pmjos

Do what works, that being what [u]sounds [/u]consistently good and clearly defined. If it gets indistinct simplify. I play guitar also, I use thumb and fingers 1,2,3, fingernails, and whatever gets me the tone I want.

There seem to be holes for the mutes, perhaps the holes are real Fender holes, just not any of the wood, screws or metal parts :-)

You spend a long time dead, get out there and do what the other feckers can't play some bass notes. Good or bad, do you stuff, be yourself and don't give a brass sh*t about anything else!

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1459302381' post='3015321'] I'm surprised that the suggestion of a Pentabuzz hasn't recieved comment! [/quote] I have heard but not played one. I know they come with a reputation.

Oh, OK the internet is dead. Guess that cans that idea , where's my finest quill and parchment, I shall write to the finest purveyors of the said bass guitars and seek their deposition before I settle to tiffin!

Guys, Recently looking at options to buy I am frankly disappointed at the generally poor quality of Luthiers videos/ Audio Demo's. I've seen good musicians slapping away in empty rooms, others where its obvious they have been pres-ganged into doing something on the quick, The amount of poor audio, is shocking. It seems that Luthiers are simply obsessed with presenting a girlie mag website full of curves and sharing little or anything about the way the instruments actually sound. There are some notable exceptions such as the magical Rob Allen - Peter Kastner vid and I have to say Degier does a pretty fair job on some. I know we are all obsessed with posing and have to have the latest obscure wood combination and a top wood that looks like melted cheese - but what about some well constructed, well recorded meaningful thought out demos. When are Luthiers going to catch on that if they can present that unique tone proposition that we are after all bass players, musicians, people also obsessed with sound, musicality and tone. We can't possibly get to try every bass we might like but if we had a good idea what we might be getting then we would make the effort and maybe even buy one on spec. I can honestly say that I know three people who bought a Rob Allen (myself included) on the strength of the Kastner video without ever trying one. I have no regrets because I heard what I wanted and I could reliably buy it. I bought the sound. is the RA pretty?, well its ok. But the sound....... I know that not every vid shown on a maker site is created by them but they post them so fair game. What do you think? a good one and a bad one: off you go. This is my easy good example: The Rob Allen Kastner - 10/10 Shows the character and potential of the instrument, the rich resonant thick tones and the bright harmonics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycN9x_5MqHQ This is a poor one if you ask me: Marleux Diva - 4/10 A very limited demonstration of just one sound and its dull as sh*t. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grmZ1ZAbmrY&list=PL6669E9EB39E28A55

Thanks again. I have tried a couple of these open questions and each time I have always had a great response from BC members. I am lucky to have a PEB Ray fretless and a Rob Allen in the armoury. I wanted to canvas opinion because there is a hole in the sound palette for something to bridge the richness of the RA and the old school of the Ray. I have tried a couple of Wal's but incredibly they didn't grab me ( I know how is that possible - Philistine!) I have leanings now toward, Zon, Overwater and ACG. I love the look of the Diva but I haven't heard one for myself and pretty as they are they are closer to the RA I already have in terms of tone. I think want something that 'sings and growls'.

Just wipe them down down and when they start to die , do what Marlowe DK does. Loosen them and 'spank the sh*t out of them'. Works fine so long as you don't have round cores and didn't crimp when you put them on. Try it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8OYeN9mAL4

i'm not hearing Zon here? is there a reason?

OK that's cool. how about pushing the price range out and up a bit? what's the one that you'd go for if you weren't on a tight budget?

Try your local furniture restorer. They are always patching and covering. Its all fabric, glue and stitching to those guys.

I'm interested in views of the best fretless fives out there. Looking for lots of wah and growl and naturally a firm bottom

Ohhhhhhh FEK...... it is a beast....... i wanted different and I got it. Thanks so much for the recommendations, its the shidt!

Well Stew, I'm right there with you. I've had a decade off and now trying to get my bones out there at 51. Its not easy and TBH I'm not really getting much interest. Perhaps there should be a vintage and rare for musicians!

Just bought the eventide................ its pretty cool.

Cheers Gary!

I'm nervous about showing this because its such an iconic line but its my effort. I think I have the basic techniques there well enough. Not trying to make excuses but obviously there are fluffs and my timing isn't properly solid again yet following a decade off bass. I'm working hard to get back. On a good day I can pull it off cleanly - this wasn't one of them as you can see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Gufm4vx-I

I could not afford a new Fodera, If I had lots of money I would, but only after I had a stacknob in the back room. However I bought a 2nd hand one a year ago of here. It was made in 2000. Imperial Elite 5 Chestnut Burl. Judged on its build quality, its tone its playability it was very much worth the money. Being a Fodera it was in great condition and had been cherished. For me the definition is can I do things on it that I can't on other instruments? The answer a definite yes. So my suggestion is buy a 2nd hand custom job. Same goodies, much less cash.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1452959197' post='2955092'] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvCPvLh_60"]https://www.youtube....h?v=nEvCPvLh_60[/url] This might be blasphemy to some but Jerry Barnes does some great things to Nile's song list.. I prefer him to Bernard Edwards as he has brought the songs and parts on... and they sit better 20-30 years later in a live context. Anyway... a double thumb take on a classic part in this video. [/quote] [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1452959197' post='2955092'] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvCPvLh_60"]https://www.youtube....h?v=nEvCPvLh_60[/url] This might be blasphemy to some but Jerry Barnes does some great things to Nile's song list.. I prefer him to Bernard Edwards as he has brought the songs and parts on... and they sit better 20-30 years later in a live context. Anyway... a double thumb take on a classic part in this video. [/quote] Heretic......b..bbb.....bbb....burn the witch!

I have an AER amp three and all I can say its tiny, its illogically loud with massive bottom end, more than the 1 or 2. Its worth the investment if you can get one. They are about.

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1458083930' post='3004653'] Flats on a ray, oh yes..... Ohhhh yess. [/quote] Ah that depends on the Ray................

Thanks again Guys. I will test drive Eventide and TC next week having managed to get the local shop to get them in. So you know where I have come from I have and OLD Boss multi and its fine its just getting flaky, the new one seemed little better TBH. I have Carl Martin dual Chorus, Big Muff, MXR Octaver and Boss Looper also plus some vintage stuff. I'm interested in the difference I might get with a new approach especially in the higher register on E-C bases