Musicman20

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1398895135' post='2438885'] A lot of the differential is just the usual deal of adding shipping and UK taxes and import duties that pushes UK prices. On a £600 bass you have to add about £125 shipping and then £185 duties and courier clearance fees. That brings UK equivalent up to £915. That's a 50% increase on the US price Of course this is the most basic spec price and the shipping fee and courier clearance is flat for all models so upgrading spec brings the UK pricing closer to US (although the 23% VAT and duties will always be there). Every Carvin is built to order and some options are great value compared to a lot of custom builders. My favourite is the Birdseye maple board which adds just £25 to the price of a regular maple one! Their build times are great too, approx 8 weeks from order to completed instrument. They are never late either Official list price on a PB5 starts at £972 in the UK which isn't bad for an all US made instrument. If you speak nicely to a dealer they will discount off that base price as well to bring it pretty close to the £915 figure [/quote] PM'd as well.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1398900375' post='2438966'] One thing to watch out for Gareth is that if you order a Carvin that isn't sitting as a 'stock' bass in the Uk then it's exempt from the EU distance selling regs because it's classed as 'personalised' and/or a 'custom' product. This means you can only return it if it is faulty. Obviously part of the whole custom build process is to specify something you really want but if it turns up and you don't really like it it can't be returned like a standard UK stock item. This holds true for all custom builds - everything from a bespoke Sei or Shuker to a Fender or Sandberg Custom Shop. There may be some grey areas if it doesn't quite match what you thought you were getting IE the green you ordered isn't as dark as you wanted etc. but I wouldn't want to challenge these in court [/quote] Sure, understood. Thanks Barrie.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1398877101' post='2438592'] The thing about Carvin is that is you look at the prices in US dollars and they are very competitive... look at the prices over here and they cost a bomb. Pick something of their's and google the model name- the top hit tends to be the American page- look at google's cache of the page and you get to see the US prices. [/quote] There are some places I've emailed offering about £900 up for a 5 string P or J with hard case, standard spec. Pretty good!

Nice sounding P bass. It's a shame they don't have more coverage and stock over here. Last SB5000/PJB5 I got a quote for was very reasonable; about £1200 for a 5 string with a few upgrades.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1398854021' post='2438219'] People keep telling me that Nottingham is a really big student town ... does that not translate into enthusiastic audiences? [/quote] Aye I imagine. Just something about the scene whilst I was there made me appreciate it as a city. It's not a huge place, and still has bars where everyone knows each other like a town would that I originate from. At the time I was involved in both the 'modern' punk scene (Nottingham seems pretty big on alternative music) and the more commercial indie scene (bands like Bloc Party/The Killers had just hit the big time). Both were great, and some great venues (which Newcastle also has, especially the City Hall!). I might have to try a different approach.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1398843520' post='2438069'] There is a common theme here (my emphasis). Time. As in "it takes time". Give it time and keep trying. [/quote] Oh I do. I won't give up. I'm not attacking anyone, I've just noticed it. Others I've met with have noticed it. I think the internet breeds certain time wasters who dream of being in a band but can't actually play/organise/do anything as they don't put the effort in. Good old wanted posters used to cause less fuss.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1398842708' post='2438060'] Gareth - there is an element of truth to your theory: City centres are transient places. Most of the good stuff goes on in the suburbs and satellite towns where musical relationships develop over years. Newcastle is a big town, and it has a lot going on around the fringes. You just haven't found it. [/quote] Absolutely agree with this. I realise this is what has happened. There is a scene of music I used to be involved in around the country (but I'm not so much now) which is busy up here, but it is a tiny niche. I still catch up with it but its just different to the norm and they tend to have a certain genre playing the gigs. I've done that now, so I want to move on to something more mainstream.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1398843322' post='2438066'] Not all are cover bands (although I never understood the antipathy towards bands that play other people's material. A good band is a good band, whatever they play!). [/quote] Never doubted that, but it needs to be an originals band for me, I'm afraid. Takes a totally different mindset to write music and build your following that way. Tried both types of band, prefer originals. Others may differ.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1398839542' post='2438022'] Newcastle has no interesting bands/musicians/songwriters or at least that aren't up to your standard; complete and utter total tosh... that is all. [/quote] No originals bands, so far, that need a bassist or want to form a band, who aren't time wasters. No. Obviously it has to be music I like! Otherwise little point. Other genres might be completely different. No,, not tosh, its my opinion I'm afraid. It wasn't really a blanket statement, so apologies if it came across like that, but it isn't aimed at NE players/muscians as most of the people I've met to try and form/join bands aren't from round here.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1398839097' post='2438019'] What bands did you play in when you were in Nottingham? I'm surprised that you're finding Newcastle such a musical dead spot. We get some of our best audiences when we play there. BTW why is this in Off Topic? It's certainly more "on topic" than some threads in General Discussion. [/quote] It was a Radiohead/Mars Volta-type originals band called Lo-Ego. I really enjoyed it. Incredible set of musicians who really knew the scene down there. The whole stop/start rhythms and odd time signatures was a lot of fun. They don't exist now, and probably haven't for a while. The vocalist is now on the comedy circuit in London and has pretty much started to 'break it' in terms of getting on TV and having a sketch show. Nottingham is, in my opinion, still a really good place for music.

