Machines

I've got 2 weeks to learn 25 songs for a dep gig, some of the tunes are easy simple enough to learn by ear but others are too busy and for simplicity i'm just going to get the tabs for them, all but a few are on UG which is pretty good.

I wanted a Bongo 6 HH a couple of months ago and now think it's a good job I didn't get one, i'd probably be moving it on by now. The usefulness of a blend is not something i'm convinced by as much as having coil options and position swithces for pickup combos (as per Stingray HH. G&Ls etc.).

I think it depends on who you ask. To bassists - probably not, but anyone else I expect they would consider 5 strings as unusual. At an audition I had a few months ago the singer was amazed you can get them with 5 strings ! I didn't bother telling him you can get 7+ plus .

I stand corrected ! I assumed the default body wood for most midrange+ production instruments was alder/ash, didn't expect poplar to be in any Musicman or Fender instruments. Got to say though - it sounds great so really it is a moot point.

Those internal pots (square blue with white centres) are individual pickup output levels aren't they ? Will be interesting to see what tweaking them does to the overall tone.

[quote name='stringintheshade' post='1293455' date='Jul 5 2011, 02:38 PM']The smaller middle pot moves you from P to J pup but has the bigger knob.[/quote] *snigger* I do want to try one of those out at some point, they must absolutely blitz Squiers.

Well, I gave in and bought a Contemporary Jazz 5 on Friday, if anyone was at the LBGS I'm quite sure it was the one from the demo stand (after comparing pics from the day !). I'm still getting to grips with it, but it's becoming apparent there is a similar basic tone (especially the neck pickup) the CJ5 has when compared to the Progress I had. I'm assuming that's down to the bespoke design of the pickups and EQ and it's nice to know that some effort was put itto that design to make it sound 'Overwatery', if such a phrase exists ! The EQ is alot more powerful than on the Progress and needs only very tiny adjustments to be effective. I like how the 'pull bright' switch and treble knob have different EQ centres, it almost makes it a 3 band EQ (bass, low treble, high treble). Overall, I am astounded by the quality of the instrument at the price point, the only compromise I can find is the body wood (poplar) which is not reknowned as being a tone wood or being expensive, but in this case seems to be absolutely fine for the job. Also inside the back panel everything is very neat and not 'shoved in' like you see in some far eastern instrument's wiring. Top marks to Chris and his team (and of course Tanglewood), these instruments surely should be on peoples to try list ? I also need to try some Aspirations though as this model is the only one i've really focused my attentions on.

I do have a 4th bass but it's in bits at the moment ! Will definitely do a review of the Overwater in the next week or 2, the L2000 has had plenty of reviews elsewhere so no need there. A modern sounding Jazz ? In feel perhaps but certainly not in tone, it is very hifi. Have done an audio clip here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=144014&view=findpost&p=1290015"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...t&p=1290015[/url]

After buying 2 instruments it's obviously the law to take some new pics. After comparing the figuring on the top of the Overwater to some pics I took at London Bass Guitar Show, it seems that this is the one from the Overwater demo stand, which is a nice bonus. The G&L is amazing, I waited till 3.30 for it to turn up at Bass Direct on Friday afternoon ! I got there 5 hours before, it was worth the wait ! Fairly overcast today so lighting not too good, but these few came out ok:

[quote name='dc2009' post='1290009' date='Jul 2 2011, 12:40 PM']Don't worry, I won't! What do you say it most sounds like? Of the major brands, or is it a very unique sound of it's own?[/quote] The output is very hot and the EQ is very powerful - it's hard to describe ! I'll do a recording and then I don't have to EDIT: Here you go, just some noodling but you should get the idea. Starts with neck pickup / both pickups /bridge, all EQ flat. [attachment=83871:OverwaterJ5.mp3]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1289693' date='Jul 1 2011, 10:55 PM']Did you try the Mayones Jabba 5 Classic? Im still gassing to try one, we got stuck in the snow trying to get to Marks before christmas so I just bought the first 5 I liked (Yup the Ray5 )[/quote] Sorry I didn't, but it did look gorgeous. [quote name='Doctor J' post='1289719' date='Jul 1 2011, 11:21 PM']You've just re-awakened my L2000 GAS. I hope you're proud of yourself.[/quote] I make no apologies ! [quote name='dc2009' post='1289741' date='Jul 1 2011, 11:54 PM']These overwater tanglewoods are looking more and more tempting, I want to try one, but the guy in denmark street didn't seem too keen to help last time i was there, not actually been to the bass gallery yet, do they have?[/quote] Not sure about Denmark St but Mark did have 2 of these, get there and try one out ! Just don't expect it to sound like a Jazz bass.

