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Just out of interest, are the current Fender Standards MIM these days?

[quote]I guess anything Japanese is a fairly safe bet.[/quote] They do seem to have a decent blend of playability and affordability.

It's mostly down to wood combinations as far as I'm concerned.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' post='412589' date='Feb 17 2009, 11:31 PM']Great news! Thanks to the generosity of my good wife I can finally finish My Warmoth Jazz. It's been hanging around in it's present state for nearly two years, due to financial constraints, but she's just offered to buy the Nordstrand NS4SE pickups and East-Uk J-Retro Deluxe preamp in 2 or 3 weeks time. Hurrah! Finished pictures to follow....[/quote] Where did the Warmoth decal come from? Do they add them?

[quote name='Gothicontheloose' post='405684' date='Feb 10 2009, 07:43 PM']And that was my first idea.... But Warwick has wicked paint jobs so I'll leave that... And if I'd let someone do it... It'll be a freagin Airbrush proffesional I wouldn't want to f*** it up ^^[/quote] Take a look at this, Gothic... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41553"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41553[/url]

The Thumb BO should be more than up to a bit 'o' metal! Try a pre-amp, or perhaps a 4x10 cab. Otherwise you could try a $$ Warwick (fatter sound), or a Spector NS (very hi-fi).

[quote name='edstraker123' post='413219' date='Feb 18 2009, 04:17 PM']Just seen a picture of the Fodera Monarch in the basses for sale section along with a number of extremely positive comments but to me it looks butt ugly. The back looks like it's come off a 70's wardrobe and you could use the head as a shovel if you ever got stuck in the snow after a gig. (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I know and I'm sure some people will love it ). Having never played a Fodera, I'd love to know what their appeal is and what differentiates them from other custom basses which could be bought at half the price.[/quote] Tried one in a shop. Lovely neck, but I found the tone a bit polite.

Have to agree with Warwickhunt's BO/NT Warwick slap comments. I'm in the position of being able to compare the two types of Thumb bass, and the BO is far brighter whilst the NT makes a very thick sound. The slap sound on the BO works for me, though it could still be considered too dark for those who are after the Miller tone. By the way, Bubinga, did you consider getting hold of an old Streamer Pro-M? They're quite cheap secondhand, have a bolt-on neck and a Music Man influenced pickup configuration that will probably be really good for slap.

Did you buy that Lakky neck as new?

[quote name='fumps' post='407742' date='Feb 12 2009, 04:43 PM']Aye up peeps What would you recommend as a good purchase Bass for £200 £250 budget? Links & Pics would be good All recommendations & advice would be greatly appreciated eye thank you[/quote] The Ibby above is a good rec, as is this one:- [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40703"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40703[/url] SR500. Easy to play, great woods, nice pickups and electronics. They cost around £350ish new.

The thing that draws me to Warwicks et al is the choice of exotic dark hardwoods (bubinga/wenge/ovangkol/ebony). If Fender, for example, made a US P fretless with those woods I'd happily spend a chunk of cash on one. If i'm gonna drop a wedge on a bass I want to see some nice wood action! Perhaps Fender should do an exotic wood range...

Birdsong guitars do a 31" 5 string. [url="http://www.birdsongguitars.com/images/Hy5sizestrat.jpg"]http://www.birdsongguitars.com/images/Hy5sizestrat.jpg[/url] They pull this off with what they call a "Double String Through" system in a cavity on the underside of the guitar. You can see the string ends infront for the bridge! The resulting bases are very small. I haven't a clue how they play, but they look nicely made. The luthier is into simple, folky instruments and doesn't do fancy finishes etc. Bought a thumbrest off this guy and he was very helpful and friendly.

[quote name='Gothicontheloose' post='405613' date='Feb 10 2009, 06:45 PM']Yeah, I've been asking round and I especially hear alot of Vampyre O.O And they look... well unbelievably xD And Vigiers doesn't make neck-thru anymore... And well... When I pay £2000 or more for a bass I don't want a freagin bolt-on xD -[url="http://www.warwick.de/modules/custom_shop/options.php?TYP=NONE&submenuID=14620&katID=15059&cl=EN"]Warwick Electronics[/url] - Few question tho! Difference between 9V and 18V, what will the difference be in sound? What's the difference between 2- and 3-band? Last one bout this: Is there a big difference between the configurations?? -Have no idea wich pickup to pick either, is there a way to find out wich one is better? -Any neck type you can suggest?[/quote] Well if the Vampyre has caught your eye then go for it. [b]Voltages[/b] - As I understand it higher voltage will mean that the tone controls will have more ability to shape the sound - the extra voltage being needed across a larger circuit. [b]2/3 band[/b] - 2 band gives controls for the high/low frequencies, 3 band gives control of hi/mid/low. Simple! [b]Pickups[/b] - Generally on a bass with 2 pickups the neck one will add low end to the overall sound, whilst the bridge pickup will add the higher frequencies. Also, there is also a different quality to the sounds produced at different points along the string, so each pickup also provides its own "sound". I'm sure the pickups on a Vampyre will have been configured with heavy music in mind. [b]Neck types[/b] - If you mean the wood, I personally love the dense, exotic woods (ovangkol/wenge/bubinga) that Warwick offer. Looks aside, they give quite a dark tone that works for me, so that's why I play them! [b]Important tip[/b] - If you spend alot of money on a bass please [b]do not[/b] try to repaint it with a bedroom custom job - you'll kill the resale value if you ever want to trade. It may sound like a cool idea at the time, but believe me it won't be and you'll regret it. No really, you will.

