AttitudeCastle

The Orange Bass Terror isn't too far out you budget haha I've used one and i love how gainy they get, but the sound isn't for me! Spend a good hour or so just twiddleing every knob till you get something too work (taking into account whats been said here!) Thats what i did on my current amp to dial out some "wool" on my Ashdown MAG and now i really like the sound!

[quote name='RhysP' post='1215706' date='Apr 30 2011, 12:20 PM']This is down to the prestige of owning a Stradivari instrument rather than any tangible superiority. There have been many blind tests carried out where so-called experts have been completely unable to correctly identify a Stradivari when play alongside other violins, both old & new. There's just as much horseshit & snobbery in the world of vintage classical instruments as there is with vintage electric guitars & basses[/quote] Well the stradivari are considered THE best, down to the mans skills and the woods he used. PRS used the same woods from the trees around his work shop to use the very same woods that stradivarius used! There are only what 30-40 in the world? I've had the privilidge of playing one and it felt better than the one i used to play when i actually learnt the violin, but it didn't radiate being worth £100K+ but then again i've played MIA P-basses and custom shop Ps worth £2K and they have felt the same way more than a Squire but i didn't feel the pennies. With "classical" instruments it more down to playing, and no so much tone, as alot of tone comes direct the player but tone is an element. They are meant to be the very pinicle of of violins, they are meant to be the best sounding and best playing (Disclaimer: I am no violinist! I can just play to a VERY basic standard! I am a bassist and Bass trombonist! Also this is no dig at Squire or fender or the great Stradivarius! I love P-basses! Also its not like we're talking about Paginini! haha ) Its just things aren't done the same way and i think its a taste thing, which in turn can be snobbery. Like those who will play a certain amp companies stuff and no one elses for example not mentioning any large american amp companies *cough ampegers cough* (Joking!) I play and prefer Laney amps for example, and many would scoff at that so its pretty similar isn't it? I prefer the newer modern 'fresher' instruments but if it sounds good and feels good i'll play it! Its music, an art. Not science! Please don't form a mob

One thing about Ashdown is they get a beautiful "Grunt" out of them! I've found it takes a good while to find the sounds that i like, though they do a nice fat warm sound with ease and with buckets to spare!

Supposidly, as all the wood in the older instruments was from trees left un touched for much longer they sound better. Yamamahs super BBs are treated to imitate this older wood as again [i]supposidly[/i] there is always sap in wood (even in minute amounts) and as it ages it crystalises and "how far along being crystalised" as it were is what effects the sound and Yamaha use stuff (soundwaves and pressure is my guess) to artificaly crystalise the sap, in the same way that "fake" diamonds and "fake" amber are made, and by "fake" i mean the ones which classed as real but are made in a lab or studio etc as you can tell the difference in the shapping and the structure of the molecules I don't know what truth is in that, but that is a mix of what i've heard, and what i'd guess!

I think the "Ashdown wool" label comes from their 1x15"s and the Mag range! Very easy to get bags of wool with the MAG 115s BUT With some EQ they can go from Wool to deep phaat bottom with nice midds and a fair top end (no jokes ) more old school voiced but definately usable!

Many of you will dislike this but this thread isn't for hatin'! (Something which the Basschat community does lightly so bravo!) And this technically isn't a bass line but: I play "my version" which means simplified that made me get an attitude and work my socks off at bass! (Its the Low D of the Attitude i love! Other basses just don't sound the same!) OH and added untold respect for Bass players and made me a complete 4 stringer at heart, even though my go too is my 6! That was in the first few months (like 3 or 4) of playing bass

