Mrbigstuff

I’ve had quite a lot over the years before going back to 4s - now need to go back to 5s again - and there’s lots of differentials so try before you buy is a good tip. My first 5 was a Warwick Rockbass Fotress. It was fine but lacked in build quality. I’ve had fully fledged Warwick’s and they are good but different to a lot of other basses. I’ve also owned a Sire V7 and this would be my choice again. It’s standard sound in passive and a killer active preamp. For pit work you want a really clean and balanced sound for the engineers but also where you can dial up a punchier sound for rockier numbers. I think the Sire fits the bill. There‘a a lot to navigate through though. I can’t stand the skinny necks on Ibanez and also can’t reach 35” scale length very well. Then there is added weight and in some cases larger bodies to contend with. Turns out my perfect bass is a Ken Smith 5 which is unashamedly expensive.

I think you’ve been wise to differentiate prices and value

I was quite keen on one of these at one point but made the mistake of ABing it against the real thing and it was miles off in tone and feel. No better than the Fender reissues Fender we’re producing at the time (probably 2015ish) or the Tokai which I also had sold not long before.

If I had the money to, I’d probably buy this. It’s a nice colour and probably has the vintage tone. No different really to spending £10k on a pre CBS Fender.

I’ve had fairly similar: Jim Deacon Epiphone Fender (twice) Jackson EB Musicman Warwick RB Overwater (twice) Tokai Squire Sire Warwick

The serial number belongs to a translucent gold bass, not sunburst

Looks like the real thing. The badge on the headstock was applied to every Fender bass made in 2006 to celebrate their 60th anniversary. The price is the same as they were new back then. From what I remember there were less colour options than American standards and the stock pickups were downgraded.

Is it just me that can’t get on with the look of them?

No point in keeping something that will annoy you

+3 430

Without headphones I preferred the AC. To my ears it sounds closer to real vintage fenders. It’ll be interesting if I change my mind with headphones on.

The relic job on this one looks remarkably authentic compared to others I’ve seen.

I think you need to spend serious time in a shop trying different basses. It’s the only way to learn what works for you at the stage you’re at. It’s a shame Denmark Street isn’t what it was.

Not read all the responses but I used to go to jam nights while at college. The only skill you need is the ability to socialise and network. You’ll quickly understand the repertoire and will be called up more often.

your username suggests there are 50 more. Does your wife view basschat? 🤔

I’m going to assume you haven’t seen his regular designs? Plus he was a bass player first, bass maker second. it’d be interesting to see how easy it is to play and how it sounds. It’s definitely of an era.

By keeping the headstock warm, the bass maintains perfect tuning Either that or you may want to disguise you play Fender

It sounds pretty good. If they offered it in 3 TSB and Tort p/g, it’d sell well.

That’s sold now but they have Stanley Clarke’s Flying V!

If they had I would certainly be GAS free

He asked for critique though? 🤷‍♂️

I think this is the right idea. I don't think you would have played that way when you have the energy of live musicians and can feel the bass drum and snare as much as hear them. If it was me, I'd tighten up by learning the groove with a metronome and then once I had that down learn the arrangement, using fills to articulate certain moments. IMO the fills you used didn't add to the song or performance but that's often a preference thing.

Alternatively, there should be a daily bulletin with Basschat’s drama of the day