Bassassin

[quote name='wotsy' timestamp='1427218707' post='2727447'] And another CSL, thought these were rare [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/rare-made-in-japan-csl-jazz-bass/1106203831"]http://www.gumtree.c...bass/1106203831[/url] [/quote] So did I, until last week! J.

At what point did "a lot" become "allot"? Genuinely mystified by this. And what word are we expected to use now, instead of "allot" in its proper context? Our language is eating itself. Jon.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1427190052' post='2726810'] Forgive me if I've missed something obvious, but how did everyone know he was American? [/quote] I think it was obvious from both his lack of understanding of common idiomatic British English, and his slightly smarmy passive-aggressive argumentary style. The latter is very recognisable if you frequent [s]TalkBass[/s] - erm, US-based forums. J.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1427154756' post='2726639'] What's the problem? [/quote] Try playing that sitting down! Jon.

[quote name='wotsy' timestamp='1427152365' post='2726615'] 70s ibanez sg type bass for £60 in Norwich, surely they've made a mistake when entering the price? I'm guessing it's Jap but not 100% sure. [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/ibinez-bass-guitar-circa-1970s-with-stand./1106137346"]http://www.gumtree.c...and./1106137346[/url] [/quote] Someone go buy that. The longscale slot head EB clones are like rocking horse poo and you never, ever see Ibanez-branded ones. Also this one's very early, probably '71 with black button tuners & what looks like a metal headstock badge. I think the price is correct - bargains like this used to be really common a few years ago, clearly there are still a few people who don't bother Googling before they list their loft clearouts. What you waiting for??? J.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1427019105' post='2724656'] What the hell is this? [/quote] It looks like... [i]blood[/i]. J.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1426986499' post='2724506'] Ive heard that is what all the kids are doing these days! [/quote] What, posting pics of Discreet's wife's arse? Bloody hell, kids these days, I dunno etc. J.

You miss the point. The [i]way you are expressing yourself[/i] is annoying people somewhat more than the subject you are discussing. J.

[quote name='Bronner' timestamp='1426963043' post='2724167'] Best comment so far. Thanks Jon. I thought I was imagining the Ricken-Chickens parading their feathers and crowing to their God, the Junkenbacker. [/quote] And it just gets odder... Of course there are people who like Ricks here too, but what's interesting is that most of them aren't the ones you're arguing with. Seems to me in this thread you're mostly preaching to the converted, and no-one's actually disputing many of the points you make - it's more the manner in which you're making them that's rubbing people up the wrong way. As it happens, I may not like Ricks (real, Hall-era ones, anyway) but I do know a bit about them. Many of your comments are both misinformed and misleading. J.

Bin it, and move on. I seriously doubt that original rock/blues is making a whole lot of money (money doesn't tend to be why people do original stuff) so find yourself a band - or better yet, start your own project - that plays music that means something to you. I always assumed from your posts that you're more of a soul/funk player so I can see why you wouldn't enjoy playing guitar rock. Jon.

Wow. What a bizzare thread. What the OP doesn't seem to appreciate is that many people on BC already feel that Rickenbackers are overpriced, shoddily-made, mass-produced throwbacks with very little versatility. If he reads a little on here he'll find plenty of posts & threads expressing these views, none of which have been shut down by the RickenCops. And that plenty of people on here also feel that RIC's CEO behaves like a bullying, delusional, hostile megalomaniac, and this has negatively impacted on their opinion of the brand he represents. Bronner - most people on here really don't need to be talked out of buying a Rickenbacker. And there really isn't a secret BC fifth column, diligently beavering away to protect & promote that nice Mr Hall's business interests. It's all in your head, dear. Jon.

Mine would be a pimped vintage MIJ bass, and would have DiMarzio Model Js, stack knobs, passive electronics, Schaller 3D bridge, maple/blocks and a vulgar scratchplate. In fact it would be this: [sharedmedia=core:attachments:66973] Jon.

Very nice, looks in great condition. Nice to see one with an intact headstock! Jon.

I'd like to suggest at this point that what BC needs is a separate "Underrated Bassists" sub-forum. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188373-underrated-bass-players"]basschat.co.uk/topic/188373-underrated-bass-players[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/729-underrated-bass-players"]basschat.co.uk/topic/729-underrated-bass-players[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/229211-favourite-underrated-bassist"]basschat.co.uk/topic/229211-favourite-underrated-bassist[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/38636-underated-band-and-bass-player"]basschat.co.uk/topic/38636-underated-band-and-bass-player[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/170386-your-relatively-unsung-bass-hero"]basschat.co.uk/topic/170386-your-relatively-unsung-bass-hero[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/169457-underrated-players"]basschat.co.uk/topic/169457-underrated-players[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182562-unrecognised-forgotten-bass-influences"]basschat.co.uk/topic/182562-unrecognised-forgotten-bass-influences[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/258277-underrated-bassists"]basschat.co.uk/topic/258277-underrated-bassists[/url] Condition for inclusion: each thread must at some point sing the praises of Dennis Dunaway, from the original Alice Cooper band. Jon.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1426807097' post='2722333'] That logo looks odd to me. Anyone else? Especially the 's/n' before the serial number. I've only seen that on Chinese Squier neck plates before and certainly not MIJ headstocks. But then I've never researched it so I'm likely wrong. [/quote] I'm cursing my lack of pics now, but I had an A-series MIJ P (long-since sold) with a headstock serial, really can't remember if it had this though. Google shows that the majority of MIJ A-numbers are neckplate stamps, but I did find this thinline Tele: Although this one's CIJ, so would be 90s and presumably Dyna/Tokai rather than Fujigen. Academic anyway, I agree it's too dodgy & too dear. Nice finish & wood though - reminds me of my old SQ Precision. J.

