scrumpymike

New nut made from 'antique bone' to fit lighter-gauge strings; new set of A'addarios; repair to chipped lacquer at top of neck; too-high pups removed, recesses deepened, pups refitted; neck/bridge setup for lowest action to suit my playing style and correct intonation.

... and the game-changers are the emerging industrial economies like China. They now have the CNC-based equipment and manufacturing know-how to manufacture low-cost basses to consistently high quality standards, often designed and spec'd in Europe and the USA. I recently paid £300 for one of Scott Whitley's MIC short-scale basses and have just spent another £150 for a good luthier to modify the bass to suit my personal preferences. This involved converting to lighter-guage strings (including a beautiful new 'vintage bone' nut) and optimising the set-up for my playing style. For £450, I've now got a lightly-customised SWB-1 that suits me better than US-made basses I've owned costing more than twice the price. If my starting point had been, say, a cheaper Ibanez like the TMB30, then the cost saving would have been even greater. It seems to me that there's never been a stronger case for buying one of the many excellent cheap basses on offer and asking your friendly local luthier to work his magic.

Touch of the Henry Ford's with the short-scale - seems you can get any colour you like, as long as it's black. Shame, as that would be my last choice.

That's two fine basses there.

That looks really nice - like the subtle finish. I loved my 2008 SG Reissue and probably should have kept it. Trouble is there's so much nice stuff out there and you just can't keep 'em all!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1459368963' post='3015957'] Is it just me, or is there a touch of Hayman 4040 influence in the look of these? [/quote] Never seen or heard of the Hayman. Just found some images online and the basic body shape is certainly similar. Must say I prefer the look of the Ibanez, particularly the unusual headstock, the Hayman styling is pretty, errr, challenging - even for me, and I like quirky stuff.

[quote name='sbrag' timestamp='1459708220' post='3018830'] Sorry for the dealy in sorting something for this work has got in the way (new job). I'll try and have a chat with a venue this week but I'm thinking of early May if this works for people. [/quote] Go for it!!

+1 for Gail Ann Dorsey - her stuff with Bowie was brilliant!

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1459332709' post='3015467'] I was just looking at the 605... [/quote] That looks really nice with the natural wood finish and tortoiseshell scratch plate.

Thanks neepheid, that's got me even more interested - could also be a sound bet for a future upgrade project although my preference would be for a slightly slimmer neck (it's 41mm at the nut). Rang PMT in Bristol yesterday. They want to clear their 'old' Ibanez basses before placing a stock order for the 2016 stuff but will get one in if I place an order (won't be doing that). Bugger!

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1459187403' post='3014263'] Tiny Talman! Fancied a shortie for a while, could well be that the only question is which colour! [/quote] Ivory gets my vote ("No elephants were harmed in the production of this bass guitar".)

Love the look of this TMB30 and it's less than £150! If the quality is as good as my similarly-priced Mikro it could be a winner. [url="http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_detail.php?data_id=168&color=CL02&year=2016&cat_id=2&series_id=58"]http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_detail.php?data_id=168&color=CL02&year=2016&cat_id=2&series_id=58[/url] Has anybody managed to try one? I'll be on the phone to PMT in Bristol tomorrow.

OK, so I used the SWB-1 bass at 3 gigs last week and must say I'm impressed. It's a nice player that punches above its weight and has good balance/position on the strap for such a compact body design. The neck is fast and (unusually for a short-scale) you've got a full complement of 24 frets. Scott sets each bass up himself and the strings he fits (GHS Super Steels 044/063/084/106 rounds) are a great choice. String tension is good and the E string sounds nice and bright. It's hard to fault this bass and IMHO it's such a steal at the price that I've also ordered a fretless version.

If he's 12 and with smallish hands, I'd go the short-scale route rather than full size. If image/cred is an issue, there's a few out there that don't look like toys.

And here's the latest: [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/004_zpsxyfmrz3v.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/004_zpsxyfmrz3v.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/004_zpsxyfmrz3v.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/004_zpsxyfmrz3v.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/url] My new Scott Whitley SWB-1 Just collected - I'll let you know how I get on with it.

"Add to that we're all theives with curly hair and tashes..." ..and that's just the women!

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1455529622' post='2979795'] So, how are you chaps getting on with your shorties??? I tried the GSRM yesterday and apart from the body finish loved it. It was walnut flat, which I personally reckon is one coat of stain, and easy to scratch. But if you buy one and like it, perhaps you'd never go back to 34"? I found the string tensions quite nice and easy to bend which I liked. Only one way to find out really. [/quote] No regrets from me - the Root Beer Metallic finish on mine is top quality and has attracted some positive comments. Managed to get an Ibanez Mikro gig bag at a good price, so now the whole thing fits in my coat pocket ("Is that an Ibanez Mikro, or are you just pleased to see me?")

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1455374887' post='2978575'] Would that make a crappy fee "indecent exposure"? [/quote]

... or, "the Elliot in the room"??

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1455362674' post='2978386'] Fixed again. [/quote] "Exposure"... that well-known alternative currency invented by landlords who don't like opening the cash-till drawer after the punters have left!

[quote name='JB2016' timestamp='1455369061' post='2978482'] Yes, I'd try really hard to support a Bristol bash (I'm from Taunton). No bass player really, but I'll bring along a gigworthy bass / head / cabinet set up that might raise a few eyebrows. [/quote] +1 from Taunton

Glad to hear you're carrying on. Your thread has reminded me of just how many good, friendly and helpful people there are on the Basschat forum. You may not be in a band, but you're definitely a valued member of this bass-playing community - and that's got to be worth at least as much!

Yep, it's '80s-vintage TEs for me too - I've got 2 identical 300W heads, and that pre-set with a hint of compression never fails to put a smile on my face (see, there it goes again!). I run mine thru a re-speakered TE compact 1 x15" cab and an Ashdown 2 x 10" with identical dimensions.

Hi naxos10, I took Scott's advice based on how and what I play, namely traditional playing style, 50/50 pick/fingers, covers stuff from mainly '60s and '70s. I also said I didn't want an active bass. Hope this helps.

If you want a proper little amp with a relatively big voice, nice tones, headphone socket, light weight, compact size and the right number of obvious buttons, go for an EBS Classic Session 60w. Google it and read some reviews. Not cheap new though (think I paid £240)!