4 Strings

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1372500827' post='2126449'] I didn't get this at all. Unknown bass player plays vaguely similar riffs on four variants of a P-bass. Each has a different set-up (note the silly-low action on the '51 RI), different strings (particularly the 5-year-old Rotos on the '74), and obviously different pickups. Where was the informative comparison? What did this video tell me? [/quote] What if he was well known?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1372494316' post='2126341'] Not really that different... Most of the bands that we get to play with are playing music that has its roots in rock n roll and the blues. The biker rally was essentially 70s influenced rock bands so you would have expected to see some Fenders present. Maybe all the bands that played in the afternoon who I didn't get to see were using them! For the bands that the Terrortones share the bill with (not counting the hardcore Psychobillies who are strictly double bass users) on the whole Fender basses are no more prevalent than any other make. [/quote] I agree. I would have to suggest that, from my very limited experience, those who play at home with loop pedals generally have basses other than Fender.

[quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1372489057' post='2126284'] I've just sold a fender jazz to buy my Warwick. The Warwick is awesome but I'm already finding myself looking for a natural/maple jazz....that's what fender does for me,always need one floating about its a curse.help me [/quote] I'll sell you one. (ok it's sunburst!)

I think its more to do with the position of the bridge. If it's right at the end of the body, like a Fender, the neck can be shorter (assuming the joint being at the same place) whereas the bridge on Gibson basses, eg a Grabber, is located at least an inch further away and so the neck is going to stick out further. A bridge 3 inches from the end and a 34" neck is going to feel like a flag being carried in he Olympic procession whereas a bridge right on the edge of a body and a 35" neck will feel pretty normal. The Peavey Cirrus bridge is a good 2 inches from the end.

That drummer!

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1372450978' post='2125997'] Strangely, I feel the same about Jazz basses, which I find dreadful to play. But each to their own. [/quote] I love the look and sound of Jazz basses, when someone plays one as they should I'm so envious as, for some reason, I just can't get on with them.

THe bass player is having and giving a lot fun and is great. Not as classy as 'Nard, way more busy and somehow less impressive and the sound much less defined. Enjoying it though! I wonder that he's been in the band longer than 'Nard by now so which is the 'real' sound?

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1372454938' post='2126077'] Stick any bass, including Rickenbacker, in the same position of having achieved market saturation and the CEO of that company would be proclaimed a genius for having 'got it right'. [/quote] Except he didn't design it. He bought it.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1372352151' post='2124752'] Hot days? Can't remember them.........this is the Uk right? [/quote] Sorry, yes, my slim humour gland ran itself empty!

Needs a 'Guess the weight competition'.

I bet that maple neck was sweet!

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1372351757' post='2124746'] What is this heat you speak of? [/quote] Same stuff that kills dogs left in cars on hot days.

The threat of your bass being ruined is virtually zero, its in a car for a few hours, not a sauna. So, yes the most likely threat is someone nicking it. I've left gear in cars and vans many times over the years, try to avoid it but just has to happen sometimes, I cover it up, never had anything nicked. (Have done from locked buildings, twice!)

[quote name='tom5string' timestamp='1372342054' post='2124560'] Well, ahm, .... no :-) That is a Zon Sonus, the Wal is the melody voice. [/quote] Haha, oh, of course, now that you mention it! I'm surprised, the second bass seemed the less runnery/pwoupy of the two. Shows how much I've learnt! Or does that mean a Zon sounds like a Wal? (Nice playing by the way, enjoyed it and forgot what I was listening for, had to start again)

[quote name='tom5string' timestamp='1372332900' post='2124381'] Here's an example of a MkII fourstring, PU blend center, all tone controls flat. Pure Wal sound :-) [url="https://myspace.com/tomblock/music/song/decimate-36583198-38464103"]http://myspace.com/tomblock/music/song/decimate-36583198-38464103[/url] Guess which of them two is the Wal .... [/quote] Tricky, they both have bell like tones, but I would say the first bass (the accompaniment alternating chords) is the Wal.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1372014298' post='2120698'] Sorry mate, it's WAY more complicated than that! The only practical way to decide whether a Wal can make the sound you want is to sit down and play one for a few hours, preferably after a 5-minute walk-through of what each of the knobs does and how they interact with each other. With a bit of thought, you can get a Wal to do pretty much anything. [/quote] Yeah, beginning to understand that now. Think I'd need a couple of days to begin to understand how the knobs interact with one another!

'Early' retirement? Can't imagine him not playing. Anyone know what he's up to?

That was really helpful, on the bass strings particularly. thanks. How do you Wal users get on with the tone controls? I have only read about them (and, like the guy in the clip!) got a little lost with the pull function of boosting a certain frequency dependant upon the position of the knob. Are these controls too sensitive to use on the hoof? Are they instinctive in use?

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1372279537' post='2123856'] This the sound of a Wal! [media]http://youtu.be/WQgu0MpnKq8[/media] [/quote] Yes, thanks, that one really helps. Sort of a bit of 'pwoup' about it.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1372278908' post='2123843'] White Cloud makes a good point about the necks...I really couldn't get to grips with the profile on the custom MK1 I had which is why it had to go..I'd lusted after one for years too which made it all the more disappointing... [/quote] What is it about the necks? (Wal virgin here)

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1372280313' post='2123882'] ps Stop saying "Leo got it right first time". He didn't. He changed nearly everything for the mk2 Precision which is when he finally did "get it right". [/quote] Actual words chosen: " ...got so much right at their very first attempt".

Newtone. Tell them what you want and they make it for you. Substantially less than £42 a set! Really love them, I use their Platinums exclusively now (apart from the Trubass on the old P). Even tension 0.42-0.96 - I think, they remembered for me on my last order!

Well, I think it's been well discussed that Leo and his cronies got so much right at their very first attempt, lots of long standing bass players end up playing a Fender. Even those who, en-route, made other brands famous (Geddy for example) and who certainly have the money to have whatever they want. There are manufacturers with their own successful models and designs who also make a version of a direct Fender design. Others (Sadowsky for example) have made their fortune by honing his design. I have to say I think the man himself improved on the design with MM, and I suspect even further with G&L (regrettably never played one of those). To have made such a touchy-feely thing as a musical instrument such a universal favourite from a design aimed at mass production and simple, low skilled assembly is an amazing achievement.