I dunno what it is, but I hope to god I'm not in the room when it hatches... Jon.

I dunno. How do you measure ability/competence? I've been playing about 37 years, am completely self-taught, for about 90% of my musical life have played exclusively my own original compositions, broadly in the rock/metal/prog genres. but I've also played varied covers sets fairly well, I'm not much cop at slap because I haven't seriously played in that style for about 30 years, not great on fretless because I don't use it very often in my compositions, so I don't practice it. I suppose I feel I could hold my own in most bands, playing most styles, given time & headspace to learn/rehearse a set. I'm a rubbish improviser but that's not a discipline that's been important in any of my musical endeavours. Given the opportunity I'd play full-time, but like most people life has tended to get in the way of the few opportunities that have come my way. For a couple of years in the mid 90s, I was in 2 bands & making a living (of sorts) from the covers gigs one of the bands was doing - that's the closest I realistically got. These days my current band, which has existed since about 2000, is pretty much exclusively a recording project. I do miss playing live but am also appreciating the musical freedom of not having to compose/arrange music with a view to it being having to be performed in a specific & restrictive way. But as for "how good am I?" - good enough to play what I want to play. Fortunately, it's not a competition! Jon.

I played bass for two years before picking up a guitar. I wanted to learn guitar as a tool for composition, and have managed to achieve a good enough standard to be able to play whatever's in my head. I don't rate myself as a guitarist (certainly wouldn't dare play it live), but all the guitarists I've worked with have been surprisingly complimentary about my playing. Whether or not it would benefit [i]every[/i] bassist to learn a bit of guitar (or other chordal/melodic instrument), I don't know. If you're content playing covers, arguably it's academic whether you understand why you're playing what you're playing. As has been mentioned, a basic knowledge of drums might be more use, certainly for encouraging cohesive playing. Jon.

Thunder IIs were good quality through-neck or set-neck (depending on year) Matsumoku builds. They're a lot less common than the Thunder I bolt-neck and are fairly sought-after these days. Realistically it should only need a clean and a decent set-up - these were high quality guitars to start with and hardware & electronics, if in good order, shouldn't need upgrading. Some pics & a serial number will help determine what you have. Jon.

Hall does seem to like to rant about what's "illegal". He has claimed in discussions like that one that the private sale of a 40-year-old copy is actually a criminal offence. Fortunately he's pretty harmless as delusional megalomaniacs go, and a reassuringly long way away. Interesting to read through the thread to the end, and find that it was locked after a poster claimed that after several years of finish bleed, the lacquer on his bass actually started to fall off in chunks. The thread was locked before he could post photos. Also interesting to see that RIC's warranty covers finishes for only 12 months - and that the warranty commences [i]from the[/i] [i]date of manufacture[/i]. Plainly Rickenbacker know perfectly well that they are selling shoddy, poorly-finished instruments, and this sham "warranty" helps cover their lardy, All-American arses. As a company, I really don't know how they continue to trade. And I'm beginning to wish they didn't. J.

He's claiming it's an '85 MIJ Fender, it appears to be "A" serial, which would be '85-86, so far so good... I know my MIJ Squiers better than Fenders but I think the same rules apply - the A-serial makes this a "4th generation" MIJ Fender, so MIJ on the headstock rather than the heel should be right for '85. I presume the 3-bolt plate & bullet adjuster are also correct if this is a 70s reissue. However, it's somewhat modded - Schaller 3D & battery box etc. Not too up on 80s MIJ Fender values, but this seems a bit pricey to me considering it's been mucked about with. Jon.

[quote name='bassus_play' timestamp='1426516203' post='2718686'] [url="http://guitarz.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/1980s-era-arbor-bass.html"]http://guitarz.blogs...arbor-bass.html[/url] [/quote] Pretty sure that's nothing to do with Hohner (the name's probably a coincidence) and the content of the article's complete rubbish. And so's the assesment of the bass - those are DiMarzio pickups? I'm aware of "Arbor" as a medium/low-end Korean-made US rebrand from the early 80s, and that's what this bass is, I'm sure. Aaaanyway... Hohner Arbor. These appear to be a sort of stop-gap range between the Japanese-made (Moridaira) Hohners of the 70s/early 80s and the long-lived Hohner Professional range, which kicked off around 1985, and were initially made in Korea by Cort. I think the Hohner Arbors were probably Cort-made too, quality looks pretty decent on a lot of them, and I'd guess they were around from about '83-ish which seems to be when the Moridaira Hohners disappeared. Nice abalone inlays on some of the basses. The brand may have continued alongside the Professionals as a lower-tier range, but I don't really know - 80s MIK ain't my speciality. Jon.

Same bass with a different finish. Not a "Precision Jazz" (wotever that might be!) or an Ibanez rebrand (there's no such thing) but worth a look - still got its ashtrays on so might well be in good condition. Doubt it's a mahogany body on this one though. J.

Hall "worked for the British government"? What have I missed? J.

Two words- do, and it. J.