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scrumpymike

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Everything posted by scrumpymike

  1. scrumpymike
    Yes, I had a Ken-Ken Signature and these are definitely basses you can sell to your best friend with a clear conscience, and probably regret it afterwards.
  2. scrumpymike
    These are really nice basses and typical of the great value for money you get from Ibanez. Based on my experience of basses in this price range, this one's the best choice. Love the colour too! GLWTS.
  3. scrumpymike
    As Badscrew suggests, I think you'd need to go for a set of high-tension strings. I gig classic-rock covers dropped to Eb on my 30"-scale basses strung with La Bella standard-gauge flats, which sound great. The s-s bass I keep to standard tuning for other stuff has TI Jazz Flats and they'd be too floppy if drop-tuned. I only play flats and they are generally higher tension than rounds of the same gauge. Can't say how a 'stiff' set of s-s rounds would perform but would assume that you'd have to go up a gauge to get the equivalent tension to flats.
  4. scrumpymike
    I'd say they're equally good at doing very different things. I bought a SBMM to try out that distinctive 'Ray vibe for the first time. I loved the bass but when the novelty wore off realised that vibe wasn't for me. Re the Mustang, I've never owned one because (like Baloney B) I need at least 20 easily-accessible frets.
  5. scrumpymike
    I've always been up for different stuff as long as it's not a case of 'form over function'. Aesthetically, I like the look of the Starstream as for me it somehow manages to convey retro and avant-garde at the same time. Functionally, the innovative design offers definite positives and no negatives provided you're a player who 'fits' the 30" short-scale format. Specifically: the compact headstock and Gotoh tuners don't skew the strap balance; the neck is the perfect compromise being fast without feeling too skinny; the 'gappy' body is intrinsically lightweight; the location of the chunky Gotoh bridge (MIJ Artist version only) offsets the weight-saving body and keeps the bottom frets within easy reach; the inclusion of a second bottom strap-button makes the bass more comfortable to wear for some, and standing the bass on the floor safer for all; as well as being a work of art, the ABS moulding that frames the inner wooden core is kind to your forearm wherever you rest it; the Aguilar AG 4J-70 active pickups and OBP-2 electronics (Artist only) with their classic '70s vibe are right on the money for me (deep but clear lows and highs that ring out nicely); you can switch to passive mode with a 2-way toggle; the overall quality is second to none. What's not to like? (All right, so you can't fit strap locks 😞) Haven't played the H version of the Artist myself but our Dood Dan Veall's excellent review suggests that it's a great choice for anyone who likes those distinctive 'Ray sounds. Last time I looked at the Vox UK website, both versions of the Artist were available for £800, which is a massive discount on the £1400-ish RRP and for me makes choosing the Artist over the cost-engineered £500 standard Starstream a no-brainer.
  6. scrumpymike
    I had one of these for a while and was very impressed. One of the best s-s basses I've played and massive value for money even if you buy new as I did. There's lots of love for them over the pond on Talkbass, including from owners of the much more expensive EB/MM version. I only moved mine on because that's what I do with my 3rd bass so I can try lots of stuff. For what it's worth, my top 5 s-s basses so far have been: 1) Andy Rogers Custom (no. 1 gig bass and keeper); 2) Sandberg Lionel (very nearly a keeper and probably should have been); 3) Vox Starstream A2S (probable keeper); 4) Atelier Z Ken-Ken Signature; 5) SBMM 'Ray. Price-wise, the 'Ray punches well above its weight.
  7. scrumpymike
    'Gypsy's kissed'? Presumably means inebriated. What WOULD our Victorian PC Police do without Cockney rhyming slang to protect us from honest Anglo-Saxon words? Irony is that these two had almost certainly been kissed by gypsies many times.
  8. scrumpymike
    Clinging on to the dream that we might one day come across (?) the best female vocalist on the planet, we got suckered into letting a couple of young lasses take the vocals on Sweet Child Of Mine last night. Will we never learn?! 😲 At least they didn't fall over and trash anything as they hadn't been in the club (?) long enough to get gypsy's kissed yet - only 5 minutes and they needed 10.
  9. scrumpymike
    I'd call that a reasonably happy ending to this chapter of your s-s story 🙂 We'll look out for your post re the s-s solid-bodied bass you're after.
  10. scrumpymike
    Just played your video. Perfect laid-back journey for a Sunday-morning traveller. Loved every minute.
  11. scrumpymike
    These are very nice amps and IMHO well thought-out in terms of what you get. Got this to tide me over when I sold my Mesa 800+ to part-fund a TT-800 then discovered there was a 6-month wait for the TT! I didn't use it outside the house during covid lay-off and by the time we were gigging again the TT had arrived. Amp and bag are mint, unmarked and look like brand new. Price is collected from Taunton but happy to package securely if buyer arranges and pays for delivery.
