noelk27

[quote name='nig' post='341981' date='Dec 1 2008, 03:38 PM']note the dodgy scratch plate has now gone[/quote] Never seen an 82-87 model with a pickguard - particularly not a pickguard that would look more at home on an Interceptor model. That can't be original, right?

Originally - 82 to 87 - it was J/J, with a Strat style pickup selector switch and volume and tone pots. 87 onwards it became the P/J configuration, with two volume pots and no tone. I've just given my 88 a thrash - solo the P pickup and I'd describe it as a hot 70s P'bass sound - solo the J pickup and the sound is very thin, although rolling in a little of the P you can get a nice sound. Both pickups on full is the best combination to my ear - a whole mid-range opens up that isn't there on either pickup alone, and the sound is surprisingly full for a P/J. My 88 is a nice lump of ash though, with a maple touchboard. Not sure what the Tribute is - alder or basswood? - but I know it only comes with a rosewood board.

83 and 88 US G&L versions. You're right, the 88 has the no 8 neck as standard - 12 radius, 1 1/2 at the nut. The standard neck on the L2000 is the no 7 - 12 radius, 1 3/4 at the nut. I've not tried a Tribute version, but if it's anything like the Tribute L2000, then it'll be as good as a late 90s-to date US version. It's passive though, and doesn't have a tone control - the pots are both volume, one for each pickup.

Online research, etc, is useful, but just remember that all opinions are subjective. That, and manufacturers’ websites are designed to sell you on their brands, so take what you’re reading there with a pinch of salt. My advice, first things first - set you budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend, based on the money you have in your pocket. Second, go out and play as many different basses as you can - that’s how you’ll come up with your shortlist. Third, ignore the maker's name on the headstock - the name isn't always a guide to quality, reliability, or value for money. Fourth, when you've narrowed down your shortlist, or settled on your option, try as many different versions of that bass as you have to find the one that feels right to you. Fifth, whether you go new or used, negotiate hard - get the best price you can. Last, but not least, a bargain is only a bargain if it's what you wanted in the first place - don't be seduced by sales or offers, because those are more often than not designed to hook you, and reel you in - if there's "free" stuff on offer, make sure it's the stuff you want. And enjoy shopping! Take your time deciding, and you'll make a good decision.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='341351' date='Nov 30 2008, 08:03 PM']I'd say at £436 that was very possibly a very good buy. Guy I know has an early 80s Squier Precision that is much better than his 70s Fender Precision. But you might think that's not saying much.[/quote] I had an old Hondo II P'bass that was better than some 70s Precision.

Tie Your Mother Down and Keep Yourself Alive are great for a rock band - no keys. But maybe something like I Want It All or Under Pressure (okay, handclaps aside) are a little more recognisable for some audiences. Edit: Recognisable than Hammer To Fall, I mean.

Own a Fender by Squire Strat - bought new, was my first "proper" guitar. Honestly, never played a Strat - US or Japanese - that's better.

About five or six years ago he had a bog-standard 90s Fender, fitted with an original, all maple, 81/82 G&L neck - from an L1000. The P'bass was in terrible nick, but he was asking £900. I emailed him to see if he would sell the neck only, and he quoted me £800. Maybe he still has the hollowbody Rickenbacker bass, totally wrecked - and by that I mean in pieces - no hardware, but asking well over a grand - £1,600 rings a bell.

The Gibson Les Paul is mass-produced, but seriously overpriced, and I just can’t understand the pricing. Around 95 I was looking to get a Les Paul. Tried loads of Gibson branded ones, and couldn't find a good player. Lost the snobbery and tried some Epiphone ones, and was much more impressed. It was the third Epiphone I tried that I bought. Quarter the price of the equivalent Gibson model. Stuck with the standard pickups for a while, but eventually replaced those with a set of Bare Knuckles. It kicks ass now. But not as much ass as my 80s Aria PE.

I'd also take a look at the Rode S1.

Seconded.

[quote name='BassManKev' post='339944' date='Nov 28 2008, 06:01 PM']Simple advice to keep sellers safe? if its an expensive bass, get in the car or on a train and collect it, you should never buy a £1000+ bass wthout trying wherever possible anyways IMO[/quote] Or if using PayPal, or equivalent electronic means of transfer, fund the payment with a credit card and not cash/balance funds - the card provider then acts as a backup if the likes of PayPal prove useless in a dispute.

[quote name='Shockwave' post='339906' date='Nov 28 2008, 05:25 PM']For the record, I am straight edge, have the pints yourself![/quote] Elderflower cordial it is then!

[quote name='Shockwave' post='339900' date='Nov 28 2008, 05:20 PM']Im f***ing knackered, I just want this situation over! My fingers are falling off from all the typing![/quote] You're a top bloke, Rob. And you deserve everyone's appreciation, a few pints, and a good kip.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='339788' date='Nov 28 2008, 04:10 PM']I want to donate but I can't use PayPal.[/quote] +1. You can PM me an address and I'll post a tenner in to the fund. I'll be in Philippines at the start of next year. If Reuel has any gigs in the Metro Manila area (I'll be based in Makati), he can drop me a PM, and I'll take some photos of his band, and the bass, in action for posting here.

Playing all three staples for most band set-ups - guitar, bass, and drums - I don't encounter this much. Perhaps because I'm good enough to have secured work playing either at different times in life I don't notice the comments. Bass is just the instrument I prefer to play, and, for me, it's a more enjoyable instrument to express on, and write with. But, in the dim and distant past, when this sort of thing has come up, I've always just smiled, and said, "Yeah, but a chord isn't a chord until I decide the root, mate". Twist the guitarist’s melon, move the root around sometime, just to demonstrate to him that none of the power is in his hands.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='339152' date='Nov 28 2008, 01:53 AM']I think he meant ten posts[/quote] But that can't be right. The reply count isn't linked to the view count.

[quote name='misrule' post='339147' date='Nov 28 2008, 01:36 AM']The counter doesn't start working until it hits around ten or so. Cheers Mark[/quote] Seriously? And I've only been here since about day 6 or 7, and I've never noticed that. Colour me observant. Except, with nine people posting you'd have thought there'd have been more than 10 views by now? I know, I know - completely off topic.

Going off topic ... Seven people have posted replies (this makes it eight now), but the counter says zero people have visited the thread. How strange ...

It's okay with me, so long as you're not masterminding any international bass crimes.

[quote name='OldGit' post='338694' date='Nov 27 2008, 05:36 PM']Yeah but if they choose not to have a web site, no listing on the web under gig-gide or the agent's website or myspace and you get their name that's their problem.[/quote] For web-based usage: maybe. But if a band has already established a name, has property in that name, presentation of that name protected by trademark or copyright, and you attempt to operate the same name in the same field you could find yourself being litigated for infringement. Alternatively, usage could also attract an action for "passing off". It's not as straightforward as simply registering a URL.