BillyBass

Following @markbunney's posts about his recent audition in the brilliant 'worst auditionee' thread, I thought I would start a thread about forthcoming auditions...because I have an audition tonight!

This is for a Soul/Motown band, which is a little out of my comfort zone.  I'm used to playing rock, indie and punk and I've had to change my playing style and my sound to suit the band's setlist.  

Learning the songs has been thoroughly enjoyable though, they have a cracking setlist!

I'll let you know how I get on.

I have both the Fusion 1200 and the Legacy 800, no chassis issues, or any other issues for that matter.  Fine heads both of them.

3 hours ago, Brian18242 said:

Thing is, the bello model with EMGs and preamp came in at the same price as the standard version. Wish they switched them all to EMGs with a more straight forward preamp.

Yes, currently, it seems there are some good deals on the Frank Bello model.  The American RRP is US$250-300 dearer than their non signature basses, according to the website.  

I have never played the Frank Bello bass, so I can't compare the Frank Bello EMGs to the DiMarzios in the standard models.  I just don't like the look of the Frank Bello signature bass, so haven't looked into it.

The DiMarzios that the standard models come with are quite hot, which is something to bear in mind when matching them with other pre amps.

8 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

Hmmm, the natural and the black look great with the cream covers. Only thing I've heard is that preamp on these isn't the best, but again that's a bit personal preference isn't it.

 

Might try one if a local shop gets one.

No, the pre amp is where they saved money.  I swapped out the pre amps in all three of mine, though they sound just fine passive too.

14 hours ago, TRBboy said:

Shame there's not as much choice of colours in the 5 string version..... Love the blue and satin black! 😍👌

I'm guessing the next move will be to add a few more colours to the range of fivers.  

The satin black should have had gold hardware but I think the cream pick ups really go well with the black.

I've only just seen this:

https://www.charvel.com/gear/bass

There are 4 new basses: a sonic blue and a satin black in the usual Alder and a 'satin Ferrari red' and natural in Mahogany.

I really doubt I could tell the difference in tone between an Alder and a Mahogany bodied bass but I really like the look of the natural mahogany finish bass, it's a bit like those Joe Dart MusicMan basses.

I doubt if I'll buy one as I already have two Charvel 4s and a fiver.  But if anyone else wants to, GAK have them on order:

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/charvel-pro-mod-san-dimas-bass-pj-iv-natural-mahogany/971991

On 03/03/2024 at 19:41, PaulThePlug said:

Had to move the rack for a hoover under, so here are some...

That P bass with the white pup covers looks tasty, a bit like one of those Joe Dart Musicman basses

16 minutes ago, neepheid said:

This is the exact opposite to me. I deliberately rotate all my basses. Basses I don't play get sold.

This is, sort of, what I do.  I only started gigging last year but used 5 basses over 10 gigs.  I've been working out what suits me.  

I can see me selling a few more this year.

Nice one Ely, that was pretty good.  Any gigs in London on the horizon?

Now something needs to be done with the sofa.

I have 5 straps, including these:

My favourite strap, however, matches the roasted maple neck/fretboards on several of my basses, not the body and I think it works quite well.  I'll post a pic soon.

A few years ago we auditioned a guitarist, not named Dave.  He walked in, saw my pedal board turned his nose up and said, "You've got too many pedals for a bassist".

I then sort of understood why everyone on bass forums called guitarists 'geetards'.

2 hours ago, Minininjarob said:

I am bewildered as to why someone would pay extra for something made in the USA. It’s hardly a guarantee of quality. 

I suppose if your experience of, for example, Chinese made kit is all positive then I would understand your point of view.  My experience of Chinese built stuff isn't all positive. 

I have never visited a factory where bass kit is made, I know very little about quality control in any place of manufacture and, no doubt, every different factory in China will have different quality control standards.  I perceive, rightly or wrongly, that stuff checked, made, assembled, or a combination of those, in the west will likely be better.  So I am happy to pay a premium.  20% extra for something I feel condfident isn't going to fail the day after the warranty expires isn't bad value.

22 hours ago, Wolverinebass said:

The GK Fusion was £949 from Thomann. It was new, not B-stock and believe it or not, was cheaper than Polar Audio! I still don't quite know how I got away with that. 

