Skywalker83

So i've Finally decided to go for the Ampeg Micro VT amp and 2 x10 Cab, but since i'm now living in Finland and i refuse to pay the stupidly high priced they have over here for gear i'm looking for alternative means of getting one of these. So can anyone recommend a good online sourse for buying Ampeg stuff?

If you are just starting out on fretless, i would really recommend saving a few notes and picking up one of these, A Vintage Ivon VJ96 fretless [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Vintage-ICON-VJ96-Fretless-Bass-S-B/7BV"]vintage icon bass[/url] not only does it have that serious jaco vibe its also, actually a very good bass for the price. I was really surprised when i tried one of these. They can be found in a couple ebay for slightly cheaper than in the link i posted, but still it gives you a rough idea.

My first bass was a washburn XB-100 in Metallic purple, if your lucky you might snag one on the bay or craiglist or elsewhere. I got mine new at the time, it cost around £180.

[quote name='marcus bell' post='738343' date='Feb 7 2010, 09:05 PM']thanks for the help so far guys, im going to buy the badass 2 bridge, and the control plate and battery cover for my bass for my birthday which is the end of the month, any recommendations for a 2 band eq? that would be bass and treble one on each pot? i was thinking maybe aquilar or something similar? x[/quote] Why not buy the East Marcus Retro preamp? [url="http://www.east-uk.com/"]East preamps[/url]

[quote]Looks wonderful biggrin.gif Just don't give out the luthier's address as Mr. Fodera and his gang might pay a visit.[/quote] It's fine, one of the guys from Fodera has already commented on the bass, there is no infringements of any kind. I'll post up some pics once i have her in my hands I don't get to lay my hands on her until mid january when i return to Finland after the festive season. [quote]how much did that send you back?[/quote] A suprisingly small amount considering what i'm getting!!

Ok i posted this also on TalkBass, so sorry for those who have to look at my beautiful new girl yet again! Luthier: Marko Ursin Specs: Bona styled Imperial shape 6 string 33"scale Neck through Body woods - Figured Walnut top on Alder Neck - Wenge Fingerboard - Birdseye Maple Heastock - Walnut veneer Bartolini G6 soapbar pickups (jazz spacing) Schaller 2000 bridge (black and gold) Gotoh tuners (2 gold 4 black) Dunlop straplocks Wenge Ramp (radiused) Name Inlay on the 12th fret Aguilar OBP-3 preamp Added mute switch Added push/pull active passive tone control Passive/Active switch

I use a PJB 4B cab along with my Ashdown Superfly, and i love the cab, small ,light, great tone and packs a punch for it's size. I will be buying another one once i start playing bigger venues, but for the time being im happy.

[quote]So should I just go with what makes me happy?[/quote] well....yes. Buy a bass that you like and that you will want to play! Thats a fair bit of cash for a first bass you have quite a few options with £500. I remember scraping £150 together for my first bass. If you can, buy used, and also try teh bass out before you buy it. But remember buying a more expensive bass WILL NOT make you a better player. What i would do is split the cash between a bass and a semi decent practice amp and spend the rest on getting some lessons.

Does anyone know when these "pro sereis" Westfield were made? I'm guessing maybe early to mid 90's.

Last night i won a Westfield P/J P-bass on the bay complete with EMG pickups! It's a bit of a "fixer upper" ,I'm planning on adding the following mods Black Pickguard Black Hardware A new maple jazz neck with block inlays And possibly and ashtray over the bridge. And how much was this bargin??? Well just have a look and find out!! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300350160817&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3D300350160817%26_in_kw%3D1%26_ex_kw%3D%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_okw%3D300350160817%26_oexkw%3D%26_udlo%3D%26_udhi%3D%26_ftrt%3D901%26_ftrv%3D1%26_sabdlo%3D%26_sabdhi%3D%26_samilow%3D%26_samihi%3D%26_sadis%3D200%26_fpos%3DPostcode%26LH_SALE_CURRENCY%3D0%26_sop%3D12%26_dmd%3D1%26_ipg%3D50%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1"]My new Westfield from the bay[/url]

Thanks Chaps. I figured if im putting the cash towards a custom bass lets give her something of good quality to sleep in.

I would say as a complete beginner go for Used or the cheapest new bass you can find. But the main thing is to try before you buy, and get something that feels nice to play. My first bass when i was 15 or 16 was a Washburn XB-100, nice slim neck, quite light and a funky mettalic purple colour. I would say that for an absolute beginner that basses like Squier are not absolutley necessary, don't buy a bass because of the name on the headstock, buy it because it feels good, sounds good to your ears and is in your price range. I've been semi pro for almost 8 years now and i play a budget bass, my 5 string Westfield. I love it. True, i have made a couple of mods to it (pickups and tuners), but i bought a bass that when i tried it it felt and sounded good to me. Just my 2c