BetaFunk

[quote name='gcordez' timestamp='1349778380' post='1830287'] Yup, the Lafaro bass is still with Barrie in Long Island. It's got quite a story that bass and it sounds and plays great. Barrie also has Milt Hintons and Percy Heaths basses in the vault too. Percy Heaths beautiful old Italian bass is technically the better instrument, but that Lafaro bass sounds so evocative when you play it. The Sunday at Village Vangaurd album set the standard for that type of approach to the bass for me. I played the first couple of notes of 'my mans gone' on it and it sounds like the bass on the recordings. I was a very lucky chap. [/quote] It must have been a great experience playing that instrument. I first heard Scott LaFaro through Ornette Coleman records in the 1970s and although i am not a musician i still find the difference between Scott LaFaro's recordings with Ornette and Charlie Haden's fascinating.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1349728882' post='1829848'] LaFaro's Prescott is still at Kolstein's in NYC I believe. I am sure Greg (gcordez) can answer with the full details but Phil P borrowed the LaFaro Prescott for the release of his tribute album and I recall seeing an interview that Greg did with Phil P and Sam Kolstein, so I am guessing Greg played it in NYC. Edit: here's the link [url="http://www.philpalombi.com/2012/04/your-luthier-and-you-hows-the-happy-couple/"]http://www.philpalom...e-happy-couple/[/url] I would love to have a play on it, although I am a numpty when it comes to DB, just to see what Scott LaFaro was contending with when he made that wonderful music. Indeed, one of the things that drew me to my Kolstein Busetto travel bass is that it is based on a downscaled version of the LaFaro Prescott - so its my own little tribute as well as being quite lovely to play. [/quote] Thanks Clarky. That's interesting. I'm not a musician (despite having a few electric basses that i play for my own amusement) but i've always been interested in the bass and first heard Scott Lafaro on an Ornette Coleman LP in the 1970s. Since then i have most of his available recordings. P.S. I've sent away for Phil's LaFaro CD so look forward to hearing it. Thanks again for the info.

[quote name='gcordez' timestamp='1349425520' post='1826061'] I was lucky enough to play on the Lafaro Prescott and its a special instrument. [/quote] Where did you play the Prescott? If this bass had ever been over this side of the pond i'd have travelled the length of the UK just to hear that bass!

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1349633948' post='1828533'] No he didn't, what a load of bollocks. He probably made a quick exit, stage left, after he spotted some judgemental mouth breather looking at him with a look of disgust on his face. The kind of repellent, arrogant fool who likes to hang round guitar shops on a Saturday afternoon. [/quote] Priceless..................Thanks!!!

[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1349628773' post='1828446'] The same..fake is fake. A Turkish Gold Rolex looks good from a distance but [b]you[/b] know its a fake. I was at this shop last year and a guy was playing one...he had GAS but when he saw the disgust on my face, he put it down, decided to save for a real one and left the shop :-D It did sound ok though on an Ashdown combo. I've not heard a real Ricky yet but I seen one in a shop and I've got GAS [/quote] People often have a look of disgust on their faces when i play Basses in shops

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1349556782' post='1827808'] A curious design. That tiny speaker won't really reproduce a lot of bass end at all. Can the speaker be used to make the strings feedback? I imagine you could use it as a crude sustainer. [/quote] Yes, yes and yes. The speaker gives enough volume for practise at home but not really for much else. It's really well made with a nice low action. I also had the Guitar version which i sold to a friend who loves it and keeps it by the side of his armchair while his Strat stays in it's case.

I went to both Nashville and Memphis in 1995. I loved Nashville but found Memphis not so great. Beale Street was one of the tackiest and intimidating places i've ever been. Although this was some years ago i wouldn't return to Memphis in a hurry. P.S I agree that Gracelands is a must if you're in Memphis.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1349431924' post='1826166'] The price on the ticket was £499, and they offered it to me for £440 plus some strings if - took it there and then. Not a bad endorsement for Wunjo I reckon. [/quote] That seems like a good deal. I emailed Wunjo about a Bass they had advertised and found them really helpful.

Sorry this is a late reply (only just noticed your post) but yes i have one of these! If you are still interested in these and need to know anything about them just let me know.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1349293616' post='1824460'] I don't know how they get away with it, but I was in Wunjo on Denmark St the other day and I had a play on a fire-glo(?) one. I don't know much about Rics, but for the price they were asking (£440 plus a pack of strings) I thought it was excellent. Played very well, sounded good, looked great and the finish was superb for a guitar of that price. And I'm sure you could get it for less of you shopped around. I would really have to think long and hard about parting with an extra £1K+ for the real McCoy. I was very very tempted and spent a good hour walking around the West End to get rid of the GAS! Has anyone AB'd a Ric and a Roc? I'd be interested in what Ric aficionados have to say. Edit: from what I understand Ric have only been able to copy-write to head-stock. Maybe the Roc is slightly different? [/quote] I haven't found a new Rockinbetter for less than £440 even after a lot of shopping around. They seem to all be around the £450-500 mark at the moment but if anyone knows a cheaper price then please let me know and i may well be persuaded to part with some cash

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1349284375' post='1824320'] I play a Hofner Reissue Verythin bass exclusively now & have done for a while. I've owned vintage Fenders, Rickenbacker and pretty much every bass you can imagine and the Hofner is my new spirtual home. I've sold off all the other basses now (ok 2 Fenders left but they'll go when I get around to it). Just a great bass, tonally and looks wise. Everyone who plays my bass comments on how nice it is. I can't compare it to the old verithin as I've never played one. The current crop of Hofner CT series basses are really good. Those Hagstrom Viking basses do look good but I've not tried one. Sorry. My only bugbear with the Verythin is that since I've got mine they now no longer come with the pickguard and that (to my tastes) is missing a trick. [/quote]Ooooh that's nice. I think you've just convinced me!!!