Vibrating G String

[quote name='Beedster' post='933317' date='Aug 23 2010, 12:15 AM']Whilst confident that there is something 'real' about the quality of old Fenders, there's a lot of truth in the above also C[/quote] Well I'll happily go on record as saying all the pre CBS Fenders I've played have been substandard and would be considered defective if it was a new bass. There is definitely something real about connecting with a bass and playing better because you fell better with it. If you have a pet dog I could replace it with one just as good and from the same litter but it wouldn't be the same. You'll also play better onstage when you're dressed nice (choose your own definition of nice) than dressed like crap. Attributing this to some secret added to low budget bottom of the line instruments of the time by a guy who never played or built a guitar seems to need something more concrete to be convincing. I think we can demonstrate the vintage Fender mojo is almost completely brought in by the player when we note that a refinish or a non stock pickguard will drop the price by thousands. Get rid of the headstock decal and all the value & magic is gone. IMNSHO

[quote name='Chris2112' post='934276' date='Aug 23 2010, 02:46 PM']I truely believe that graphite necks are the way forward, although the Kubicki Ex Factors neck is an interesting one - 36 laminates of maple. Extremely stiff and bright and responsive as either of the Status basses I've owned. I recall someone on talkbass once mistook it for a graphite neck based on sound alone![/quote] That's very interesting that it would sound like graphite to someone (ignoring the 32" scale here) as the Kubicki has a lot in common with some graphite necks, as it's many 1/16" layers bonded together making it a composite neck. Using cellulose where the graphite necks use carbon. Funny how the old Moses necks are said to sound like graphite when the overwhelming majority of the neck is resin. If a "graphite composite" neck is the sound of graphite is a phenolic fingerboard the sound of paper?

[quote name='Fat Rich' post='932512' date='Aug 22 2010, 01:45 AM']I think the earlier Status necks without truss rods had a much more distinctive sound, more the kind of sound you'd associate with graphite very hifi with more edginess than a wooden neck. The later necks with truss rods sound much more like a traditional bass and are therefore seem more versatile instruments.[/quote] Is it adding metal that makes it sound like wood? What does edginess mean to you? My Fernandes Jazz is very edgy to me, much more than my Status was.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='932482' date='Aug 22 2010, 12:58 AM']I still don't believe it.[/quote]Sounds reasonable.[quote]Birdseye and flamed maple necks have been used on many basses in the past with no warping issues. In fact Ernie Ball used birdseye maple in their necks from 87 to maybe the early 90's because it was the same price as normal maple.[/quote]Those necks are famous for their instability in these parts and owners have referred to the truss rod adjuster as the 5th tuner. I've been tasked with saving a few of those necks myself. Where did you hear flame was the same price? You can often find a few nice flamed pieces in a stack of straight maple but if it's pulled out as flame the price is much higher.[quote]There have been no reports of those basses having neck issues at all. In fact, its even been suggested to me by some luthiers that birdseye maple is more dense than normal maple, NOT less stable.[/quote]Birdseye is amongst the densest of the maple choices but the denser the wood the less stable it is. It's harder but less stable.[quote]Flame maple, especially quarter sawn, has been in common use by luthiers again with no specific issues against particular grain patterns.[/quote] Hamer made a bazillion heavily flamed maple necks in the 1990's, they had huge problems. Figured wood is always less stable than the straight grained pieces. You can find many instances that go either way so it can work and straight grain can warp but overall, less stable.

[quote name='tino' post='932479' date='Aug 22 2010, 12:53 AM']And once roasted a fag burn will be applied by use of further thermal treatment,possibly in the form of a ciggy,this additional treatment will set you back another $200 but just think you to can now play just like Clapton in any climate rain or shine.... Hey why not go the whole hog ,increase the temperature of the roasting process and deny further air....HEY PRESTO Charcoal...........now if you run out with all yer pals around just chuck another Sterling on the barby fan vibrantly for 2 mins and just add burgers... [/quote] If you can work limited edition in there I think it's ready to post on the EBMM site.

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='932462' date='Aug 22 2010, 12:14 AM']never heard of those - what do you like about them?[/quote] If I may jump in, Mike's kind of a west coast Sadowsky. Parts basses in the Fender style with a high level of attention to detail and precision. [url="http://www.mikelull.com/Instruments/basses.htm"]http://www.mikelull.com/Instruments/basses.htm[/url] He's been around for quite a while. I think there are so many choices that offer excellent build and tone that it's futile to search for the absolute best. And then below that are a ton of choices that can be easily modded & tuned to the excellent level. I think we have more leeway to let taste and feel decide our choice than some often allow themselves out of worrying someone somewhere might have a better bass.

