40hz

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1418281695' post='2628665'] If you had 2 basses, same spec except one with a maple neck and one with rosewood neck and you swapped the necks they would sound different , but if you swapped the bodies there would be no change in sound [/quote] This^

Country of origin really doesn't bother me personally but I think most peoples misgivings with Asian produced lines is that the manufacturer has clearly moved to these places to cut cost. And quite often the finished product will carry a high-ish price tag. So I think as consumers, a lot of people feel like they are being ripped off more-so. For example the MiK Wawicks, the Pro Series Thumb was around £800 from Thomann if I recall. It didnt sport the wenge neck or exotic woods either. IMO if Fender can ship their wares across the Atlantic and still put a price point of £550 on Mexi-Jazzes. The Pro series with even cheaper labour rates shouldn't be up at that price point it was. That doesn't just apply to Warwick, any brand that has a cheaper line in Asia.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1418225032' post='2628139'] The Warwick brand will have three core variants in 2015. At the lower end is the Rockbass range made in China. The Pro Series was made in Korea but has been discontinued. Thomann are knocking out the remains of them at very cheap prices. The new Pro Series will be essentially made in Germany (over 90% German I believe and certainly enough to pass EU regs as being "made in Germany") and will be available in the UK from around April next year. At the higher end there's the Handcrafted in Germany range: Warwick series LTD Editions Signature series Also sitting in this bracket is the Custom Shop. Almost all of the Handcrafted, and Custom, range is built to order with a wait time of circa 8 weeks but can be as short as 4 weeks (damned efficient these Germans!). Any info on pricing or models feel free to PM me [/quote] That's good to hear that the Pro models are being German made! Any reasoning why the range was so shortlived (in being made in Korea?) And also are they likely to be easy to find?

The Pro line isn't even sold over here is it?

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1418211881' post='2627954'] I recently aquired then moved on a Thumb NT 6 which would retail new at well over £4K... I think it held its own against other basses in that price bracket. But yes I do take your point... I would imagine that a company like Warwicks business model would revolve around shifting multiple units at lower margains and I can't imagin they actually sell many new instruments at these prices? Maybe they have boosted the price of their German models in order to avoid any confusion whatsoever with their cheaper lines? The whole Fender thing does get very blurred as to what's a quality instrument and whats mass produced to a price point with MIA, MIJ, MIM, MIC... then of course all the squires... [/quote] I would agree that Fender's line up is a jumbled mess, on the flipside, I couldn't even tell you what even Warwicks line up is outside of the Rockbasses.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1418211703' post='2627949'] More than the non custom Foderas... and the prices on them get people riled up on basschat more than preferential cab handles.... secondhand is the way to go! [/quote]

What has happened to Warwick? Always been a longtime fan of them (all began with Stuart Zender) and always GAS'd hard for a Streamer Stage 1/2, but in recent years the company seems to have fallen off the map a bit. I was looking at brand new prices for the German made models and literally cannot believe the prices. I'm being serious when I say (in the UK at least) they surely must struggle to sell more than 5-10 at those prices?! a NT thumb for £3700!! A Streamer Stage II for £4400!!! Even the Bolt on Thumb is £2200. I remember when I started playing in 2004 when they were £1100 ish. Thats such a huge mark up in ten years. (I understand inflation, but that's insane) It's now dominated by the Rockbass line, which are fine instruments in their own right I guess, but essentially £400-£800 for a Chinese made budget-line that sound NOTHING like the basses they are supposed to be aping. At least Squiers sound exactly like Fenders, Sterling by Musicman sound 99% like real Musicman's etc etc. Then there was the Pro Line Series (which looked a step in the right direction), which were around for 2-3 years then disappeared completely? So what's the deal? If i were after a Streamer for example, I certainly wouldn't be paying the German price, I wouldn't get a Rockbass version because it's nothing liike a real Streamer, the Pro series has disappeared. So, 2nd hand is the way forward! On that note, off to perv on ebay at some Stage Ones (Sorry for my stream of conciousness post)

It's the little things that really make the difference. I'm sure Fender would of told you to sod off! (Coming from a Fender lover) so fair play Spector! It does sort of increase GAS knowing a company will sort you out, even if the bass isn't new, knowing you're in good hands so to speak. Same sort of thing with Ashdown, say what you like about the tone (marmite) but their customer service is second to none, so that makes them an attractive proposition. Most other conpanies in the bass world could learn a lot from stuff like this!

I agree. Always wondered why the emphasis is on body wood, always imagined neck woods would make far more difference.

