philw

[quote name='EMG456' timestamp='1356947049' post='1915349'] Sub zero in my book but then again my first L2 has now been with me for almost 30 years and I have three other L series 'Bergers as well so that pretty well nails my colours to the mast! Seriously, Steinbergers have now gone through the full cycle of coolness from ultra hyped ultimate cool in the early '80s through to seriously uncool in the '90s. Ned Steinberger's design set a trend which went "viral" in the days before the internet but got so big so fast that it got lumped together with shoulder pads, crazy hair and all the other "fashion" trends of the '80s. Back to basics, the design of the L2 had absolutely nothing to do with fashion and style and everything to do with functionality and fitness for purpose. In that respect, I believed in 1984 that it was the most completely realised, intelligent and ground breaking bass design ever and nothing has come along since to make me change my mind. Over the years I've had all the jokes and the comments but what shuts them all up is the sound. So, if you can dare to be different and can handle the pressure that will inevitably come your way, buy and use your XL2. Others can debate the look and the pros/ cons (and believe me, they will) and you can meantime quietly enjoy all the hidden benefits of using one of the absolute classic basses. Cheers Ed [/quote] All that and more. P

Wal Custom fretless. Also not for sale I'm afraid. An old Ibanez from that period would be cool, similarly one of the Aria SB series. Oh and a Steinberger L2. Hen's teeth these days though and not cheap. P

Lots of Wal info and trivia here: http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm P

Cone on people. Birte's band is a brilliant opportunity for any Brighton bass player. You know you want to....

Jaco, Percy Jones, John Giblin, Eberhard Weber.

Absolutely agree with all that. Leave well alone. Just get Paul Herman to do a setup and service the electronics but after that of course you won't want to sell it. P

[quote name='philw' timestamp='1352381196' post='1862341'] OK, I can't resist (probably can't remember all of them either). 1) Arbiter EB3 (ish) copy (about 1979) 2) Aria Cardinal 450. 3) Wasburn P/J fretless 4) Wal Mk 1Custom fretless (still have it) 5) Ibanez fretted (can't remember the model name) 6) Eko B4 fretless acoustic 7) NS Design CR4 EUB (still have it) 8) Status Electro 5 fretless 9) Fender US Jazz/Precision hybrid fretless 10) Manne Acoustibass fretless 5 11) Veillette MkIV fretless 5 12) Veillette SingleCut Retro 13) Squire VM Precision 14) Veillette Acoustic Bass fretless 4 15) Veillette Paris fretless 4 (still have it, and it's for sale too) 16) Fender Precision A/E fretless 17) East European ply double bass (still have it) 18) Squire CV Precision 19) Yamaha BEX 4 blue (still have it) 20) Yamaha BEX 4 orange (still have it, converted to fretless) 21) Veillette Flyer 5 fretless (arriving next week) Phil [/quote] Typically I forgot the most recent one - A Sue Ryder Precision. Sold it after a couple of months for the same £55 I bought it for. P

OK, I can't resist (probably can't remember all of them either). 1) Arbiter EB3 (ish) copy (about 1979) 2) Aria Cardinal 450. 3) Wasburn P/J fretless 4) Wal Mk 1Custom fretless (still have it) 5) Ibanez fretted (can't remember the model name) 6) Eko B4 fretless acoustic 7) NS Design CR4 EUB (still have it) 8) Status Electro 5 fretless 9) Fender US Jazz/Precision hybrid fretless 10) Manne Acoustibass fretless 5 11) Veillette MkIV fretless 5 12) Veillette SingleCut Retro 13) Squire VM Precision 14) Veillette Acoustic Bass fretless 4 15) Veillette Paris fretless 4 (still have it, and it's for sale too) 16) Fender Precision A/E fretless 17) East European ply double bass (still have it) 18) Squire CV Precision 19) Yamaha BEX 4 blue (still have it) 20) Yamaha BEX 4 orange (still have it, converted to fretless) 21) Veillette Flyer 5 fretless (arriving next week) Phil

Really, how is it possible to display so little imagination? I truly am tempted to thud my head on the desk in frustration. Please, nobody buy one! P

I've heard quite a few people play my demo Veillette Paris (the blue one) now and the thing that's struck me is just how much the sound of the instrument is in the fingers and technique of the player. The basic tone of the Veillette is warm and woody, and that always come though, whoever plays it, but some people just have something in their technique that can make is sound remarkably (amplified) double-bass like. It's partly that they naturally play double-bass chops rather than electric bass chops, but it's also something about how they attack the strings with their right hand and voice the note (vibrator, pressure, etc) with their left. P

Gareth, Just a thought. What about the D'Addario flats fitted as standard to the NS Design Omni Bass (the one that used to be known as the Bass/Cello)? The Omni Bass, like your Archtop, has a gap between the bridge and string anchor so presumably needs something with an extended ball-end to wrap length. I think the Bass Centre has them (although buying from the US would probably be cheaper). Phil

[quote name='naruki' timestamp='1349277752' post='1824177'] Actually I just don't wanna pay full VAT for a used instrument. I actually did this before, when I bought a Music Man Bongo from the US but I don't know how the seller did it. Of course I'm not gonna declare it SUPER LOW. Maybe 70% of the original price not including the hsipping. Bad idea? [/quote] Yes, bad idea. What you're proposing is tax evasion. It's the kind of thing we all get so riled about when big corporations or rich fat cats do it. Who's side are you on? P

Let me know too Gareth! Phil PS. Have a 32" scale, fretless five (E - C) Veillette Flyer turning up here in a couple of weeks. Having just seen my first six string Flyer guitar I can't wait.

I've used round-wounds on my fretless Wal for most of its 29 year life and its (ebony) fingerboard has had a bit of subtle attention on just two occasions. An Overwater with an ebony fingerboard will probably outlast you whatever strings you use. P

[quote name='rubis' timestamp='1348911235' post='1819650'] I bet he's got a tiny todger [/quote] And a wealthy osteopath.

Thanks Si and Gareth. My gut feel was a bit more than £450-£500, but hey, what do I know. S'pose I should do a bit of research on previous Basschat sales and on eBay. Thanks again. P

Turns out it's not 80s at all. Either I misheard or the owner was confused. Anyway, the serial number (N727720) puts it at 97/98 MIA. I've now seen the bass - although its original neck is missing and a fretless Warmouth is fitted (the original neck is I'm assured in the loft somewhere), it looks a nice instrument. It has a couple of small dings in the finish but the hard case still contains all the tags and candy - the plastic bag containing the documentation and wrench is still sealed. Value anybody (assuming the original neck turns up and it's in good condition)? Phil