Paul S

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1388393167' post='2321386'] Same neck dimensions as my 300, which weighs in at 3.67kg/8.09lbs. My 380 is out on loan at the moment but feels exactly the same. I have to agree about the neck - I actually thought it was slimmer than a typical Precision. [/quote] Thanks for that. I will keep an eye out for one, I think, if and when the timing is right. For now my budget for random bass buying has gone on an 80s Aria Pro II Classic Laser. Or is that Laser Classic? Anyway, the active one.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1388339494' post='2320969'] This. Good drainage is key and 10 degrees C is about the minimum in winter. [/quote] I've found cold tolerance very much depends on the species, Mark. I have had [i]Echeveria agavoides[/i], [i]Echeveria rosea[/i] and [i]Echeveria elegans[/i] growing outdoors and unprotected for many years now, including through the last few colder winters - so they would have taken a low of -8C plus the freeze/thaw of 60cm of slushy snow on top of them. Actually, growing them outdoors helps with mealy bugs and vine weevil, another pest they are martyrs to. There are one or two other species that do ok outside - [i]Echeveria secunda[/i], for example - but most other species, of course, turn to mush with the first frost.

What a lovely bass. If I were you, incidentally, I'd move that pot full of [i]Echeveria[/i] out of it's saucer and into the greenhouse. Last thing that wants to be is waterlogged at this time of year.

NOS Marathon neck, eh? Interesting and tucked away for future reference. Meanwhile there is a beautiful black one just appeared in our classifieds, if you aren't patient enough...

Muchas gracias Hoiho! Funny things, necks. Usually I like then skinny - the skinnier they are, the more I like them. But I recently bought a Shergold Marathon and the neck on that is wide-but-shallow yet still somehow doesn't feel that 'wrong'. Maybe if a 'Black n Gold' comes up at the right price I might have a punt and see. Thanks again

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1387027481' post='2307543'] Geezer Butler's playing really shows that, contrary to popular myth, you don't need to use a pick and/or lots of distortion in your sound to cut through the mix in a heavy rock group. With the right tone and attack ( and really big amps) , you can make yourself heard just as well playing with your fingers. [/quote] I remembered, when I read this, that I had recently seen some footage of Geezer playing with a pick - but I couldn't remember which track. It came to me this morning - not seen it in any others but during *some* live footage of Children Of The Grave you can see him playing with a pick. http://youtu.be/eSM_ufbBlZQ Or, in this rather confusing clip you can see him playing with both pick and fingers - different nights footage cobbled together, I suppose. http://youtu.be/lboS7psz-qc

Try a Zoom

I have just about finished changing all my basses from rounds to flats as I much prefer the sound. If you don't like them, don't fit them! Horses for courses.

[quote name='hoiho' timestamp='1388185140' post='2319351'] The Aria Pro II CSB-380 Cardinal fits the bill, as a "lightweight, slim-necked double cutaway bass" - only thing is it's a medium scale. I keep my blue one for "stunt bass". They come up on Ebay all the time, at wildy differing prices. [/quote] Yes, the Aria Pro CSB Cardinal. I like the look of these (the one that catches my eye is the 'Black and Gold') and medium scale is all good as far as I am concerned. I asked about these on here a while back - from the replies I think the neck may be a bit too wide. But maybe they aren't all the same? Any chance you could please run the ruler (and scales) over yours, please?

Ta. I was tempted for a while but I'll give it a miss, I think. I think the problem is that it is rather reminiscent of my old Washburn Scavenger of which I still have fond memories even though it weighed as much as a bus. There must be a lightweight, slim-necked double cutaway bass that isn't an EB-0 out there somewhere in JapCrap land

I love the symmetry of these double cutaway basses. I'm guessing this is heavy with a wide neck - do you happen to know, Jon?

Precision for me. I keep trying all different basses and enjoy them for a while but the one that keeps me smiling is my Precision.

SAHB! Sweet memories! First time I saw them was at the Alexandra Palace Rock festival in August 1973! I was 15, it was my first major rock festival. Uriah Heep topped the bill, but there was Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Gary Moore. Can't remember who else. I missed the last train home and slept outside Fenchurch Street Station with the winos. They opened with the Osmonds' 'Crazy Horses' as I recall. SAHB, not the winos. Pretty well unknown at that point but they were on Old Grey Whistle Test a short while afterwards (Next and Faith Healer) and became a big name act. I became a bit of a fan - saw them numerous times, including SAHB without Alex. I place Chris Glen in my top 10 bass players as I think he has a great feel for what he does. And Zal Cleminson is a manic genius on guitar. Still is. Great live shows.

Assuming you haven't been there already, there is a discussion forum dedicated to Westone guitars. If the parts are available, they will know here: [url="http://forum.westoneguitars.net/"]http://forum.westoneguitars.net/[/url]

Hand size is largely irrelevant as far as I can see - I have fairly big hands but prefer smaller neck sizes and you will see female bass players using 5/6 string basses. It is more down to whatever you feel comfortable with. Try as many as you can!

Depends what sound you want. I didn't like them as I prefer the 'old school' vintage sound of a Precsion. SPB-4 I found were like a quarterpounder on steroids - if that is what you are chasing you'll love them!

Everyone can express an opinion. Being rude is an optional extra.

Sold a Hipshot BT2 detuner to Mart in the easiest of transactions. Nice comms, friendly guy, wouldn't hesitate to deal with him again. Cheers Mart.

And my advice to you - sharpen up your person skills because you come across as arrogant and patronising. Of course it might be that you are.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1387480043' post='2312552'] That is mainly because many bassists don't know any better and really shouldn't be writing reviews. Zoom multifx pedals are toys hence the low prices on them. [/quote] Patronising post alert. Fella, 'bassists' come in all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life and with a whole lot of varying expectations and requirements. If *you* find the Zoom stuff to be toys, fine, but don't look down your nose at those who do use them, please. Or, at the very least, try to be nice - to say some 'don't know any better' is just plain rude.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1387580278' post='2313665'] Everyone should have a BDI-21 in their gig bag - it's the law. Like London cabbies having to carry a bale of hay. [/quote] ^^This^^ I have a battered old Fender Musicman that lived up to its reputation and sounded a bit thin when I first got it. Then I got my beady eyes on it and it beefed it up perfectly. With a note that I subsequently got Howard The Bass Doc to do a mod on it, so it now sports a MIJ Fender Split P pup, KiOgon loom and new scratch plate to accommodate it all and doesn't need beefing up any more.

Hmm. Tough call. Favourite not best, so here are mine in no order. Roger Glover Glenn Hughes Chris Glen Mark King Louis Johnson John Deacon Bernard Edwards Geezer Butler Bruce Foxton John Paul Jones.

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1387543611' post='2313148'] I've set up my B3 for Hysteria using the OverDrive. Settings are gain 45, tone 48, level 70, bal 20. I have a touch of comp after that. Played on a P bass with half wounds, and through my Streamliner. Sounds ok. The same settings should work fine on an MS60B too. [/quote] Thanks for that - I'll give it a whirl.