Herbsley

For my 2p worth, I just assumed it was a bass guitar - so quite aghast at the revelation that the bassline was produced on keys. Either way, I always thought it was a classic case of a 'simple yet effective' bassline. I actually bought her album all those years ago, based on hearing this one track. As I recall, the rest of the album did not quite stand up to Black Velvet quality.

Always a good thread to visit when you fancy ogling some fine Spectors - among others of course. Given your loyalty to the brand, you should think about contacting Stuart and putting together a Cetera Signature Edition! Any thoughts to the model, spec, and colourway you would insist on? Or do you already own one which you secretly think [b]should be[/b] the Cetera Signature Edition?

I love this thread . . . Inspired me to place my first ever bass collection pic on BC. On my third ever sofa. (I kept my first one for a VERRRRRY LOOOOOONG time.) This is a cheap black and furry job from IKEA. Quite comfy. When my gear is not lounging on it. [attachment=53314:Basses_30_6_2010.JPG]

Cheers Lawrence. Yeah I was really quite impressed with the SR500 for the price. If you consider getting shot in the next few weeks mebbe PM me first? H.

I'm thinking of folding about £450 into Ibanez's pocket, for either the SR500 or the SR520. If I am honest I really prefer the 520 as the gloss black really suits the SR look imho. Out of the two, I have only tried the 500 in a shop so far - and I like it. The neck is uber-slim, just as I like it, and the Bart pick-ups sound nice n punchy. It seems the only differences between these two basses are: 1) The colour - of which the black is clearly better and 2) The neck. The 500 has a jatoba/bubinga, while the 520 has maple. The 500 felt nice - kinda strong/'substantial'/sturdy for such a thin neck I spose. Or did I just think that after playing some other (worse) guitars immediately prior?! So here's my question - and probably quite a rookie one - will there be a huge difference with Maple (in feel, playability, and/or sound)? Sorry, but it seems I really don't know my bass woods as well as I thought! Web examples: [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ibanez-SR500-Bass-Guitar-Brown-Mahogany/7DY"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/...wn-Mahogany/7DY[/url] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ibanez-SR520-Bass-Guitar-Black/A43"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/...uitar-Black/A43[/url] Cheers, H.

"Original Question: Is a Squier better than a Fender? Some squiers may be better than some Fenders" I think lojo has basically summed this one up with this statement tbh. If you spend a much larger amount of money on a U.S. or CIJ Fender, then you are undoubtedly getting a better bass. But, as I tried out another MIM Jazz in a shop just today and felt the familiar sinking feeling of disappointment, I once again had to admit to myself that there are better basses out there for MIM money. To me, today, it really didn't feel that much different to my brother-in-law's Squier Jazz. I just couldn't justify the hundreds of pounds more. Double the price? So, my apologies to MIM fans but, if the current range MIMs I've tried are anything to go by, I think Squier are looking the better buy. Just my 2p worth.

Very very sad news. Awful. Just a brilliant bassist imho, with a truly unique sound and style. Pretty much single-handedly inspired me to pick up a bass all those years ago - I recall it was back in his late Japan, Midge, and early solo days. And there's still loads of his basswork that I can't play. I really hope he can beat this.

I too like to keep my strings for quite a long time as I don't like my sound too 'bright'. I did try string boiling when I was uber-skint back in the 90s, and they did turn out looking a little cleaner, and some (awful) zing came back to their sound. As other BCers have noted, however, it is not a long-lasting effect, and they can turn a bit more brittle. Wonder if it has something to do with the extreme temperature altering the properties of the metal (or something)? A BCing physicist will undoubtedly take me up on this one. Or mebbe my problem was the garlic, soy and noodles I had stirring round the pan. I recall I was trying absolutely anything to get that Japan tone at the time.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Always a worry when you buy something on a whim, then can't find any info on it after you've splooged the cash! Never crossed my mind that a manufacturer would fling together its own 'Stock Frankenbasses' at the end of a development run. Of course, like nearly all OLP owners on BC, it probably won't be long until the urge to mod the electronics kicks in anyway (seems to be a couple of threads with advice/ideas on this) - but it's good to have confirmed by you gents that this bass looks legit (and cool!). Having said that, my modding fix at the moment will be taken up by another MM copy (the Vintage EST this time - so not quite as good as the OLP even) that I picked up in as new condition yesterday for £50. Had the urge to buy this cheap simply as I wanted to have a defretting project. While the Vintage is in bits, any thoughts on good electronics when it's fretless? Any different to what you'd mod the fretted OLP with? Obviously I'd be wanting to spend more on the OLP bits than on the Vintage - but just wondered whether fretless tones would be better with different kit installed? Thanks again, H.

[quote name='Rayman' post='563294' date='Aug 8 2009, 08:36 AM']Wow, that's seriously nice. I can't help you on the info you want, but I'd say it was a steal whatever it is.[/quote] Cheers Rayman - that's just what I thought! Quite a cool retro thing goin' on there. So, as yer do, I snapped it up purely on that basis . . . and then couldn't find out what it actually was . . . which is worrying. Any thoughts out there? My searching online is bringing up nowt.

Hi all, Spotted this on Ebay last night and got excited enough to buy it. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190327028159&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT[/url] Some Google searching later, I cannot find which model this is. I thought the only twin humbucker model OLP did was the MM32 - but weren't they all active? (switchable electronics and four knobs etc). This is passive. Would really appreciate your help on this one. Have I just bought a duff bass? Cheers, H

Here is a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass (Fretless) on Ebay - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300321854129"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300321854129[/url] Looks ok - BUT the description bothers me . . . Will the fact that he has apparently extended the depth of the screws for the bolt-on neck make the bass less stable in any way? After all, as with any bolt-on I suppose, you're asking a lot tension-wise in that area when you then string the bass. Or am I being over-cautious? Can the extra-deep holes be (partially) filled so that it's even less of a problem? I'm no luthier - so just wanted a few views before deciding on whether it's worth a punt as a low-cost first dabble into fretless behaviour. (And then undoubtedly get into the GAS arms-race business of swapping out pups etc etc). Cheers all. H.

Thanks everyone for your help. I have bought the bass now for £280 - but wanted to check to see whether I was getting a good deal. The info you have given, plus reviews I've read online of the NS2000/4 have eased any concerns I had. I think I've got myself quite a good deal there. Cheers, H.

Hi everyone. Good to find a UK bass-mental forum. Anyone know what model this Spector is? I am assuming it is an NS-4 neck-thru. Also, any idea on RRP, or what they fetch these days? Thanks for any advice you can offer Cheers, H. [attachment=25999:spec1.jpg] [attachment=26000:spec2.jpg] [attachment=26001:spec3.jpg] [attachment=26002:spec4.jpg]