BritBass 2

Haz Lab 9 volt from around 1986.

The smaller tuning machine heads certainly do the job as well as reduce the potential for any neck dive.

For the first time in over thirty years I went through and sorted out all the original paperwork , receipts and accessories , including Ron’s circuit diagrams for this particular instrument .

His Pirate bass neck was quite chunky , if I recall the nut width was close to two inches while the Manticore/Tarkus Bass was definitely narrower. I selected the narrow spacing option on my 8 string , but as with all Alembics you have to develop a more precise playing technique .

I’ve just checked the Alembic website - A Series 2 eight string bass with custom inlays RRP including 20% VAT is now a whopping £37240.00 .

The one he offered to sell (top photo) had characters from the album Tarkus on the fingerboard. I’ve played his “Pirates” carbon graphite necked 8 string bass which was sold to John Entwistle via the Bass Centre Wapping back in 1984 for £3500.

Back in the eighties Greg did offer to sell me his Alembic “Manticore” 8 string . When viewing sadly the headstock/neck joint was badly damaged making it unplayable , it now resides Stateside at the Hard Rock Cafe .

Strum and go.

I’ve only owned and played US Kramer NS 2 basses and definitely think it’s worth keeping an eye out for one . Generally other players say the Kramer’s have slimmer , faster necks plus the Haz Lab/EMG combination gives you that classic tone . As for prices ,good clean condition examples will probably start at around £2500 to £3500/£4000 for very clean examples, not exactly cheap but still less than those from the Woodstock workshop. There’s also speculation about the old 1980’s EMG pickups possessing different tonal qualities to those currently in production.

Now corrected , BC.

Correction , BC.

As my initial post was rather open to interpretation ,I’ve amended it to focus more on those at TB possibly looking at purchasing an American Vintage Reissue in the future . Thank you.

Good point , the Japanese regularly produce Factory Special Runs , it should be possible in US .

During Dan Smith’s tenure at Fender, he ask the staff and management employed by Fender during the 50’s and 60’s as to why the old instruments were generally better built . Their answer was simple - as many failed quality control back then as did in the 1970’s . It’s just they stopped these reaching the market place where as CBS were happy to turn a blind eye and just release stock regardless of any issues.

I’ve owned and played several vintage Fenders basses , some were great and some were truly awful and not worth the money being charged , yes in many cases they are just pieces of wood . It all boils down to personal taste weather it’s from Wal, Alembic , Spector , Fender etc . They all have something to offer . For some players including Anthony Jackson , Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Johnson ,Les Claypool to name but a few , there must be good reason to warrant playing a $30,000 bass .Agreed they are expensive but are comparatively cheap compared to classical instruments .

Back in 2012 Fender’s newly launched “Pure American Vintage Series” marked a return to recapturing both the look, sound and feel of some of their most iconic instruments. With the original tooling and templates not being transferred in the move from Fullerton to Corona in 1985 , CNC production took over .Although quality control was generally very good , models including the Jazz Bass had substantially changed in their specifications compared to the original Fullerton versions. Fast forward to 2012 , Fender introduce their new Pure Vintage range , accurate even down to the exact body/neck dimensions and contouring , new pickup voicing , each instrument was supplied with its own period correct case, accessories etc. Sadly these have disappeared from the range to be replaced by generic 50’s and 60’s models ,still exceptional but not as dedicated to any particular vintage year . How many here would like Fender to start focusing on producing accurate, date set models again ? Classic years could have 12 month production runs , for the Jazz - 1960 stack control, 1962 VVT control , 1966 dot bound fingerboard with lollipop tuners etc.. While for the Precision - 1951, 1957 , 1960 etc . Would be great to hear from those at BC possibly looking to purchase an AVRI . Thank you.

The previous Hands location , now an estate agents.

A few more video stills from Slough . During filming gravity definitely got the better of the window display guitar ,without doubt a headstock reshaping moment.

A few photos featuring Hands Music , Kingston .

Hands Music was very much a friendly family focused shop as much as it was for serving the professional musician. Such a shame for this long established business to now be just consigned to Kingston’s history .

Graham White was the manager of Slough and Kingston back in the eighties and previously worked at Denny Laine Music, Weybridge. Also appeared on TOTP with Don McLean playing American Pie.

The Surbiton team - including Russell, Simon , Rob, Barry and Graham (RIP).

On hearing the sad news about Dawson’s Music going into administration I thought it was about time to rummage through a stack of old video tapes and reminisce on how the high street was for us over thirty years ago . Back in the 1970’s and 80’s ABC Music became one of the largest music retail chains in the South. With branches based in Addlestone , Esher, Surbiton, Slough , Oxford and Bristol , the company was for many the introduction and progression with both music and especially gear acquisition syndrome (GAS). Countless hours were spent drooling over guitars , amps and effects in that quest for the ultimate set up. With the exception of Esher , sadly too ,these shops are now long gone.. Anybody here have a few memories or stories they could share ? Apologies for the photo quality as these were taken from 1980’s video footage.

The Spector NS-2 has been around for over forty years ,still looks fresh and has had a profound effect on many of today’s basses. Ned Steinberger as with Leo Fender did not play guitar which no doubt helped in both approaching and creating innovative designs.

You can definitely say this design is light years ahead of the competition!