therealting

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1457358857' post='2997687'] I'm glad somebody else is with me. Their core sound just doesn't do anything for me whatsoever. If I picked one up in a shop, I wouldn't walk out with one. Having tried one on a gig... well, that's a different matter. But I don't think I could buy I bass that does nothing for me tonally outside of a band situation. [/quote] I'm pretty spoilt by having a Sadowsky MV4 and a pair of Dingwalls (Super J5 and Super P5), and I very much prefer five strings to four so I don't practice on the Sadowsky alone. When I'm in a situation that demands a traditional-looking four string though, the Sadowsky as my token four delivers phenomenally well.

Sadowskys don't make any sense until you're in a band situation.

They're pretty popular among the metal crowd, the likes of Nolly Getgood from Periphery is making them more popular. Lee Sklar is currently touring his with Toto - both these guys have signature models and also play parallel fret instruments. I really like my pair (a Super J and Super P), and I'm well under 50 (:

Wow, they're gorgeous. Really makes me want the new Dingwall version... hoping to try it at the London Bass Show next weekend.

I don't get, and have never gotten, the fuss about Warwicks. I know some people love them, but TO ME they're ugly, heavy, feel terrible, don't sound good... and you pay a considerable amount of money for the very dubious privilege of owning one.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1415293896' post='2598918'] Yes, this Emperor is the standard model and it's £5300ish. In my eyes, that is an awful lot of cash for a non-custom instrument. http://www.basscentral.com/pdimages/2014/BLOWUPS%202014/FODERA%20EMP%206%20STD%20BLK%20HARDW%20ES6012%20blowup.php [/quote] It is, but it is still cheaper than pretty much the lowest-end model of virtually any motorcar you can buy. Why do people pay six figures for a hand built Aston Martin when you can get a much more efficient Volkswagen for barely into five figures? If you say performance, again why that and not, say, a BMW M3/4/5, an Audi R8 or a Jaguar R? I'll say this much - if I sold all my basses, I could probably just about afford a Fodera. If I felt it was the only bass I'd ever need and want, it might be worth considering.

[quote name='leroydiamond' timestamp='1457197267' post='2996293'] Yep. i use an NYC Sadowsky, but my brothers Sire really works. Truly great bass [/quote] I have a Metro… I have to admit this video has me wondering whether I really need it

Says something about how affordable instruments have come on when you see a Sire and a PRS SE onstage with David Sanborn.

My Sadowsky MV4 feels like a Jazz done right.

My Fender Modern Player was heavy too. In my current stable, my Yamaha TRB6 is the heaviest by far at 5.02kg (11 lb). The Dingwall Super J5 and the Sadowsky MV4 are around 4kg each.

Would be interested to hear reviews for sure.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1456840457' post='2992753'] On the other hand, if you buy him an "expensive bass", and it turns out to be a bit of a "flash in the pan", it could be a bit of a waste of money. You could always play the "do well with the cheap one, and we'll look at getting a better one for next birthday/Christmas etc". And let him watch you doing the setup on it, letting him have a shot on it as you go through the process. [/quote] As a teacher I see this all the time. Nowadays you can actually get a vey decent instrument for relatively little money (Harley Benton, Sire, Squier, Ibanez etc). A £75 Harley Benton and a £25 setup is a pretty damn good starter instrument.