kwmlondon

I heard that in the 70s when Cliff Richard was in the studio one of his session guitarists had a Big Muffin pedal and Cliff said "that'd be a great name for the alubm" and someone had to expliain to him, quietly, at the back of the studio what it meant and he went a bit quiet.

Ditto. My Dingwall has been off for a couple of days for a repair to the preamp and I’ve been mainly playing my old Stingray and it’s completely not me any more. Gonna be listing it for sale soon…

It's not so much the desire to own lots of basses, for me. But I want to know what people mean when they talk about the feel or tone of a particular instrument. I've tried a Rickenbacker in a store but never really spent proper time with one, or a Warwick or Schecter or Spector or Bacchus or whatever. It's often taken me months with a bass to realise that it's not for me, and work out why but I've really valued the time I've gotten to spend getting to know some of the amazing basses I've been lucky enough to own over the years.

Okay. Bit of context. At the moment I have: '89 2EQ Stingray, the one I've been talking about. A Harley Benton 5 string unlined fretless that I pick up and play occassionally and have plans for - I've done a few practise sessions with a guitarist mate and it'd be lovely for a two-piece as we harmonise quite well. Dingwall AB 5-string that's got an issue with the preamp and is with Bass Direct for a couple of weeks while they get replacement bits in For the last few days I've been doing my daily practise on the 'Ray and it is soooooo nice to play. Honestly, strung with Elites it's so easy to fly around the fretboard though it requires incredibly accurate fretting, but it's so responsive. Good god, it's got a hot output. When I gigged with it I just whacked the bass and treble up to full but now I find the tone insane. I am starting to recognise why so many players move from a Stingray to a Jazz as they get older though backing off the bass and treble can tame it, it's kind of like having a sports bike and putting stability wheels on it. What's the point in having all that power if you don't use it? Anyway. I'm still erring on the side of selling it but I'm not in a hurry. I am in the process of acquiring something that could help me make my mind up so will keep you posted how that turns out...

My partner likes stinky cheese. When visiting Maastricht I went to a cheese shop and asked for their stinkiest cheese and was told that airlines would refuse to take it in the cabin. I was returning by train so that was fine! I got in late and the smell was so rank I had to put a note on the fridge to warn the other half and the lodger that it was the cheese and to be prepared before opening the door.

Could have done. I think the seller is a bit of a flake, but if the bass is relisted it’s probably going to be a good deal.

Update: Well, the sale has fallen through. The guy selling said he could not find the case and didn't want to send it without but I got a full refund so I've not been scammed. I think he's either a flake or found out how much it'd cost to send the thing or both - the listing didn't even mention a case so he's not a very experienced seller. Anyway. It wasn't a scam.

Yummy!

I am going to put it up for sale. Bass Gallery said £1500. I’d only get £1200 of that so I’m thinking £1350 is a fair basschat price.

I have thought about getting a second Dingle… the Neve preamp has a bit of a crackle. It’s happened to a couple of them apparently, Dingwall will send a replacement and Bass Direct will swap it out. May take a few weeks though.

My Dingwall is away for repair! I’m a bass down! But yes. The Stingray is gonna be going.

Will aim to do one!

Yeah. I asked for a pic with a note with today’s date on and it came straight away. I will film the opening in case it’s an empty box scam. Will keep you posted!

Or I could be straight and say they have no feedback and the postage is too low - can I have a photo of the bass with a hand-written note so I know you have it. I'm tempted.

So the risk is you get an empty box delivered but cant prove it? Unfortunately, it's the other side of the country from me...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167755787665?mkevt=1&mkpid=2&emsid=e90001.m161799.l174484&plmtId=700008&mesgId=3015&mkcid=8&ch=osgood&bu=43159798607&trkId=1f2b853f-e21d-30c5-9897-0597a2265912&cnvId=700003&recoId=167755787665&recoPos=1

That’s jaw-dropping

This is a good point. I honestly think the best solution at the moment would be a long-term swap with someone who wanted to try out a Stingray for a few months and left another bass with me in the meantime. That would be just about perfect.

I have a rule though. I have to spend more time practising and playing than I do looking at gear online!

I think I paid the same back in 1993 for my beaten-up trans red maple 4h 2EQ! I got it in a store in Cardiff, if I remember right, along with a Peavy 160w combo. Honestly though, I am very much starting to feel that I want to move it on. At last.

I needed to hear this.

UPDATE: This has focused my mind a bit. I had to call into the nice people at Bass Direct today to sort out an issue with the Dingwall (it's a minor problem but it had Mark properly stumped). While I was there I showed them my Stingray and asked how much they'd put it on for and how much comission to sell it. They said £1500 and 20%. No criticism of the team in Bass Direc, but I don't think it'd be worth my selling if £1,200 is all I'd get for it.

Thanks. That's very interesting and great to know.