Dr Phibes

Bought the Juju Hand boost from Si, smooth transaction and I'm a happy camper!

[quote name='Clarky' post='1313223' date='Jul 22 2011, 08:49 PM']Hi, all good! IMHO Innovation should offer.a low tension gut-alike with metal core, akin to the Presto Ultralight but with Silver Slap like tension (I found the Prestos just that bit harder to play than SS's). My tuwo pennorth![/quote] Exactly what I'm after too!

This chap comes up in Hythe - [url="http://www.chrismcneilly.co.uk/"]http://www.chrismcneilly.co.uk/[/url]

I don't know whether Alan at Bassix would help you out, but if you get completely stuck it might be worth an email... [url="http://www.bassix.co.uk/"]http://www.bassix.co.uk/[/url]

I have used them. Found the E to be quite floppy, but it still gave a decent enough tone and sustain when compared to wackers or plain guts - but not as good as silverslaps. Also found the slap to be quite plasticy and unpleasant sounding to my ears. They have the obvious advantage of working with a mag pickup, so if this were key I'd go for it; if not then I'd personally stick with the slaps.

And some more...

Here's a pic of the Prima. If you keep an eye on ebay you do get some nice blonde 60's and 70's basses coming up every now and again for very reasonable prices.

[quote name='kingforaday' post='1031582' date='Nov 21 2010, 05:32 PM']i've been looking for about a year at various double basses and the only real decision i've made is i now know i definitely want a blonde! these are the ones i've found; [url="http://www.westmount-music.co.uk/product/STRUNAL_50|4_%27Blond%27_Double_Bass_3|4_SDB50-4"]Strunal[/url] [url="http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=BF052-3-4"]Primavera[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Double-Bass-3-4-size-NATURAL-blonde-new-/380290502503?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item588b148f67"]gedo musik[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_1_e_blond_3_4.htm?sid=caa2461ef7b9ab01c4ebbbd808d101f5"]Thomann[/url] anybody who has any experience with these please let me know your opinions, the good and bad points etc. i've been looking for a while and i don't think i'm really getting anywhere, the only one i've been able to try was the gedo musik one. A friend of mine bought one and it sounds and feels pretty good to me but its the only double bass i've ever played so what do i know!?[/quote] I've owned a Gedo bass with a carved top and it wasn't bad. Bit quiet acoustically and it started to develop a small crack around one of the f holes. I think the fully laminate basses are a definate step below. Out of the ones you listed I'd probably give it a miss unless you're set on a cutaway. The Thomman is the same bass as the Strunal. People say very good things about these basses. Built like tanks, good projection and tone. I plumped for the Prima as you know, but I picked mine up second hand. The basses are very pretty in the flesh, so to speak, lovely flamed maple veneers on the sides and back. Love mine, love the violin corners. The safe bet is the Strunal, but the Prima wins out on style!

[quote name='kingforaday' post='1030238' date='Nov 20 2010, 11:01 AM']thats what i'd heard about the lower strings but i haven't found them that bad at all, they are really thick though which took some getting used to. tone wise i get kinda of a dead thumpy sound but for what we're playing i think it works! shoulda said earlier, check out the link in my signature to 'the seven year itch' the full band songs on there are played on a stagg edb with weedwackers i see you have the blonde prima bass Dr Phibes, how is it?[/quote] I like it a lot. I've owned a few basses including a B&H and it compares favourably. It's had a few tweaks, including replacing the adjustable bridge (it rattled) with a solid one and swapping out the metal tailpiece for a wooden one, but I've no complaints. To be brutally honest I bought it because I'm a sucker for blonde basses with violin corners rather than for the acoustic tone but I've been pleasantly surprised.

Usually with wackers you'll find that the D and G are pretty good, the A is just about passable and the E is like playing wet spaghetti (with about the same tonal qualities too). See how you get on, but I'll wager you'll swap out the E for a Roto, Silverslap or Presto in fairly short order!

I'm a fan of Silverslaps / Goldenslaps. I use the E and A with a gut D and G and find them to be a good tension match without bumping over.

You might want tocheck this guy out too - [url="http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html"]http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html[/url]