Conan

IME many players who use tapping a lot have low actions and fairly light gauge strings - makes the whole thing a lot easier if you think such things are worth doing (which personally, I don't! ). If lack of "strength" was a factor, I think you might be fighting against a bass that is set up wrongly for this style?

Is it normal for the machine heads to look so dull and oxidised in a Fender of this age? Or is that some kind of "custom finish"?

Different strokes an' all that... but I don't mind matching gear - especially if you have more than one cab. The amp doesn't have to match of course, but some people just like that "neat" kind of vibe. And, having just traded two Ashdown cabs that [i]didn't[/i] stack together properly (despite being the same cab!), I actually [i]do[/i] value stackability!

Some great advice above! I would echo most of that - especially the comments about knowing which keys they play in and which versions of the songs they play. Be straight with them. There are a number of potential reasons why they may have chosen straightforward songs, so don't be afraid to ask! Remember also that an audition is a two-way thing. Yes, it's about them checking you out, but it's also about you getting a feel for them. Anyone can [i]sound[/i] professional by saying the right things!

[quote name='pete.young' post='986125' date='Oct 12 2010, 07:45 PM']a stack of two compacts is not going to have anything like the same visual appeal or the necessary stability[/quote] That's my concern too - especially with the absurdly low mass of the compacts and the low-friction surface material... a slight bump from a drunken punter (or bass player ) and the whole lot could come crashing down! Of course, I may not be fully objective about this as I am trying to talk myself into buying a Vintage.... Damn you MythSte!!

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='985830' date='Oct 12 2010, 03:35 PM'][url="http://www.status-graphite.com"]http://www.status-graphite.com[/url][/quote] Wow! Twelve quid a set if I buy six sets! I don't seem to be able to select gauges though... is 40-100 all they do?

We have a few Stagg basses at school that the students use. They are "OK"... Maybe it's just me, but I find it harder to play fretless than fretted. But I had played for about 10 years before I ever tried fretless, so that might have something to do with it! My experience is that you notice the difference between a cheap and a mid-range guitar far more with a fretless than you do with a fretted. Or perhaps I've just been unlucky in that respect? £139 is a VERY low price for a brand-new bass guitar. I would certainly want to try one before buying, as it is still a lot of money to waste!

[quote name='Truckstop' post='985713' date='Oct 12 2010, 01:46 PM']Send it back. You've just paid a lot of money for some people to not do their jobs properly. I know it's hassle, but it's not good enough.[/quote] This ^. Those little niggles will annoy you more and more as time passes. I have no idea what these basses cost, but that level of quality "control" is poor at any price.

[quote name='KiOgon' post='985695' date='Oct 12 2010, 01:35 PM']Your opinions please?[/quote] Sell it and buy a Status!

[quote name='crez5150' post='984911' date='Oct 11 2010, 09:00 PM']Well..... £14.99 and cheaper if you buy 6 sets or more[/quote] Worth a look then! Who is selling them at that price?

[quote name='crez5150' post='984903' date='Oct 11 2010, 08:55 PM']You need to try Hotwires my man!!!![/quote] Can I get them for £14 a set?

The market is somewhat limited in the DBE ranges.... I've used Elites 40-100 for donkeys years. I'm sure there are "better" strings out there, but the price is good and they are consistently "zingy" - which is what I like! Recently tried some D'Addario Pro Steels on the J copy and Cort. They seem kind of "soft" for the gauge and although they have the "zing", they seem to lack tone to my ears. Might try the next gauge up.... or one day I might bite the bullet and try some "posh" strings!!

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