scarified

[quote name='Bassman68' post='887262' date='Jul 6 2010, 08:33 AM']Lovely 2000 5 string, reckon it's from the first batch in late '89 when production went entirely 'in-house' for 2000 mouldings (well saying that, the manufacturing process was the same as the series II, With a wooden core, set-in neck & graphite facings front & back. The join between wood & graphite being hidden by the black sunburst). I had #0440... If you look in the battery compartment, see if it has a signature in there, either SS or $L, if it's $L.......I made it![/quote] Hey Bassman68 - I used to live in Chelmsford in the 80s. Would "SS" be Steve Sutcliffe ?

I just got the first vote for a Smartbass. Here's a pic (from the Gear Porn part of the forum). I was using it with a Trace Elliot AH100 in a pop group for the past year to great effect. I have recently joined a Heavy Metal band and I am playing this thru a Mesa Boogie M6. The tone is to die for. Anyone who has trouble 'cutting thru the mix' in a metal band should seriously consider getting a Status Graphite. Speaking of which, anyone seen this guy yet ? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc13C7oiScs&feature=related"]Italian metal bassist playing a Status[/url]

I actually bought it used from the Bass Gallery in London when I was visiting the UK last year. It is very very hard to find Statii here in the USA.

Here's my Smartbass. I think it's only the second one in this thread. [url="http://img709.imageshack.us/i/statusvu.jpg/"][/url]

[quote name='Conan' post='705111' date='Jan 8 2010, 03:39 AM']Just as well you never saw me gigging!! Got rid of the TE a few years ago due to its size and mass, and we were moving house... etc. I liked the sound, and I think it suited the Status. It's not for everyone though (as the responses in this thread show!). I always find it difficult to describe sound in words, but I thought it was clean, clear, powerful, rich and "hi-fi" (whatever that means!). Plenty of top and bottom, but a bit lacking in the mid-range without applying "wacky" graphic settings (mine was the GP11). But maybe this was more down to the Status than the amp as I never tried any other rig with the Status. Volume was never a problem as I was running it through the typical 1048 and 1518 combination, giving out the full 250 watts (it was the AH250 head). It was the only amp set-up I used for 20 years, so I now find it quite hard to make a decision about what I want next!![/quote] Hey Conan - you and me both. I have only had an AH100 and a 4x10+1x15 since 1989. I play mainly a Status too. The AH100 has been modded twice and repaired once. I know I need something smaller, louder, warmer and more 'modern' but I am having a hard time finding anything I like more than my trusty old TE. I am wary of the reliability of newer gear too. What's on your GAS list ?

[quote name='neilb' post='661024' date='Nov 21 2009, 09:22 AM']Im with tomboy on this one, but STILL think it looks the bollocks!! It wont go above 5. My ears bleed.[/quote] I know that as the starter of this thread, I am supposed to be neutral, but that is very impressive. It would be even better with a brightbox though ....

That's interesting, the first few opinions all suggest that big still = cool ..

Putting aside tone and quality, what is the best looking bass rig out there ? I know tastes change and huge stacks may not be as cool as mini rigs these days - right ? Is a boutique backline more impressive than, say, an Ampeg or Ashdown rig, or is it kind of poncy looking ? Do Peavey/Hartke rigs make you look like a working musician, or a chav ? Finding the best sounding amp is easy, finding the best build quality is easy too. But what about image ? Discuss.

I love metal, but a good bassist in a metal band is like a good quarterback on a baseball team ....

Lydia of course ! [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/kaboesj"]http://www.youtube.com/user/kaboesj[/url]

Wasn't it Mark Gooday who used to drive a black Sierra Cosworth with a Trace Elliot badge on it around Chelmsford back in the day ?