Chris2112

If you're after getting the Hotwire defretted, make sure you go to a professional and maybe even get a new board fitted as that will always look better than a defret. If you do it yourself you'll absolutely ruin the value of the bass.

Like the action on my ACG. I can't be more precise than that, other than to say the bass is set up just how I like it.

I would just take a look at what Kai Eckhardt used to play when he was in the John McLaughlin Trio in the late 80's, something headless with a carbon fibre neck like a Schack would be ideal. It gives that fantastic burpy electric sound which is amazing with nylon string guitars or even steel string acoustics.

I had a chance to A/B the basses with a friend who owned both when the HH was a relatively new thing (he's since converted to Warwick). I didn't find that playability was compromised by the new pickup but it did offer more tones and the classic single humbucker tone was on tap too. The issue really was that the bridge pickup is already in the "sweet spot" and produced such a good sound that I'd have struggled to find a use for the neck pickup! Horses for courses though, as they were both good basses (and admittedly, not quite as good as the Streamers he has now!).

[quote name='sub6' post='712092' date='Jan 13 2010, 11:33 PM']here's my rig, love it, had the head[attachment=40182:P2206_03_11_09.JPG] since march 09 and got the cab in the recent guitar guitar frenzy.[/quote] Nice bass too!

Wow, I never knew Marcus Miller was there.

So, it sounds like the Bass Cellar is still crap then!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='1070602' date='Dec 27 2010, 10:34 PM']His solo on the extended version of I'm Your Man is brilliant (and I don't generally like solos)[/quote] Sounds like a Status bass he was using there!

He needs to take that hideous pickup cover off! I think people can also forget what a huge talent George is. People have gotten so obssessed with the tabloid excesses of his life, but he is such a fantastic singer.

Whilst I do love a good tone hunt, and I feel that these things should be documented and recorded for future generations to marvel at, I was always able to get a good Cliff Burton sound just by using a distortion pedal and playing with a hard touch in the right hand. Hardly scientific though...

Nice colour!

He also played bass for George Michael too, after Wham split. He had good taste in basses too; playing Status Graphite and Kubicki basses amoung others iirc...

I have no problem with them being 'production line'. It wasn't until the prices sky rocketed that I looked at Wal as a 'boutique' company. Before that, when they could be had for reasonable prices (being sold used in good condition at the gallery for around £1200!), I just looked at them as good, honest workmen's basses. Some of my friends can even remember when Wal were considered naff, when the music scene was wanting to forget the 80's. They had been the studio darlings of that decade and worked their way into the hands of many players, to the point where I recall someone calling them "the ultimate pub bass". And from there, they were out of fashion. Of course, for a number of reasons they're back in; not least of all people remembering that they're great basses and also that they wern't being made anymore. The fact that they're "production line" and pretty simply made should be a good thing, it should mean they can be turned out in larger numbers for lower prices without compromising on quality. That really would be the dream. Were the prices more reasonable, I'd consider collecting a couple over the years, maybe even ordering a Jonas Hellborg style double neck. Like I say, Wal are doing nothing to make themselves superstar basses at the moment and the fact they're being sold for extremely high prices in very small quantities is a great shame and not what I had hoped for when we all dreamt of Wal returning.

Well, those basses will appeal to a very select customer as the signature range from Warwick always comes with a massive mark up on the price. That said, the TM Stevens Streamer will appeal to no-one as it's so bloody awful! I always really liked the look of the P-Nut basses, it's just a shame they don't do a 4 string.

MTD are pretty easy to get hold of in this country, which is good because they're fairly good basses. They don't quite have the magic of the older Tobias basses though, or the quality of sound. Thats a shame, as Gibson still appear to be knocking out their interpretation of Tobias basses. I recall the Nashville era basses from Gibson being fairly well praised but there were concerns about later Gibson instruments. I guess with the state of play being the way it is, Mike will never be able to make the old classics again. Just another great company swallowed up and watered down by Gibson!

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!