E sharp

[quote name='thodrik' post='759192' date='Feb 27 2010, 03:35 PM']I have no problem with bands/bassists I know and trust using my cabs and even my head at a push. But there are unfortuantely so many bassists that are so clueless about gain and the issues of clipping that handing them a valve preamp is about as safe as handing them a shotgun...[/quote]
This sadly is not just "local bassists"
I once did a bike festival , and the night after I played , my mate played and supported a ' name ' bassist , and a couple of others . My mate has the same Eden head as me , and the pro turned up , and proceeded to turn up the gain to such an extent that the amp was clipping madly .
My mate ran on stage , turned the gain to half , and turned up the master , to give him the volume increase he was after .
I mean this guy could have either damaged the amp , speakers , or both .
I guess numerous world tours , writing for mags , having articles about you , account for zilch when you don't understand the very basics of an amp .
So even if you think the person using your gear knows what they're doing , no knows how to be careful like you do .

[quote name='BigRedX' date='Feb 27 2010, 03:39 PM' post='759198']
At that price you're not just paying for a great looking/sounding/playing instrument, you buying into that particular luthier's total creative vision.

Spot on

[quote name='Rich' post='759475' date='Feb 27 2010, 10:06 PM']Shuker = one-man operation in a small Derbyshire workshop.
Sei = two-man operation in a basement in North London.
Fodera = two-man operation in NYC workshop.

Jon Shuker built me a bass to the design I wanted, from the woods I selected, with a neck profile I dictated, with the electronics and pickups and hardware I chose and the finshed I desired. How, exactly, is that not a 'custom' build?[/quote]
I probably , didn't come accross how I intended , so I apologise .
What I was trying to say , is that high end bass builders are custom , but to a degree .
The SEI interview in BGM is a case in point . Martin said that he is open to any ideas , but it has to be a SEI (not a problem) .
But if you were to say for example , "I want the LIVE AID guitar , with the Africa body , but in a Bass format" , he might not be too willing , as he will customise , but in general , has his set out shapes .
I wasn't meaning to demean any high end builder , as I've been to The Gallery , and bought one , and also been to Status twice - owned 2 and had work done on another .
The original thread opener , was about - Custom or High end . And to get a true custom (which might include options and shapes that aren't available with any of the above) , then a small one man operation is probably your only option . I'm thinking of someone like Martin Booth , who although builds primarily guitars , is open to a one of special - although you may pay alot for it .

[quote name='henry norton' post='756552' date='Feb 24 2010, 10:04 PM']Thing is, with most 'custom' basses you are getting a variation based on a luthier's already proven design. You can usually try out something similar then specify certain woods, pickups etc. to suit what you want (or what you [i]think[/i] you want). It's quite rare a luthier will make something totally unique for you.[/quote]
I think , that you're describing the 'high end' quoted , and not the custom option .
All of the high end makers quoted , will customise to a degree , but normally within parameters .
I wouldn't call Shuker , Status , Fodera , Ritter , Sei , or any of them 'custom builders' , cause they're not .
IMO , a custom buider , is a one man operation , in a shed or garage .
All of the 'big boys' , will not build what you want . I mean , someone on the Statii forum , said that Rob wouldn't move a front pick up back a bit , on a new build Jazz , what's all that about . I suppose nothing wrong with that on the face of it (this is the model , this is what you get) . But not exactly a custom ethos .
As stated , a high end maker , will build a fabulous bass - just have to decide which one .
A custom build may be a bit more of a gamble , and you have to be sure what you want . I know I don't fully , and I suspect most people don't.
Best of luck - you won't regret it (hopefully )

[quote name='Higgie' post='757263' date='Feb 25 2010, 04:37 PM']Where can this price be found? [/quote]

[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=182&type=Bass%20Cabinet"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_deta...=Bass%20Cabinet[/url]

I played one in The Gallery , a few years back , and it was alright .
This ties in with the Gus thread , with regard to pricing .
If you want it , desire it , and have the funds , you're probably going to order one . And why not ?
Personally , I can't see how much better they can be against our top builders in Britain .
I mean there surely must be some sort of quality ceiling here , that once reached , no bass is better crafted - just preference .
I'm saving for a Status Stealth , and that's not cheap . The recent price increase has definatly made me think twice . But over on the Statii pages , everyone thinks there're good value , and they are , just bloody dear .
There's obviously the kudos of the name tag with Fodera , Sadowsky et al , and also the pricing difference when they cross over the pond . British goods over there are also really pricey .

Most here think that they're over priced (and they are).
But then again isn't everything .

1984 - bedroom and garage : 79/81 Precision , Futurama valve guitar combo
1985 - gigging (16yrs old and bricking it) : same fender , H/H Bassbaby 150 watt combo . 1x12 , massive and heavy with it , all loaded into the boot of an R reg MK2 Escort with black vinyl room - rock'n'roll

Only thing left from the start , is the Fender . Comes out once a year . Probably stick it on here one day - only kept for sentiment .

