BassManGraham

I missed John G McVie earlier, which is quite unforgivable being that I play in a Fleetwood Mac tribute these days. 🤪😎👌

So many.

John Entwistle 

Paul McCartney 

Chris Squire

John Paul Jones

Andy Fraser

Phil Lynott 

Roger Glover

Glenn Hughes 

Mick Karn

Martin Turner

Bernard Edwards

Stanley Clarke

Mark King

Sting

James Jamerson

Louis Johnson

Geezer Butler

Flea

Tony Levin

Derek Forbes

Singing frontman bass players such as Macca, Phil Lynott, Sting, Glenn Hughes & Martin Turner were a major influence, particularly as I often seemed to be cast in that role, but I'm in a band with two excellent female vocalists now! 

I have seen Wishbone Ash more times than any other band, and far more times than I can remember. Always loved Martin Turner's melodic lines and killer tone. He does have a unique and rather unorthodox upward picking style.

MT was a major early influence on my playing and the main reason I have owned 5 Thunderbirds over the years (3 Gibsons and 2 Epiphones). The recent Classic series Epiphones with neck thru body, chrome hardware and chrome pickup covers are excellent value, with similar slim necks and growl and thump tone of the triple price Gibsons.  

Recently acquired a Hartke LX8500 head, great tone and punch for a relatively affordable amp.

Great resource.  Many thanks. The choices are a little bewildering, but this is a great comparator. Personally my preference over last several years has been Barefaced and Vanderkley and formerly Markbass. All are a good balance of quality and power for the price. Keep up the great work.

What a beautiful rig Mike.  Immense sound. I had it's smaller stable mate 220/406 for many years. If it were not for Brexit I would be considering this. GLWS.

I should say so!

Absolutely superb cab (I have one),  Very fair price.too. Someone will not be disappointed.

Beautiful amp. If I wasn't stuck in Ireland, and if it were not for Brexit adding circa 33% to cost of importing it. I would be all over this. GLWS. 

Beautiful bass.Have a bump. Always wanted a headless ACG. Met Alan at the London Bass show a few years back. Tried a headless Krell, loved it. Would have snapped this up, but since Brexit this preowned bass would cost around £1940 (€2255), plus a lot of hassle to import to Ireland. 😡

I have quite a few decent cabs. 

My Barefaced Super12T (2×12) gets used more than the rest put together due to its power, punchy, tone and portability.

I have tried loads of amp/cab combinations. My firm favourites are Barefaced and/or Vanderkley.

If you're looking for loud and light, (and UK based) you won't find better than Barefaced.  

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

There's a Workingman's on eBay at the moment.

Thanks for the heads up.

I have one now. Great sounding little combo it is too. 

Have just checked couriers will charge UK customs i.e. add 2% import duty then apply 20% VAT making total cost €1775, they may also add a handling charge, so probably circa £1800!. Thanks Brexit! 

Do you have photo of back of bass?

What's the price in Euro?

I assume importing to UK will attract VAT and import duty?

Thanks

1 minute ago, ezbass said:

I was going to ask if ennui had anything to do with it; I was right! Yeah, I get it, I’ve seen adverts for the new (?) fliptop Ashdowns and just want one.

Never really been into Ashdown stuff despite its evolution from Trace Elliot.  Do like the look of their new Trace like retro Graphic EQ head. My brother had an Ashdown rig which sounded ok on stage, but I couldn't get on with it.  Sliders or knobs but both were confusing!

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

What drives this thought process?

You may well ask Mr Ezra. Not that I have to justify my actions to you or anybody else for that matter! 😂😎

Primarily Covid boredom. 

Too much time to peruse selling sites.

A local seller. I have always liked SWR gear, being a former Acoustic owner.  

I have an old SWR cab left in our rehearsal room, this would match it

Ever present G.A.S. Virtual insanity. You know the rest. 

Very heloful thanks. Seen one in Ireland, where I am now based, for around €280. I have a workingman's 15T cab that would make a good extension. I will probably go for it. Cheers

1 hour ago, Woodwind said:

Great combos, but heavy by today's standards.

I've seen a few on reverb (there's a Polish seller selling a 12 and a couple of 15s) for around the £320mark.

With postage, VAT and import etc etc that gets towards 400quid which is a lot of money for an old 100watt combo.

 

In theory these amps are infinitely more repairable than modern class d offerings which is something to seriously keep in mind and could offset the weight penalty.

 

If you could get one in the UK for around £300 I think you'd be happy.

Also one to look out for, but will go for considerably more than the workingman, is the Baby Blue.

Another really great amp.

Thinking of getting a 1990s pre Fender SWR Workingman's 12 combo 

I am not very familiar with preowned SWR market.

What should be a fair price range for one in reasonable condition.  Any advice much appreciated. 

Status & Trace were a classic 80s combination. Mark King springs to mind. I had a Washburn Status geat bass ,sadly sold. Status necks always felt a little chunky for me. I have several Trace heads, which aren't too heavy. I only use with lightweight Vanderkleys of Barefaced. A well preserved Trace Head is the way to go.

Thanks will do

Can any Aria SB aficionados tell me how to differentiate between Aria SB Japanese and Korean made Cliiff Burton tribute models.

These were prior to the official Cliff Burton signature Black  'n' Gold models. 

Apart from the bridges which can presumably easily be changed I can't discern much visual difference.

I owned a Korean CB/SB which I regretfully traded a couple of years back. It had snake eye inlays, I have seen an early Japanese model with dot inlays

Do later (circa 2007) Japanese models have snake eye inlays?

Aria seem to be of little help with serial numbers.

Any pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.  

Just now, BassManGraham said:

Lovely Bass Mike. I have a very similar one I had made in 82. Stunning basses. Not surprised it went so quickly.  

BREXIT has caused untold damage to buying gear from UK now, and presumably the other way too. 

Best Graham.  

Sorry Mick! Still enjoying the Aria SB-R80

Lovely Bass Mike. I have a very similar one I had made in 82. Stunning basses. Not surprised it went so quickly.  

BREXIT has caused untold damage to buying gear from UK now, and presumably the other way too. 

Best Graham.  

I had a Carlsbro head in the 70s. I have had well over 60 amp/cab/combos since then, and sadly the Carlsbro stands out as the worst. To quote ZZ Top I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole! Sorry I can't be positive about it.

I got an SWB Pro on here a few months back. Wonderful short scale basses, lovely necks and playability with great tone.

This is a lovely bass at the price, great colour and I would snap it up,  if it were not for Covid and Brexshit. Having done some research to import to Ireland would now cost me an extra £170!

GLWS someone will get a bargain!