warwickhunt

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1250398' date='May 30 2011, 03:39 PM']Use the 9v battery trick to check the polarity on both.[/quote] Good point, as it's easily done if you are using Speakon - 1/4" As to out of phase speakers possibly not being the culprit; accepted it could be any one of half a dozen reasons but the easiest checked is plugging the amp into other speakers (not using your cables) or trying a pair of cables with your amp that you know have matched polarity. If anyone is unfamiliar with the effect of having cables/speakers out of phase it's akin to plugging in a second cab and getting 25% less out than with one cab... a marked difference! Has the OP tried using just one cab at a time? I really don't see it being the case of the EQ isn't working with the cabs. I'd expect that any 500w amp with EQ set flat with a pair of GS cabs, should easily outshine the existing 2x10 Ashdown combo (especially a MAG version). Just my thoughts!

What's your budget?

[quote name='MythSte' post='1249513' date='May 29 2011, 06:51 PM']Another suggestion that the cabs might be out of phase with each other here. A quick rewire (of the cabs or the leads, but not both!) will sort this out. I used to have a pair of warwick cabs, an ND12 and ND15 and there was no volume when cranked, whipped the speaker out of one and crossed the wires over and boom, job done [/quote] The quickest way to check (after you've tried each cab by itself and then combined, quieter or at least not as full sounding combined when compared to each in isolation) is to swap ONE of the poles on ONE of your leads (assuming they are speak-on). That should fix your problem... if it is a polarity issue!

Speaker leads! Firstly, are they decent quality? I recently bought back an old amp (250w) and cab that I sold years ago and the guy gave me his speaker cable. Plugged it all in and it was PATHETIC! I had the input and output maxed and I wouldn't have even had enough volume to rehearse in the house. Checked the speaker lead and it was a silly skinny mic lead; replaced it with a proper speaker cable and hey presto. Secondly, are the speakers/speaker leads in phase? On more than one occasion I've heard of people borrowing cabs and speaker leads and then complaining that the sound is quieter with two cabs than it is with one (have you tried that), a classic indicator that something is out of phase. I've heard a pair of GS112 cabs being driven by a DB750 and with my Thunderfunk and they had plenty of Ooomph.

[quote name='thebassman' post='1249013' date='May 29 2011, 11:29 AM']That is if the US music shops will ship to the UK. I tried getting some Ampeg gear a few years back and some of the bigger stores, said they were not allowed to export, something to do with world Market price fixing. Lucky for some if they do though.[/quote] There are agreements between manufacturers and distributors/retailers but you can usually find someone far enough removed down the distribution chain who needs the sales and is prepared to keep mum about supplying to the UK. Manufacturers may not like it (especially when they've put these agreements in place) but they must realise that it happens and as has been pointed out, it is a kick in the nuts to anyone moving on an RH450/Classic!

[quote name='Bellypopper' post='1248417' date='May 28 2011, 04:54 PM']Hi All I really fancy a Musicman, and have seen this one on ebay [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Musicman-Stingray-Ltd-2005-/250824011583?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a6646af3f"]Here[/url] Is this a good deal? I am suprised that nobody has bid on it Cheers Russ[/quote] I sold one of these last year for less than his starting price and that included the official ltd ed case. What may be putting people off is his reference to the bass not being in the UK.

If you've managed to relic the Sting bass like that it reinforces why I'll NEVER buy a vintage instrument!

