xilddx

[quote name='Musicman20' post='877652' date='Jun 25 2010, 06:29 PM']I have realised how much the Precision tone/neck profile is part of my playing. When I was around 13/14 I thought id upgrade from my MIJ Fender to something that wasnt a Precision. I was wrong. That tone and bodyshape have stayed with me and im hooked. I am now lucky enough to have two very nice 08-09 American Series Precision basses. Both are excellent examples of what Fender can do if the QC is high. This got me thinking. I love the tone, necks and style of the new Fenders...they made some great improvements. Is there anything other than Custom Shop Fender thats above these quality wise? Obviously a true vintage Fender would be a great investment but I doubt Id ever find one id be 100% happy with as I really dont know enough to pick a quality vintage. Before anyone comments, yes I am stuck on Fender with this, mostly. The NASH basses look great, but I doubt anything else would be 'Fender' enough for me. Sadowsky/Alleva are a no in this case. If Custom Shop/Vintage is the next step, then ill be sticking with what Ive got for a long time![/quote] You just love buying gear don't you You have already found your nirvana but that's such a nuisance because you don't have the excitement of searching for a new bass. What do you want from a new bass that you don't have already?

[quote name='Mikey R' post='882331' date='Jun 30 2010, 07:49 PM']Kinda familiar, but the other way around for me. Reminds me a little of the first time my old band recorded in a propper studio. It was the nineties so we were recording to ananlogue tape, we had a really good engineer so we tracked the songs all together, puched in the mistakes then did a few overdubs. Listening to the rough mix on the way home, I thought it sounded like a bunch of fairly competent musicians playing our music - all the usual mistakes had been repaired - I felt really detached from the playing and for the first time was actiually able to listen to the songs as a whole. Changed my perspective on writing.[/quote] That's it exactly, [b]detached[/b]. I realised how [b]attached[/b] I am when I listen to my own recordings and how it's so difficult to critique it effectively.

My mate sent me a new song he's finished recording. I have to do a one-off gig it with him in August for his album he's been working on so I need to learn the whole album. I put the song on about half an hour ago. I wasn't listening to the bass at all, just the song as a whole, then a little lick jumped out and I thought "Mmm, that was quite a cool lick", and I started listening to the bass more. I thought "Mmm, it's a little sloppy here and there but some of those fills are pretty decent, and it's pumping along nicely, this guy has a decent feel but he needs to reign himself in a bit and tighten it up a touch. But generally it's really nice, a bit quirky, and that little lick half way through made me want to listen to the bass." "Shouldn't be too difficult to learn but I'll never remember all those fills.". Just before the song finished, I realised the bass player was me It is a very strange experience hearing and analysing a bassline when you don't realise it's actually you playing it. And it's how I play NOW, not years ago. He sent me the track about three months ago, I hastily learned it and put a couple of takes of bass down in my studio the same evening because I was so busy, then sent it to him. I had completely forgotten I'd recorded it! I am suddenly looking at the way I play completely differently. I want to get more defined, more simple and on the money. Even though some of the fills and note choices felt familiar, it didn't scream "silddx on bass" at me. I need to get some f***ing personality man!

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='882049' date='Jun 30 2010, 03:31 PM']They've been reprofiled a number of times I believe. As a whole, they do seem to have got thicker from the 80s examples. (I know that the Corvette was not around then - I'm talking about a general Warwick trend). In retrospect, I guess the whole definition of a fast neck is meaningless. It depends what the individual considers "fast". What models of Corvette are we talking here? I wonder if the Corvette changed it profile when manufacturing moved from Germany to Korea? EDIT - looking at silddx sig, it looks like he's comparing a German $$ with a Korean STD. Could explain the profile difference. Also interesting to read others viewpoints here - [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-270628.html"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/inde...p/t-270628.html[/url][/quote] Damn, you are right I think. My 'vettes are German. They have moved production to Korea for the Corvette Standard bolt ons, not for the Standard NT though which are still German series. I can't keep up with Warwick at the moment. Agree about the fast thing, what I mean is, you can be as fast as you like with no impedance from the neck. My waxed german [b]ovangkol [/b]necks are not at all sticky They are lightning fast