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1211342' date='Apr 26 2011, 12:09 AM']I don't think it's a lack of effort on Bill Conklin's part. Remember that the Groove Tools operation was far, far bigger than Overwater's venture into a buget range. At their peak, Groove Tools basses were selling very well in America and were being carried by major stores like Guitar Centre. So many Groove Tools basses were sold that Overwater couldn't even dream of matching those figures. At the same time, Bill Conklin was cresting a wave as Talkbass seemed caught in an ERB frenzy a few years ago. A Conklin was the bass to have, and with Bill being the main man in the US for building a bass like that, as well as doing guitars and his EUB thing they were extremely busy. Surely, more busy than Overwater's shop has ever been (no disrespect). So, you're one of the most sought after luthiers in the country (and not forgetting how massive America is...), in a period of particular interest and your name is also appearing on large numbers of basses produced in Asia to be sold as 'buget' instruments. Surely something has to give somewhere! In fact though, it appears that quality control was never a massive issue for Conklin. I recall Bill saying he was very pleased with the Groove Tools project when it initially closed. Groove Tools basses have always been well spoken of, as an accessible means to a 7 string bass or just as a well made 4 or 5 string bass. I think the biggest problem Bill had was managing relations with the builder/supplier and eventually it went south or the contract ended and was not renewed. This was the era when GT basses were referred to as discontinued, although Bill spoke tenatively at the time of bringing back a buget range of instruments. Since they came back to the market there seems to have been some quality control issues, but again this would be a difficult thing for Bill to tackle directly. He'd have to go to Westheimer with his concerns and hope they can fix it. However, he is running his shop day to day so I expect these issues are just a fly in the ointment right now as his main concern is no doubt knocking out top quality handmade instruments.[/quote] Very well said!

[quote name='guyl' post='1211294' date='Apr 25 2011, 10:54 PM']Conklin Sidewinder 7 was the best bass I ever owned. If it had one or two less strings, I'd still have it. If I ever become rich, I'll be over the pond to order a bespoke Conklin without hesitation. Bill Conklin is a pleasure to speak with. I had the impression he really cares. I wonder why he has problems with his "value" range. Overwater seem to be making the effort to control the quality of theirs.... Would love to see a UK dealer for Conklin.[/quote] Its not the [b]quality[/b] thats is the problem, the quality is constistantly very high! The company is apprently a pain to deal with (the weisheimer corp.) as the Amount of basses they sound out at a time changes greatly from a handfill to hundreds! and the tme between shipments can be one to 6 months, [quote name='Chris2112' post='1211888' date='Apr 26 2011, 06:30 PM']I was just watching that Derren Brown Faith Healer show earlier today and at the live show at the end of the episode the band's bassist is using a 7 string Conklin Groove Tools bass. There are a few good closeup shots of it too.[/quote] I saw that too! Wasn't a GT i don't think, as the top was two part/two woods, could have been a full wack custom! Its looked alot like a GT-7 though so i could be wrong!

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='1210514' date='Apr 24 2011, 11:38 PM']ACG are closer...[/quote] Oh yeah, by about 20 miles, i always forget Dumfries is north of Carlisle Its still a 200+mile journey though

Don't tell us your gonna be selling your BIG rig now? Or are you just gonna keep it for studio/Video/Statium work?

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1210315' date='Apr 24 2011, 08:16 PM']The problem with a brand that specialises in 7+ strings is that there's never going to be a massive market for them. There's only so many people that would even be interested, from those you need to find the few that are prepared to spend money to sate their curiosity and from those few you need to find the even fewer who are prepared to buy a new instrument and take the hit if it doesn't suit them. Let's face it, there's not a lot of people who own multiple 7+ string basses. People who own one are few and far between. Obviously there are people that own multiples but the market just isn't there like it is for 4, 5 and even 6 strings. If he was going to introduce his basses to the UK, marketing them with the ERBs in mind would be a bad idea IMO. The company would need to be introduced as a normal bass company that makes 7+ strings in addition to the usual rather than how it's viewed at the moment (as this thread proves) which is a company that specialises in ERBs but also makes 4/5 string basses.[/quote] +1! Conklin are trying to show people they are 4/5 (and 6!) String bass builders too, but they happen to be most famous for building 7+ string basses

[quote name='Soliloquy' post='1209905' date='Apr 24 2011, 11:28 AM']Basically they'd just give you a couple of basses to try, you'd be able to say if you like the neck shape etc. They'd be able to adjust the shape that you do like, making it wider, narrower etc. I'd try Robbie at RIM basses. I think his basses look amazing, he's definitely top of my list for my next bass. I think his prices are a bit more competitive than other builders too. Another builder to consider is Overwater. Their prices are more than the others mentioned though, but I can really recommend the build quality, the basses just ooze class. Most builders are accessible by train or coach.[/quote] Ah ok! Overwater would be who i would look at first, as they are the most local to me! (only a few hours on the train, rather than across the boarder!) Though their prices run £3K to £4K, but i played one of the Tanglewood overwaters and THAT felt nice, so i imagine oozing class is an acurate discription!