Took a trip to Warwick today to see Mark at Bass Direct. Got there at 10.30 and left at 4.30 ! Never have I known 6 hours of my life go so quickly. Took my Overwater Progress III Deluxe which I've never been truly in love with in the thought of trading it in for something else. Played a lot of amazing instruments, I don't think there's anywhere else in the country with such diversity of brands in such a small space. I played a lot of instruments and just seeing what I liked the feel and sound of, in the end it was apparent I couldn't decide between 2 and needed a 5 string regardless - so I present to you, the G&L L2000 Tribute and a Overwater (by Tanglewood) Contemporary J5. The Progress will be remembered but these 2 are overshadowing it tonally already. The construction and finish of these instruments is hard to find fault with (give me a few days though !) and the value for money of them is astounding. The G&L is a tone monster and very versatile, the Overwater is surprisingly bright and not at all like a Jazz in sound. I'll record some clips of both in the coming days hopefully. There were a lot of single instruments in the same price bracket as the Progress I could have gone for but in the end these 2 were on par with them. After some haggling with Mark we struck a deal and they both came with me. I am one very happy T-101. There will be a separate thread tomorrow about everything else I checked out (lots of pics !). [size=1]Phone pics not ideal but i'm lazy till tomorrow [/size] [attachment=83854:NBD1.jpg] [attachment=83855:NBD2.jpg]

What a tease.

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='1287944' date='Jun 30 2011, 04:37 PM']I do not want to be contentious but why is the forum strict about comments questioning prices? If someone comes on with a price which is thought to be high, what is the problem with airing an opinion about it? The poster can either ignore it, sell it to someone who is happy to pay the asking price, or they may take the advice and lower it to be more realistic? It seems to hit a bit of a nerve with the mods yet I don't think there's anything inflammatory about saying "You can buy one new for that sort of price", etc. You are just expressing your own opinion, which is kind of one of the driving points of a forum.[/quote] Ok, let's flip it round. You put your bass up for sale at what you think is a reasonable price. I post on your thread "you're having a laugh mate, this price is a rip off !". Anyone seeing this who may have been interested are likely to be put off (they may not be that knowledgeable themselves). According to your rules - that post stays there, you may disagree with me and then more people chip in and then we have a slagging match (this is a common theme from prior to this rule being enforced). As moderators, we have enough to do without having to intervene in threads between bickering people with differing opinions. The simple rules of supply and demand will determine if the price is too high, if you feel that strongly then PM the seller with your advice, don't undermine their thread. I would rather this took place than having to remind people all the time.

In my mind: MIM = Made by Mexicans in Mexico. MIA = Made by Mexicans in USA. The US models are noticeably better (better cuts of wood, feel a bit more solid etc) but the price difference for me is unjustified.

I'm going to check out a Contemporary J 5 on Friday, am looking forward to it.

Update: No it can't on PHPBB.

Sorry yes, I did have a play and it appears quite ridiculously that it can't be done in the way you'd want to. You can post a hyperlink to the attachment URL (e.g mine is [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=74874)"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?act=Attach...t&id=74874)[/url], but if it's an image it won't display as one - just a link (and anything in [[b][/b]img] tags can't have a dynamic URL either). I expect the new forum version will sort this out.

I'd go for a Yamaha BB414, tonally versatile (as it has P and J pickups) and very good quality - new price around £270. 2nd hand £200 no trouble (have seen them go for £150). EDIT: One on the forum right now for £190: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074[/url]

Not sure if it can be done - not on this version of the board anyway.