Spoombung

[quote name='skelf' post='353762' date='Dec 13 2008, 06:08 PM']Are you playing the bass almost like a classical guitar with the lower bout between your legs. I find that quiet comfortable way of playing and makes the lower horn a non issue. I don't know of a bass in that part of the wordls Andy would be the closest. There will be one in Oxford in a few months if that helps. Alan[/quote] Not exactly. I like the bass to rest on my right leg but to be slightly upright and angled, I suppose. So the bass is in a similar position to a classical guitar without perching it between the legs - which just isn't rock and roll enough for me. I'll keep and eye out for ACG basses in London/Oxford. I've gotta say, the time I went over to the [i]bass gallery[/i] in Camden to check a few up- market basses the majority of them were colossal behemoths - massive 5 and 6 string monsters, huge frets, 35 and 36 inch scale, big necks and weighty woods and giant hardware. Speaking personally, big basses turn me off. I'm amazed so many people make them like that and so many people [i]want[/i] them like that. I mean... we're not [i]weight lifters[/i]... we're bass players, aren't we? In contrast, I have noticed more and more people requesting shorter scale, lighter instruments on the forums.

[quote name='skelf' post='353690' date='Dec 13 2008, 04:22 PM']Hi The neck does not need to be asymmetric it is what I do unless asked not to but it is up to the customer at the end of the day. With regard to balance,it depends on the model. As all my basses have a off set this moves the lower horn back a bit and on top of that I like smaller lower horns. The recurve should be fine but the Harlot is more a strap bass and I would say not the best model for sitting down with. Again it depends on how you go about it I don't have a problem with either but I could see that working the way you do you might. There is also the Finn model which is not in the instrument spec page you will find it in the Gallery. At the end of the day I can certainly have a listen to what you have in mind and we can take it from there. Alan[/quote] Thanks for the reply, Alan. I just wish there was somewhere I could go and try one of your basses - I mean, you can tell instantly if it's going to suit you - and I don't think I'd order a custom model without playing an example first. As I said, I tend to tip the bass up in the sitting position - this helps with wrist position and fingering. A lot of modern basses are built with really small lower horns - and I find the bass slides off and ends up on the floor (if I didn't catch it). Your basses look and sound great - it's just whether the ergonomics suit me or not. That's the first thing I look for in a bass.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='353591' date='Dec 13 2008, 02:35 PM']The assymetric neck is a subtle feature that help with assymetric hands imo i.e. we all have assymetric hands. I'm more of a Harlot man myself and the balance seated or standing is just ace. My new Harlot is in it's final stages and I'm in Kendal. Peter[/quote] Okay the Harlot is the other model, right? Do you know what the details of the assymetric neck are? I really wish I could actually play one.... this is the problem with going custom - there's never a test model.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='353590' date='Dec 13 2008, 02:31 PM']There are lots of ACG owners and the man himself on basschat. And over on Finnbass as well.[/quote] Right, I'd better check that out.

[quote name='andyonbass' post='353573' date='Dec 13 2008, 02:18 PM']Hi Kev I am the lucky owner of two ACG's and I have to say, the asymmetric neck profile on mine are really comfortable and easy to get around on, and I think most people who have played them voiced the same reservations, but were pleasantly surprised. The Recurve shape balances perfectly, whether standing or sitting and doesn't slide off your lap at all. I've been gigging mine week in, week out for over a year, now, and couldn't be happier. I'm GAS free these days!! I'm down in Swindon, and if you are ever down this way you're welcome to try them Cheers Andy [attachment=17159:DSCF0001.JPG][/quote] Hi Andy Ooooh, Swindon, that's on the way to Bristol, eh? I love to try your basses but don't know when I'll be around your way soon. That's reassuring about the balance and the neck though. I tend to like basses I can pivot upwards at 45 degrees in the sitting position like these CB basses: Because the lower horn is extended slightly on the CB bass it won't roll off your lap. The recurve lower horn looks like it won't allow that but if you say the bass is comfortable I believe you! Does Alan vary the dimensions from the four models on display on his website?

I'm currently trying to check out all the UK custom bass makers at the moment as I need a short scale bass made and I'm anxious to try an example of a luthiers work before I come to a decision about ordering. I've heard a lot about [b]ACG basses[/b] and their preamps being great - but I'm slightly concerned after reading about their 'asymetric' necks (I have no experience of that) and looking at the [i]recurve[/i] body shape gives me the impression it might slide off your lap in the sitting position. The only way to know for sure is to [b]PLAY[/b] one of course! Has anyone got one in the London area that I might have a go on for half and hour? Kev

Great work! The 4 -string looks lovely.

