WHUFC BASS

[quote name='big cat' post='373304' date='Jan 7 2009, 05:55 PM']I think they are discontinued. I own an Epi Elite Thunderbird. Quite good. The quality is similar to Gibson, and the neck dive......[/quote] The company that made them before Epiphone was called Orville which was basically Gibson Japan. The quality control was much higher and personally speaking I think these Japanese models were much better build wise than the Gibson USA models.

[quote name='yorick' post='372856' date='Jan 7 2009, 11:03 AM']Sweet. Can you do a lefty Sid clone?[/quote] My mate has got an original '78 Precision identical to sids. He bought in the late 70s specially to look like o' Sidney Vish and even now he still looks a bit like him.

I love the sound of Gibson Thunderbirds. Had one a while back for years. Had to move the strap-pins to remove the neck dive. The necks are really nice, remind me a lot of Jazz bass necks but they are quite weak and there are numerous cases of the neck breaking at the nut. You need extra bright strings imo to get a really nice tone as the wood and p/up combination gives it a dark tone. Reason I got rid of it was because I'm only a little fella and these basses make you look like a f***ng umpa-lumpa if you're vertically challenged like me. I kept getting job offers to work in a chocolate factory every time I strapped my thunderbird on

[quote name='KevB' post='373253' date='Jan 7 2009, 05:10 PM']Or you could start with this and build your own: [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-2005-Black-SG-Standard-Bass-Body-Neck-EB-0-3_W0QQitemZ120356724514QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item120356724514&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-2005-Black-SG-S...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url][/quote] I was on the verge of buying a stripped down Les Paul Menace from this seller as it does seem like a good idea. You don't have to replace the second rate Gibson pickups and you can install pretty much your own spec hardware.

I started playing bass with a pick many moons ago and my first tutor told me to use my fingers instead. It wasn't until about 2 years ago that I started using one again. To be honest, its really handy to be able to use both styles.

[quote name='Leowasright' post='371970' date='Jan 6 2009, 01:32 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Greco-1989-SG-Bass-Wine-Red-w-OHSC-MIJ_W0QQitemZ190253407703QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item190253407703&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Greco-1989-SG-Bass-Win...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url] Tell a lie, there is one on E-Bay. But the bottom edge is right smashed in.[/quote] They turn up quite frequently on Ebay believe it or not. Just keep searching and you'll see one almost every week. There are also a lot of Jap bolt on neck EBO type basses from the 1970s that show up too, although the quality is dubious. The same traits seem to follow Gibson basses around, neck dive and they always seem to break at the nut.

Thanks for the advice chaps. I'm going to try out a Traben tomorrow. I'll let you know my findings

Any bass with more than 5 strings. Signature Instruments Anything made by Carlsboro Ernie Ball Strings Buying from Music Shops Marshall Bass Amplification

and a Greco version....

Mate, if its a Jap EB you're after try and locate a Greco or Burny model from the 80s. They are just as good as the Epis. And just as good as some of the Gibsons if not better as far as construction goes. Here's an example of a Burny....

Its possible, that B string will add some extra tension to the neck.

[quote name='mrcrow' post='370192' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:33 PM']leo fender first bass..precision next..jazz next...mm next g+l for me there is a sort of progression there... having owned a jazz an precision special..P.J...i would say with all dimensional traits aside the jazz wins out for versatility and breadth of tonality and i suspect leo thought a bit of pickup combining gave us the MM and the subsequent g+l variation[/quote] I agree. I've owned serveral of each (apart from a G&L) and have to say that from all of them I prefer the Jazz. More versitile imo as well as easier to play. The Precision and Musicman both have very distinct sounds which you can recognise instantly. The Jazz has a more generic tone which can be beefed up for rockier stuff.

Bit of a dilema here... I'm trying to decide which to buy - a Traban Chaos Core 5 or Ibanez SR505. I've tried the SR505, very nice, light quite comfortable. Not tried the Traban though. Price is very similar, but not sure which is better. Musical style would be heavy rock, metal, punk etc. using both pick and fingerstyle. Can't find a dealer in the UK that carries the Traban to try out unfortunately. Anyone got any recommendations?

Blimey, wish my missus got me something like that... mind you she calls my guitar playing "twanging"...

Just PM'd you mate.

Nice one. No GAS for a Markbass rig then??

Cheers mate. I've heard of your band, seen them advertised gigs etc. I think I may have even been to a few gigs where you did the support but I've never actually heard or seen your band live or on record before. Just had a listen. Mate, I'm really impressed and believe me, when it comes to punk I am one of the hardest people to please as there seems to be a never ending supply of punk bands that sound like a bag ladies period.

Check out the clips on YouTube of Traben basses. They seem to have a massive sound indeed - damn! I was all set to get myself an Ibanez Sr505 - now this lot come along!!.

Of course you're right Bassassin! I meant the Fujigen Gakki, not Matsumoko. I have a Jazz Bass, that I think is Cimar (Ibanez) that has this MADE IN JAPAN neckplate. and if I remember correctly it was you that told me that it was made by Fujigen Gakki. In fact this Jazz bass isn't that bad. Its under my bed in bits at the moment and has been so for ages. I'm seriously considering selling it. I'm digging your knowledge of all the lawsuit stuff. I'm really fascinated by it too, having owned two Burny Les Pauls, an Orville Thunderbird, Westone Thunder 1A, Aria B900 and Greco precision in the past.

I tried the SR505 out again today.. really nice bass. Very impressed with its playability.

I'd go for specialist baritone strings - the heavier gauge the better.