[quote name='crez5150' post='744737' date='Feb 14 2010, 01:13 PM']Anything by Go West.... awesome! Alan Murphy, what an enormous loss to the guitar world!
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gW6WcwNirk"]call me[/url]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl3PYk_s4Kk&feature=related"]We close our eyes[/url][/quote]
"don't look down" , is my fave .
Awesome guitar work , tone , taste , swell ins - lovely .
Also some great playing on some Nick Heywood solo stuff , I seem to remember .
"enormous loss" indeed . Got to be 20 yrs now . Just imagine what he could have done .

[quote name='HollyDTVGE' post='734489' date='Feb 3 2010, 09:00 PM']I really like the Ampeg BA 500 and annoyingly narrowly missed out on one recently.

I am new to this forum and have only been playing bass (fender precision) for over a year but the band i'm in (a math-pop effort, so not heavy stuff) have started to get support with good touring bands and i want to start looking the sh*t, no more £25 head nonsense.

please can people suggest combos that are 2x10 and are around 350w. i would ideally like a graphic eq as i own a metaphors pedal so would like more manipulation than a three band, i would prefer a tilt type and a balanced xlr is a must. price range i'll go upto around £500 for a second hand. (i've been looking at hartke 2x10, does anyone have an opinion on that)

ta.[/quote]
The Eden Metro , is an awsome 210 combo . No graphic , but a 3 band semi parametric .
No tilt back , but the level of the XLR and tone is great .

[quote name='agoulding' post='732474' date='Feb 2 2010, 01:43 AM']I've always wanted to refinish my SRX300. If I can find someone to do it I will![/quote]
Try ringing , or Emailing SIMS

[quote name='Mike Brooks' post='731511' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:53 AM']This is a better pic

[attachment=41609:Colin_Close_up.jpg][/quote]
This is like it .

But I'm going for a headed one and also yellow fingerboard too .

Great bass Mike . When I get round to funding mine , I'll post . Gonna be while , mind

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='726994' date='Jan 27 2010, 10:27 PM']I want one. Eventually.
Must have;

Canary Yellow paintjob
Black hardware.
If it has a scratchplate, that'll be black.
Matching (Yellow, then!) headstock.
Ebony or (stained darker) Rosewood fretboard
No exposed polepieces- or I'll coat them with black nail varnish!

Natural coloured frets are a necessary evil.
Do DR do coated Yellow strings or will I just have to use Warwick yellow labels!!![/quote]
I'm with you all the way
I'm in the process of saving and flogging off , to get a yellow Status.

Headed 4 string Stealth - black hardware - and all yellow . I mean everything .
One piece graphite bass - spray the lot - even pick ups .
Will cost a bit more (so Rob informed me a few years ago , and I got the impression that he wasn't too keen)
Just thought it'll be a bit different , though after watching an old Top Gear , where they had 3 supercars on a road trip (yellow , orange and green) , any of these colours may also be different .
Any of these 3 colours would be great and they're the same as on my kid's duplo (lego) bricks .
Yeah yellow - bring it on

Too many variables , I'd say .
I agree with what was said earlier - paint them all a block colour , and see who can tell .
Martin Booth told my mate once , that the frets are a major part of tone (size ,and materials)
I've played heavy basses with no sustain , and vice versa .
My opinion is that the electics are more important .
Get a crappy made cheap wood bass , fit top of the line actives , and I bet the thing would sound a lot better than the same cheapy electrics welded onto the best supposed tonewoods .
This thing about the unamplified tone , can be true , but also rubbish .
I've got an old battered Status 2000 all graphite bass , that sounds absolutly rubbish acoustically - no tone , no punch or sustain - nothing . Plug it in , and it's a complete monster .

Way too many variables , to say the wood can make a difference , it can , but not as much as other things .

This is just what I've found

LIKE

Graphite
Bolt on necks
Bright coloured basses
2 a side headstocks
That woman from "Above Suspicion:The Red Dahlia" , on last week

DISLIKE

Bit of bent metal , Fender bridges
BC Rich
Hofner Beatle basses
Bongo's - just the look .
Those fancy wood tops , that just look like a load of fungus .

[quote name='fretmeister' post='701548' date='Jan 5 2010, 01:19 PM']Anyone tried both these cabs?

I've been slightly thinking about a UL410 when the Tec caught my eye too.

Aside from the £300 price difference - anyone got any opinions on these 2?

ta[/quote]
I haven't tried the Tech , but I have the UL410 , and it's great .

When it was reviewed in Bass Player , they loved it , but said that it maybe wasn't that great for rock styles .

