thodrik

I have ordered three items from the Bass Centre and deliver has ranged from 3 days to four months, with all items being considered as 'in stock' when I ordered them. That said they did phone me regarding delays and they did eventually get everything to me in working order. They are not perfect, but I really don't think they are in the business of ripping people off. I just don't think that the website is always accurate in terms of stock.

I'm guilty of one really. Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser prompted me to buy a Gibson EB3 when I was about 16. Since then I don't think I would buy/have bought a bass on the basis of 'because X plays it). In fact it would probably prevent me out of buying it as I don't really want to be a fanboy or copycat. So many of my favourite bassists use a Rickenbacker, but it seems like it is almost a cliche in stoner rock circles so I avoid them. Also I do love Tool but I have never thought that the 'magic' of the guy's sound was the bass, but rather the player.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1168359' date='Mar 19 2011, 03:38 PM']Seeing someone great has never made me want to give up. I usually get influenced to pick the bass up and practice. I do sometimes get slightly disheartened when I see players/bands that I consider to be seriously bad, being lauded as great though.[/quote] Pretty my experience too.

The pickup controls are really cool. Why it has taken so long for Fender to go back to that design is beyond me. A cool Fender is a cool Fender. I hope this pickup design does well and at some point makes its way to non-custom shop models. I will not even ask about the price!

Its just a technique, there is nothing wrong with it really, rather the problem is with the players that feel obliged to use the technique at all possible times. I don't get the people that use slapping as a generic 'showing off in public' technique or as the only way to try out a new bass. I find I get more out of the bass playing fingerstyle to see how the bass 'breathes' and resonates when played, to me it works as a better way to try out the natural tonal characteristics of a bass. I find that it is a good technique to learn though, even if you never need to use it in the context of band. Its just good to explore different ways of playing and seeing what works for the player. So I guess I am in the middle of the 'slap is crap' debate.

I only have the Walkabout combo, but it is probably the best sounding single cab I have heard. The Powerhouse range are really good, but also really expensive and far from lightweight. So from that it is pretty understandable that they are not that popular over here. Great cabs, but I feel that it falls between two stools: too expensive to be a solid, workhouse cab; too heavy to compete with the modern lightweight boutique amps.

1978 Fender Precision.

From my experience I think that the Microbass is a lot similar in sound to the HD 350 than it is to the Fafner. I think that the EBS Valvedrive would get you a lot closer to the sound of the Fafner in pedal form. Great pedal though the microbass. In my opinion you are probably not going to get the same sound shaping capabilities and flexibilty as a full on amp as the Fafner through something like the Bass Driver, which while awesome, is really just going to give a couple of stock sounds (which are really great, but change the character of your bass a fair bit). I don't think the Bass Driver is something for those that are constantly changing settings. Its a bit of a 'plug in and go box' in my experience Try turning the 'blend' knob on the Sansamp down for starters though, so you get a more transparent sound coming through.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1153166' date='Mar 7 2011, 11:04 PM']Also despite what others are saying 35" scale is not a requirement for a good 5-string. Good neck construction IMO is far more important than scale length.[/quote] Big +1 here,

[quote name='DaveB' post='1152998' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:58 PM']Sounds like a trip to bass direct is on the cards, it's only an hour and half away. Not too keen ont he styling of those Vigiers. Thanks for all the really useful info guys, it helps just to have a make recommended as there are so many out there it's hard to know where to start.[/quote] Yeah, the Vigiers are fairly out there in terms of styling, my one has a been a bit Marmite-like with others that have tried it over the years! I'm sure with a trip to Bass Direct you will find something awesome though. Good luck!

With that amount of money i would suggest to try a few basses and see what you take a fancy to. There are any number of top notch basses that can be named, but the build quality and craftsmanship and design aren't going to mean much if the bass doesn't feel right in your hands. Bass Direct stocks a huge selection of great basses, you would probably find something great in there that works for you. For starters just go on the website and have a look at what takes your fancy. It depends where you are based obviously, but it shouldn't be too hard getting hold of a Sadowsky Metro to play. They are stocked in Guitar Guitar and a few other places such as the Gallery and I have seen a few going on this site recently. They are great basses in my opinion, though in terms of fancy neck figuring they tend to be a bit lacking. The Sadowsky preamp and bridge are just brilliant though and the construction is top notch. For a wildcard I would maybe suggest that you try a five string Vigier. But I'm biased. Also Sandberg. G & L, Musicman, Lakland are basses that just work in all situations.

Its not 'micro' amp lightweight, but for ability to give a really full, rich, 'valvey' sound the Mesa Walkabout is great. I love mine.

I want to amplify some thunder!

Tasty, looks like a cross between the Ashdown tube series and the EBS Fafner. Apart from my preference for a big old school amp to go down to 2 ohms, I can't really fault the specs. 11 lbs though? That is really really light for an amp with those specs. I'm impressed.

From your list I would say have a try of the Aguilar, as said earlier if it is anything like their other gear then you will not be let down. Plus it will match your cab, which is important to some people. Also TC Electronic have a very good reputation, as do the Little Mark series.

