EssentialTension

'Everyone in this room is wearing a uniform, don't kid yourself.' - Frank Zappa

[quote name='JazzRay' timestamp='1388166179' post='2319063'] Stuart Sutcliffe played a Hofner, and Lennon and Harrison didn't play Gretsch and Ricky until around 62 when they got them on the never never [/quote] Well, OK, pedantic, but Lennon's Rickenbacker is usually dated as a 1960 never-never purchase in Hamburg, and Harrison is usually said to have paid £70 cash for his Gretsch in 1961 in Liverpool, and Sutcliffe had left by the end of 1960. But either way, they weren't all playing Hofners even before the Ricky and the Gretsch.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1388060779' post='2318156'] What do you prefer? I don't want to get onto the differences between the two basses, etc. I'm just after your preferences. [/quote] I've never played a Music Man, I've played lots of Precisions which are obviously therefore the winner.

[quote name='JazzRay' timestamp='1388154743' post='2318939'] Squier VM Jaguar SS, very light, very comfy, nice player, decent tone, well built, or try the Squier Classic Vibe Mustang. The Beatles didn't play Hofners through choice, due to the trade embargoes after the war you just couldn't get Fenders, (and god knows who wanted Gibsons!) until around 1960. I love short scale basses, they're a do dele to play, the downside being less sustain but apart from that they're great! [/quote] Only McCartney played a Hofner. In the early days Lennon played a Rickenbacker and Harrison played a Gretsch.

[quote name='Mod_Machine' timestamp='1388147321' post='2318837'] Hi, I'm about to get a white squier vintage modified vi (present from the wife) but of course have to wait for delivery...I have the chance of a black one immediately. Either way I want to change the scratch plate to a 3 ply black\white\black. Any one know of anywhere I can get one? I had a custom mustang scratch plate made by bass doc and it was lush-it absolutely finished my project to the higehest standard. does anyone know if he still produces single plates on request? Many thanks Karl [/quote] I got my black pearl one from this guy: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-VM-Bass-VI-Pickguard-4-Ply-Aged-Pearl-/321269875583?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4acd2d437f"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-VM-Bass-VI-Pickguard-4-Ply-Aged-Pearl-/321269875583?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4acd2d437f[/url]

IN Squier Bass VI OUT Zilch

[quote name='Absolute Beginner' timestamp='1388080991' post='2318381'] Hi all. I'm new to the world of Bass guitars, so please bare with me ! I'm looking to purchase a beginners short scale bass, which is relatively light (I have issues with my left shoulder),and has little neck dive. My budget is £300 maximum, and I wondered if any of you can kindly recommend a bass within this price range.....? The two guitars I am interested in at the present time are as follows: Epiphone Viola Epiphone EB-0 (I could possibly stretch to the EB-3). I am open to other suggestions though ? For your information, I will mainly be playing Beatles covers. Many thanks. [/quote] The Epiphone Viola will probably be lighter than an EBO due to it being semi-hollow. Less light but probably a better bass will be the Squier Mustang. Also, there are cheaper versions of the light Hofner Violin bass in your price range. You need to get in a music shop and try a few.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1387999901' post='2317825'] Here's Rick Laird a few years later............. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcQKjffxIOY[/media] [/quote] Am I seeing things or does Rick Laird's Precision have a Hagstrom Bisonic in the neck position?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1356981019' post='1916100'] ... I have still to meet up with the rep and his string factory story... so that will be a definitive meeting [/quote] Any news?

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1387967990' post='2317561'] ... Note: I was told in a local shop that EB's and Rotosounds are basically the same strings sold under different brands. Is that true? [/quote] The answer is disputed but see this thread: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/171152-who-makes-which-strings"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/171152-who-makes-which-strings[/url]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1387663224' post='2314437'] LaBella 760FL Flats have red silks and brass rings, IIRC. Can't remember if they have silk at the ring end, though. [/quote] La Bella 760FL have red silk at tuner end and nothing at ball end.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1387757099' post='2315402'] Wooten has small hands and stubby fingers. [/quote]

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1387757099' post='2315402'] Esperanza Spalding has petite hands and plays the heck out of both electrics and uprights. [/quote]

It should be fine.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1387746543' post='2315213'] Bass is an aria zzb deluxe similar to one below and strings being fender superbass nickle 45-105. Cheers guys [/quote] I'm unfamiliar with that bass and with those strings. Maybe someone else will know,

Django's long but damaged fingers: I've known excellent players with short fingers and stubby hands generally, and average players with long fingers etc. There's more to it than having a certain kind of physique.

The tuner end of a La Bella is tapered. I still think La Bella might send a suitable replacement if you ask them nicely.

In principle fine but it does depend on things like distance from bridge to tailpiece etc. and actual length of string between silks. So what bass and which strings?

Sold Will a small item in a straightforward and easy deal. Recommended.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1387143289' post='2308751'] ... I shouldn't like it... [/quote] Why ever should you not like a bass? It makes no sense, it's just a bass.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1387660239' post='2314404'] But no-one's using steel violins, are they? It's still the 300-year-old Strad that is most desirable. If a bit expensive. 'Steel Violins'... sounds like a chick-flick. [/quote] Yep, I'll be dead before it happens. But the violin comparison is only partially appropriate because those Strads are acoustic instruments unlike this bass.