I've extensively used a Jap Marcus Miller in the past and you'd think from all the internet reports that the preamp was from a kinder egg. In reality I found it quite usable as standard. Granted it's not gonna get you 'quite' to Marcus levels of punch and sizzle but it's IMO still very usable. That said the John East would dramatically improve precedings!

FWIW there are so many tales of the weak G string, my Ray34 suffering from it too, there simply has to be some truth in it, many Musicman owners deny it or attribute it to user error. Rather than even admitting something must be wrong somewhere if there are so many reports of it. I absolutely love my Jazz Bass but there are sh*te aspects to it that I won't defend like my life depends on it. Don't want to upset anyone because Musicman basses are the BOMB but they do have their foibles and a few MM owners should be a tad less precious and relax, they are still wonderful instruments!

*Update* Finally got to test it in anger and took it to band last night, using it with far less gain but boosting output/volume wielded a supremely aggressive yet clean, non farty tone. Very happy now!

Roger Waters is one of my heroes. Most Floyd tracks are a masterclass in taste and serving the song. When I think of Dark Side, I couldn't really hum you any of the basslines ( money excepted) but in that IS his mastery. I couldn't play that understated! I would stomp all over that album! yet Roger's lines are perfect for what the songs demand.

I kinda agree with you there bubinga, often thought the same sort of thing. Don't get me wrong either, I really like Musicman basses but they (fans) do seem to be more fervent!

THAT fretboard! congrats!

[quote name='Platypus' timestamp='1417558540' post='2621813'] Does that Aguilar pre have trim pots that can be adjusted? [/quote] Sadly not. I had a look earlier.

Cheers guys, been fiddling about with it for the past hour or so, recording direct and really listening. It's definitely a gain issue, i think I underestimated just how hot the 18v Aguilar is. It's INSANE. So basically, backing off the gain (more than i thought i'd have to) has really improved the sound. Was thinking a compressor would do the trick as well chiliwailer. Thanks for the input!

[quote name='stoo' timestamp='1417509236' post='2621002'] I get similar things happening sometimes - usually pickup height or fresh battery solves it, but the other thing I tend to try is using one of the effects slots in my MS60B or B3 with one of the preamps which have a HPF... seems to knock off the bits that the amp can't handle without adversely affecting the rest of the sound too much. [/quote] Stoo, what sort of pickup height are you running mate?

Hi guys Wonder if anyone can shed any light on why this might be. Everytime I play my Modulus Flea through an amp of any description (Trace Elliot, Peavey, Hartke and Ashdown so far) I get this overdriven, grindy farty sound (mostly on the fundamental) as if the signal is waaaaayyy too hot. I've experimented and the sound is still present when I turn the gain down on the amp, I boost bass and treble about 2/3rds of the way on the aguilar obp-1 preamp, but even wound down it seems to be there. Recorded it doesn't seem to suffer from it and when i played direct through a PA it was mostly as clean as a whistle. I've tried lowering the pickup slightly and that didn't seem to alter the sound. Changed the batteries to fresh 9v's and that didnt help. Tried backing off the bass on the amp's eq. I dig in hard when playing and have a lot of attack, but my Jazz doesnt seem to suffer so bad with this grindyness. Really peeved off as i want a super clean and smooth bottom end to go with the snap and i just cant get it through an amp. Possibly a trim pot issue? Any ideas from you guys? Other Fleabass owners? Cheers!!

Robin made a Sleeve for my Trace Elliot GP12smx. Very impressed with his handiwork. Extremely good quality build. Excellent communications, a polite and funny bloke. Deal with utter confidence!

Haven't managed to track a secondhand 104hr down yet, so looks like it'll be a brand new one for xmas!

I'm super pleased with Robin's work, the sleeve is built and finished to a high degree. Honestly as good as a Trace specific one. Absolute gent to deal with too!

I have the single pickup version of this, 5 string as well. It is the quietest bass I've ever played in terms of output. Although the actual tone is very sweet! Often thought of installing a preamp myself.

I also got these in a 2 for 1 deal from strings direct. Strung up my Modulus Flea with them nearly 2 weeks ago and am finding them to be pretty decent. The strings have a lovely feel to them, not coarse at all, very slinky and smooth, thumbs up in that dept. They also seem to be holding up well regarding brightness and longevity which is good. They didn't require much settling in at all either. Once they were on and initially played with for 3-4 minutes they pretty much held their tuning perfectly. They are a bit toppy, but then, that's to be expected as they are aimed at slappers. Tonally a little bit 'vanilla' there's nothing here that is especially diifferent but for the price paid, there's no complaints. Not replacing my string of choice, D'Addario flexsteels anytime soon, but a good all-rounder. Recommended.