rjb

I have to agree - I guess I'm shallow too! Warwick obviously did a bit of market research and finally figured this out. The new Fortress fretless looks pretty damn good, by the way. Will have a go on that when I can get my hands on one. Here's the Warwick forum thread with the new 2009 range for those who haven't seen it. [url="http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9174&start=0"]http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtop...174&start=0[/url] (Why anyone would buy the T.M. Stevens monstrosity is beyond me.)

I'd wait if I were you. A new line of Rockbasses is coming out this summer. They will have a two piece bridge and lose the cheesy "Rockbass" logo. Have a look at this thread on the Warwick forum. Note the tasty looking fortress fretless. [url="http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9174&start=0"]http://www.warwick.de/forum/phpBB2/viewtop...174&start=0[/url]

Love this. The cutaway top is a lovely idea.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='475623' date='Apr 29 2009, 11:58 PM']There's some good news on that front... I was speaking to Paul Herman today and he says the new Wals are almost ready to go! [/quote] Mmm. Just out of interest is there any info on the models he'll me making, the prices and the waiting times involved (years, I'll bet)?

Enfield. That was it! They look very good, but they're very expensive. They really need to do some mid-range versions.

There [i]is[/i] a new luthier that makes basses like Wals. I'll try to remember the link... In the meantime if you're in no hurry you could put your name down on the waiting list for a new Wal. Don't hold your breath, though - it could be a while... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26299"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26299[/url]

This looks like a great buy. I'm also loving the battery mod/cover. I'd leave it if I were you - it has a mojo all of it's own.

[quote]I have to say that of the folks who have contributed to your thread you'll find that 90% of them would buy an 'old' used Thumb over a new or nearly new bass any day of the week![/quote] I'm a little skeptical about getting too hung up with vintage - nostalgia ain't what it used to be, as they say. Anyway, nearly new was just fine for me. Never had a single problem with my noughtie 'wicks. The wider necks work for me and both are well put together.

I bought my 2005 NT for £900 secondhand from Music Ground in Manchester. It was as good as new. I love these basses, but the RRPs are just silly.

Not a Spandau fan, but I have to say they sounded really slick overall. The drums and bass could be more fluid, but that will improve as they tour. They've clearly been putting in a bit of practice....

[quote]To be honest I think it'd spoil a lovely looking bass, lookswise.[/quote] Normally I'd agree, but seeing as the bass is already blinged to the max, an extra sub-woofer in the boot (so to speak) won't do any harm, in my opinion. Of course, whether the routing would crack the finish is another question....

I've seen a P/MM configuration as in the thread below, but never a singlecoil/MM. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42403"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42403[/url] I think it would work well with the finish you have, though. Especially if you get a pickup with exposed pole pieces. EDIT: Five minutes in Photoshop gives you this...... [attachment=22766:basswithpickup.jpg] The angle's a bit off, but should give a good enough idea. I think it looks great. It would be interesting to know how they would sound blended.

Also, check this Yamaha BB out - a great deal for a virtually new bass. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=36177"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=36177[/url]

Spoilt for choice these days! Best thing is to go to a shop and try a few makes. For a great all round mid-priced option I always recommend the Ibanez SR500 as it's light and easy to play. [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-sr-500/11054"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-sr-500/11054[/url] The Yamaha TRB 1005 is also great. [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/yamaha-trb-1005/70812"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/yamaha-trb-1005/70812[/url] Both come in 4/5 string versions have nice shallow necks.