peted

I've gigged my Lowdown 110 with PA assistance without any issues apart from the guitarist at the other end of the stage saying that he couldn't hear me properly. I played a small pub gig with just a vocal PA and it was just about passable with volume at 75-80%. I would use it as a backup but not my 1st choice backline, though this was in a pop/rock band with 2 electric guitarists.

I obviously need to get myself to the Bass Merchant one weekend (no excuse as Colchester is just down the road now) If you're comparing the price of gear to the Bass Gallery website then you'll notice that all the prices on their site are the RRP. They claim to price-match if you can get it cheaper elsewhere, but I've only ever browsed in the Bass Gallery so far and haven't taken them up on that offer.

That looks very neat and clean for a progress shot. Very impressive.

I started with lessons and that gave me a great foundation to work on. Have been teaching myself by observation and re-reading the first chapter of a few books (my attention span is TERRIBLE, the result of the internet/XBOX generation ). I am intending on going back to lessons in the near future as I feel that my playing has plateau'd and I need to give it some structure to progress further. Getting lessons doesn't bestow you with magical bass playing skills, but it gives you a framework of practice to focus your efforts.

I generally like Jerzy Drozd basses, but I don't like that one

Sounds lovely. Will have to keep my beady eye out for them when I go up there later this year. Hopefully they won't detract from my enjoyment of my own custom bass when it's finished!

Very cool. Look forward to seeing this one take shape.

Nope. My 2nd hand Hartke 3500 hasn't skipped a beat in years with plenty of use.[code][/code]

If you're having trouble hearing yourself then two 8 Ohm 2x10" cabs stacked vertically end-on-end should solve that issue as you'll end up with speakers at head height. I don't have personal experience of it, but you're also supposed to be able to get a sound approaching an 8x10" cab that way too. Supposedly having speakers set side-by-side have absolutely no benefit and you'd be much better served having your speakers in line in a single column. I would try this out in a shop first as it would certainly be your cheapest option.

The bassist from Tool uses GK amps and I believe it might be Wal basses (well, he did at Download Festival a few years ago when I saw them). I think you'd get the most similar sound using the GK amp with a Sansamp pedal in front of it. I don't believe that the Hartke can recreate the overdriven growl of the GK without external effects.

To be fair the magazine cover doesn't advertise an interview with Flea. The actual print is: "Flea! Red Hot Chili Peppers - Flea introduces his new signature axe!", which is exactly what he did. It's a bit disceptive putting him on the cover though as you'd expect him to be in a feature interview. I guess that move was just to sell copy.

That's a brilliant copy you've made there. I'm sure there will be many-a-bassist who will double-take thinking it's authentic

+1 for cocktail sticks That's my usual recommendation for fixes 'on the road'

Corr! That is gorgeous. Love the detail in the buck-eye and it's contrast with the core wood. When it's finished it'll be a looker for sure.

From a symmetry point of view, the top of the bass seems to contain a lot more wood than the bottom half. I think you could have trimmed the top to give a slightly smaller body. Though the top horn looks very practical for balancing the bass on a strap my eye isn't keen on the way the angle develops into the neck and continues into the bottom horn. The angle either starts too steep, or doesn't curve back on itself enough to keep that all important symmetry. Would be good if the heel at the back of the neck follows a similar curve to the end of the fretboard, if you know what I mean. The grain of the wood has come out very nicely and I'm sure that alone bumps up the percieved money value of the bass. The lines, though not to my taste, do look very clean and purposeful.

I drive a 53 Fiesta 1.4 TDI. Can get my BFM Omni 10 (2x10") [b]or[/b] Hartke 2200 (2x12") in the boot if I pop one of the back seats forward slightly. Then the 2U case and bass go across the back seats. In my new tribute band the guy who plays keyboards, guitar and vocals can't drive. So I have to put both the back seats down and I can just about fit in one of my bass cabs, amp, bass, full size flightcased keyboard, keyboard stand, guitar, small 1x12" guitar combo, and various little crates of leads and sundries. I like having a little car as I can use it as an excuse to myself why I haven't owned an 8x10 Though I'd love to replace it with some kind of estate-car. Might be able to convince the missus that it's a good idea now we've got a baby

The Warwick UK RRP price list is available here: [url="http://www.warwick.de/media/prices/Warwick_Instr_UK.pdf"]http://www.warwick.de/media/prices/Warwick_Instr_UK.pdf[/url] You can do a search for an official UK dealer using this page, any official dealer should be able to order in exactly what you want new from Warwick UK: [url="http://www.warwick.de/modules/distribution/distribution.php?katID=14556&cl=EN"]http://www.warwick.de/modules/distribution...14556&cl=EN[/url] Warwick did recently have to put UP all of their UK prices because the Euro was doing so well against the pound. When I bought my Thumb BO the THRU neck version was only about £1700 RRP, which you could get around £1400 if you shopped around (still talking brand new and with warranty). Second hand prices on Warwicks are a steal, and if I ever bought another one I would check the 2nd hand market for a few months before purchasing new again. EDIT: OMG!!! I've just had a look at that official price list and the Thumb 4 NT is now RRP'd at £3209!!!!! They must have started using pure platinum for the truss rod or something.

[quote name='IncX' post='473403' date='Apr 27 2009, 02:52 PM']i agree peted, thats why i stated it in "problem nos 2" ... fanned frets and kahler trem, dont play together... so if it were you, which option would you choose and why? thanx [/quote] Well, if you're asking my opinion, I don't like tremolo on basses and I'm currently having a fanned fret instrument built for me now. So if it was me, i'd go with the fanned frets, but not on a 4 string bass unless you're planning on downtuning or tuning in 5ths to see any benefit.

I doubt you'll be able to mix fanned frets with the Kahler tremelo. The bridge needs to be staggered to cater for the fanning, which you won't be able to do without using individual bass saddles or something VERY custom.

Yuk indeed! That is disgusting.

Try using a slightly heavier string or different brand (I've found DR strings to be amazingly taut at low pitch) Use the windings on the tuning peg to increase the break angle over the nut. Raise the bridge saddle on the B to increase break angle over the bridge. Make sure that the string isn't rattling around in either the nut or bridge saddles (i.e. make sure that the grooves in the nut or bridge saddles haven't worn too wide)

I've heard some problems with turnaround and availability elsewhere too. I'm hoping that won't be an issue as he's only down the road from me. My band are rehearsing at a studio next to his workshop next week, which he also runs, so hopefully I can speak to him then and try to make my own judgement. Thanks for all your help

Ooooh, very nice. The grain in that top wood looks luuuuuverly

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='469452' date='Apr 22 2009, 11:43 AM']I believe he still owes for advertising on Bassworld.[/quote] OK, not the best start for a character reference. Thank you. Anyone else?

I've bought a Warwick Rockstand and my Zoom H4 from Thomann.de and both times they've delivered perfectly. In fact I've found that the item tends to arrive well in advance of them taking payment for it! I believe I paid using my Mastercard. My initial line of thought from the payment issues you are having is - Are you trying to get the item delivered to an address which isn't the billing address for your payment card? It is quite normal for online stores to insist that at least your first purchase is delivered to the billing address of your card to try to prevent fraud. Just a thought. I've never had to deal with them aftersales though, but I've heard mostly great stories. If you do come across issues then they should definitely be resolved with a phone call, email is definitely not the medium of communication to be used when there is urgency. I'm sure they've got guys there that speak better English than I do!