Bassassin

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='132817' date='Feb 2 2008, 11:03 PM']Oh, and while we're on the subject of ranting, call me anally retentive if you like, but would people pleeeaaase stop calling our much reverred instrument a bloody "GUITAR!!!" The electric bass was originally conceived as a handily portable alternative to a double bass (with the same tuning, basic technique, etc.) Any similarity in shape to the guitar is purely for convenience. It's a Bass & quite proudly so [/quote] Isn't this topic called "Open Mindedness"? Anyway, to fight pedantry with pedantry - that's not exactly accurate. Your description would be appropriate for the instrument you're holding in your sig pic - however, the bass guitar (I have no problem with the nomenclature, here I use the term to make a plain distinction) is a hybrid between the functionalities of the upright bass & electric guitar. The term "Bass Guitar" is appropriate, since "bass" doesn't refer to any particular instrument - that big fiddle on steroids is properly called a bass viol, amongst other things, and other than tuning & number of strings (and that's a sore point to some! ), "our" sort of bass doesn't have a great deal in common with it. Mind you, it really pisses me off when people refer to it as just a "guitar". J.

[quote]Of course Bass is going to exist,it just wont look like it does in a centurys time,sorry if this is a bit difficult for teatime.[/quote] [quote post='132690' date='Feb 2 2008, 05:41 PM']I reckon he or she will be using a 5 or 6. and have more frets,and different technology fitted into the instrument (lightwave,piezo) ,interchangable parts (fingerboards),setups available at the flick of a switch,a total instrument. the distinction of Bass and guitar,will cease.[/quote] I'm not clear why you think this (although the tech sounds cool! ), the evidence to date suggests that bass players - and guitar players, for that matter, are for the most part incredibly conservative - quite happy to use an instrument the basic design of which has been unchanged for over 50 years. And I predict (although I doubt I'll be around to see it) that in fifty, a hundred years, Fender P's & J's will still be the most popular basses. And similarly, musical genres which are as mired in the past as the majority of today's popular forms are, will not require any particular new techniques from the players. Much as I have massive respect for those musicians with the imagination, dexterity & talent to expand the boundaries of the bass as an instrument in its own right - there's little place for them in much contemporary popular (in the broadest marketing sense) music. Such is the nature of the music business, that I imagine it will be more, not less, unimaginative & creatively stifling in the future. J.

Y'know - it's odd. I feel, on the one hand, a warm glow of altruistic generosity at having spotted, and selflessly publicised this stunning and desirable bass, to the lucky members of the BC community. And on the other, I feel like sobbing, bitterly and endlessly. Beautiful bass Sean - enjoy! Jon.

[quote name='lwtait' post='132548' date='Feb 2 2008, 01:24 PM']liking that jet king bass though. is that new?[/quote] It is - It's based very heavily on one of the '60s Ibanez original designs: This new Ibby came up recently here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8594"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8594[/url] Jon.

Seems like you're on a crusade. This is fine - but you can't expect everyone else to feel the same as you or share the same (bass) world view. I play a 4-string fretted bass, I have no antipathy towards instruments with more strings or fewer frets, they just have no particular use in my chosen field of musical expression. When I gig, I am focussed upon performing the bass parts to the songs to the best of my ability, I don't improvise (parts do evolve, but that's different) as there is no scope for it in the music, and I'm sh!t at it. I am not particularly interested in challenging the "rules" of bass playing (whatever they might be) for the sake of it, or even for the sake of other bassists - I'm not an innovative player, and never will be. Maybe at the age of 17 or so I thought I might redefine the instrument, but I've long since realised that I'll never be as good or original as my early influences, never mind wipe the floor with them with my majestic, mould-shattering mad skillz. However, when I play or record with my band, I'm playing the bass to a piece of music I've composed, arranged & demo'd - and so are the guitarist & drummer in my band. (The singer does her own thing but that's as it should be ). I'm a musician whose primary instrument is the bass guitar (four strings, with frets, sometimes played with a pick), my challenge - to myself - is to continue to write (in the loosest sense, I have no formal musical education) music which pushes me as a composer & performer, isn't (too) derivative or plagiaristic, doesn't repeat what I've done before, and continues to motivate me to want to do something better. And the rules of bass playing? I thought there were two: Rule One: There are no rules. Rule Two: There is no Rule Two. Jon.

