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 ?

Some of you will get into this topic, others of you will hate it. However, we should all agree that for some inexplicable reason there seems to be a huge number of kickass bassists who are British. Who's at the top of your list ? I can easily rattle off 10 ... John Taylor Paul McCartney Steve Harris Mick Karn Sting Nick Beggs Pino Paladino Mark King Tom Jenkinson Lemmy .. and find 10 "also rans" too John Entwistle Tony Franklin Geezer Butler Chris Squire Roger Waters John Paul Jones Jah Wobble John Deacon Neil Murray Jack Bruce