clivem

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1509397576' post='3398653'] It's a funny old world where saying something sincerely nice about somebody gets you in bother. [/quote] It's a mad, mad, PC world, these days. I made the mistake last week, when asked "which receptionist" I had spoken to, and replying, "the cute, softly spoken, blonde one" and was promptly given a telling-off and asked to take my business elsewhere. Wasn't trying to be sexist or anything.... Didn't know her name and I was just describing her based on what I did know, from having looked at and spoken to her. Ho hum....

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1509393355' post='3398606'] This, is a stunning girl, instrument, playing and composition... [/quote] I think you might be due a visit to the opticians......

[quote name='grantgam' timestamp='1509354181' post='3398183'] With the pick ups being so near the fretboard, I wonder if the Rumblekat would suit my playing style... [/quote] Not quite sure what you mean.... You said you play rock covers, not funk (slap), right?

[quote name='grantgam' timestamp='1509312719' post='3398039'] My main issue is that I live in the North of Scotland, so there isn't a huge selection of guitar shops near me. And it's unlikely that any of the stores would stock short scale basses, so getting to play some before shelling out probably isn't going to happen. [/quote] More than one way to skin that cat.... Just purchase from online retailers that have an easy, no quibble, returns/refund process, return shipping at their expense, live with it for a week, keeping it mint, and send it back if you don't get on with it. eg. Amazon has increased the price of the Rumblekat by 20 quid since I bought one, but I think £370 is still a good price, most other retailers asking £420..... [url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Epiphone-EBAKWRGH1-Limited-RumbleKAT-Electric/dp/B0002H0POC]Epiphone EBAKWRGH1 Allen Woody Limited Edition RumbleKAT Electric Guitar[/url]

First sighting in the US of Epi Vintage T'Bird in the wild..... [url=https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-epiphone-basses.1299002/page-4#post-20562368]Picked up my T-Bird Vintage Pro earlier this afternoon and I must say that after having giving it a good going over that I'm impressed with it. Fit and finish are excellent as is the hardware.[/url] Wonder whether we'll see them in Europe before Christmas....

As well as the cherry T-Bird, Sweetwater already have the Trans black EB 5 in stock.... [url=https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAEB5H18BXBC]Gibson EB Bass 5 String 2018 - Satin Trans Black[/url] and the SG's in cherry and walnut... [url=https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BASGH18HCCH]Gibson SG Standard Bass 2018 - Heritage Cherry[/url] [url=https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BASGH18WNCH]Gibson SG Standard Bass 2018 - Walnut[/url]

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1509322349' post='3398121'] They appear to have lost the, ahem, improvements from the 2015 model. That looks great to me. [/quote] Kept the Babicz Full Contact but dumped the EB pups and went back to the TB+.......

Expected 2018 models, was posted on Last Bass Outpost..... [url=http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=10677.0]Topic: 2018 Gibson basses. New basses, new topic [/url] Gibson Limited Run Guitars: Theme: 100th Anniversary of Orville Gibson’s Heritage 100 Limited Runs released through the year Limited Runs announced per quarter Exclusive features: Modern-Retro “Gibson” headstock logo “Only a Gibson is Good Enough” decal on the back of the headstock EB Bass 5 String 2018 Satin Trans Black EB Bass 5 String 2018 Satin Trans Black Left Hand EB Bass 5 String 2018 Natural Satin Left Hand EB Bass 4 String 2018 Satin Trans Black EB Bass 4 String 2018 Satin Trans Black Left Hand EB Bass 4 String 2018 Natural Satin Left Hand EB Bass 4 String 2018 Natural Satin Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Ebony Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Bright Cherry Left Hand Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Ebony Left Hand Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Vintage Sunburst Left Hand Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Vintage Sunburst RD Artist Bass 2018 Antique Natural RD Artist Bass 2018 Ebony SG Standard Bass 2018 Ebony SG Standard Bass 2018 Heritage Cherry SG Standard Bass 2018 Ebony Left Hand SG Standard Bass 2018 Heritage Cherry Left Hand SG Standard Bass 2018 Walnut Left Hand SG Standard Bass 2018 Walnut

I'm not liking the wooden pick-guard on the 5er. It really jars..... The grain being 90 degrees to the grain on the body. But, maybe that's just me.

[quote name='Rollin Thunder' timestamp='1506078376' post='3376285'] I Took the stock strings off and put on hi beams, took the hi beams of after a week, snapped one and others tight as a cheese cutter. put roto ss on and keep the stock as back up, pretty sure there nickle.they will do as spare on my jass or ray as they have nickle strings on them. didn't like the hi beams at all, not for me. but thats a different story [/quote] I've been using my 2017 EB as the test-bed for getting a handle on the "flavours" of various DR strings.... Started with Hi-Beams.... Nickel Sunbeams... Then back to SS with Fat-Beams.... Now I've got the original Hi-Beams back on it. Still got Black Beauties to try, but wouldn't expect them to sound much different to the Sunbeams, as if I understand correctly, that's what they are, a nickel Sunbeam string plus the black coating..... Now it's setup for the lower tension of the DR round core strings, I'm really liking the lower tension "feel" of their round core round-wounds.

