saxobass

Thanks Guys. A lot of wisdom in there. I think that any gains from this `deal` might be quite slender. I`ll think on!

Mine is an old Japanese Jazz Sound from the early eighties. It`s as good as any Fender, and certainly much better than my old Mex Jazz. In fact Fender took them to court over the issue! I`ve improved(?) mine with a more solid Wilkinson bridge and nice warm sounding Bartolini p.u.`s. It`s fretless, and I`ve never played a nicer feeling instrument. O.k., it`s heavy because it`s solid and beautifully built, but I wouldn`t be without it!

Hi all. I`d like to buy a Godin A4 bass from Canada at a very favourable price. Has anybody had any experience of taxes due, (customs etc.) especially as this is a commonwealth country?

Have you looked at the Kala U Bass? weighs a little over two pounds and has a 20" scale. Sounds like nothing else out there!

If you really think you need it, and if the others will o.k. it, then the smallest, LEAST VISIBLE, and probably the cheapest answer is the Roland Microcube. It uses batteries, which may suit the type of gig you`re playing, and will push out enough sound in that kind of setting for you to hear yourself.....which I think may be at least part of the problem. I often play DB in a folkish setting sometimes involving quite a few musicians (10 or more) and they can always hear me.....although I can`t always hear myself as much as I LIKE, which is why I bought the Roland! You may find some on the front line in that kind of setting who object to amplification, by the way, and they may not even notice the Roland stuck quietly away under a chair. Just don`t talk about it!

Thanks all. I just spoke to Tony Houska (Contrabass Shoppe) and he agreed to let me have one of his remaining C.F. endpins at cost (probably less, in fact, I think they didn`t prove a good seller). I am expecting it soon and will report back. Thanks especially for the offer Jennifer.

Hi all. Health problems (rheumatoid arthritis and coronary heart disease) mean I`ve got to try and lighten my bass as much as possible. Thought I`d start by replacing my steel 10mm endpin with a carbon fibre rod. (Understand this might also influence the sound????) Has anyone done this, and have any advice to offer?

[quote name='TheRev' post='821591' date='Apr 28 2010, 10:10 AM']The String Emporium plywood basses (RM-100) have a good rep over on TB and are generally considered superior to the Shen basses. They website says they'll ship basses to you - you could give them an email and check they'll ship to this side of the pond? Closer to home, the Thomann Kontrabass 22 is very nice (although it's a hybrid).[/quote] Many thanks.....I am checking that one out. The instrument (RM-100) looks pretty good.

Hi all. Rheumatoid Arthritis makes weight a problem for me. Plywood instruments can be very good indeed (witness the Samuel Shen models available in America). Does anyone know if such an instrument, (light and ready to be well set-up) is available here?

I understand these to be potentially excellent and some times outstanding instruments when properly set up...as is the case with most Romanian instruments. I have had two Reghin basses and one Andreas Zeller. All have played well and sounded very good indeed. Also, don`t be put off if you discover yours to be a laminated instrument. Possibly the nicesr bass I ever owned was a German `blonde`...all laminated and superb both to play and listen to (wish I still had it!). People talk nonsense about ply basses......they are not necessarily bad and can have many virtues.

[quote name='keeponehandloose' post='801817' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:34 PM']I have some of these. They are brass and are actually very good. I was dubious about them so,,,,,,, I bought from a renowned luthier some high quality machines for just over £100. Quess what,they were EXACTLY the same as the Ebay ones for 35/40 quid. Cant remember the luthiers name ,but even after VAT etc ,I bet I coud've saved £40 or so buying from Ebay.[/quote] Many thanks. That`s very helpful. Were they the single machine heads or the normal paired doubles?

I will try to get more info. Like you, I`m sure that copper alone is far too soft.