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='882022' date='Jun 30 2010, 03:15 PM']Must admit, don't like the Warwick neck and yes, sticky as some people have encountered. It all comes downs to what you are used to though. I come from uber smooth, uber fast necks... pretty much everything I feel can be perceived as sticky. The Warwicks that I have liked however, surprise surprise, have been via Martin Peterson and his rasp. There is defo a difference between the moden and "vintage" Warwicks also... don't know what they did to the necks but something has changed.[/quote] They re-profiled them last year. My fretted has the thicker neck from 2007, my fretless is the new, much thinner one. Note that this is depth, not nut or neck width. I find my Warwick necks are uber fast.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881894' date='Jun 30 2010, 01:29 PM']Silddx, I would have thought that at a trade show the instruments on display would have been the very best and set up to perfection. If the Warwicks I encountered are supposed to be like this then obviously they're not for me - although I did also try a Starbass II fretless with the sharpest fingerboard edges that I've ever encountered...[/quote] But they may have been played a lot in the warm atmosphere of the expo with lots of oily dirty sweaty hands. I agree they should not be like that, and if you owned one you should never have that problem, at home, in the studio or on stage. I suppose my fretless Corvette has comparatively "sharp" edges against your average Fender, but I've never noticed that it's uncomfortable or strange, it's the most glorious fretless neck I've ever played to be frank. I adore it.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881775' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:49 AM']purpleblob has described the sticky feeling of the Warwicks I played exactly! [b]What really concerned me about this was that the majority of fretless Warwicks I tried were at various musical instrument shows (LGS, Music Live etc.) and I would have thought that Warwick would only have bought instruments that represented the best of their output to these events.[/b] I don't have a neck finish preference from a playing PoV so long as it doesn't feel rough or sticky. As for looks I like the neck to mach the body in both colour and finish. Warwicks pass on the second but for me fail miserably on the first.[/quote] There's your answer.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881780' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:52 AM']Silddx, I believe you bought your Warwick second hand? I'm wondering if Warwick necks take some playing in before the stickiness goes? Personally I couldn't be doing with that. If I buy a new bass I'll be wanting to use it at a rehearsal that night and a gig the following week.[/quote] The fretted Corvette $$ was SH, but I bought my fretless Corvette Standard new from Thomann last year. It was a beautiful player straight out of the box. I can confirm with absolute confidence the necks are not sticky at all, from new or otherwise, as long as you wax them occasionally which cleans off any hand residues. Shops don't do that and you may find them sticky because of that reason. If you buy one from a shop, all you'll need to do is wax it if it is sticky from too many sweaty oily hands.

[quote name='purpleblob' post='881755' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:32 AM']I had a six string Corvette. It sounded really really nice, great depth and particularily nice fretless sound, but I really didn't like the feel of the bass, it was just horrible to play. Obviously things may have changed on more recent ones (and this is just my personal feel for the instrument I had), but mine had no contouring on the back of body which made it feel really unatural and uncomfortable when playing whilst standing and only a little better when seated. [b]I have to totally agree with BigRedX. I thought I was the only one who felt the neck was sticky. I have another unvarnished fretless that feels fantastic to play, the palm slides nicely around (admittedly it's a five string) but the neck on the Corvette felt it needed varnishing or maybe some sort of oil on it, but in it's natural state it just felt sticky (that's the only way to describe it). [/b]I wouldn't have minded this alone, due to it's lovely sound, but the uncomfortable feel of the body I felt it wasn't worth keeping as I just didn't like the feel when playing it. But like I said this is very much a personal view on one particular instrument, so as always I'd say go and try one out if you can. EDIT: Edited some semantics and spelling - typical of me [/quote] I would raise concerns about the shop you tried it in. If lots of people had been playing it then of course an unfinished neck is going to feel sticky if it had not been looked after and cleaned and waxed. You'll be playing on top of everyone else's marmite. All you need to do is wax the neck every now and then. I actually use those Planet Waves fret polishing cloths on my warwick necks. Dab some of the wax on it and polish the neck along the grain. It's the loveliest feel on any neck I've ever tried. It's a trick Martin Peterson showed me with wire wool on a oiled maple body, came up silky and shiny. I also don't understand the lack of contouring either, it's a wonderfully ergonomic body [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=58789&view=findpost&p=585875"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=585875[/url]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881671' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:22 AM']Play before you buy. Every fretless Warwick I've tried (and I tried pretty much every single one I came across a couple of years ago) except the stupidly expensive Jack Bruce Cream Reunion Signature model have horrible sticky feeling necks that hardly lend themselves to fretless playing styles.[/quote] Crikey! I am absolutely gobsmacked to hear this BRX. My Standard Ash Corvette fretless is as silky as I can imagine. An absolutely wonderful player with a really fine, skinny Jazz-like ovangkol neck and ebony fingerboard. It also has mwah which the people who tried it at the London Bash last Sunday will attest to. I have LaBella Black Nylon Tapewounds on and even they mwah. With rounds you get even more mwah. You hadn't been at the marmite sandwiches before trying them, had you?

[quote name='Captain Bass' post='880749' date='Jun 29 2010, 10:45 AM']God bless youtube!! -I've been contacted via my youtube channel by the head of A&R in Europe for Warwick. They wanna endorse me and to start things off they have offered to pay for me to go over and visit them in Germany!! which includes Driver, Hotel & Meal!![/quote] That is really cool mate! Looking forward to seeing the Warwick Captain Signature

[quote name='sprocketflup' post='880689' date='Jun 29 2010, 10:00 AM']lmao welcome to the world Crazykiwi, theres so much to see [/quote] spot on.