[quote name='Soliloquy' post='1209653' date='Apr 23 2011, 11:12 PM']As an extended range bass player (6 string is my main bass). I strongly recommend approaching someone like Robbie at RIM basses, or Jon Shuker. Their instruments are great, and very reasonably priced. I played a Conklin GT 7 string bass a couple of years ago. It was very nice, but not as comfortable to play as it could have been. You need the neck profile and dimensions to be good for you. If it isn't then you'll very quickly run into problems playing it. By going to someone like Robbie or Jon, you'd be able to tailor the bass to how you want it. You'd be involved with the build.[/quote] Hypothetically, how would one get the dimensions tailored for yourself if you don't know anything about neck dimensions? I've always wondered that! Off the peg stuff is easiest for me, as i can't travel far and know nuthin' 'bout nuthin' of techy stuff and i'd be all silly about body shapes haha I've played a 7 string, custom made (not sure who by, i think the guy may have made it him self) and it felt comfertable enough to me and i'donly be able to describe it as far as "thin" haha I have a feeling a custom 7 string Shuker would run past £2k or atleast mine probably would haha!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1209322' date='Apr 23 2011, 05:28 PM']This seems to be a common misconception that one custom bass brand is an adequate replacement for another... If you simply want a bass with 7 strings on it then sure there are luthiers in the UK who will make you such an instrument. Pick one you like and can get on with and off you go. However if you want a Conklin 7 string bass then really only Conklin will be able to build it for you.[/quote] I didn't mean to imply that, hence why i said, if you want a 7 string bass you could get one from a UK based Luthier! But conklin is a nice option as it is production, where as custom stuff can be a bit troublesome, especially when what you get isn't what you expected. Its not the fact that its a Conklin, its just what it is, in a stock, budget(ish) if you live in the states!) 7 string bass (in the example of the GT abd GTBD-7s, honestly the GT4 and GT5 seem like Ibanez alternatives, and due to the price have little worth in the UK market IMHO, but not to discredit them, they are good basses!) If i paid £1500+ and waited a few months, i'd want no compromises, even though realistically thats daft and impractical! Thats why i like stock things, but i'm not saying anything against custom instruments. I guess i'm just saying i'm fickle If you want to dip into the world of 7 strings (not to focus on 7 strings, the post was in reference to the company as a whole, not just as a 7 string producer! Its just thats what they are best known for) going custom straight away doesn't seem right to me (as in i wouldn't feel comfertable doing that, it is 100% viable! And i have nothing against it) especially as i'm yet to play a Shuker or an AGC and unfortunately probably won't for a while! Though from what i've heard i should like them but its all about being hands on! Like Dood, how do you think your Shuker would have come out if you hadn't previously owned your GTBD-7? (Not focusing on the fact that its a conklin here! But that its *influenced* Like the neck is very similar right? Everything comes from something! I'm not trying to say that its the only thing, or that everything should be based off something earlier if that were the case nothing would be new, just a different or "enhanced" based on your view! version. I don't want that too come off wrong, but knowing me it probably did as i have poor verbal expression! I know i've tripped over me tongue more than once... I'm not trying to get into a whole "What would basses be like withour the fender p?" style thing here Realistically if i were to get a bass with 7 strings, i'd either go El Cheapo and get an HK off Ebay, or go for a Shuker (and pester Dood!) haha!

[quote name='purpleblob' post='1209224' date='Apr 23 2011, 03:11 PM']I have two Conklin 7 strings (both Korean made), one a Bill Dickens (I think) through neck model and the other, not. They play really well and sound great and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an extended range instrument, however if I understand your OP and you're thinking of importing them I would question whether it's worth the hassle with what sounds like less than consistant shipments etc. Obviously the comments regarding the look of them are very much subjective, I think they look great with 7 strings but the same shape looks less impressive in my opinion. Anyway, just my 2p on the subject [/quote] Thanks man! That plus looking into getting a Conlin dealer in the UK but thats only possible if there is a market and not just 10 people in the UK!

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1208830' date='Apr 23 2011, 12:55 AM']Probably the hardest bassline I ever actually tried to get all the way thru is Shy Boy by Talas. I got the most of it with some of the fills me not even coming close to, but I did manage to nail the solo from 2:11! After learning it I never managed to find a band that wanted to cover it (even as a more simplified version), but it taught me to use chords, harmonics & how to tap. [/quote] I can play [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXepFaV1pU"]this version[/url] in full, worked out all by ear. MONSTER TUNE. And i've never found a band willing to cover it We should do it with two basses The bit under the solo is the hardest part for me, one of my favourite songs to play. So much fun!