Interesting. Is it a Japanese or Italian copy? The Italian ones seem more common. Jon.

[quote name='Hit&Run' post='131448' date='Jan 31 2008, 06:15 PM']...anything like [url="http://www.bachmusik.com/en/p101035/rbb-2-hb/"]this[/url]? It's set neck, not through neck though. They've got shedloads of basses on this site![/quote] That's not quite the same as the one they had before - it was pretty much a ringer for the Rick 4004, hardware-wise. That's still pretty nice, though!. PaulH - not sure about the P/J LP bass - but I'd be up for a Gibson Victory copy! Jon.

[quote name='jonthebass' post='131452' date='Jan 31 2008, 06:23 PM']Read very similar things on that American bass forum! What's the deal with Behringer, isn't it that the equipment is designed in Germany and made in China?[/quote] That's the case as far as I know - although "designed" is a bit charitable considering how "influenced" many of their products are. Anyway, as a confirmed cheapskate, I own one or two Behringer products and I have the BX3000 head, basically the same as the amp jonthebass is talking about, minus a testicle or two. It's basically an Ashdown MAG clone, right down to the sub-octave effect. It actually turns out that these were made in the same factory in China as the MAGs, with a lot of the same components. I suppose that's one of the advantages of making knock-offs of products which are manufactured outside the country... Anyway, I've had this for about 4 years, and it's a great sounding & versatile amp, and loud as f@ck, brilliant for the £120-odd I think it cost (can't remember!). It has developed a very intermittent cutting-out fault, but I'm pleased enough with it that I'll get it fixed, rather than consider replacing it. Jon.

[quote name='Hit&Run' post='131046' date='Jan 30 2008, 11:52 PM']One of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peavey-T-40-T40-T-40-1978-bass-precision-made-VGC_W0QQitemZ190194485989QQihZ009QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]these[/url] is on t'bay again[/quote] The seller's website's linked from the listing - he's selling four other T-40s as well! I wondered where they'd all gone... [url="http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses.htm"]http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses.htm[/url] Jon.

Peter recently purchased a Hipshot Rick bridge from me - a most agreeable transaction & a top feller with great taste in basses. Jon.

Funny that he's only showing pics of the front of the guitar. If I was considering bidding on a guitar that started at a quarter of a million quid, I'd quite like a look at the headstock, the back, the neck, the electronics, the fretboard etc, etc, etc... Jon.

Interesting - only just noticed that the ones in the Swedish shop have correctly styled headstock & TRC, while the Ebay one doesn't. Wonder why that would be. I do like the way these have vintage-style (nearly) full-width inlays, they should've gone the whole hog & given them checker binding & a toaster pickup. I'd probably have gone & bought one if they did! J.

Here's a modern Shine copy - about as accurate as Rickalikes get these days - it even has Seymour Dunks & a bridge with proper intonation adjustment! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110219563355"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110219563355[/url] Funny listing - AFAIK Korean Ibanez are made by Cort & Epi by Samick, not Shine - or Saien, as the factory's called. Also these basses are not quite as rare as he thinks - especially in Sweden: [url="http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2525"]http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2525[/url] [url="http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2523"]http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2523[/url] [url="http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2522"]http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2522[/url] [url="http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2524"]http://www.tiptop.se/cgi-bin/multipage.cgi?id=2524[/url] I really like that white one - although SEK5995 is about £470! Ouch! J.

[quote name='jono b' post='130308' date='Jan 29 2008, 09:44 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s-Japanese-Apollo-Hollow-Body-Bass-NICE_W0QQitemZ280196618990QQihZ018QQcategoryZ118984QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Apollo Semi[/url][/quote] I'd [i]love[/i] to know who made these. One of my first basses was a LP shaped thing from the same place as this - it had the same wooden bridge, tailpiece, big split-diamond inlay, shield-shape neckplate. The pups on this will be really beefy humbuckers, in pressed metal surrounds. My bass had no identifying marks or brand - just "Made In Japan" on the neckplate. No idea who made it. J.