Superb pics, Steve! Top work mate

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='880256' date='Jun 28 2010, 08:14 PM'] My bass was there even if I wasn't! That gymnastic horse makes quite a good bass surgery table![/quote] Ahh, is that yours!? That's the one he took the truss rod out of and couldn't quite get it to thread back in. I have to say I was deeply impressed with those GBs, gorgeous basses. The baby blue Spit was my fave, although it had an extra string.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='880215' date='Jun 28 2010, 07:37 PM']Not working for me mate[/quote] Try it now, Wayne. Not sure how this Photobucket bollocks works tbh

All my 28 photos are here [url="http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa242/silddx/London%20Bass%20Bash%202010/?albumview=slideshow"]http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa242/s...mview=slideshow[/url]

[quote name='Golchen' post='880011' date='Jun 28 2010, 04:16 PM']Seriously??? I was going to suggest SIMS (expensive though) but I see that you are sorted anyway. I'm looking for a replacement Jazz V body myself. My current one is too new and shiny and new so I'm feeling way to precious about it![/quote] Seriously yes I've had various home studios for twenty years so I use the POD and the desk/monitors. For live I let the PA do the work.

[quote name='arsenic' post='880026' date='Jun 28 2010, 04:27 PM']I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. The Rockbass was a good idea - and a bargain. Have fun.[/quote] Me too! It's not going to be a replica, just similar. I'll keep all the Warwick pups, eletronics and hardware.

[quote name='Doddy' post='879976' date='Jun 28 2010, 03:46 PM']'In Cold Sweat....Interviews with Really Scary Musicians'[/quote] Wicked book! You'll love the Scott Thunes interview which is by far the biggest. He's my favourite bassist. I really liked the Wooten book "The Music Lesson". Don't like his music but by god this book is thought provoking.

Right! I have a friend at work who's a part-time luthier, and although he is incredibly busy, he's agreed to make a mahogany body to my spec and a mirror scratchplate for it. All for the cost of materials. About £30! Awesome!! Of course I will insist on giving him more than that, and a decent bottle of single malt. In terms of the neck, hardware and pups/tronics, I have just ordered a B-stock Warwick Rockbass (with the old Rockbass logo) Streamer Blackhawk set from Thomann. It comes with a Warwick Sweet 30w amp, strap, cables, chav cap, stand and gig bag. £264! F£$%&* bargain!! I'll sell the Streamer body and the gigbag, but I may well keep the amp. Never owned a bass amp before I wll strip and reshape the headstock to something a bit more in keeping. Really excited about this now! I want this to be my main gigging bass. From this .. [attachment=53198:Streamer2.jpg] To this [attachment=53199:CSELive2.jpg]

[quote name='Bottle' post='879645' date='Jun 28 2010, 10:29 AM']+1 And that Warwick - 'tis a thing of beauty - thanks for letting me have a noodle! Sounded immense through the EBS rig (both of them!!) Got a GAS-attack for more stuff: 1 Fretless 4-string (possible a Squier VMJ fretless - they're a bargain at the moment) 2 Jazz/MM hybrid - loved the Cort GB74 that was there - in Candy-Apple Red 3 Chorus pedal of some description 4 A BFBass Super Twelve - JackLondon's was waaayyyy huge sounding and very ickle Great opportunity to meet up with everyone and give it the beans on some seriously tasty basses See you all at the SE Bash Ian PS have got some piccies - will try to post up the good ones later[/quote] Sorry, I meant to mention your GK/EBS rig too, it did indeed sound immense! Being a POD only player, it's really nice to play through someone's carefully chosen rig, it reminds me of why I moved to bass from guitar

Thanks guys. I'll give them both a ring and see what's what. I'll need to get a neck first and have the routing measured up. Quite fancy a flying vee type headstock. Thanks again.

Odd that. But then you reckon they are old and you've had them on and off 50 times. You know why it broke. I've never had any problems with my LaBella Black Nylon Tapes, they seem almost indestructable. I've had one set for about a year or so, they sound the same as when I bought them. I've had them on and off about ten times.

[quote name='51m0n' post='879439' date='Jun 28 2010, 02:01 AM']So glad you all had a great time. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts/get wells, much appreciated! Feeling a little better (might have kept some liquid down for the first time in over 24 hours - phew!). Needless to say the chat on compressors will go ahead when I next get a chance, probably the SE Bash. Again, sorry I couldnt be there, I would have loved to have heard BG's take on truss rods Oh well back to 'real' life. Laters....[/quote] Sorry you're ill mate, would have been lovely to see you there. Hope you get better quickly.

Thanks to everyone involved in organising the Bash, especially to Tom (essexbasscat) it was a great day, I really enjoyed it! Great to meet you people in meatspace I'll get some pics up tonight. My favourite bass of the day was molan's Sadowsky Jazz (cherry sunburst) the neck and set up felt perfect for me, glorious in fact, apart from the neck dive. Loved the GBs too, Tom's 001 is lovely, as is his rig, I had a great time pumping some dub on that! Bernie tweaked my Warwick for me and although he reckoned I had set it up well, he made some minor adjustments and it felt like a new bass, amazing! He's a real character too, really cracked me up a couple of times He brought a couple of EBS rigs and the new EBS pedal range, he was playing through the chorus and doing volume swells which sounded sublime, really inspiring, that chorus is a beautiful sounding pedal, totally lush. Great day, thanks all.