 

The irony was that everywhere in the UK was selling the 800 version for about that price with the 1200 version about 200 quid more.

Congrats on your luck!  Every now and again Thomann sell off stuff at a huge discount, which, I'm sure, makes economic sense to the company.  

My Fusion 1200 was 2nd hand from here, bought originally from Polar Audio and my Legacy 800 was new from Polar audio.  I'm well happy I bought the stuff cheap but I probably would still pay Andertons prices if I had to because I love the GK sound.  

On 19/02/2024 at 00:08, Minininjarob said:

I didn’t say which one I preferred. From the descriptions people have given and what I have tried so far I think I I’m going to stay away from the amps described as hifi. Sounds a bit lifeless to me. 

From your first post I take it you like the sound of GK kit.  I am biased but I have to agree, GK has a particular sound, not loved by all but it suits the music I play perfectly.  I own a GK Legacy 800 and a Fusion 1200.  Great heads.

@Wolverinebass, if you got a GK Fusion 1200 for a little over £900 the you got it heavily discounted, probably from Polar Audio.  New from Andertons, these have a price tag comparable to the Mesa kit.  Though I do accept the 350 watt Mesa doesn’t seem good value compared the higher powered kit.

For me personally, that kit is made In the U.S. or the U.K. is a plus point.  I know the parts will have been sourced from a variety of countries but if a good percentage is not from China and the product has been assembled and tested in the U.S. or U.K. I would be happy to pay a premium.  But that is just me.

2 hours ago, Franticsmurf said:

And you could claim it as legitimate expenses. Winner, winner... er... bass guitarrerr.

I think I’d better run that past my accountant first.

3 hours ago, jimmyb625 said:

Your honour, I direct the court's attention to this post on the Internet, where the defendant clearly expresses the manner in which he attempts to circumvent the rules.

This is a witch hunt.  This is like communism or fascism.  Crooked @jimmyb625 is out to get me.  You see this in banana republics but not on bass chat.  I started a great company, great cash, great everything.

20 hours ago, neepheid said:

I've been at my current employment for a while now, so I had a quick check and I think I've been there 19 years.  Checked to see if there were any perks for that, but thankfully (from a gear abstinence point of view) the first long service award offered is for 25 years, so I'm ok.

Although I work for myself, technically, I’m the director of a company and, therefore, an employee.  So, if I create a new policy that any employee who works for 13 years (I incorporated 13 years ago) gets a new bass, that would, correct me if I’m wrong, enable me to acquire a new bass but still keep my 2024 gear abstinence intact.

if you disagree, it’s solicitors at dawn!

2 hours ago, jimmyb625 said:

You're in a precarious position...

I've blown a fair bit of cash in the last couple of years in search of kit that suits me and I think I've found out what I like now, so I should be alright.

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

So, do you want in then?  Doesn't matter how you achieve abstinent nirvana...

Yes ok, I'll join the club.  How will I survive?  I've only got 10 basses, 3 heads, 4 cabs and a load of pedals.

I didn't bother putting my name down for this as I thought it would be pointless, but...No purchases this year yet and as my side hustle business needs about £30-35k of investment this year, which I will have to borrow, I think I'll have to make do with what I have.

Awful news mate. Deepest sympathies.

On 25/01/2024 at 14:31, cocco said:

 

Also, it's hard to tell from the photo but I wonder what the scale length is. Sleep token use some really low tunings so I wouldn't be surprised if it was 35" or longer. 

When the Pro-Mod JJ 5 string basses came out a couple of years ago Charvel's website stated they had a 35" scale length.  This was found to be inaccurate, the basses (one of which I own) have a 34" scale length.  The website has since been altered.  

I would be surprised if this wasn't a 34" scale bass.

Agree on the gold hardware.

Mercahnt City Music have this on pre order, but for £999, as opposed to £879 for the usual Decision P.  £120 extra for a gold pick guard!  Unless there are some other 'upgrades' to it that I haven't noticed.

Edit: Sweetwiter are selling this new Decision P at the same price as the other Decision Ps.  It looks like whoever does Merchant City Music's website has got the entry for this bass mixed up with a guitar costing £999.