Chris2112

I hadn't heard of Steve for a couple of years there, though I do fondly recall the forum he hosted with Michael Manring on Talkbass.

[quote name='spiritchaser' post='1018883' date='Nov 10 2010, 03:28 PM']Just take a look at that guy and what he's getting out of his MKII fretless - incredible [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD2xS91Mi84&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD2xS91Mi84...feature=related[/url] Hard to copy those sounds with a different bass. I love mine and they are worth every cent I paid for them.[/quote] At first when I saw all those effects pedals I expected that to be the usual load of lazy crap that people with massive racks of effects are tempted to create, but it was alright! It's a shame the Wal tone was a bit buried there.

This guy is obviously one of those old bug bear characters, I was rolling eyes when I got to bit where he said all instruments finished in "modern lacquer" sound crap!

I'd like to go back to a Streamer some day, just ebcause it's one of those basses I've always wanted to own. (despite owning an IMO superior Spector, the best use of the NS body shape for me) That said, I can't imagine I'd find much use for it!

I don't mind either. My ACG is incredible to look at it with it's beautiful woodwork, but my Kubicki is also so classy and aggressive looking with the black ebony fretboard against the dashing red paint. It all depends on the bass, although in general I lean towards natural basses.

Having spent well over £100 buying Jonas Hellborg records (including tracking down his rarer stuff) I'm not sure I see the comparison myself...

[quote name='josh3184' post='1019617' date='Nov 11 2010, 03:18 AM']First I've heard of someone not liking the slap sound on a Thumb! What was it about it that didn't work for you?[/quote] I suppose it's not that I didn't like the slap sound, it just wasn't the right slap sound for me. I really like bright, cutting 1980's slap sounds like you get from Kubicki and Status Graphite basses. The Thumb's slap sound was either too thin and trebly without the weight and punch of say; a Kubicki, or too woody and "dark" sounding. It was a perfectly useable sound and I quite happily used it for Level 42 playalongs, but when I started chasing tone as the ultimate goal the Thumb wasn't quite right. I also traded it for a Kubicki Ex Factor, so you can see my logic for letting it go. That said, the Thumb bass provides a sound that is essentially unique, not even the Warwick Dolphin can really touch it. If I were only playing fingerstyle these days, and I couldn't stretch to something more fancy like an ACG, a Status or a Zon I'd definitely be happy with a Thumb. There is so much to like about the bass, aside from the excellent tone. That wonderful small body, the stylish and distinctive looks, the excellent German build quality. I'm never convinced when I see Thumb basses selling for over £1000 but at current used prices (I got mine, a 1999 BO in mint condition with a Wenge neck for £590) they are excellent basses to buy.

I used to love my Thumb, it was an excellent bass. About as good as a "band" bass as I've ever had, it just sounded great in a mix. However, with my love of slap sounds, it ended up being moved on. Still a fantastic bass though and one I look back most fondly on.

It usually depends on my needs at the time. With regards to TC, I found them to be great amps and if I were after a head+cab setup I'd go straight after a TC rig. However, I downsized because I stopped playing live and now I just play in my bedroom or in the studio with friends. A small, portable amp with excellent tone is what I needed so I went for an Ashdown MK500 Mark King combo. It suits my needs perfectly, as I chase tone, not volume and it will certainly provide enough volume to work brilliantly in a studio jam. I could gig with it as even then I tend to DI into the board and use the amp for stage monitoring. With the basses I get, I find Basschat is an excellent place to find exotic items at a great price. For instance, I got my Alembic fretless for £600 here and I loved it. I'd have kept it had I not generally moved away from fretless playing. However, things tend to go in circles - I've now discovered ACG basses thanks to this forum. I feel particularly honoured to own the first Harlot Singlecut made by Alan at ACG. However, owning an ACG has made me think of ordering a fretless ACG!

He must keep the "crap" control turned all the way to ten!