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1398788921' post='2437612'] Class compliant usb means you plug it in and it doesn't need drivers to work, any class compliant audio interface will work with the ipad or iphone with a camera connection kit. Check on the manufacturers website to see if yours is class compliant Also don't buy that irig as you'll still be usinging a headphone out of the ipad when connecting it to anything. There are so many class compliant usb interfaces around some start at £30 and go up. Loads of choice [/quote] Cheers!

I've also been pointed in the direction of this, which is fairly pricey: [url="http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigpro/"]http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigpro/[/url]

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1398769292' post='2437346'] Use a camera connection kit and any usb interface that is class compliant. That way you can get midi and audio through the same device. [/quote] Sorry I might be being totally thick here (this is quite new to me) but do you mean an interface that has both midi in and line in, that connects to an iphone/ipad? If so, are there any available? I have an audio interface (Focusrite) for recording basically anything into my Mac Mini, but I wanted something portable for the Microsynth and new bass I have coming (I will explain later) that would also allow me to do the nomal running of a iOS rig/effects emulation all in one unit. It might not exist!

I've had EB Group IIIs on my P bass for 4 years. Sound great and barely any physical wear to the strings.

It's also worth pointing out that new prices have risen, new financial year etc. Prices I was quoted a month or two back are now no longer valid...which is just how it is I guess!

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1398776441' post='2437473'] Goodness, looks like they bought the rights for the Streamliner, that's very similar. Must have been looking the other way, didn't realise Fender closed down GB! I saw STLs were cheap at Bass Direct, didn't realise why. What a crying shame! I have an STL900 and it's the best amp I've ever had. [/quote] Apparently Genz are gone for good. Whether the designers are on a no compete clause, and may come back, I don't know. Fender could have really hammered the bass market by rebranding. Smart move....not....at....all. One of the Genz chaps is now with Mesa. They might make a decently priced high wattage Walkabout...who knows. I really do think Genz were/are one of the best bass amp/cab manufacturers. At least they ended on a high.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1398773148' post='2437414'] Actually, standard black ones are quite rare. I have never seen another standard gloss black one in the U.K in the last ten years , except for mine and I had that one made to order in that colour. Strings And Things told me they can't remember any either. I have seen plenty of Sapphire Black ones and Stealth Black , though due to the fact that EBMM palmed a few off on S&T, and also plenty of ones in bright colours, although not in the Tangerine Pearl and Sky Blue you mention because they were only introduced in the last two or three years, and most of the Bongos circulating in the U.K are from not long after when the Bongo came out in 2003 when they were a new model . Your basses were a custom order Gareth, and so you could choose the newer colours. For my taste, the problem with some of the ones in flamboyant colours is that for me, the novelty wears off pretty quickly. I like black, white or red. You are, of course, at liberty to like whatever tickles your own fancy. Yes, the Bongo preamp is superb, very well voiced and central to the sound of those basses. I use my Bongo as my modern, hi-fi active bass and, despite being a creation of the post-Millienium era , it is particularly good for reliving my youth in the 1980's and slapping, popping and totally over-the-top fingerstyle playing are handled with aplomb by the Bongo. It's super- powerful and upfront sound really suits that kind of a style. I love the way all the notes in every register ring out really evenly on the Bongo, too. They are just great basses all-round , in my opinion. It also helps that they are much lighter in weight than most other Music Man basses. [/quote] Actually, you are right on the gloss black! I've not ever seen one...ok maybe one on ebay a few years back, but the rest have been sapphire black or the egyptian smoke from a few years back. Ultimately that means your bass is also rare in the UK. The bright colours are definitely in your face...more so the Tang Pearl, but I love how it looks on the rather modern and bizarre Bongo shape.

