Chris2112

I remember when Ray's could be had for the price of a cup of tea used! They'd lost their cool for a bit and hadn't quite transitioned into being the "uber workhorse" that many (myself included) now believe them to be. However, they've picked up again and it looks like their values are being lifted even more by the Sterlings. Shame really, as I love a good Ray!

I love Stanley - although I recall that he recently played a show in America advertised as as just being "Stanley Clarke", not "Stan plays upright", where he played one track on his electric bass and the rest of the time he was on the upright. I also recall him saying something to the effect of that his latest album is something of a definitive electric statement for now and he'll be concentrating a lot more on upright. He's a great upright player but it's not an instrument that interests me! Sounds like a great show though. My favourite Stanley stuff is the Animal Logic records. I remember Stan saying that he got a lot of stick for doing "pop" records, but the songs and musicianship was incredible. Just listen to Stan's bassline on "Rose Coloured Glasses", absolutely amazing. Fantastic records, those ones.

I've done a few things like that, but never for a serious amount of time, and almost purely as a recreational thing, I don't think it's really the kind of thing you can find a paying audience for! I don't think we were ever incredible, not like the Hellborg/Lane/Sipe trio who could just improvise endlessly and sound consistently amazing. However, you got some good sounds coming out and it could be extremely interesting at times. As long as you've got a good drummer and a solid rhythmic foundation to fall back on, I think you can pull yourself back from ocasionally tenuous harmonic territory...

I had a go through the RH450 and the Classic 450 at Guitar Guitar in Newcastle today. I just had a shot on a whim saying as I had my Kubicki Ex Factor with me and I was buying a new strap. Even with old strings on it, I was quite blown away. Simply put, they are incredible amps. I might well grab my Alembic and go back for a second go! To me, the RH450 sounded a little better from the off, although the Classic 450 was also incredible and also something like £300 cheaper! Needless to say, the Classic is more than good enough and I may well go and buy one from them, I was so impressed!

IMO, this would probably be more to do with Chris not being that fantastic a player than the basses themselves! As I've never known Jonas Hellborg have trouble getting "oomph" out of them!

[quote name='RhysP' post='889533' date='Jul 8 2010, 02:16 PM']I'm obviously missing something here, but why can't a player just "Think" it, rather than having to do it out loud? It seems to me like the musical equivalent of moving your lips whilst reading.[/quote] It sounds dire too, and should never be done near a microphone! In fact, I think the only person who sounded half decent doing it was Shawn Lane!

The first part was cool but I found the drum and bass part sounded a bit clichéd. However, I think thats pretty much the case for "jazzy" drum and bass stuff now.

The TonePump is one of the most underrated preamps around. I can't believe the amount of people that want to get rid of them, as I loved the one in my Spector. It was bright, burpy and loud! Fantastic in the studio and it really produced that Spector sound!

I dont have any Status basses anymore (although I plan to buy one as my next bass), but here are the two I used to own... a Matrix Stealth I 6 string

What a steal!

Everything looked better in the 80's! Bass guitars are no exception!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='878431' date='Jun 26 2010, 09:33 PM']As I said in my other post, there's nothing better than an S2 [/quote] Well, I'm lucky that I don't have a belly (yet) but Mark has a bit of a kite and he always managed with them...in spite of your concerns, I'm not sure its something I'll be able to get out of my system without owning one! I do love that S2 though and it would be a lie if I said I had not been seriously tempted by it. I was back looking at it through the window today even though the song was closed! It does look and sound amazing though. I'm thinking of getting a Kingbass in the "all graphite" construction if Status still will do them - IMO that is the way forward for basses in a sense. Fool that I am for selling it as I couldn't find a thing wrong with my Stealth 6 string. If the S2 had a maple top, I'd have bought it there and then, simple as.

Just so you have a better idea of what I was talking about, here are a couple of cheeky pictures I snapped... Simple, but beautiful. Still....must...hold...out...for...a...kingbass!

