Musicman20

Thanks guys, sorry yes OT again! I did try all options with the EQ/buttons etc. Something was missing....but it could have been the actual combo itself being in need of repair. It was almost too warm and bassy, despite a fiddle with the EQ.

To be fair to Fender, despite whatever issues you might experience with their instruments on the odd occasion, if you go down that route it will still be a 'Fender' in ten years, which holds a lot of 'value' in terms of how people perceive it. I know the market isn't great for selling anything still at the moment, but, a Custom Shop Fender completed well will be a dream for some players. However, I do see the point about Shuker/Maruszczyk. Fabulous looking basses (and no doubt play and sound great) at probably half the price or less.

Nice, and nice environment to be playing bass in!

I've no idea what the USA prices are. I've seen a significant rise on EBMM and Fender products recently, and it seems a lot of the UK stores are all sticking to one set price (or close).

Wow!

We have a lovely old (and quite large) apartment but no lift. 3 flights of stairs! Imagine even taking a 40-50lb cab up after a 12 hour day. Moving in almost finished 3 grown men off. However, it did push me forward on selling the Orange cabs. They even have a decent PA so to be fair, I could just use the Sansamp.

Had I not been offered to use the new rehearsal Ashdown 4x10 combo, I would have been more interested in a smaller do-it-all-up-to-a-certain-extent light cab. Alas, paying £3 for a 3 hours on an Ashdown is a small price to pay for not carrying a cab down 3 flights of stairs and trying to get it into a New Beetle. Off topic, but jees, this Ashdown combo unfortunately keeps with the generalisation of 'wooliness'. Loud, bassey, but not enough clarity at all. Barely any sparkle, Massive mid dip when flat I think. Shame as I wanted to investigate more Ashdown gear but it is an old combo any may well be in need of TLC.

Stingrays are just IT when it comes to tone for me. No matter what the EQ is.

Definitely missed out on one of those at the offer price. Damn my indecision. It would have been PERFECT for what I want to do right now.

I'm not a fan of cabinets that extend really low into deep bass. I'm probably just not used to it; most the cabs I seem to play around with are no doubt designed for a more low mid kick with tighter bass. I tend to find really deep bass sounds great when you play E and lower (especially on a 5 string) but then some of the notes seem thin. Just not my cup of tea for a bass sound....but then again it'd be boring if we all liked the same thing. Don't think string gauges should be fiddled with just to fit a cabinet....gauge doesn't make THAT much difference IMO.

Cheers Dave. Well finished cab.

Strangely, I tried the MXR and wasn't massively into it, plus the unit came to me looking used. I then bought a Boss LMB-3 for lower than retail on Amazon, and a Budda Chakra off ebay (still cheap on Amazon) and they seem to be less 'transparent' which is what I was aiming for....a more obvious change, but they can do subtle. It won't allow me to copy the link at work! Go on Amazon and search for Budda Chakra and buy it for £49!

Sibob - it was just out of curiosity from moving from Fodera (arguable the most expensive new basses out there....or one of) to a nice but not crazy priced Super Jazz. I have an Xotic guitar pedal, and I will be buying more. I'm shocked the company isn't more popular.

How do these compare with the Fodera basses?

This is very interesting. My Orange cabs are now (almost) sold, apart from the 1x15 being picked up. I'll miss them in a way, more so the 1x15, but I just don't use them. They sound great but they are awkward. The Vanderkley is cheaper than I anticipated, considering Mesa Boogie now charge more for a 1x12 and Aguilar charge an extortionate £739 for a 1x12. What is the weight on it Dave? I've seen two different weights. Does the 6" have a control? How is the high end?

Ashdown are hitting out of the park recently IMO. I do like the look of their Rootmaster EVO amps. The only thing that concerns me is that they change every 12 months, but I suppose if they like to revise quickly, then no problems.

There are certainly times when a passive bass with flats (eg a nice Precision) sits excellently under the mix and provides a solid foundation for a band. I suppose the same could be said for almost all basses though....if you dial down the treble or use older strings/old flats, again, you can make an active bass sit under the mix, although it may have a different feel to a P bass. However, recently I've found a lot of bands that previously/currently used/use a Stingray (you knew I was going to say that!) and that classic aggressive bite just does something to a band mix that I can't describe. The low mid punches in with the bass drum and provides the thump, but the snarl has character. Back to when I was about 14/15, I first heard a Stingray and that was it, I was sold for life. Very very distinctive.

Cheaper here which is good! [url="http://www.projectmusic.net/music-man-809-c.asp"]http://www.projectmusic.net/music-man-809-c.asp[/url]

I actually ended band rehearsals early for the lads to get in my car and whack on the radio loud whilst driving for a few pints (I didn't drive back before you ask!). I like it. The best parts for me are the Squire guitar parts (on form as usual) and the pre-chorus. It has clearly been written for their upcoming gigs to have a new anthem, and fair play. I absolutely understand why people don't like bands or styles, but for me the Roses are more than just a band, it's a whole movement of music. Why are they so popular? Because so many bands keep referencing them as major influences. I've only lived in Manchester for a year now, but I've realised I should have been here ages ago.

Cannot quote, but I do NOT think it is an odd question to ask. Some players can afford to be collectors or just are collectors due to time not being able to play. It is best to be clear and honest about what you want. I have asked this question before. Some gear has been on walls for 12 months+, so inevitably things can happen.

With the worldwide presence they no doubt have, especially in Europe, I think it would be a really good idea.

I'm with Chris B on this. I assume they are the biggest bass specialist in the UK? The most well known? I am not entirely sure. When you have shops like Andertons releasing very very informative guitar/amp/effects (drums as well) and now a weekly bass video, and very basic home recorded musicians doing a similar (albeit lower budget) versions, it really shows when you see the BD videos. My input would be: 1. Perhaps employ a really solid player (no offences to the guys who do it now - they can play but it takes more than that) who is not worried about talking on camera to go through a huge amount of stock over a weekend and record it. Talking about the basses is much better than the text appearing. Add some flair and personality to it. Some passion. 2. Less slap. We do need to hear slap, I agree, but less of it. More standard fingerstyle rock playing, pick playing, blues playing. Less jazz. If a player can't play indie/rock with a pick, don't let them try, it is VERY obvious. A lot of the market is rock/blues/indie players. 3. Use one quite clear and clean amp and say what amp it is. Explain the EQ. Explain the cabs. Are we hearing DI only or a mix? 4. Use a set of well known effects for each video an stick to the set. Just basics. E.g. this is the bass with some drive on it, the bass with a little compression and EQ. 5. Price of the bass, what it comes with, what we get for our money, what it is build from, why it is such a good instrument. Comparisons in tone, feel, what do the controls do, weight, etc. Any options? Can we order in? 6. Amp and cab videos - a must. 7. Effects pedals. Drive pedal shootout? Delay shootout? What are the differences? Hundreds to show off and sell! Use a simple P bass/J Bass/Stingray with rounds...nothing too odd. 8, Allow comments as some will be positive and some will be negative. Sometimes you can learn a lot from negative comments. It needs some flair and fun. Plus, the intro music (might not be on the latest ones) has to go. The current generation of 15-40+ year old plus musicians rely on Youtube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for a lot of their communication with companies.

Ah I think I really need to seriously consider one of these. The problem is the amount of options is baffling!

That is a seriously nice piece of history. If I was ever to have a huge influx of money, I would be a vintage guitar and bass collector, but the recent price jumps on this suggests that someone or a number of people have just tried to make a quick bit of cash very quickly.