[quote name='Jase' post='339966' date='Nov 28 2008, 06:26 PM']I'm ok with jazzers doing their thing together[/quote] ...As long as it's behind closed doors!

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='339415' date='Nov 28 2008, 11:19 AM']Heard of them but I have only been here about 5 years so they were well before my time. When did you leave Ipwich?[/quote] About '79 or so. It was a horrible town to grow up in. I associate it with Harris' Pork pie slaughter house and people asking me[i]"are you a virgin, boy?"[/i]. And kids practising their Kung Fu on you. Let's hope it's changed. In fact I'm paying a dutiful visit to the parents this weekend....

[quote name='Jase' post='338279' date='Nov 27 2008, 12:07 PM']They're both worlds apart really, both great players, I'd sooner buy a Percy Jones album than a Jeff Berlin album though. At the same time I'd love to see both of them live [b](not together)[/b][/quote] Exactly. Dueling jazz bassists make me go 'ugh, stop it'.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='339362' date='Nov 28 2008, 10:43 AM']Jeff Berlin vs. Percy Jones? Couldn't listen to either of them now for more than 15 minutes (in total, not each, for the sake of clarity)! Its great bass playing and a great spectacle but emotionally flat music (back to that thing about great bass lines not making music better). Jones had a really original concept going but the music he plays just doesn't do anything for me. At all. And as for Jeff - I wanna like your stuff, mate, but where's the soul?[/quote] Ah, well, I also said I [url="http://spoombung.livejournal.com/45870.html"]have difficulties with Jazz Rock[/url]! I notice you're from Felixstowe (I'm from Ipswich) and you're probably around the same age as me - so you might remember the band '[i]Fusion[/i]' featuring the young Nick Kershaw - which I've alluded to in the above link...?

[quote name='philw' post='339044' date='Nov 27 2008, 11:07 PM']I wasn't in a punk band so I didn't have to hold my head in shame, more a kind of Japan with a girl singer type band. I was, or rather was attempting to be, the Mick Karn clone. Phil[/quote] Ooooh that reminds me... I once went for an 'audition' in Stratford, London. I had mentioned on the phone that I played a Wal and after that the singer (who was obviously the band leader) had [i]immediatley[/i] agreed to see me. Upon arriving there he stood - an absolute David Sylvian clone right down to his eye shadow and floppy, dyed, blonde hair -ushering me into the flat in a frosty manner. I mean he literally looked like this: There were Japanese prints on the wall and miso soup bowls on the table. He played a tape of his band. It was a carbon copy of Japan minus the [i]much needed Mick Karn Wal sound[/i]... which I wasn't going to give 'em under any circumstances! They didn't recruit you, did they?

[quote name='BassBod' post='338239' date='Nov 27 2008, 11:30 AM']I know that feeling - I saw a reformed version of Brand X in Bristol about ten years ago! Percy didn't sound like Percy...and the guitarist was unbelievabley loud and generally off his nut....interesting, but not a great night. Did see a healthy contingent of Bristol's bassists, lurking in the shadows.[/quote] Oh I sneaked off to the Jazz Cafe to see the reformed Brand X a few years ago. I left after 3 numbers. It was hopelessly bad. That guitarist is the pits! He was always the most boring musician in the band. And yes, I agree, "[i]Percy didn't sound like Percy anymore[/i]". That's the danger with nostalgia; you try and revisit it and it's not quite the same. In general I have trouble with the Jazz Rock Genre. I can only like bit and pieces of it, really.

[quote name='JonnyM' post='337870' date='Nov 26 2008, 11:26 PM']Oh, the memories this thread has unearthed, especially the International Musician ad - ha, great hairdo! I was at the Venue gig too and was lucky enough to catch Brand X twice on the 1980 tour. Percy, playing his Wal custom through a gigantic Frunt rig, was on jaw-dropping form. (Have to say all I remember from Bruford's set was the truly awful drum sound - damn those Rototoms, or whatever they were called! - and the rather dull "jazz stylings" of one Mr Berlin zzzzzzz :ph34r:). Phenominal instruments, way before the hype, no question.[/quote] We should do a [b]Jeff berlin VS Percy Jones thread[/b]...but there'd be no contest! I never liked that Jeff Berlin method of playing very hard over the bridge pickup....plus that dreadful chorus pedal he used all the time. I mean, blimey, the sound was so hollow and [i]distorted[/i]. Percy's Wal sound on the other hand was incredibly rich with an almost acoustic hi fidelity. On the subject of that [i]Venue [/i]gig, I attended it [b]on my own [/b]- I just couldn't find anyone else willing to come along with me. I had to keep mum about it otherwise I would have been laughed out of town (I was in a Punk band at the time). It was full of guys wearing Marshall and Wal T-shirts. I got the impression it was populated with blokes who either distributed gear or sold it! Despite feeling inspired by Jones' performance, as I left the Venue, I sincerely hoped I had not been spotted by anyone I knew - such was my deep and profound shame.