Personally I find that the Boss sounds great when added on top of another overdrive pedal like a Sansamp or the Aguilar Agro. It adds an extra little bit of 'fizz' to the sound. Its never going to give a creamy tube-like overdrive, but its good at what it does, though not everybody likes what it does! I have been using the Aguilar Agro pedal for a few months, it is a very good pedal. I have been using it on fairly low settings and it adds a nice little bit of 'tube grit', which is a bit less 'coloured' than the Sansamp Bass Driver. Though the lack of a clean blend would be a problem for some though I will admit. I am also big advocate of the EHX English Muff'n and the EBS Valvedrive. Great pedals though I always felt they were a big fragile for constant gigging.

I do like Jaco but I must say I think that the 'playing back pickup on a jazz bass' has been really overdone in recent years. Some people seem to have a 'back pickup brigade' mentality' implying that anybody that does not use the back pickup or love the sound of it played solo does not have any talent or appreciation for music. I find the sound to be a bit weedy myself and find it a bit strange when the burpy sound is described as a 'growl'. That said though, a lot of the back pickup fetish is down to the influence of Jaco himself. He was an amazing player, pushed the idea of the bass as a lead instrument forward and influenced many. I can't blame him for influencing what has come after much like I can't blame Pearl Jam or Alice in Chains for influencing a lot of the 'nu-grunge' bands I hate.

Playing stoner rock myself I wouldn't like to be without my Fafner! Mind you I've never had to carry about the 4x10 Proline cabs, which are a beast! Going the Sansamp route is fairly easy though, you can put them through just about anything and get 'that' tone. I would suggest though that if you are playing with loud guitarist(s) and drummer, I'm not sure one of the 'ultra' lightweight small cabs (say a 1x12) would really manage to do the job without you feeling that you have lost something from your current set up. I would think that you are still looking at a good 1x15 or 2x10. Going the PA cab route would be a lot of fun. In terms of lightweight amps I don't think you can too far wrong with the Orange amps or Markbass. I would start with the Orange though as it has a gritty sound almost build into them.

[quote name='Blademan_98' post='1139438' date='Feb 24 2011, 12:04 AM']Other folk on the site that know a lot about valve amps and electronics will probably clarify, but I'm sure that it is something to do with power tubes needing to have a load of some kind. +1 Always best to have a load on a running amp. May I ask why you would want to run it without anything attached?[/quote] I don't know about the original poster but when I have done it, it is just to use the amp as a preamp going to the desk when recording in the same room as live drums.

Usually its fine, I've done it with Trace Elliots, Ashdowns, EBS etc. However its best to check the documentation to any amp to be sure. I'm sure that Orange will have user manuals online. Other folk on the site that know a lot about valve amps and electronics will probably clarify, but I'm sure that it is something to do with power tubes needing to have a load of some kind. As most hybrid amps just have preamp tubes, I don't think that they get damaged when they are run without a cab (most of them just have a 12AX7 or something similar, which can be found in lots of valve overdrive pedals), but I could be very very wrong!

First bass: Westfield Precision copy 'Go to bass': Fender Precision 1978 My bass: Fender Precision 1978 I rarely use the Fender nowadays for gigs etc, but if and when I ever get called up for a blind gig with strangers or a new project and I am unaware of the style of music that would be played, I would have to go for the Fender, as it never looks or sounds out of place.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1136431' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:33 PM']The Music Man has always been known as the toilet seat. Some people think they surpassed themselves with the Bongo.[/quote] I knew I must have got that from somewhere. The Bongo is something else, as is the Big Al! I do really like the look of the Reflex model though, as well as the HH Gamechanger, though the technology behind it is probably more than I could handle or need.

[quote name='bassbora' post='1136393' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:07 PM']Almost pissed myself over this. I am guilty of having owned a fretless toilet bowl. My problem was it did not measure up to my Thumb.[/quote] I don't know if its a widely used technical term, but its pretty much the term I have used to describe them since the age of 14. I do love the Musicman pickups though, they are generally stunning. The only problem I had with the Thumb was that I prefer a large body that is able to cover my... excess girth. I always think its great for people to branch out and try basses that are a bit more 'out there' than the traditional Fender design. So the long as the bass is in tune and properly set up, it shouldn't really matter what bass it is, so long as the bassist is comfortable playing it. I still take my Fender Precision to the first practice of any new project though, or any one off session, just because some people tend to listen with their eyes and consider any instrument not associated with Leo Fender to be rubbish! I feel that its good to put people at ease before I bring the Vigier out.

I think that everybody has preferences in regards to looks which can rule out great basses. I for one have never liked the 'toilet bowl' look of Musicman Stingrays, so have never really been tempted by them, despite them being great basses. I have never really been impressed with the looks of most Warwicks (Jack Bruce model apart), and didn't really like the one thumb bass I have tried, but every time I hear them in a live setting they generally sound great. If it feels and sounds 'right' I would suggest sticking with it. Over time you might just get used to it and learn to love it for what it is and get more comfortable with the bass over time.