Mrbigstuff

Some of the Denmark street shops still sell vintage gear. I occasionally browse Wunjo, No. Tom, and Hanks.

I hope he’s reading this then, he might have a new number 1 😂

Best tell Nathan East, he must have ruined thousands of records with his stupid sound 🙄

That one was an early Jazz model with Ken Armstrong Pups and a J retro. The tone was deep and mellow and the fit and finish was perfect (although a previous owner had taken a few chunks out of it). It was still quite heavy though. Overall it was very very good but it’s when I learned I don’t favour 19mm spacing or 35” scale length, even though the B was tight and resonated effortlessly. My current Overwater was my own custom build and the guys made exactly what I wanted. Also, as I’m not playing weddings anymore I don’t need a 5 string jazz bass and my next bass will hopefully be something different.

I’ve found that a lot of the “boutique” basses tend to be predominantly 35”. I had a 35” 5 string Overwater and looked like one of the seven dwarves on stage.

Warwick’s are brilliant fun and have bags of character. Some had their issues such as a rubbish jack socket that wears quickly and trusrods that would snap, but all repairable. Late 80’s/ early 90s have the best reputation but I really enjoyed owning the mid 2000 ones I had. For 5 string models they have very narrow string spacing which isn’t to everyone’s taste.

Bass direct and the bass gallery do have a wonderful selection which is part of the reason I shop at bass direct, because I can’t remember the last time I had the same strings twice in a row. On the flip side, I think we should praise any store that offers good service. It is also misleading because the .co.uk would usually indicate a UK based company. I came across the website above because they had a Japanese KS Burner bass which you rarely see in the UK.

I haven’t had a 5 string bass in 7 years. Has it stopped me playing bass? No Have I stopped GASing for a 5 string since? No

I love the look of the 60/70s Fenders with the ashtrays but I’d too have to take them straight off

Had a look on the site and they offer 30 day returns if not unhappy and organise/ pay for the return.

Hopefully it’s in a hard case?

Just my 2 pennies - have the values just risen to match the modern equivalent? The Fender Vintera range now retails for a similar price. It’s similar to the s/h market of the older USA Fender deluxe basses now advertised for around £1k, as well as the American Vintage series, and Musicman USA Stingrays. They all used to be advertised considerably cheaper, but since the new prices have taken a leap, so has the older gear. So not necessarily investment material, but just following the times were now in.

Marcus Miller signed Sire basses? I had an early V7 but must have just missed out on the first batch.

I got one of these 6 months ago. Comfy enough as I have worked 8 hour days from home since March. Decent price. I always have without arms for bass playing ease. https://www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk/comfort-ergo-3-lever-mesh-operator-chairs.html

What a collection! Glad for more Smiths in the UK.

Damn I was sure I would feature this year. Sure I haven’t practiced scales as much as I should, but I’ve learned lots of other stuff 🤪

Have you got £8k? https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/SMITH_BB-6WTVE.html

That’s the one

I don’t think it will adversely affect the NY stuff. It already has such a solid reputation amongst players. Same way the KSD stuff hasn’t affected Ken Smith basses. If they get it right eventually it will be another income stream.

There’s so many variations with 5 strings that trying a load out is the only way to really figure out what you like (if 5 strings at all). Therefore I’d start with something that is pretty standard and is easy to sell should you want to move to something else. Can’t think of anything better than Sire V7 for this.

Has anyone suggested the old Gibson EB yet? Seems to fit the brief but I have no idea where you’d find one or how much they cost. edit: just flicked through and seen you found a new bass. Looks great with the refinish!

Having criticised the Sadowsky sound previously and found it completely underwhelming on Metros and USA models, I actually really liked the passive tone on this. Although is it a big step up from a Sire V7? Doesn’t appear to be.

Chris May told me Overwater use a ‘62 neck as a template for their 4 string jazz necks and the shape is perfect. Mine has a slab of ebony instead of rosewood though. Many years ago I played a ‘63 (or maybe it was a ‘61) stack knob jazz at New Kings Road Guitars in order to compare it to one of the Fullerton reissues they were selling. The differences were immediately night and day and for me justified the price difference. Not sure if it was slab or not but it was a fantastic sound.

That looks great and you’re not far from me! Sadly no bass funds at this time of year.

Snarky puppy’s first European show at Cargo 2012 left my body numb for a few days. TOP at Koko around the same time. Also Bruno Mars and band on his second big tour at the O2 - proper showbiz!