Might be worth mentioning, there is at least one SR 5er that has bigger than 16.5mm spacing, that I know of. That's the single cut, Bass Workshop, [url=http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_detail17.php?year=2017&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=108&color=CL01]SRSC805[/url], with its 18mm spacing.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506406982' post='3378427'] Ah yes, the new ZERO fret, I did spot that too! Now let's be honest here, is this anything more than a gimmick given that it's pretty uncommon? Is it going to work / add anything? [/quote] Not from personal experience, but I know a guy whose favoured Tobias/MTD's have the zero fret and his opinion is that it's a "must have" for him, the "tone" of the open note is the same as fretted notes...

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1506349939' post='3378100'] The BTB isn't such a long reach on the strap as it happily balances with the head nice and high, with the frets well in reach. It was one of the things I insisted on trying before I bought it. [/quote] If I didn't already know it was 35" scale, it doesn't "feel" any more of a reach to the first fret, than when I've got a 34" SR in my hands.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506342306' post='3378025'] So I suppose that modification in the latest model is a plus (and also the re-positioning of the battery so that it is no longer cutting across the neck through on the back!). But hopefully neither will detract from the fact that you have got a LOT of gorgeous bass for the money! [/quote] Yep, I noticed they had moved the battery box so they were removing the wood for it from the lower "glued-on" wing, rather than compromising the neck through.... Also, the zero fret is a new addition. And the truss-rod adjust from the heel, rather than the nut end of the neck.

Sweetwater had the Embassy in stock yesterday.... Sold out now. But at least that means they are actually getting to the retailers now, albeit in the USofA, so hopefully we'll be able to buy 'em in the UK next month.

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506333316' post='3377913'] The BTB has quite a different shape, particularly the horn, so how does that work out in terms of weight, balance and general comfort to wear for a couple of hours? [/quote] My only immediate thought, other than it feels comfortable to me, is to point out that the only real "complaint" I've seen/heard about the BTB's, that they've addressed in the latest model, is the forearm cutaway/contour, top/front of the body. Old model (mine) has a very flat top, with a slight bevel on the edge. This years model, is very Fender-like with the forearm contour. Balance..... Good. Weight..... I'm guessing mine at 9.5lb. Not had it on the scales. Not really spent enough time with it, to say much more than that yet.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1506294048' post='3377746'] I bought my SR3006ESOL from them in 2015. [/quote] Just out of interest, what is the string spacing on the 6 string SR's? Same as the 5 string, 16.5mm?

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506263861' post='3377413'] Serious respect that you first recommended me to get the BTB1405 on here and then went on to get it yourself when I said it wasn't for me! Says to me that you're a man who won't recommend something that is not going to be good enough for himself - that counts for a lot in my books. [/quote] Or, it had already caught my attention a couple of times, and I wanted you to buy it to stop me buying it! But seriously, even if you've never played a BTB before..... We know anything with the Ibby Premium label on it, means quality materials and well put together. We knew this one had the Nordy Big Singles and the same pre config as the SR's we are already familiar with. ie. 3 way mid switch, passive/active switch..... Add in an extra couple of boxes ticked.... 35" scale and through neck. [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506263861' post='3377413'] Cheers and enjoy the new addition to your collection! [/quote] When I got it, the strings were I think the original Elixirs...... Bought a set of EB cobalt rounds, (which was another string on my "want to try" list), re-strung it and it plays nice. Probably wants a tiny tweak to the truss-rods to straighten the neck a couple of thou, but it plays lovely as-is, so it's being left alone for the moment. [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506263861' post='3377413'] ...and I still do unfortunately still have residual BTB 1805 GAS (which I am trying to resist until 2018 ) partly for the wider string spacing you've mentioned, partly for the 35" scale and tighter B string, partly for gorgeous neck through design...hmmm I can see where this is going already [/quote] Al, I'm sayin' nothing, except the "B" is to die for! I have my own demons to fight. They've re-introduced a 4 string model, (BTB740), which should be in the shops soon. See where this is going.......

Yeah, that is nice to look at. Only thing is, I don't really get on with 16.5mm spacing on the SR 5'ers and I already bought the BTB1405 that was advertised here, so I'm skint right now and no chance of me giving it a home.....

Yes, thanks to everyone that had a hand in putting-on yesterdays event. Davey Rimmer and Steve Lawson.... They were great! Steve is truly ONE of a kind! I know a little about Heep. Or at least the earlier stuff. Enjoyed Davey playing, which spurred me into wanting to find some stuff he has played on since joining the band. So I start listening to "Totally Driven" last night.... Classic Heep re-recorded and released in 2015. Gotta be Davey playin', right? Nah, turns out is was originally released in 2001 under a different name, as an anthology, with Trevor Bolder playing. (Not that that's a bad thing, but wasn't what I was looking for). Anyway, listening to 2014's "Outsider" now and enjoying it. That credits "Dave Rimmer" as having played bass!

[url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002FO8E2]DR Strings Sunbeam - Nickel Plated Round Core Bass 45-105[/url] @ £18.52 + £3.39 UK Delivery Again, "Manufacturer warranty will not apply", so caveat emptor.

"Manufacturer warranty will not apply" ..... Just noticed that has been added to the product description of the various DR strings that are being sold "cheap" on Amazon. Hmmmm..... Factory seconds????????

Cheers! Also, they've got [url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EEJH9C]Black Beauties[/url] priced at £14.95 plus £3.23 delivery. Another string on my "want to try" list.