[quote name='Gothicontheloose' post='405000' date='Feb 10 2009, 06:42 AM']Yeah ^^ Well... Something not to conventional deffinitly... To give u some ideas: I really don't like ANY Fender model O.O Just not one [url="http://www.warwick.de/modules/custom_shop/NewsCustomShop.php?newsID=1610&modell=Vampyre+NT&cl=EN"]Warwick Vampyre[/url] - Looks GREAT [url="http://www.vigierguitars.com/page/fiche_produit.php?id_prod=243"]Vigiers Arpensomething[/url] Good looking! [url="http://www.marleaux-bass.de/marleaux_bass_galerien.html"]Marleaux Gallery[/url] Well... Really don't like the first group but from then on they only get prettier. Also... Color isn't a big deal since there's a big chance I'll let someone painbrush it with a custom design... And the genre... Well... I have a Gibson SG... And it's like good at playing just any rock... And also bit more heavy stuff... I'd like something like that, that's good in a broader area. But mostly for just heavy metal - Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Guns 'n Roses... And still able to handle nu-metal like System of a Down, Korn & stuff for when I get a bit better. I hope that's a bit more information? Not easy trying to explain xD Also, now I've been looking more at custom made ones I've seen much more kinds of wood, a lot of flaming maple to... Is this any good?[/quote] Thw Warwick Vamp and the Vigiers will definitely give you the really modern active growl that you're after for (nu-) metal. Also have a look at Spector NS basses. They're brilliant for metal. Here's a dude playing his spector US NS4 [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1JbqC0DiD4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1JbqC0DiD4[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yltJaHqR_a0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yltJaHqR_a0[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GvfOlV0EA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GvfOlV0EA[/url] And here's Doug Wimbish getting funky on his... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f35NVX_PU0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f35NVX_PU0[/url]

[quote name='Wayne Firefly' post='403431' date='Feb 8 2009, 03:12 PM']After seeing some pics from a kindly supplied link, I still cant find any more info on the new 2009 Warwick Rockbass upgraded range. Anyone got an clues... prices? info? where they are and when they'll be around?? Its driving me nuts......[/quote] Good question! I want to have a look at some of the fretless options in this new range. I guess they'll quietly start filtering them in - they've still got loads of older Rockbass stuff to shift first! That's the danger of changing the specs on an entire range.....

Ah, I lived in Edinburgh for seven years at the end of the nineties/millenium. I do miss it - walking to work in the centre took 10mins from Bruntsfield. An easy place to live. Are Mev Taylor's still around? That was a good shop. EDIT: Yep, here they are. They seem to have moved further into traditional instruments since I was up there, but they still do repairs/setups. [url="http://www.mevtaylors.co.uk/repairs.htm"]http://www.mevtaylors.co.uk/repairs.htm[/url]

As others have said you might consider getting something to start off on. Seeing as you mentioned Ibanez, how about this? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40703"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40703[/url] SR500s are brilliant for the money (great active tone, useful electronics, Bart pickups, nice woods) and this is a bargain. You'll then have plenty left for a great amp.

[quote name='Gothicontheloose' post='403651' date='Feb 8 2009, 07:03 PM']Hi, I'm in "trouble"... I'm going to buy a new bass but frankly... I don't know much about 'em! I'll give you some details: I want an active 4-string bass that's good for playing & rock with... So that excludes Fender The price is €1300 min up to 2400€, that's $1700 to $3100 (bit more is ok to...) I need help on following things: ------ Brand: Wich is the best brand? I was thinking about Ibanez, Warwick or Washburn? Model: What model range is the best of that brand? I know with Ibanez it's SR Prestige, but that's all.. Wood: What woods are good? I've heard Ebony or Mahony are great? Other tips you can give? ALL help is welcome!! Thanks in advance, Ward Cauwenberghs[/quote] Fender Ps are actually great for rock, but if you want a fender alternative you have loads of choice. Warwick Streamers/Thumb (here's the $$ streamer which has a big rock sound - [url="http://www.warwick.de/modules/produkte/produkt.php?katID=14445&cl=EN"]http://www.warwick.de/modules/produkte/pro...4445&cl=EN[/url] ) Spector NS basses (really good for heavy metal - [url="http://www.spectorbass.com/bass_us_NS-4_1.html"]http://www.spectorbass.com/bass_us_NS-4_1.html[/url] ) Ibanez SR5000E ( [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page09.php?area_id=3&data_id=103&color=CL01&year=2009&cat_id=2&series_id=203"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page09...p;series_id=203[/url] ) Warwicks are my drug of choice, but there are loads of options for the money you have - especially secondhand, so take a look around the "for sale" section.

Gak, Soundslive and Dolphin all have 4003s, but the 4004s do appear to be hard to find.... Perhaps you should get in contact with Rickenbacker directly.

Fender make great workhorse bases, but for me they have two main problems; 1. Variation. Far too much product variation MIJ/MIM/Squier/MIA etc. It's a complete minefield, you can't predict what sort of quality you are buying into from one year to the next. 2. Pricing. As there is so much variation between the different versions the pricing is also completely haphazard. You can pay £250 for a bass that's clearly better made than a £700 pound version.

Do not de-fret fretboards unless you know what you are doing, otherwise you'll end up with lines that look like an old garden fence.

[quote name='ogri' post='395739' date='Jan 30 2009, 09:07 PM']hullo fellow humans, i bought a bass today because it played and looked and sounded lovely, and came up second hand at what i thought was a good price..its a telecaster or 51 precision bass i think......[/quote] Nice choice - looks great!