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='931842' date='Aug 21 2010, 04:50 AM']Smart move. PreCBS Fenders really do have something very special about them that cannot be recreated and cannot be improved on[/quote]Or described specifically, which implies the difference is brought by the player and not the bass. Provenance can change perceptions.[quote]In My Opinion only![/quote] Mine too

[quote name='MB1' post='931926' date='Aug 21 2010, 06:26 AM']MB1. ...Theres some stuff called PEG?...are Steely Dan aware of this? [/quote] Probably not as it's only available in Aja.

[quote name='Johnston' post='931927' date='Aug 21 2010, 06:26 AM']So would I be right in saying that it is basically a procedure that would be suited to climates with extreme weather or changes. So good in a dry environment or a humid one or somewhere that swings from extreme to extreme but for somewhere more moderate it's just for it's pretty looks?[/quote] Here's Sadowsky's somewhat more reasonable claims for the process. "Sadowsky Guitars has always taken pride in the quality and stability of our neck wood. We are now pleased to offer "roasted maple" necks for an unprecedented level of stability. Lumber for maple necks and fingerboards is placed in a special oven after normal kiln dying. The wood is roasted at temperatures ranging from 180º to 220º Celsius. The result of this treatment is wood that is significantly more resistant to absorbing or releasing moisture. With this increased stability, the "roasted maple" process enables us to offer figured maple neck blanks for the first time in our three decades of instrument making. We have always advocated that figured neck stock was too unstable to use. However, any piece of wood than has a stability problem will warp during the roasting process and be discarded. It would also be a recommended option for players who reside in areas of extreme humidity (low or high), or who travel a lot through variable climates, as well as players who desire a figured maple neck for aesthetic reasons. NOTE: The roasting process is performed on lumber. It cannot be applied retroactively to finished necks. Any revisions to existing instruments already on order will delay build time by approximately five months." [url="http://sadowsky.com/new/index.html"]http://sadowsky.com/new/index.html[/url]

[quote name='SignsOfDelirium_bassist' post='931805' date='Aug 21 2010, 04:05 AM']Always wondered, is there actually any severe tonal differences between the different brands? I'm sure there's minor differences between each neck, but is there anything that really sets a status apart from a modulus, in terms of sound?[/quote] I've never met anyone who can tell the difference [b]by sound alone[/b] in a graphite or wood neck. I've met many who claim they can and who will get very angry if challenged about it but have still never met anyone who can tell the difference by sound alone. Hypothetically there should be some minuscule difference and that's enough to argue on the internet but I don't think it can really be heard. If graphite truly had it's own tone why is it impossible to hear graphite rods in a neck without knowing they are there first? Sooner or later everything in a bass devolves into a tone shaping item that the untested experts will claim they can hear. Now as for difference between a Status and a Modulus, sure. But you have different pickups in different locations and you can't simply claim to be able to isolate only what you want in the tones. So you'll get people who will claim one sounds different from the other but try to pin them down on exactly what the difference is and then the fun begins Ask them how does graphite affect the response at 1220 hertz? 1260 hertz? Then get out of the room for your safety

[quote name='Johnston' post='931913' date='Aug 21 2010, 06:11 AM']Which nicely brings us back on topic as a roasted neck looks likes a pint of Guinness settling [/quote] If you insist. According to what I read on the Sadowsky site the magic fire changes the composition of the neck to make it more stable in regards to moisture. I could come up with a hypothetical about cellulose melting slightly but not burning and sealing pores or something so it could have some shred of truth under that giant heap of BS. There's some stuff called PEG that woodturners use on green wood that replaces the water (I think) and makes wood stable without drying it. I'll have to pass on the Bono offer, thanks It could lead to liability issues and then my lawyers will turn on me, they're like that.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='931910' date='Aug 21 2010, 06:06 AM']Or one of them big Guiness hats![/quote] We could start a cultural exchange with one of our beer hats

[quote name='Johnston' post='931908' date='Aug 21 2010, 06:03 AM']I'll send ya a leprechaun or a shillelagh as compensation, I know you Americans love all that stuff [/quote] Unfortunately were having a big stink about immigration right now and I don't think the leprechaun will get through customs. The other ones a stick right? That would be a weapon, can't get those either. Do you have any more rock bands? Thanks.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='931899' date='Aug 21 2010, 05:54 AM']Is that like a Solicitor?[/quote] No, they don't try to sell you things. And I get your joke as I'm bilingual. (and that doesn't mean one in each cheek)

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='931888' date='Aug 21 2010, 05:42 AM']I bet you still cant say mirror properly though!Ha[/quote] [quote name='Johnston' post='931891' date='Aug 21 2010, 05:45 AM']or spell colour and everyone knows potato is pronounced spud [/quote] You'll both be hearing from my lawyer!