  12. scrumpymike
    PM sent
  13. scrumpymike
    A bit tricky, this. I've had the same bass and my first reaction is to suggest that the Club - or indeed any other s-s electro-acoustic bass - might not be the best choice for the sounds you're after. Next I would say that, on your bass, rounds ARE your best choice and that a move to flats = 'thumpy' and tapes = even more thumpy/dead. You say you're looking for strings that are "better suited for me." Could be that half-rounds are the best compromise or maybe someone can suggest a set of rounds that won't need much playing-in (I only use flats so can't be much help). Could you explain exactly what improvement you are looking for, e.g. is tension an issue? Re the suitability of your nut for heavier strings, if the slots have been correctly cut for the stock strings I'd say that the extra 5 thou' might be too tight a fit.
  14. scrumpymike
    Another TI Flats fan here. Just got round to changing the OE rounds on my new s-s Vox Starstream and the TIs sound and feel really nice. They don't really work on my s-s gig basses which are drop-tuned to Eb though. I use La Bellas on those for their slightly higher tension.
  15. scrumpymike
    Keep saving for the Sandy, IMHO you absolutely will NOT regret it!
  16. scrumpymike
    Played a new (for us) venue last night - the British Legion Club in the old fishing village of Watchet in our home county of Somerset. High expectations as 'Legions' normally have a decent car park and stage. First problem was the sat-nav led me to the car park of a pub called the Star. As there was no sign of the Legion and the Star was in a cul de sac, I decided that road access had to from somewhere behind the pub and set off on a big loop to try and find a way in from the other side. After stopping a couple of times to ask directions, I ended up back at the exact spot where the sat-nav had taken me in the first place. This was indeed the nearest place to off-load and stuff had to be hand-balled the remaining 100 yards to the Club. By now, I've wasted 20 minutes searching the tiny, winding streets around the harbour and am somewhat whizzed off. At least the hoped-for stage is there when I arrive. So, quick set-up and we're straight into Gimme All Your Lovin'. This results in a healthy round of applause and four punters jump up to ask if we can do some more ZZ Top. "Yep, we always finish with Sharp Dressed Man and Tush." The sight of four smiling faces and 8 thumbs held high means that either there's a party of hitch-hikers in tonight or that we're guaranteed an audience of at least four at the end of the gig. As we get into the first set, we realise that the venue's acoustics are great, the mix is perfect, and the band's exceptionally tight tonight. The gig is even better for me as I'm still in awe of the sounds coming out of my relatively new Mesa TT-800 now I've got my head round it. Because of all the covid stuff, mine's one of a very small number of these amazing amps to have made it to our shores so far, and I'm feeling grateful - smug even 😊. The crowd are with us and the first set just flies by. During the break, I spot that the two different groups of people I asked directions from are in the audience and go and have a chat with them. Like most people, they love classic-rock covers and, even though I've enjoyed playing in a number of bands doing all original material, it's the classic rock that really does it for me. The second set kicks-off with Thunderstruck and also passes in a (Jumpin' Jack) flash. When we're all done and dusted, the Club Manager comes over with a big smile on his face and - even more important - an envelope containing our ill-gotten gains. The cash turns out to be more than expected, which is the icing on the cake! It's 56 years since I played my first high-school gig and I can honestly say that the buzz I get from gigging is as strong now as it was back then. On a good night at least 😉
  17. scrumpymike
    Good call! I think my choice would be a PJ. Maybe one day.
  18. scrumpymike
    I can sympathise with Leszek. It's bad enough trying to keep your small business running through the pandemic. The fact that he's got covid with complications himself must make it a total nightmare.
  19. scrumpymike
    Wow, I had no idea it had got that bad. Ordered mine in June '20 and had to wait 6 months - that was bad enough! Re Ashdown, I keep buying their stuff off here (including an ABM600 EVO lV), trying to love it, then trying to just like it - and end up re-selling. Just not for me, which is a shame as I'd love to support a British manufacturer. Also, their after-sales service is second to none. Hope you find what you're looking for. Til then, there's always the JD 😊
  20. scrumpymike
    Dave, just for your info, I've got a TT-800 and an R-400 and have been trying to decide which will be my main gig amp. Given the price difference between the two, that's already a massive compliment to the HandBox and until recently I've been gigging it more often as I just love its simplicity and sounds. Then, while the R-400 was away for repair, I started understanding the full extent of what the Mesa can do and gradually improving how it sounds. Compared to the R-400, its two switchable channels, HPF, Deep switch, O/D Symmetry Control, 2ohm capability and extra wattage do bring a lot to the party - for me anyway. I should also declare that I've been a big Mesa fan for ages.
  21. scrumpymike
    Dohhh! Sorry Woody, just realised your post was in response to my earlier one - so you already knew what my rig is. Must learn to read EVERYTHING! 😐
  22. scrumpymike
    Mine too.
  23. scrumpymike
    A very tasteful custom build, I really like that! GLWTS.
  24. scrumpymike
    No, just the neck pick-up.
  25. scrumpymike
    Loved my D800+, loving my TT-800. GLWTS
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