tom Herbert - A bass player in Mercury Music Prize nominated bands The Invisible and Polar Bear, as well as vocal/double bass duo Moats & Thrones. He was also was a founding member of the British jazz-punk band Acoustic Ladyland. Tom is also currently on the teaching staff at The Royal Academy of Music.

Minus Pilots - percussionist Matt Pittori and bassist Adam Barringer. Touching the realms of modern classical, cinematic, post-rock, ambient and post-jazz, they weave sparse textures, crumbling atmospheres and fractured drones. Minus Pilots have performed in Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, London, Milan, New York and Paris.

My Fodera Emperor 6 Elite and pedal chain. 

Playing stereo with two Trickfish Bullhead 1K heads driving two TF112 cabinets. Amazing power and clarity.

I'm in a band with a bloke who is constantly lying but he is a great player and he is super reliable so I just turn off when he starts lying. It is hard not to call him out on it though...

14 minutes ago, 4000 said:

Not really unlucky getting something drastically wrong when ordering a custom build; there are so many variables, unless you really know what you want. For instance it may be a body shape you've never played before that turns out to be uncomfortable. With mine, my first was a 6, simply because I fancied a 6. Over the next few years I came to realise that a 6 really wasn't for me. When I ordered my Rim bass, I'd only played one very briefly. Turned out I had problems with the ergonomics relating to a nerve problem I had (nothing wrong with the bass), so I had to move it on almost immediately. With another build I had the neck made based on an early Warwick Dolphin that I was having a honeymoon period with, in spite of the fact I was used to much slimmer necks with much narrower spacing and a much smaller fingerboard radius. And even though the neck was the same dimensions as the Dolphin, it just didn't feel the same. So I ended up with a neck that didn't really work for me on any level, and it was a through-neck (I don't tend to use bolt-ons), so I moved it on. These things happen.

If you're used to playing, say, Jazzes and you order a custom spec Jazz shape, then you've got much more chance of it working.

What I will say about Sei, is that for me, Martin makes basses that typically feel very slim, comfortable, relatively lightweight and very fast to play, which is my preference. The nearest I'd say are Everson and GB; Paul's Everson's basses are criminally overlooked.
   

This is absolutely the case. I really think that unless you're almost 100% certain with the spec you'd want and you're fussy, it's probably best to avoid a custom altogether.

I do, however, think my fourth attempt is going to be right... well I hope!

1 hour ago, PJ-Bassist said:

Out of interest

- did you dictate the pickups placement or was it on recommendation of the builder?

- weight will be important to me too.  My Sandberg weighs 3.7kg , so 4kg or under is my target.  Where did you end up weight wise on your build and what was the consequence on tone?

The pickup positions were my decision but they’re not ununusal. I just should have had the bridge pickup a little closer to the bridge than I did.

And the chambering means the tone is warmer than I wanted. For a lot of people, this bass would be just fine but I like the jazz bass snap.

Just now, Muzz said:

Oh, heck, that is kinda fundamental... 😕

 

Yeah, I'm a real dummy. I really think that the fourth one is right though. I'm confident that I've nailed it this time.

7 minutes ago, Muzz said:

Were the 'mistakes' so fundamental that they needed a whole new bass to get round? Crikey, that's unlucky...

One mistake was having the bass chambered and the other mistake was the pickup positioning.

I placed too much importance on the weight of the instrument and didn't give enough consideration to the impact it'd have on the sound.

The pickup positioning is more an annoyance I suppose.

I live and learn and it was completely my fault.

When I think about it, the set we play is actually relatively similar to my solo set. It's just a lot heavier in places because of the dynamics and general options that a drummer gives you. So you could develop a solo set while looking out for a drummer who could come in and compliment what you're doing. If you find someone, then great, but if you don't, then there isn't anybody holding up your progress and annoying you.

22 minutes ago, oZZma said:

Yeah. Fact is, I am already in a bass/drums duo. And I can't even rely on my drummer. And I know if I leave, I will never find another. I've been there, I think I have known every f**king drummer in this town. I'll be alone.

How about amending your set so you can perform it solo? I was playing solo up until I got together with this latest drummer.

19 minutes ago, PJ-Bassist said:

Really great input guys, thanks!

The 3k budget to me is huge and for my ability level and amatuer status as a musician is very extravogant.  If the wife hadn't offered it as a 40th present (and that I have no other hobbies other than bass playing) I would never have considered it.

Therefore a custom build seems the way to go for me rather than off the shelf as the design process and journey is what makes it special and exciting.

I met Martin when I was at the Bass Gallery and he seemed really nice, defiantly knowledgable and I have no complaints over communication.

Jon however is being amazing, much more engaged with the design process already; asking loads of questions sending me images of wood samples for ideas. 

I hear all the warnings on know what you want, and I'm definitely going to take a lead from whoever the Luther ends up being.

I'm not a flamboyant guy, I like understated and I want some thing that is going to age well with me over the next 10-20 years.  I'll be looking for a more conservative body shape (I really like the GB spitfire or a jazz-esque type body) with a head, finished in a natural Flamed maple or similar and good quality components.

It really is a tricky one with custom builds. I've commissioned three of them so far and while I'm getting closer, the latest one was finished in September 2018 and there are two "mistakes" that I made. I'm now speaking with the builder about a fourth (and hopefully the final) new build.