To be honest, I don't understand MIDI, how it works and why we use it. All I know is that I have a Korg Microsynth with MIDI connections and I can record onto my Mac with it when using my Focusrite Interface. I've not tried it yet. Basses with midi connections: I have been advised I need a core midi attachment (hardware) to allow me to connect something new I have on the way to my phone. Are there any options for this? Would this also allow me to connect my Korg Microsynth to an iPhone for recording on the fly or just when Im messing about and make something I like? Are there any pieces of hardware that allow me to connect to an iPhone both for recording bass like the Line 6 Sonic port AND allowing midi input for the instrument I have on the way and my Microsynth? Or, do I need two bits of kit? I see that most midi adapter's for the iPhone are not Lighting connections...shame. Cheers!

Recently saving a lot on a new bass means I might try this for fun. It seems rude not to as I have the iphone already! Quick quesiton, and this might not apply to this topic. I have been advised I need a core midi attachment (hardware) to allow me to connect something new I have on the way to my phone. Are there any options for this? Would this also allow me to connect my Korg Microsynth to my iPhone? Are there any pieces of hardware that allow me to connect to my phone both for recording bass like the Line 6 Sonic port AND allowing midi input? Cheers!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1398762279' post='2437251'] I've asked the La Bella boys for pricing and availability dates [/quote] Cheers Molan. I will probably try a set of these on an incoming bass...

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1398756075' post='2437173'] Especially this. My biggest gripe with Fender is the 'exclusivity' of particular finishes to £1500+ instruments. Or guitars for that matter (lots of Surf Green Strats/Teles available off the rack!) [/quote] I've seen those Strats and they look amazing. If Fender offered a MIM 50s P and an American Standard P in surf green/sonic blue they would be a huge seller. I just do not understand it. As much as they obviously know their business, they need to research more, get involved in forums/social networking with key members of staff who basically do that as their day job.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1398754763' post='2437155'] Mightn't that be part of the problem? I'm not sure there is any such thing as the perfect band - any more than there is the perfect relationship. There are always compromises to make - it just depends on how much you are prepared to compromise and on what. T'was ever thus IME... [/quote] I didn't say perfect, I said the best, which was in jest to be honest. I do however have a very keen ear for good musicians and I've met a lot of people who do not have any concept of time, and no, I wouldn't work with people who don't have the same drive and are able to play what we want to play. It would be pointless otherwise. I do strive for being as good as possible though....its important to try and be a really good band as there is so much dross out there (and by there I mean everywhere). I would personally count a covers band, at this stage, as a compromise to my goals. It just isn't very exciting.

Anyone seen any prices for these yet? Might be a few months getting to the UK I guess.

[quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1398759458' post='2437211'] I guess one option would be to buy a used one and have it refinished, at least that way all you're restricted by when searching, is the pup config. Trouble is with Bongo basses, as I found out, used ones don't seem to appear very often. As for the pricing debate, when I was searching for my 4HS Stealth, the cheapest I could find anywhere in the UK was approx £1600 and would have had to wait for it to be built. Other option was Thomann who had one in stock at £1650, I spent what felt like days trawling through MM's euro dealer websites, but eventually got one for £1100 incl delivery from Holland. Ordered tuesday at 3pm, on my doorstep by 8am thursday! So they can be got cheaper, it just takes a bit of searching. [/quote] Ay, and Promenade Music offer great new prices on them. The standard black ones and sapphire black are much more common in the UK, but thing like Sky Blue and Tangerine Pearl...well, there are barely any. One of the best pre-amps I've ever played...in fact one of the best bass designs I've ever played.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398715259' post='2436950'] Old argument though, you put them out at you want, but they will sell at what the public want. Too many folk don't do their research on what products are ACTUALLY selling at. It's a 4 string. There's a five on BC that's been up for months at £750 and not sold. Virtually all the Bongo's that have SOLD on here in the last year or so have gone for £650/£700. There are 2 on FEEBay at around £1000 that have been advertised for months, and not sold. It doesn't matter a toss how much they are new now, but this is an old argument. I like the look of Bongo's, a white one would look fabulous. If the guy on the Wirral had his 2004 Desert Gold out at £750 I'd be on the way in the car now. [/quote] Well I've seen some 5 HHs go for £1200 second hand, especially the rare colours. I wouldn't be desperate to sell at the BC crazy low prices. In the same way I wouldn't pay £800 for a JV Squier.