[quote name='ARGH' post='335978' date='Nov 25 2008, 01:20 AM']Spoom..that track is wonderful!!! You ever listen to the Residents?[/quote] Thanks! Strangely, I've never heard the Residents before. I've been meaning to check 'em out for years.

[quote name='v8bass' post='335988' date='Nov 25 2008, 02:12 AM'][font="Impact"] It was my ambition to own a WAL after seeing [b]you[/b] play a couple of times in the 80 s Spoonbung Frankly astonishing ! Few bass players have ever left me gobsmacked [/font] Really cool to see you on the BC forum too Very generous to allow the free downloads as well , many thanks for the inspiration V8[/quote] Thank you, that's very nice of you to say that. As for the free downloads - I thought it was about time!

[quote name='Jase' post='335903' date='Nov 24 2008, 10:37 PM']Talking of Percy [/quote] Ooooh that takes me back! Straight from the pages of [i]International Musician[/i]. The pic was intimidating to a young fellow like me at the time because of the blank fingerboard (despite the fresh smile) . I always thought that was like playing the bass [i]blind[/i]. Those were the days. The only way to find out about techniques was to read up on them in that mag. I remember seeing a description of bending harmonics on a fretless. I followed the instructions and Hey Presto! I made a career out of it for a short while!

[quote name='philw' post='335817' date='Nov 24 2008, 09:01 PM']I finally bought my Wal new through Gigsounds in 1983 (it was £595) from the proceeds of my first proper job (and selling some Naim hi-fi). I'd recommend that anybody listen to Percy Jones playing his Wal on any of the Brand X albums from Masques onwards. Absolute master-classes in fretless imagination, sound and technique that to my mind have never been bettered. Phil[/quote] Mine cost £550 secondhand! God, that was a fortune in those days... and it took me 6 whole months to save up for it. No easy credit in those days, kids! Yeah, Percy is my all-time favourite bassist too...just someone with his own style. I never liked the Brand X guitarist though - he was like Nigel Tufnel on a bad day and always ruined the music with his terrible John Mclaughan imitations.

Interesting to read this thread... It was my ambition to own a Wal after I saw Percy Jones & Brand X play at the venue in london (along with Bruford's band) around '78. I couldn't believe the sound; a huge fat bass and midrange - and a high frequency that picked out all the tiny inflections and intricate fingering (and Jones was a unique player, of course). I remember how crude and distorted Jeff Berlin's sound was in comparison. Finally managed to afford one in '84 from the proceeds of a washing up job. I've still got and it's the only bass I've played regularly over the last 24 years: And you're right - the bass suits YOU and YOUR music [url="http://tinpanalley.biz/spoombung/Whispering%20Foils/05-Riker%202.mp3"]whatever sort of music you make[/url]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='328640' date='Nov 13 2008, 08:16 PM']That means basses from then are [i]vintage[/i]. Any bass that is [i]vintage[/i] and [i]rare[/i] is worth £££'s. Or perhaps [size=6]£££'s[/size]. :brow:[/quote] [b]D[size=5]-oh!!!![/size][/b]

I agree with others that Wunjo is easily the best shop in Denmark street but... they had a [b]Kay bass in there for £315[/b] last time I went in! I mean, come on guys... they used to coast £25 from Woolworths in the seventies and were an absolute laughing stock back then. Surely they can't be vintage???

[quote name='basse' post='323705' date='Nov 6 2008, 08:01 PM']Cool! What kind of top is on there?[/quote] It's sycamore - recovered from a skip in leeds, apparently (quite unique even for Wal). Another pic: Purchased 1983 and modified by the Wal guys in High Wycombe around '93 with a completely new Fender style body. The original neck was shaved down to Fender Jazz proportions -very slim and even narrower at the nut than a Jazz bass. The neck sits into the body deeper than the regular model also on request. Contouring on the back of the body and the top is very shapely and very severe - so the bass weighs a lot less than a regular Wal. It used to look like this way back in '87 before all the changes:

An old Wal