[quote name='Musicman20' post='929428' date='Aug 19 2010, 01:42 AM']Before we jump just on the EB approach, let me tell you from recent 'emails' and discussions with a different (NOT EBMM) very highly respected maker in the US, im shocked and appalled at their rudeness. I wont go destroying their credibility on here, as I doubt anyone would actually believe me. Im a little shocked about it myself.[/quote] Are the initials KS?

[quote name='Starless' post='925285' date='Aug 14 2010, 04:46 PM']Being US moderated doesn't help in these places either. Irony, Sarc, tongue-in-cheek just don't seem to register on that side of the pond quite the same way it would on this side...[/quote] I resent that, there are literally hundreds of us here in America™ who are well tuned to sarcasm and irony. We do frown on the tongues in cheek thing as Jesus specifically forbids that in the Bible.

[quote name='zero9' post='931189' date='Aug 20 2010, 10:12 AM']Neck pocket fit is too good for it to be a real F*nder...[/quote] So true

You guys may be joking but how long do you think it will be until an eBay ad hypes a MM as being a "Barnsley model".

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='931149' date='Aug 20 2010, 09:27 AM']And if OLP's are fetching three times what they were new they must of been about £43.33? Theres one in our FS for £130![/quote] Some, not all, are fetching more than 3 times what I paid new. But even just a tiny bit over new is keeping all the value. It's funny that they kept going down in price until they were discontinued and then the price went up and now they are the rare hard to find OLP's in the sales.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='930758' date='Aug 20 2010, 03:40 AM']Really? What specifically made you return it?[/quote] I'll send you a PM

[quote name='Jigster' post='930571' date='Aug 20 2010, 12:39 AM']just very heavy![/quote] Do you have one of the walnut ones? Those were gravitationally gifted.

[quote name='XB26354' post='931520' date='Aug 20 2010, 03:56 PM']followed by the Stingray 5 in 1986.[/quote] Wiki says '87. I do remember the Stingray as the first "affordable" 5 with out super narrow spacing like the first Yamaha, Aria or Westone etc... Before the Stingray 5 Bill Merchant had a line of Fender style bolt ons with a wide neck. He used the same neck for 5's and 6's so while most everyone else was cramming a 5 string on a 4 neck he had a super wide 5 production model at a reasonable price.

By 1985 Tobias, Wal, Alembic, Vigier and Smith were offering BEADG 5's. I think Modulus and Zon had 5's then also. I'm not sure who was first but 1985 was about the time they started showing up everywhere. Ken smith claims to have invented the wide neck 5 in 1983 2 years after inventing the wide neck 6 and the low B string [url="http://www.kensmithbasses.com/about.html"]http://www.kensmithbasses.com/about.html[/url] Wikipedia says "The common low B five string was created by Alembic for Jimmy Johnson as a custom instrument, and later Yamaha offered the first production model as the BB5000 in 1984." and this may be the earliest 5 with a low B [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Johnson_(bassist)"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Johnson_(bassist)[/url] "In 1976, Johnson worked with Alembic and GHS to create one of the first 5-string bass guitars with a low B string."

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='929384' date='Aug 19 2010, 01:15 AM']I've got a couple of days left to take this Ray34 back to the shop for a full refund, if I want to. On the basis of what people are saying, I should. I'm going to lose money on it and I could prob get a S/H Ray for a little more. But I can't put it down for long, it plays really nice, the neck is much nicer than the one I had on my US Ray and it sounds warmer. It feels like a bass I'd like to gig, and that's my rule for keeping stuff, really.[/quote] So you like it and think it would be good for gigs but other people say you should return it. It sounds like a keeper to me I'm of the school of thought that if a bass is actually used for music resale doesn't matter. The money you could lose should be less than the difference between the SBMM and a 'real' one. And if Sterling cancels this line as quickly as he did the SUB and OLP they may lose only a tiny bit of value if anything. OLP's are selling on eBay for 3 times what I paid new... though I did get a closeout deal for $115