Good stuff! If you do decide to part with the see-thru Axl, give me a shout! I have a P project in mind that would be great with a transparent body... Jon.

Sunday night roundup - quite a few, some of them are even interesting! Let's do the Kay P bass copies first, shall we? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110217245951"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110217245951[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330207692836"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330207692836[/url] Westy Thundahs: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160202289401"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=160202289401[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150210586005"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=150210586005[/url] Hofner copies: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300194265956"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300194265956[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290201996904"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=290201996904[/url] A couple of Matsumokus, an Aria Cardinal: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230216767652"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230216767652[/url] And a Westone Concord: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310017653447"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310017653447[/url] A very white Washboard B20 with a Kahler w@nk bar: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140202439812"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140202439812[/url] Ibanez Musician MC924 - no reserve & nondescript listing, bargain? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200195440343"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200195440343[/url] Ibanez Axstar headless weirdo: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200193352709"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200193352709[/url] Antoria P bass hybrid - looks like an old (small tuners, r/wood board) Antoria/Fujigen neck on a Hammerited P body - the 6-bolt neck plate leads me to suspect it's another Kay under the paint: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230216442400"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230216442400[/url] Nice looking through-neck/brass hardware Cort, Korean, probably branded Kay, no postage: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120216053300"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120216053300[/url] And not at all Oriental, but a curiosity all the same, a Jolana Diamant LP bass, from Czechoslovakia: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330207675934"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=330207675934[/url] Happy JapCrapping J.

[quote name='barneythedog' post='128945' date='Jan 27 2008, 09:57 PM']If you do decide to turn it for a "small" profit let me know [/quote] Oi - I spotted it - I get first refusal if Sean decides to move it on! The rest of you can bugger off & wait your turn! J.

Him: [quote]Dude i have told you now actualy pay atention to this i swaped an alto sax for it 3 yers back it was up for sale at £1300 all bar one of the pics you have asked for the peices in them are exactly the same thats why i havent senjt you them BECAUSE YOU ARE A WAIST OF MY TIME![/quote] Me: [quote]You might want to accept the possibility that you were ripped off. I'm offering to help you, not 'waist' your time. I doubt you'll find Rickenbacker's lawyers quite so willing to help. But it's your choice, obviously.[/quote] I think I'll leave it at that. On his head be it. J.

I've asked a couple of times for some pics, and he's just blanked me. I'm still rattling his cage in a constructive way: [quote]Hi - I've asked a couple of times for some photos that could identify whether or not this bass is a genuine Rickenbacker. Personally, I think it's a 70s Japanese copy, but the pictures I asked for in my previous communications would clear this up once and for all. If this bass does turn out to be a copy, you could potentially find yourself in a lot of trouble for passing it off as the real thing - Rickenbacker International Corp are very aggressive in protecting their trademarks, and will take legal action against vendors of counterfeit goods - and that's as well as any action a buyer might take. If you know these instruments well, it's very easy to tell the difference between a copy & the real thing. The copies themselves are collectable, and will fetch a good price. I'd suggest that you confirm whether or not this bass is a Rickenbacker, and if it's not, re-list it as a copy.[/quote] If that doesn't work I'll set the RickResource wolfpack on him! J

[quote name='Sean' post='128514' date='Jan 27 2008, 01:29 AM']Cheers for the heads up on that one, Jon. I've just bought it. £95 + £15 for shipping? It has to be worth a look. It's worth double that all day long with a decent listing and nice photos.[/quote]My thoughts exactly - my first thought was to buy & resell - but I'm such a sucker for a nice bass I know I'd just have ended up keeping the bloody thing! Anyway, great score, & I'm just chuffed it went to a BCer rather than an Ebay dealer. Make sure you post some piccies when it turns up. J.

Give me a slap for not knowing my JapCrap - but I don't think this is one of the re-issues. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBANEZ-ATK-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ320212269313"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBANEZ-ATK-Bass-Guit...emZ320212269313[/url] I'm so tempted to just pull the trigger on this - but I don't, [i]really[/i] don't, need another bass. One of you lot can go get it. Now. Jon