Nice to see the "Just Intonation" Thumb there, I thought it was a one off that had been sold by Station Music! However, I have to admit I wasn't blown away by the soundtrack, it was a bit heavy on the cheesy drums, scooped guitars and sounded a tad generic compared to some of your other tunes.

That is awesome! So many different sounds, and so many layers!

[quote name='Spoombung' post='1013529' date='Nov 5 2010, 05:37 PM']There's one of these (a green one) in the bass Gallery. It's been there ages. I did try it out - it had a very nice neck but a bit of a bland sound.[/quote] They do look awesome but they don't sound as good as Schack basses do (or did)...

Things were a bit more interesting a few weeks ago when we had all manner of lovely handmade basses on show and the usual array of stuff was at a minimum!

How naff! I have to say Ashdown are a company that can be fantastic when they get things right. They need to concentrate of products like the Mark King series - cool, classy and about as good as amps get! I'd rather see them push their amps than some dodgy bands who use them.

The Rainbow bass always looked like Carl's best bass, although it looked a lot better before Les got the lower horn altered.

Wow Andy, that would be a very quick turnaround! You've only just got it! Was it a case of the GAS coming to bite you and then the bass not quite living up to the expectations?

[quote name='Spoombung' post='1013529' date='Nov 5 2010, 05:37 PM']There's one of these (a green one) in the bass Gallery. It's been there ages. I did try it out - it had a very nice neck but a bit of a bland sound.[/quote] is it still there? I remember it (it looked cool!) but it doesn't seem to be there now.

I spent all last night laying awake thinking of options for the fretless I'm thinking of ordering. For a little bit more cash I could get a Finn headless fretless, I just really can't decide if I want two matching basses (since the Harlot is so damn good!) or if I'd like something a little bit different but still definitely "ACG". I'll update later with the specifications I'm thinking of, as I can't make my mind up! However, playing my Harlot SC today definitely confirmed how right I am in the direction I'm going with my collection. Oh, and I'd definitely consider a Piezo bridge if I don't go for a headless. BottomEndian, that video does a fairly good job of showing just how good ACG sound; of course without playing with the filters it all sounds pretty similar but exquisite all the same!

I'm currently in discussion with Alan now about ordering a 4 string fretless ACG since I've been so impressed with my Harlot singlecut. However, I'm not sure if I want another Harlot SC or a headless Finn shape. Whatever I choose though, and when I choose it, I know I'll be making the right choice. It is no small thing for me to say but I think Alan is making the best basses in the country right now.

I've always loved Bogart basses and with something as cool and collectible as this I wouldn't mess with it. Much like the graphite necked Schack basses, these are as good as German basses get!

[quote name='Mike Brooks' post='1012340' date='Nov 4 2010, 05:36 PM']How about this......[/quote] Here is another white Kubicki then! This is #1777, a 1989 Fender "crossover" model. Pre Fender parts and build with the Fender custom shop stamp (much like my other Kubicki). This particular Ex Factor was my first top end bass that I bought with hard earned cash from my first job! I loved this bass, although if I'm honest it's not quite as good as this one which I have now (#1659, also a 1989 model): This one sounds a little bit more aggressive and powerful in the midrange than the other one did, and it plays a bit better too. However, they're both fantastic basses and I'd easily have both of them. I think I'll always be a Kubicki addict; Phil is a fantastic guy for customer support and his basses are top notch. I just play my Kubicki and think "wow" because there really is nothing else that looks, feels or sounds like a Kubicki. Every time I listen to Stuart Hamm I'm reminded of how amazing these basses are. I traded the white Kubicki for a Status Stealth bass, biiiiig mistake sadly!

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1012755' date='Nov 4 2010, 11:41 PM'] [/quote] I've never thought much of Squire, but I suppose a lot of that is to do with me thinking that YES are a load of crap. Who knows, maybe if he had read music YES would have been susbstantially different and I would have liked them? We will never know. What I do know though, is that the guy interviewing Chris in the video looks and sounds like a total idiot.