Mr_Bond

In case anyone's interested, here are a few links to some of the basses mentioned: [url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0326702521"]Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass[/url] [url="http://www.peavey-eu.com/pop_product.php?flag=GB&lan=UK&key=1733"]Peavey Cirrus[/url] [url="http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR500"]Ibanez SR500[/url] [url="http://www.yamaha.com/guitars/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=60173&CTID=600008"]Yamaha TRB1005[/url] [url="http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-GWB35"]Ibanez GWB35[/url]

[quote name='Buzz' post='445597' date='Mar 26 2009, 01:17 AM']Ibanez basses for sure if that's set in stone.[/quote] Very useful to know thanks. They really do look promising.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='445179' date='Mar 25 2009, 06:38 PM']For the 5-string fretless you should definitely have a look at an [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page09.php?area_id=3&data_id=146&color=CL01&year=2009&cat_id=2&series_id=211"]Ibanez GWB35[/url].[/quote] Very, very interesting. Having watched Gary Willis (I don't think he was around 25 years ago) playing the GWB1005 on YouTube, I'm very excited about this one. It may be exactly what I'm looking for in a fretless. Some reviews criticise the pickups but I imagine the deficiencies are by comparison with the GWB1005 rather than absolute.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='445166' date='Mar 25 2009, 06:18 PM']You might struggle to do better than this...... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42240"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42240[/url] Its not mine either! :)[/quote] Thanks. I'm hoping to try a Warwick or two tomorrow and will bear this in mind.

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='445143' date='Mar 25 2009, 05:52 PM']since you'll be playing with a light touch maybe you'll like Thomastik flatwound strings.[/quote] Thanks for this. I'd had a quick look at [url="http://wiki.basschat.co.uk/info:buying:strings"]Buying Strings[/url] but hadn't otherwise given things much thought. They're shockingly expensive but seem to last well (according to the Wiki) and I'll definitely see if I can try some.

[quote name='Adrenochrome' post='445133' date='Mar 25 2009, 05:40 PM']Good call. The upper horn is very long so reaching all frets shouldn't be an issue.[/quote] Thanks. I've noticed that - particularly on a five string - I'm likely to be playing above the seventh fret most of the time and easy access to the top is definitely a priority.

[quote name='rjb' post='445113' date='Mar 25 2009, 05:23 PM']I always recommend the Ibanez SR500 as it's light and easy to play... The Yamaha TRB 1005 is also great...[/quote] Both look very impressive on paper and I've added them to the shortlist. The Yamaha seems to have a relatively flat fingerboard (19 11/16" - 500mm - radius); I see it's also available as a fretless. Looking forward to trying these two.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='445102' date='Mar 25 2009, 05:08 PM']Interesting that you mention the Cirrus. I played the cheapie one and the US one... and have to say, for playability and sound, it blew the US one away. 35" won't be a problem, you won't even notice. Anyway, what sort of budget are you looking at?[/quote] Thanks for this. I'm hoping to try a Cirrus tomorrow (I'm going up to London). Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a fretless in the cheaper range (I was hoping to get something under £500) but I'm still interested.

[quote name='josh3184' post='445085' date='Mar 25 2009, 04:52 PM']the squiers are superb basses these days. The vintage modified jazzes are the ones most recommended IIRC[/quote] Thanks. I did try a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz. Certainly not a bad instrument but at the time it seemed a bit bigger and heftier than I'd have liked. It also only has 20 frets (I'd prefer 24) and doesn't have the flattest of fingerboards (9.5"/241mm radius). I'll give it another go though.

I was once a very able bass player but am now returning to the instrument having not touched one (until last week) for twenty-five years. Though very rusty, I'm by no means a beginner and need advice on instruments that would normally suit a more skilled player. I won't be slapping or using a plectrum. I will be playing lightly and (hopefully) sometimes flying around the fingerboard. I'm thinking of getting a four string fretted bass and a five string fretless (which in time will probably become my main instrument). I'm assuming that the neck will be very important (presumably I'm looking for a narrow, shallow neck, a low action, and a relatively flat fingerboard?) but I'm not at all certain where I'm most likely to find what I need. I'd welcome any suggestions and recommendations. The Peavey Cirrus has been mooted (would the 35" scale be a problem?)... Incidentally, I have to say I've been amazed at the quality of some of the equipment nowadays: the first instrument I was handed was a modest Yamaha BB414 plugged into a Roland Cube-30 - what a joy!