Just to clarify, this isn't a sales pitch or anything. And i'm not saying don't buy Uk! (I'm not saying anyone has accused me either, thought i'd just make this clear!) But they idea of a Mass produced ERB (basically their strongest market point, and its a very small market, though it is getting bigger with this Technically metal stuff around these days!) Not everyone wants to go custom! I wouldn't know where to start for example, but for many people on here it has been the best decision they've made so its all it preference! And have you seen Eric Czars signature now? oo err,

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1209022' date='Apr 23 2011, 11:01 AM']I wouldn't buy one as I don't like the design of these instruments no matter how well they play & how good they sound. From what Bill C says about the service from the company that makes his budget range, it sound like a potential nightmare for any UK company who takes on local distribution/sales & has to handle support.[/quote] And i agree, this propably the biggest flaw. Basically shot them selves in the foot.

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' post='1209010' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:48 AM']The Market for the Conklin instruments is a niche one (as it is for any 'out of the ordinary' instrument maker). Why don't you just buy direct from Bill?[/quote] Unfortunately (or stupidly) you can't! And the price would be insane, as the price is up for import tax from Korea to Usa, then they get sent out from there so thats extra tax from usa to here! Would get to almost £2K i think, which by then you may as well get a Custom, i'm sure you could get a "Simple" 7 string from Shuker or ACG for that made just for you. If they had a dealer here it would be closer to £1K, though thats pretty simplified and i'm sure there is more to it than that! (Pointing out my cluelessness here!) I mean they still do 4 and 5 strings, and i've heard only good things about them! And some of the shapes are a bit though i like the Solei and the Sidewinder (The sidewinder being their most common shape, and to me looks like an Americanised Ibanez! )

Hey Guys! Just wanted to stick my neck out and see how many people here would consider and go through with buying a Conklin? (Mainly focused on now kind of time period) I ask, because Conklin have no UK dealer, and i was speaking to Bill Conklin on Facebook (Really nice guy!) and he said Conklin hasn't had a UK dealer for sometime but its something he would like to see! It would realistically be the Groove Tools series and the New Century stuff, but i don't think having these as an option would hurt us! But do you think they have a viable market here? Bill did say though, that the company who deals and makes the GT stuff, (Westheimer Corp.) have awefull support and that they have called, e-mailed and even gone to Korea and not had word from them, and that the GT line is [b]not out of production[/b] but the shippments are irregular and have fluctuations in quanities but still haven't heard anything bad about quality! I may add a poll later but after looking for a GTBD-7 (and missing a few on here thanks to being broke! But i like to buy new things! haha) and my recent chat with Bill i was curious so made this! Conklin are most famous for they Extended range basses, but will do anything! And they make 4/5/7 strings in the GT and New Century series. For those of you who don't know Conklin Guitars and basses: [url="http://www.conklinguitars.com/"]http://www.conklinguitars.com/[/url] Bill said that if a stockist/shop in the UK was interested in becoming a dealer he would jump at the chance to see it done, but then a stockist would need to know of the market and demand. (Not to be pessimistic, but it is the kind of thing you would expect him to say! But we had a length chat and it seemed sincere enough but you never know.) Cheers! AC

[quote name='Lorne' post='1208975' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:07 AM']I wouldn't want to give the postman a Hernia, it has a full flight case, which reminds me to get new foam and velvet for it, and also to get one built for the other JM [/quote] Give me a hernia! I'll come get it! You no too far away! haha Big Mistake getting involved with this thread while watching Conklin videos Major GAS for bass i can't get! out of Production Yamahas and Conklins with No Dealer in the UK!?

I call dibs on the next one on the forum Always wanted to use one of these! The 100W horn sounds awesome!

I currently own an Ashdown MAG300 (non evo!) and Matching 410 cab, and don't really rate it well, its decent enough, and i can coax some good tones from it, but its not to my taste. But all the ABM gear i've used felt like great stuff, and the only thing i didn't like about the ABM set up i used (ABM 300w head, and matching 410) was the same part of the sound, which is the Ashdown sound! The ABM stuff is great but again not to my taste!