Annoying Twit

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1390517221' post='2346457'] I wonder who makes these basses. The headstock and finish is very reminiscing of SX. I am not sure they had the control plate farther from the edge than normal... but Westfield basses had, and I was also surprised at the pickups on the Westfield Jazz I used to have (I still sort of have it, it's with my brother). [/quote] J&D instruments are made by Yeou Chern. A company based in Taiwan, which has at least one factory in China.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1390466250' post='2345632'] My old one that (And my old photo!). The pickups weren't aligned correctly, so the lowest and highest string was being picked up by one or the other pickup. Otherwise it was an alright bass. [/quote] In my humble opinion it's a pity that something that looks so beautiful would have a flaw like that. Jon pointed out that the bridge saddles on the Mazeti are a bit wonky. Was it the same for your bass? Apologies for any copyright infringement.

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1390487666' post='2345947'] The newer ones, i've forgot what the old one looks like. [/quote] They are still selling the old ones: http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb600tbk_6string_ebass.htm

Why wouldn't you buy one in Poland?

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1390425381' post='2345423'] Does my Demon bass qualify for this bizarre bunch? [/quote] Tricky. It's certainly a weird and wonderful thing. But if we say no, then won't that inspire you to dig deeper around your psyche to come up with something even more weird?

Looking forward to hearing more comments on your HB after you've had it for a while. [quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1390479520' post='2345817'] I've never try their basses, but interest on their 6 string and fretless ..... [/quote] Which 6 string bass of theirs? The old model, or the new model?

Just as a summing up of this thread, I've been putting the lessons I learnt into practice. I've been developing basslines for songs on a Bruce Cockburn solo performance CD. (Just him and the guitar, but there is a fair amount of music as at some points he seems to be fingerpicking three independent lines at once). I've deliberately chosen a solo acoustic album where I haven't heard the original arrangements so that I'm not influenced by them. It does take some restraint not to choose lines that are too busy. On a song called "World of Wonders" I've compromised by making the chorus more rhythmical, but holding back on the verses. Even then, I've been trying to add in some sophistication by having alternate patterns in four bar blocks so that there's subtle variation going on, and I've added some occasional slides, trying to sound a bit fretless (though I don't have one so I'm playing on a fretted). But overall I'm aiming for simplicity. Even in the more rhythmical chorus line, I'm only using roots and fifths. Still haven't come up with anything for "lovers in a dangerous time", and I hope to continue through the album. But, thinking about the examples I've seen in this thread and applying these lessons is helping. Subtle timing and dynamics can make an otherwise simple line seem much more sophisticated to me.

Damn! I posted my response in the wrong thread. I was mystified when it didn't show up in the thread in the ebay forum. Sorry bass people for bumping this thread accidentally and then double posting.

I suddenly remembered that some time ago, I found a Mazeti guitar in a Derby Pawn shop. I remember thinking that it didn't look nearly so convincing in the flesh s it did on ebay. Reviews online are mixed, but [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/17229-mazeti-basses/page__gopid__2345559#entry2345559"]this basschat thread[/url] contains some good reviews for some other Mazeti instruments. Edit: £15 delivery seems quite reasonable for the Mazeti, given that surely it must weigh a ton. Also, while I said that it was unlikely that anyone would find a seven string for that price, I think that HK basses may have sold for reasonable prices for what they are, though maybe not as cheap as £250 (and it's possible the Mazeti might go for less).. If I remember correctly (which often I don't), the HK basses were German designed and Korean made. And IMHO they look the bees knees.

A long time after I posted this thread, I remembered that I'd seen a Mazeti guitar in a pawn shop in Derby. I remember thinking that up close it didn't look quite as good as they did in the ebay pictures. But, a quick google shows that reviews are mixed, some good, some not so good. Also I remembered that while they don't come up often, another (I presume) ebay brand HK (HeKe Vertrieb) released a seven string which was reasonably priced for what it was. If I remember correctly (which often I don't), they were German designed, but Korean made. And in my opinion they look the bees knees.

I didn't know that basses like this existed. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/hopf_cb_75_6_kontrabass_gitarre.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ass_gitarre.htm[/url]

Lovely bass. Which flavour of Squier is it? Vintage Modified?

