Paul S

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-/250895225871?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6a85540f"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-guitar-/250895225871?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6a85540f[/url] Too heavy for me but these are built like tanks and would probably clean up a treat.

But maybe I am not looking in the right place. Also, if viewing new topics is it, again, possible to mark everything as read? Like the new look, though. Very progressive!

For me the word 'vintage' is purely a measure of age not quality. I'd always assumed over 20yrs made something vintage, but wouldn't argue with 25.

Yes, not exactly the sweet spot I quite like it....

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Bass-guitar-/110745194266?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19c8ed8f1a"]Starforce bass[/url] Not much on the interweb, I wonder if anyone here has ever had one? Heavy or neck width or anything? An unusual and interesting shape, which makes a change.

Not sure how relevant it is (6 string and all) but the [url="http://www.chapmanguitars.co.uk/guitars/standard/ml1/"]Chapman ML-1[/url] guitar was designed by customers, and they chose a reverse telecaster headstock, so maybe the symmetry is better that way around?

Another endorsee here. Over the last couple of years I have changed my kit quite a bit, always had Roqsolid covers and always been pleased with the quality. Excellent service and VFM.

I use a TC Electronic Classic 450 (with a BF Compact) and am liking it very much - I preferred the slight warmth of this over the Genz Benz I tried. The on-board compressor and tubetone are extremely useable.

PM heading your way! Very nice offer. Nowt better than hands on.

No one used one?

[quote name='davey_one_visits' post='1370744' date='Sep 12 2011, 04:55 PM']Spot on. I've not been on here long but I have noticed a huge interest in gear and little interest in self improvement. It seems that the theory and technique section sometimes goes for ages without being touched. I'm always on the look out for worthwhile information being posted but have to trawl through pages of people showing off the gear they own or want to own. I own some nice stuff myself but I don't feel the need to discuss it on here at all. Each to their own I guess but materialism is a bad thing in my opinion.[/quote] Now maybe I am in a minority here but I am not interested in theory or technique per se. I don't know my arpeggios from my elbow. Self-improvement, yes - I improve by continually playing what I already play and learning new things to play. That does me just fine. I'm never going to set the world on fire, just a pub-gig player that enjoys himself. But I do think I learn a lot about the wider aspects of bass playing from owning and trying different basses. Nothing to do with my playing ability, just about the instruments - how to use them, different sounds, what suits me and what doesn't. The first 'proper' bass I had weighed a ton and had a neck like a floorboard. I subsequently discover that I prefer playing lighter, skinny necked basses but until I tried one didn't know. Same could be said for amps/cabs, effects, even straps, picks, cables. I like to read others' opinions about their gear as it helps me to filter out stuff I am unlikely to be interested in, herds me in the right direction. For me the two areas are not really related - (edit - or mutually exclusive) I don't buy or try gear to get better, I do it just because it interests me.

I don't know if this is 'the done thing' to ask but there is a bass in the for sale section that I know nothing much about. On the face of it the bass sounds tempting but I don't know enough and can't find out much. Dean Edge Q4 Bartolini. How heavy? How skinny is the neck? How does it stack up to a SGC Nanyo Bass Collection, Fender Precision Lyte or Yamaha RBX800E, which would be my current crop. As good? Does it bring anything new to the party that is lacking in the others? If anyone owns or has owned any of these and can make a comparison that would be brilliant. Ta.

For me it started with the buzz of playing music I liked in front of people. But, like a lot of things, the interest has become multi-faceted - I find I have developed an interest way beyond 'just' the buzz of playing live, although that is the ultimate goal of it all. But the nuts and bolts of it all have become interesting. I am in the middle of a complete refurbishment of one of my basses - stripped the old finish, replacing the electrics - just because I find it interesting. Even just a couple of years ago I would never have imagined taking something like that on. I have too many basses already, have no need to do this or buy any more - but I find all the subtle variations in the instruments interesting. So I guess all the ancillary stuff has gained a life of it's own - possibly beyond even the life of my playing, I don't know.

I imagine there will be quite a few takers here! Yes. Most of the time these days after I buggered it royally when clearing snow back at the start of December. I had a gig a fortnight later and, when I first did it, couldn't actually walk more than about 10 yds. Doctor prescribed me Diclofenac which I now take regularly and which works a treat for me - start the day before and for the day after for a gig or any other more strenuous physical activity. Frozen peas/hot water bottle 2mins alternate for 20 mins 3 times a day for acute problems. Look up McKenzie method for stretches and excercises to relieve short term or help long term. For serious long term management, if indeed yours becomes long term, find out as much as you can about exercises to strengthen your core and lower back muscles. Basically it changes your life - never take anything for granted afterwards. Bass playing-wise I have now sold practically all my heavy gear and use the lightweight clobber as per my signature. I use my lightest bass (SGC Nanyo Bass Collection) for the longer playing at rehearsals. Good luck - hope it is a one-off!

I've had 3 Hohner B2As of various types. I had a decent one, sold it and missed it immediately, bought a cheap replacement and now have upgraded to a nice one again. I have a fragile lower back and for me the weight and portability are the key thing but I see from the list of your basses that weight isn't an issue. Above that they are very good basses - well made, nice necks. Relatively slim width but a deep profile. The bridge seems impervious to anything and they have always remained perfectly in tune. My current one has a detuner as well. They sound fantastic. I generally play rock and you can get brilliant rock tones. I do a little closet slapping (badly - don't tell my rock band) and I think you can get a 'Forget me nots' sound out of it easily. Great things. Once you have got your head around the fact that there is no headstock (took me ages and I kept trying to play 2 fret further up as though my brain was compensating for lack of wood at that end) the only disadvantage I see is that they hang in an odd position. Button position for the upper part of the bass 'as supplied' is at the back of the nack which tilts the whole thing forward - I moved mine to the little bit of the upper bout which is better. But the body is short and the head end of the neck seems a long way away. Again, you get used to it. But that is purely the Hohner cricket bat - other regular-bodied basses I am sure hang just fine.

I have a Hohner B2ABD and when played actively there comes a point when it sounds *really* woody. Probably more like a P-Bass than a P-Bass I used to own. Not sure how the small body would fit in with what you are after, though.