jontywisp

living with Rics is easy provided you can put up with some of the design peccadilloes
for the great look and distinctive sound

meanwhile my main change in taste has been that I started with treble-y JJ-Burnel-like
clanking roundwounds for everything, but now prefer flats on all basses for all purposes

how about keeping the EBS 650 (you won't do any better for clarity and power),
then putting something between bass and amp when you need to warm and thicken up the sound ?
(even the basic Sansamp should do that nicely, and there are fancier options)

so I suggest experimenting a bit more with the EBS plus suitable pedals

I say this because your description of what you're after is pretty much what I think I get from EBS 650,
as long as I add Sansamp or similar when I need something thicker and more old-school sounding

enjoy

Ric with flatwounds through mesaboogie just sounds ace

Van Morrison (if I could put up with the occasional very grumpy stare)

Al Green (for spine-tingling unpredictable vocals, plus rock-solid drummer)

Teenage Fanclub (for the craic)

Denmark St is a total dump

whereas the Bass Gallery is the best bass shop in the world ;
fantastic stock, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff;
and can usually be knocked down from asking price, especially on the used stuff

I love Sadowskys, they are real quality

I was lucky enough to get a Metro back when the pound was high
so a new Metro only cost £1100

but I can't agree that with Metros you're paying only for the name;
the quality (and especially the consistency) is considerably higher than typical US Fender,
even taking into account that the latter have improved

very cool painting !

what's the action like on this bass?

and what year is it?

thanks

1974 Fender P bought for £150 in 1977

has now become 'vintage' because I have

was mint when I first got it, now looks very relic-ed...

have a G&L-loving bump from me

thanks for the case-tip

your original Verithin looks lovely

was on the verge of buying one of the new CS verythin basses on Burrito's advice,
when I came across a vintage Hofner 500/6 bass on ebay Italy (don't ask),
and went for that instead

looks quite like the Verythin, except body is unbound, and very unusually for
Hofner, actually has a bolt-on neck

sounds absolutely lovely (if you like the Macca hofner sound or double-basses),
and is by far the most characterful and idiosyncratic bass in my stable

despite the very old-school features (floating bridge etc), tuning and intonation are fine

particularly nice with Pyramid strings


thanks to a very kind bass-chatter I've also now managed to get hold of a spare bolt-on Hofner neck

the Standing in the Shadows of Motown *book*, which focuses on Jamerson,
has loads of photos

and can still be bought from Amazon

but I guess if you need to scan photos in from a printed book you
will probably end up with poor resolution

perhaps contact the wonderful guy who put the book together?

good luck

would be nice if the US Guild Starfire reissue would come back

they couldn't sell them in the 90s but now they're pursued like gold-dust

real country music is a close relative not only of folk but also of southern soul

proper roots music, with some great rhythm sections

any rockers who doubt this can usually be convinced by Gram Parsons or Neil Young

moreover Gram's duets with Emmylou have the most devastating harmony singing


I'm less keen on cheesy commercial stuff though

I've had the honour of playing this bass down in Caterham

It's lovely

Sounds great too

Would buy it myself if I hadn't recently splashed out on a Ric and a Hofner

I've no personal connection to the seller, but can vouch that he's a decent guy
and also that the bass is 100% original

markbass minimark

or one of the phil jones bass amps

or for a cheaper option, Roland bass cube


I have to admit I have Mesa Walkabout parked next to the sofa,
plays just as good quiet as it does loud

stick a Sansamp between your bass and the Markbass, set the Sansamp to the SVT settings,
and you will instantly be in P-sound heaven, whether for flats or rounds

Bob Babbitt (motown / soul great) often says the secret to his characteristic deep sweet tone is to pluck the strings gently (and evenly)
rather than trying to bash it out as you manage only for lower E

and all-time-great James Jamerson was apparently even gentler with his fingerstyle
(and only ever used one finger, despite laying down some of the most syncopated and nimble bass lines of all time!)

just take the time to find what sounds good with your own finger(s). If it sounds good, it IS good

I've come across a pack of genuine pre-CBS wood screws

these can transform your bass tone, by letting the plastic pickguard breathe naturally

markbass amps aren't universally loved, but 'boomy' and 'undefined' are very unusual criticisms for them

the usual concern, if there is one, is that Markbass sounds just like a very clear version of your bass with lots of definition
(hence need a good bass to start with). People who like boomy old-school sounds often end up
having to run a Sansamp or similar to make the Markbass sound LESS defined and MORE boomy !

so suspect either the room has peculiarities, or this particular amp and/or bass might have been somewhat defective or ill-matched

Personally I like Markbass amps. While their competitors are certainly catching up with lightweight amps,
Markbass usually hit nail on head for a clear yet warm version of your bass that can go loud

Somebody buy this bass ! (with which I have no personal connection)

I'd buy it myself but already have one

Sadowsky metro jazzes are superb, top-notch quality ;
perfect for gigs or recording

they go for close to £2K new at Guitar Guitar here in UK
(or for ~$3K in new york)

so this one is a mega-bargain

will also look very cool without scratchplate if preferred

PM sent to Gareth

look very nice, Starfires are the prettiest semis around I think

the Darkstars are pricey ($400 a set, no), so why not see how you get on with stock first?

not sure what other pups fit ; mebbe Dimarzio Model One

enjoy

- good Fender P

- Sadowsky Jazz (they're all good)

- Stingray 4 (they vary but I've not played a bad one)

- Rick 4003 (better than the 4001 in my view)

I'm lucky enough to own one example each of the above four.

- My fifth would be a nice vintage-sounding semi-hollow or fully hollow.
I've still not worked out if Gibson/Epiphone EB2/Rivoli ; or Guild Starfire ;
or Hofner is the best way to go for this (advice welcome).
Finally if cost was no issue I might check out a Warwick Star Bass under this category.

I think these 5 types cover all the most critical bases / basses
(aside from noodling on things with too many strings, which is not for me)