Mazeti aren't at the top of the quality tree, but it's going to be hard to find a cheaper seven string! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-/321304498591?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4acf3d919f

Congratulations. What an utter bargain!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1390397066' post='2344878'] Mine will be delivered today, the tracking says "out for delivery" but it looks like I will not be in on time... Sometimes my neighbour picks parcels for me, if she's in... here's hoping. If not I'll just ask them to leave it at the depot for me to collect, which will mean Friday. tom1946 will beat me then [/quote] Does your neighbour play bass? I had a vision of her bringing your bass over and her saying 'It played fine, but I filed the nut and took a bit of relief out of the neck and now it's awesome'.

[quote name='madshadows' timestamp='1390394740' post='2344827'] Those green J & D's are flying out of the door [/quote] Who will post to this thread that they've received their J&D Jazzer first? The competition is heating up.

[quote name='madshadows' timestamp='1390332872' post='2344199'] I have one of the HB's on the way at the moment [/quote] I will look forward to the review! And photos, don't forget photos!

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1390238788' post='2343001'] I'm not that well versed on him but I'm sure I read somewhere that Karn just picked up the bass with no real previous musical knowledge or experience on other instruments and kind of invented his sound, his way of doing stuff [i]de novo. [/i]One to point out when the usual 'natural aptitude' type thread rears it's head for the umpteenth time. [/quote] I thought that he'd played an orchestral instrument such as a violin or viola. Which led to frustration when he played a fretted bass as didn't have the freedom that he had previously, leading him to choose a fretless bass.

I'm a bit late to this thread, but will add my 2p. I'd be happy to pay some money to be able to spend time trying out a wide range of basses. However, as this would discourage many buyers, I would guess that if this happened it would be a specialist retailer who did so, I don't think it would become a general policy in shops. In fact, there are some people on this forum to whom I'd happily pay £10 to be able to try out their stuff. I was curious about renting instruments, and have found that renting orchestral instruments is cheaper than I thought. [url="http://leicestershiremusichub.org/hire-instrument"]http://leicestershir...hire-instrument[/url] It wouldn't happen immediately, but I wonder if at some time in the future it might be worthwhile trying a double bass for a term to see how I get on with it. When I visit shops, I'm very careful to make sure that I ask permission to try any instruments. And if I know I'm likely to be trying instruments, I'll make sure I'm wearing suitable clothing. e.g. no exposed metal buttons or belt buckles.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1390320057' post='2344008'] Lovely colour but can't help think that the Harley Benton vintage jazz with ash body and Wilkinson pups is a better buy tho and cheaper even with shipping.Also comes with quality strings too. [/quote] Somebody has to buy one of these and tell the rest of us what it's like!

I'm looking forward to more reviews coming up

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1390218948' post='2342637'] If that's any good, then at £100 it's scarily good VFM and way, WAY cheaper than Kala ... [/quote]T Tanglewood do their traveller bass, which is larger, more like small guitar size than uke size. Sounds reasonably convincing on this track: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjhGanOoS0Y[/media] They're available for £200 online. I played a Kala U-Bass, and wasn't as impressed with the acoustic sound as I wanted to be. Speaking for myself I'd want to hear the Harley Benton before planning to buy one at any time in the future. The plugged in sound is good, if perhaps a bit mellow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNPx6RS8PiM

Now, this is what Gene Simmons should have used in Kiss. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-guitar-Custom-Hand-built-Horned-Hell-by-Robin-Jupp-of-Deadlight-Designs-/301074313964?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item46196d72ec

And there's yet another new interesting looking Harley Benton fretless bass. A U-bass copy, it appears. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_kahuna_clu_bass_fl.htm

It seems that J&D basses (and guitars) are made by a Taiwanese company called Yeou Chern. http://www.productpilot.com/en/suppliers/yeou-chern-international-corp/en On talkbass, people were claiming that J&D basses are made by the same company that makes SX basses, but this appears not be true. Yeou Chern was mentioned in a talkbass thread, and this appears to check out. Yeou Chern say that they've done OEM work for "ARIA, DEAN, EHIPHINE, FENDER, GIBSON, IBANEZ, WASHBURN" and others.