Chris2112

[quote name='BigRedX' post='845855' date='May 23 2010, 04:36 PM']Why does it have to be wood [i]or[/i] graphite?[/quote] Well, there have been a few things like this in the past, namely Zon, Modulus and Status graphite leading the way with various hybrid necks and treaments for woods. However, I've always felt that if it's going to be a graphite neck, have a classic take on it like the Status woven fibre ones. Interestingly, I remember Fender32, a user of Talkbass, had a jazz bass with a GMT woven graphite neck. (Green Machine Technology, Rob's company prior to Status). The neck is an early one, I remember him describing the profile as quite square, which was the norm on the old Status stuff, and he also mentioned that you could make out the imperfections in the cloth weave too! Must have been a very cool thing to see in person, that bass!

I am very much "for" graphite necks, or at least high tech solutions and innovation in bass making! Hence my ownership of Status and Kubicki basses: My Status Stealth was "all graphite". I think its fair to say that out of all the basses I've owned, this one had the most even response across the tonal spectrum, and could give brightness that was too much even for me! However, it was sweetest with the bass and treble backed off just a bit and the mids singing through. It was also incredibly light, despite being a 6 string. This was the bass that absolutely "sold" me on graphite. I'd own an all graphite bass again in a shot! Which of course brings me onto Kubicki Ex Factors. I've had two of these, both 1989 models with the Fender Custom shop stamp, but made with Pre-Fender parts (the 18V preamp with the 6 way selector). The interesting thing was, when Phillip first designed these, he looked at graphite necks and decided against them as they were too expensive. For his needs at least, he could get similar strength, stablility and tone from making a neck of 34 maple laminates while avoiding paying a high price for graphite technology (which was very, very expensive back in the 80's!). This neck would then be bolted onto a maple body with an ebony fretboard attached and would produce a very bright, full and slightly compressed sounding tone, which gave Kubicki a sound very much of their own when connected to the Kubicki electronics. Of course, Phillip realised he was onto a winning solution with his own basses and kept going with the maple necks. Unlike some poorly finished graphite necks, the Kubicki necks could be finished to perfection and "felt like wood", which attracted a lot of players who might have otherwise been put off by such an exotic bass. However, I have also played and owned basses with incredibly finished graphite necks which were like glass. In short, I love this kind of thing.

This sounds good. "The Toys of Men" was a real return to form so I'm looking forward to this! Although I am pleased this is an all electric record, I'm worried when Stan says it is the last Electric stuff he'll be doing for a while. I guess I'll be switching off Stanley for a while then because DB playing really does bore me to tears.

You have PM, something that might interest you!

Will be a shocker if it does, given Warwick's company pride in quality! I had a '99 Thumb with a Wenge neck and the old neck profile, it was an amazing bass and I loved owning it! Sadly, Warwick as we know them are prett much already gone, it happened when they changed to ovangkol necks IMO!

These things always get good press and I've always fancied one, but the price is outrageous these days!

The thing is, trends also play a big part in it. It was most noticeable on Talkbass but every few months had its brand, and the year had one too. Like earlier on this millenium, Warwick were the "in" bass at Talkbass and everyone had to have one. The same thing happens here I think, on a smaller scale. Whats popular and being talked about at the moment can really help shift something on the adverts page. You'd think something like a Fender would be very easy to shift, for example, but this year I'm noticing a lot of players are going for very individual basses, picking brands and basses that aren't seen every day and relishing the bass not only for what it is as an instrument but the "kudos" it has for not being something you see all the time. Hence seeing some Marcus Miller basses selling for silly prices!

To be honest, it didn't work for me. It just sounded like it had had all the punch and dynamics sucked out of it. Although the original is a fantastic piece, its just not working in this context for me, perhaps because the original is so iconic to me! I also love this much underrated tune! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9LrE6dRHn8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9LrE6dRHn8[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='834549' date='May 11 2010, 07:12 PM']Er...anyone mention Victor? Probably the world's greatest, and boy does he get some stick on here.[/quote] Exactly my point! He's fantastic, but boy, have some people got a bee in their bonnet about him!

I've learned "I Believe it" by Uzeb, except for the solo, which should take a bit more work! Shouldn't be too hard though.

Mark King does get a lot of stick, but then when you're that good it is to be expected, there is always someone waiting to rain on the parade!

I saw Nena, talk about a bloody mime act! The band didn't even bother to make it look like they were playing! Shame there was no Tony Butler with an Aria! Or even a Warwick Thumb!

[quote name='JTUK' post='834085' date='May 11 2010, 11:53 AM']ok, I'll play.. Mark King has by far the better chops in this regard. I think he could easily have done the BIG session circuit on talent alone but made far more with L42[/quote] This is absolutely true. If you listen to the bass parts he played on "If I Was" with Midge Ure live at the Prince's Trust in the 80's, it is without a doubt one of the grooviest basslines of all time.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='832176' date='May 9 2010, 01:43 PM']Despite my "issues" i do have severe gas for the 4 string Big Al do u ever think a shop in the UK will have any in stock? [/quote] If any do it'll either be The Gallery or Guitar Guitar, I reckon.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='832069' date='May 9 2010, 12:01 PM'] [/quote] Classic Alan. Michael is the best character!

[quote name='molan' post='831655' date='May 8 2010, 06:29 PM']Kubicki with the 6 way switching option[/quote] ***Christ, I had my first Status Graphite bass when I was 18! A Stealth 6 string! But I'd go for a Kubicki as my ultimate function band bass. It's light and super comfy, just sits perfectly on me! The fact that it doesn't ssound like a P or a J bass doesn't really matter, because I bought it because it sounds like a Kubicki! I had a 1989 Kubicki when I was 16 and I traded it for the Status when I was 18. Now I've got another 1989 Kubicki Ex Factor. Those Ex Factors, they look incredible and can also fool people into thinking you can really play, saying as Stuart Hamm and Victor Wooten play them! I also believe you should always have a fretless bass for functions bands, and my Alembic fretless 5 covers this.

I've always thought they sounded fairly good, especially when Alain Caron was in UZEB. However, I much prefered the old style body shapes, and as a fretted bass their sound has never really blown me away. I'm also not a fan of the fact that they are known for having a fairly low output. Still, interesting basses.

It has to be Tony Butler, how incredibly underrated he is!

His solo stuff is good, but I always thought it was the Weather Report records where he really got to shine!

I'm usually a roundwounds man but my Alembic came with flats on it, and it sounds incredible! They sound like roundwounds, but have the tight decay of flats...very strange! I guess thats just the quality of the Alembic speaking, but I'll go back to my usual fretless strings soon, Fodera Diamonds.

I bought an Alembic fretless off James, and he is a top class salesman and a great bloke too! He is also nuts, so look out for his sales ads as they likely contain bargains! (Alembics in near mint condition for £600!). Excellent communications, and a top class job on the packaging side of things too. I would quite happily do business with James again in future, things could not have went better! Chris