Chris2112

Lighter and easier to use in general, as long as you're careful with your gear.

I didn't watch the documentary, though I do recall watching the Live Aid DVD boxed set with my ex and being impressed at some of the basses. In the music video for "Do They Know It's Christmas" you can see someone playing a Wal bass. Also, Martin Kemp was a well known Wal user, though I think he also played a Musicman Sabre in the early 80's.

Actually recording things at a reasonable level is a big step forward. Too many records have been ruined in the past decade by the "loudness war". I much prefer a cooler recording; it's so much easier to mix and master and when you're done you've got a better record. Then you can just turn it up on your stereo, as God intended!

Is the G String weaker than the rest?

I really like the MK they have but that is one of the msot extreme prices I've ever seen on an Alembic bass in this country and it seems like a pretty standard model! The SC Deluxe is nice but I'm not keen on the SC with the Omega cut. I've never been a fan of the Omega cut really!

On the subject of fancy playing being worth listening to, Victor Wooten is the king of this. His stuff is just insane, and so hard to copy convincingly. Yet he has perhaps the most easily identifiable "voice" of any bassist since Jaco and he never struggles to produce catchy melodies. I think he really needs to get back to his bass prowess rather than focusing on so many "band" arrangements but thats another story... ...in the meantime, I am always awed by this performance.

[quote name='thodrik' post='1070417' date='Dec 27 2010, 07:38 PM']I like a lot of the music and the sounds created by the band, but I just don't like Morrissey: his voice, his lyrics or him in general. It doesn't bother me if others find him amazing, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I just will never be 'won over' by Morrissey. If the entire Smiths catalogue was released any of the vocals, I would buy it without question.[/quote] The problem with him is that he treats the rest of the band like three stooges. Just watch the video Nick posted, where his is flouncing about the stage like a bloody idiot. He is the person I think of whenever I hear people on this site complaining about idiotic, over-indulged frontment annoying everyone with their antics.

Well, I'm aware 311 were around well before Nu Metal, but it was during those years that they got some exposure in the UK. Not heard a peep since, apart from in the Warwick press!

[quote name='Soliloquy' post='1065629' date='Dec 21 2010, 01:22 PM']I couldn't agree less. I had a Wal that I sold earlier in the year. It was very old, and a beautiful instrument. I had it refinished by Paul at Wal. The impression that I gained with my dealing was that the new Wal business is nothing more than a money making enterprise. There really didn't seem to be any passion about the basses. I wasn't alone with the impression either, there was another guy there when I collected my bass, he thought exactly the same thing. £3.5k is an awful lot of money for a 'bolt on' neck design bass. There's very little of the custom element in the bass, not like Sei, Status or Jaydee.[/quote] I have to say, this is not something I enjoyed reading but that thought was at the back of my mind when Wal came back. During the hiatus, I was thinking "Surely, someone could be making a lot of money out of these basses if they were prepared to start making them again. Whoever owns the rights could make a killing". And sadly, it seems that the "New Wal" is just a money making exercise. It is good business for them to charge what they do because people are obviously paying it (probably in small amounts). But there is nothing in a Wal that takes a huge amount of time to make. The woodworking, even at it's most exotic, is well finished and functional rather than incredible. Not bashing what Wal basses are (I love them after all), but like I say they could make the same basses for less money and sell more as a result. The demand is certainly there to make Wal the bass of the moment again. I was just sat playing my ACG there, marvelling at the bass. The woodworking is better than anything I've seen Wal do. The fit and finish is superior, the electronics are superb. There isn't a corner cut anywhere on the ACG, yet it cost roughly 1/3 of the price of a new Wal or thereabouts. Whereas new Wal basses start at £3200 - so I'm guessing that will get you a Mk1 4 string with a bolt on neck and some basic top wood. My ACG harlot is about as highly specced as I've seen an ACG (or a bass). The quality of the build, woods and materials are all top notch and the bass competes with heavyweights like Alembic, Fodera and Ken Smith at an affordable price point. It is every bit their equal. It's proof that you can build exceptional basses for good value, and I'm sure Alan's order book will attest to this as a good way of doing things. With the ACG, you get a sense of Alan's passion for building and making fantastic instruments. I've not played a new Wal yet, but sadly at the moment I get the impression it's a front to get rich Wal chasers to open their wallets. I had hoped that the new era of Wal would bring back the passion that Ian and Pete brought to the brand, along with their reasonable prices. It seems this is just not the case!

I've got one of those Basslines Musicman style humbuckers in my fretless Sabre and it sounds incredible. Although I find it strange that Warwick still fawn over P-Nut, giving him these signature basses. I thought 311 had tanked since the fall of Nu Metal, you never hear of them over here unless you're talking about Warwick!

The PRS seems to often get the two finger salute, like the tax man! At work we were quoted some outrageous PRS licensing price, all to be able to use radios to listen to music in the work place. The radios were quickly removed and that was another buget slashed!

I've just had my ACG out brushing up on this bassline. There is a nice section near the end where the bass and drums just play together and then the drums just do a few bars on their own...it gives you a nice space to thump out the bassline and try out any fills you've been thinking of. I always play this one with my fingers and the bridge pickup on solo, digging in hard over the pickup for a bright burpy sound. Not the usual gritty picked sound of the records but an interesting way of doing it all the same! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjeBUb4RW1g&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjeBUb4RW1g...feature=related[/url]

Just a battle scar that shouldn't be too hard to sort out!

One of my mates is a massive Morrissey/Smiths fan, so I've had plenty of time to play their songs with him. I was the one who persuaded him to get a guitar so the least I can do is play along while he gives it the big licks on his stratocaster. Like I say, I've never really loved the tunes but I'm always reminded when I play them with him why I love playing music!

All hail the King.

I don't really like the Smiths, but there is some awesome rhythm section work in their songs!

I think Bass Direct might have one at the moment? It never seemed like many made it to these shores, and those that did have been keepers! They're not particularly rare used in the US, but they're fairly uncommon here. Well, the original ones of course, there are a few more Gibson era ones knocking around.

Always thought these were spoiled in a big way by the chrome hardware. If it were black hardware they'd look fantastic.

He's a great player, he did a great job on those Wham tunes.

My old Spector...

Probably because they're not really any better than other Alembics of similar spec!

Every time I see that video I wonder where the rest of his recorded output is!

Is there a UK dealer for Alembic? I've always got my eye out for one as I fancy a Series I or II or maybe a Mark King...

I love Alembic basses, the one I had was excellent. I've always loved the signature and series models best. Were I prepared to spend that much money on a bass I'd quite happily have a Series II or a Mark King model.

[quote name='Mokl' post='1069032' date='Dec 24 2010, 09:01 PM']You'd have to be a loon to swap your Modulus for that! I really, really wouldn't do it. 70's Jazzes come along all the time.[/quote] And they're not even that good!