I really like the look of that Matrix too, but after having owned 2 headed Status basss I've decided my next one has to be headless! After all, I get on so well with my Kubicki and the way that balances and I really prefer headless basses these days after giving much thought to both sides of the argument. When I was playing this Status today I was reminded at just how balanced and full Status basses sound - like a piano up and down the neck, every note ringing loud and clear. I don't think there is any other bass that can compete with Status for that same level of clarity and resonance. That, combined with the low action which makes it so easy to articulate those machine gun 16th note runs (slapped and fingerstyle) means the bass plays itself. I find it is the mark of a quality instrument that it enhances your playing, rather than just being a tool for making noise. I found the same characteristic in my Kubicki and my Alembic, that they sit so perfectly in your hands and notes just spring out effortlessly. Rob at Status has got this aspect down to a tee. In a way, it's like pulling out of a junction onto a 60mph road and going flat out in a Vauxhall Corsa and then doing it in a Sierra Cosworth. Both will get up to 60mph, but the Sierra wafts there. There is no strain in it, no howling noises of terror, just a smooth and completely assured experience, utterly capable in every respect and with sound design and engineering that are immediately apparent to the driver.

I think it was the fact that it was a bit "plain" that stopped me from going head over heels and buying it right then and there, although I am sure from playing it that Status basses now are better than they have ever been, because it was flawlessly constructed. I'm swayed by good looks and I've wanted a Kingbass for ages, so this has stoked the fires so to speak! But yes, I've never played a bad Status and they're easily on a par with my current gear.

I was just strolling through town today when I noticed that Sounds Live have a Status S2 headless bolt on for sale. I had a quick go on it and it is fantastic. Very light strings coupled with a lovely low action made it a dream to play, and it sounded great even though an Orange amp! It's being sold by a friend of the manager through the shop, I think they said the price was £999 with a case. Its not the wildest looking Status S2 (I think it's all walnut with a red accent stripe and black hardware) but it plays brilliantly and sounds fantastic too. I was severly tempted for a few minutes, as it reminded me so much of the tone and feel of my old Status Stealth bass. If anything, it has strengthened my resolve to buy a Mk1 Kingbass! If anyone is in the Newcastle area and interested in Status basses I would highly recommend going and having a look at it, as I don't think it will be there very long! And with me being daft, I forgot to take a bloody picture too!

Joe Satriani has played a lot of bass parts on his records over the years and he has done some fantastic lines. IIRC, this song has Joe on the bass and he really gives it some groove. Incredible piece of music too. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_77Q9bSjPoc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_77Q9bSjPoc[/url]

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='870270' date='Jun 17 2010, 09:52 PM']Got 9 basses, but will be offloading some soon due to lack of space,& not using enough. Answer to the question has to be , a Kubicki ex factor,a headless zon, steinberger trans trem.. better stop now [/quote] Well played - I don't think I could make do these days without a Kubicki Ex Factor, they are just too cool. This thread has also made me take note of the bassline to "Hyperactive" by Thomas Dolby for the first time, and I'll be setting out to learn that bassline over the next few days, it is incredible.

For me, it has to be a Status Kingbass. I know my Kubicki will cover all my headless, modern sounding needs (ie: all I want from a fretted bass!) but I still want one. I'll get one someday!

It would have to be my Alembic fretless... Although it was a hard fought battle between that and my Kubicki.

[quote name='62P-Bass' post='869638' date='Jun 17 2010, 07:49 AM']Nice to see that the drummer, Kenwood Dennard went on to much more serious musical endeavours: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxNIMeaq_k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxNIMeaq_k[/url] Andrew[/quote] There is a part at the end of the Jaco video where Jaco throws his bass at Kenwood and he makes an awkward catch - but man does he look angry. If that bass had hit him he'd have been a hospital job!

You're saying you know nothing about Fender basses and yet your gear list states you have four?