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1248203' date='May 28 2011, 01:17 PM']Surely the interest with this bass (and the reason we are talking about it) is because of [b]who's[/b] it is and not [b]what[/b] it is? People put far too much stock in "mojo" these days (imho) but this bass is the embodiment of mojo and has it's place in the history of music. This bass is quite literally world famous.[/quote] I'm struggling to agree with folks on this one! I loved the BHs and it was my era yet I'd have had no idea that this bass was NW's 'trademark' instrument. 'Literally world famous'... hmmmm maybe among a select clique of fellow bassists or musos but I'd be inclined to think that his bass wouldn't be high in many other folks estimation. If you are drawing a comparison to JE then he was literally a pioneer as much for his band as him as a bass player. Maybe it's just that I can't see £10k-£15k in a 60's bass that by our keen eyed detectives may have discrepancies! However that's the great thing, we all have our views and there may well be a BH/NW fan out there who has a spare £15k, who will prove me wrong.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1248153' date='May 28 2011, 12:34 PM']chris_b and Molan are bang on the money Bob BUT are you sure you really have to sell right now? I'm well aware that you know this, but the market is absolutely in the toilet just now. I can't think of a worse time to be converting high-end basses into cash. Is there really nothing else you could be selling/doing which would allow you to hang on to these basses until the market recovers?[/quote] I should learn to type faster! It does show that we are thinking the same thing though.

I have to say Bob that I don't think that the current values of basses (especially non-vintage Fender ) are strong enough to warrant selling them to supplement any plans to bank/pension the funds... not right now any way. I'd have to say that were it me I'd be keeping that as your back up plan possibly to cash in on when the economy recovers and folks will spend a bit more. I'm sure I'm not dissimilar to a lot of the mature players on here who have a bit of disposable income and though I've got funds for a nice bass, in the present climate I'm holding out for something but it really does have to be at a decent price.

[quote name='neilb' post='1248021' date='May 28 2011, 10:46 AM']Possibly, but the logo itself is inconsistent. Some elements of a 62, some of a 64 or later. [u]Anyway, its Normans bloody bass[/u]!!!!!! (have I already said that?)[/quote] I think the originality/validity of the bass will affect its value far more than whether the venerable NW owned/played it. So if Barrie's estimate of £10-£15k is right, that's going to be pretty pricey for what could potentially be a bit of a hybrid as opposed to an all original.

Don't dismiss ebay as all bad and a last resort! I've sold a couple of basses on ebay recently and got significantly more on ebay than I was offered on Basschat (even taking into account fees).

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRECISION-BODY-MUSICMAN-BASS-GUITAR-/170645030080?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27bb3c84c0#ht_500wt_1156"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRECISION-BODY-MUSIC...0#ht_500wt_1156[/url] It never ceases to amaze how many people expect you to believe rubbish!

Just listened to it and... that was a decent 'guitar' solo with effects and all! I've not really had much time for Metallica which is just a taste thing so absolutely no criticism but if I'd heard that being played without knowing who it was I'd have thought it was someone very proficient on the guitar having a go on the bass. Saying that, the nature of bass solos (which to me is an oxymoron) is that you don't get a feel for how that person plays in the band situation and I'm sure that as an entertainer he must have been pretty good.

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' post='1247780' date='May 28 2011, 12:24 AM']1. The shellac purchased was for an ageing job i did on a tweed amp, you wouldnt use shellac amber tint for a guitar, you'd use amber nitrocellulose lacquer Feel free to ask anything.[/quote] Hi Rick. Did you do the refinish on your bass? Just out of interest do you still have the 'Sting' sig bass that you won on ebay, as I'm looking for one and it'd be significantly cheaper than your original? At the right price I'd buy that off you and it'd go some way towards your next purchase.

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1246030' date='May 26 2011, 06:34 PM']If someone were to buy mine off me, it would have to be at least £500. They're great basses, are made just as good as the CIJ RI's, sound just as good and look the nuts and they regularly go for around £500. Why should a '51-'54 RI be any less?[/quote] It's back to the age old debate of 'value' v 'worth'. You can value an instrument at any price you like BUT it's worth is what someone is prepared to put their hand in their pocket and pay!

There's a one just sold on ebay for less than £300 (check the ebay section of BC), so I don't think the lower figures quoted are far wide of the mark! However, something is only worth what someone will pay; I recently offered over £400 for a MIJ P bass and got knocked back, so certain buyers are holding out for the right buyer which is fair does.