simon1964

Thanks for the comments When I visted Jon he was working on another bass with an Asian Striped ebony top - have to confess I'd never heard of it before. Laquered it looked fantastic. Bit different from from the ubiquitous flamed maple! I'm hoping it will be a nice contrast with the maple board, but I'm not 100% decided on the hardware - can't chose between black or chrome. Any suggestions welcome!

The sonic blue with matching headstock. Coolest colour for a Jazz!

Just received the first pics from Jon! The body needs a bit more routing before the gloss coat, but this gives a general idea. Really pleased with the top, and the contrast with the lighter body. Jon's working on the neck at the moment, so looking forward to some more pics in due course!

[quote name='project_c' post='246037' date='Jul 23 2008, 12:58 PM']a lot of good advice here, thanks again. the spector is beautiful and great value too, i was initially after a 4 string, but it's very tempting, i'm seriously considering this. the ibanez sr500 seems to be getting a lot of praise and GAK are doing a good deal on it, so it also looks like a good way to go. i tried one the other day and it felt great, very light and playable, but i could only hear it through headphones so it was hard to decipher the tonality, how would you rate the tone of the SR500?[/quote] I rate the tone very highly. You've got Bartolini pickups, Bartolini EQ, Bubinga/wenge neck, and a good quality bridge. Amazing value on a £350 bass. All of that gives you a really and versatile solid tone - everything from vintage P type thump through to more modern tones. My son owns an SR500, and it comfortably holds its own with basses I've owned costing twice that. I would try the neck though. The SR necks are very slim - skinnier than my old jazz. If you like skinny necks I don't think you can go wrong. If you prefer a Precision style neck, you may want to look elsewhere.

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='246423' date='Jul 23 2008, 09:29 PM']Cheers for the advice Simon I've found a stocklist for Sound Control of all their stock at the moment, but I cant see the Streamer at £700 on there...is it instore only? As theyre going through a rebranding at the momento (and im in Dorset ) I cant get on their full website or visit their shop Do you have any way I can see it, or a link I could visit? Sorry to be vague! Sounds like a stonking bass [/quote] It won't be on the Sound Control stock list as they went bust a few weeks back. Some of the stores have been taken over and re-branded / re-opened as Reverb, which is what's happened in Brum. They used to stock a few Warwicks there, but only had a couple in when I popped in this lunchtime, including the Streamer and, I think, a Jazzman. As I say, I suspect they're trying to shift some old Sound Control stock. You could give them a call on teh number here: [url="http://www.reverb-store.co.uk/"]http://www.reverb-store.co.uk/[/url]. They don't have the new site up and running yet, but cotnact details are on there. Its very good value if its still in there!

[quote name='simondee' post='246079' date='Jul 23 2008, 01:48 PM']what are people's opinions of the Streamer Pro-Ms? would it be much 'better' than my corvette standard?[/quote] I think it depends on what you mean by better - the Streamer obviously has a different pickup configuration, its got a countoured maple body and, I think, a maple neck. So it will feel and sound different - whether its better is largely a subjective thing. I think with any Warwick you're going to get a very well made instrument - which is best is a matter of personal preference. Personally I prefer the look and feel of the Corvette.

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='245609' date='Jul 22 2008, 07:10 PM']One quick question to anyone: If you were in my position (with the current state of the economy etc) would you buy a new $$ for around £700 ish, or wait (possibly a long time) for something incredible (i.e, SSI or FNA Jazzman) to turn up secondhand for the same mooolah? Matt[/quote] Very good question! The market for used Warwicks is very poor (for sellers) at the moment. You can pick up used Streamers and even Thumbs for well under the cost of a new Corvette $$. On the other hand, the $$ is a very different beast to the Streamer and Thumb. Incidentally, Reverb in Birmingham (the old Sound Control) have got a new Streamer in at under £700 at the moment - presumably they're looking to shift some old stock. You might want to give that a look if you're nearby. I would have been very tempted if I hadn't just got myself a used Thumb!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='244556' date='Jul 21 2008, 04:42 PM']What cheapies are you hankering after this week?[/quote] OTPJ - I think you may need to define what counts as a cheapie. So far we've had nominations for Warwick, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, and a Bongo! I wish I had enough cash to regard that lot as cheapies!

Buying new, I think the Ibanez SR500 is comfortably the best value for money under £500. Nicely made, Barts, good EQ. The only issue for me is the neck, which I find too thin, but others love it. To be honest, I'd look at the used market though. As BassManKev has said, you can pick up some really good used bargains at the moment - Warwick Thumbs are going for that sort of money - madness!

I've got a headless Hohner Steinberger copy. I absolutely love playing it. The only problem is the rest of the band taking the p*ss out of the way it looks!

[quote name='budget bassist' post='244737' date='Jul 21 2008, 07:59 PM']Yeah i tried IwTait's dad's at the bass bash (i forget his name >_< )[/quote] That would be me They are cracking basses. As I've posted before, I actually prefer the sound of my ATK to my old Stingray.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='244556' date='Jul 21 2008, 04:42 PM']A pupil of mine recently got an Epiphone Thunderbird. Now I know they're oversized and a bit outlandish, but I have a real hankering to get one. Same goes for the new Ibanez SR300. Both cheap basses, but I want one! What cheapies are you hankering after this week?[/quote] Those Epi Thunderbirds are very good for the money! For reasons I can't explain, I've been hankering for one fo these for some time: [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/modulo_tipo_1_bass_guitar.htm"]http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_b...bass_guitar.htm[/url] A blue tolex bass - who could resist that?!

If you buy a Fender neck, or a decent licenced neck (Allparts, Mighty Mite etc), changing the neck is actually very easy on a Fender. The neck sockets are all a standard size. Occassionally you may need to sand the neck to fit, but to be honest I've regularly swapped Fender necks, and never had any problems. I've actually bought necks from that e-bay seller, and he's got some good quality stuff. The neck in that link ought to be a pretty straight forward swap. The more complicated bit will be getting a decent set up once its on - but even that is reasonably easy on a Fender, and there are links on Fender's site showing how to do that. I'd go for it!

That's a stunning 'ray!