I find that it'll do pretty much anything (all down to taste I know)

I see Dood mentioned the UL610 , and I bought his off of him . Awesome cab - think UL410 but more bottom if needed .

If you look at the web page of the Bass Gallery , you'll see the Epifani prices WELL down on what they were .
So much so that , the UL610 I bought from Dood , that was selling new for around £1500 , is now up for £900 -the price I paid 2nd hand I happily paid that , as it was a series one ( a bit lighter ) , and I bought , for me , the perfect cab .
If you check out their web page , the UL410's are now around £700 I think , not cheap , but a lot cheaper that they were .

The only problem I can see , is being able to AB both cabs , as it always seems to be that one retailer doesn't stock all of the high end bass gear . ie if you want Epi - it's the Gallery , Bergs - it's Bass Direct etc .

What we need , is for someone to win the Lottery jackpot , and open a large unit factory , buy every possible cab on the market , and then set up a 410 room , a 112 room etc - to propery AB them , as by the time you've tried one at a shop , you've almost forgotten the sound when you have to travel miles to the next shop .

I'm rambling now I know .

[quote name='Doddy' post='683027' date='Dec 13 2009, 02:38 PM']I can't recall any time when Bass Player slated BGM. They printed a couple of letters from people
that were negative towards 'Guitar World's Bass Guitar' magazine,but I don't think they said anything
about BGM.[/quote]
You're probably right . I'm probably mistaken .

This happens to me more frequently , now I've past 40 .

I too had a browse in 'Smiths a month or two ago (Chris Wolstenholme on the cover)

Skinny is not the word .
I remember a few years back , them slating BGM in a real underhand way - like they're in a position to talk .

I too have some old copies , right back to the days when it was quarterly . And although a monthly mag is going to take a hit , content wise when compared to every 2 or 3 month editions , it really is piss poor now .

Tend to buy Guitar and Bass sometimes , and that's quite interesting .
As for Guitarist Magazine , I still remember the first edition , when Bassist went back to the fold , and they promised a vibrant bass section , and it wouldn't drop . Well now , when I can be bothered , I scan through the latest editions at the shop , and you'll be lucky to get one revue . Roger Newell must have the cushiest job in the world .

[quote name='Gwilym' post='681692' date='Dec 11 2009, 08:45 PM'][url="http://www.thebassgallery.com"]http://www.thebassgallery.com[/url]

works fine for me[/quote]
That's what I was linking too .

But it all seems OK now - thanks for the response .

[quote name='bigthumb' post='680478' date='Dec 10 2009, 06:13 PM']New website looks good, just having a browse now. [/quote]
I can't get in .

I click onto my old "favourite" - Gallery on line , then go to enter the shop , and "web page is unavailable"

Tried googling , and nothing

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='677205' date='Dec 7 2009, 09:08 PM']I'm just wondering because the more i think about the guitar player in our band, the more i don't really like him. Obviously, we have to work with poeple you don't like, so do you think this applies to being in a band as well? The problem is that we live in the middle of nowhere and we're having enough trouble finding anyone as it is, so we can't really afford to ditch him so i dunno i just have to work with what the hell i got i suppose.[/quote]
Is this the same thread as the one asking if you've ever been in a band with your other half ?

Do they sound any different from the Aphex rackmount one (the one with the big bottom and aural exciter) ?

Anyone compared them ?

[quote name='E sharp' post='667018' date='Nov 27 2009, 06:36 AM']I've got a mate who plays through a Jason Orange guitar amp[/quote]
I forgot to say , that the guitar he uses is a Lynsey de Paul

I've got a mate who plays through a Jason Orange guitar amp

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' post='659897' date='Nov 20 2009, 09:43 AM']Loud it is not. Had one and could never cut through anything. My Markbass LMK is far louder at 500w. Go figure. EA say their pots work differently than others, meaning you need to really run them with the knobs at 10 for full volume whereas other brands have all the volume at 3-4 and then little extra after that. Smells like .... to me.

Plus I had serious reliability issues with mine that Overwater too were gents with.

Having said that, you would be able to sculpt an amazing dub tone with it - but you could also do that with Markbass.[/quote]
I think the way EA set their volume and gain controls , makes more sense .

All other manafacturers seem to set theirs differently . Meaning on say an Eden (what I use) and especially on guitar amps , the volume is set so that all of the volume comes in really early .

This tends to give the impression that the amp is louder than it is .
So when the amp is tested , the bloke in the shop can say , "look how loud it is , it's only on 2 "
What he fails to tell you , is that beyond , say 5 , there is no difference .

I don't personally like the EA tone , but I think they should be applauded for setting up their amps like this .

I think it shows a distinct lack of marketing bollocks , that prevails with others

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='655607' date='Nov 16 2009, 01:03 AM']What cabs are you tunning? Gotta have somewhere to send the extra power.[/quote]
Epifani 610ul