bnt

I have a [url="http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=AmpworksB&category_id=6"]Korg Ampworks Bass[/url], which (I think) really sounds great in a home studio setting. Not the most versatile unit, though, and it would be pretty limited live, since the footswitch socket only lets switch between your saved presets - both of them - and manual. The presets sound great, and I always find myself dialling back the effects, but at least there are knobs for everything.

I just got an package of DBs from Status Graphite: they me did a bit of "ego-polishing" by twigging that the single strings I ordered were actually custom 5-string sets, and printing that on the package label. Makes my sets of .025 - .105 seem almost "normal". (I have a Hohner B2V, and have settled on High-C tuning for it: the low B was never solid, and I rarely used it anyway.)

I placed an order yesterday, and wish I'd seen this thread first, but Status Graphite's prices are still competitive. This time I've ordered some half-wounds for the fretless 4, and a couple of custom sets for my 5-string Hohner B2V. I'm converting that to High C again, 25-105, since the low B is weedy and didn't get much use by me anyway.

I remember Jim Glennie of James saying that the Sterling became his main bass because it's lighter, and cuts through a mix very well. That sound is the main reason I got in to James in the first place, and I wouldn't look down my nose at one.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned John Kerry yet: the Democratic Presidential Candidate was bassist in a school band that recorded an album. ([url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3498847.stm"]BBC News report[/url].) First bassist in the White House?

Smashing Pumpkins' [i]Siamese Dream[/i] (D'Arcy & Billy Corgan) Michael Manring's [i]Toward The Center Of The Night[/i] Adrian Belew's [i]Op Zop Too Wah[/i] (AB on bass) Ash - [i]Free All Angels[/i] (Mark Hamilton) - esp. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW8mEMqiNhc"]Burn Baby Burn[/url] + the new Rush [i]Snakes & Arrows[/i] is excellent, though I preferred Geddy's tone when he had the "Horny Wal"

If "Fender" encompasses any of the other companies owned by Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC), then it's a toss-up between a Tacoma Thunderchief 5-string acoustic bass (high-C), and a SWR Super Redhead combo. ^_^ I wanted a SWR MoBass head, the one that Bryan Beller championed when he worked there, but it seems they canned it after he gave up his vice-presidency to go back to music. He's been with Mike Keneally for a few years, but this summer he's touring with Steve Vai, so it I suppose it was a good decision...