Chris2112

I found out today that Kris from Stop.Drop.Rewind uses a Sansamp Bass Driver to get that amazing crunchy tone, so naturally I now need one.

Either for Status Graphite to go back to making graphite necks/basses or for Spector to stop using those dodgy looking 'cactus arm' upper horns on their newer basses.

There is literally no faster means of conversing than actually speaking to someone (the human race hasn't mastered telepathy yet). Just admit you don't like it and save us this excuse about not having time to use a telephone. Loads of adults seem to suffer with an unusual anxiety about this perfectly normal act.

Casiopea were always amazing in the studio but even more incredible live. Their live records are as good as it gets.

Awful colour and a big asking price for a Jazz.

It looks like the new Bass Direct website is up. First impressions are that it looks way more generic than the old one and way less user-friendly.

This is the least likely outcome.

That really is such a classy look.

'The magic of techology' in this case being a pre-recorded bass track. Jeez...

'rock'? Hmm...

This Basslab double neck would do. Every single aspect of it utterly captivates me. If I won the lottery the thing I would do would be to commission a replica but with Kent Armstrong pickups.

I don't think Stu has ever had 'big money'. I recall that in the early 90's when he was still signed with Relativity Records and touring with Joe Satriani he was working a regular job on days off (working at a gas station, if memory serves). I'm guessing that the general cost of living in California and relatively low incoming from royalties has been enough to ensure that he'll never be a millionaire. He's also had some health problems, quite serious problems at that and as we know, getting ill in America can cost big money. None of these guys would be in that position if the record labels still existed or still backed projects like this. Jeff Berlin's 'Jack Songs' had about zero commercial appeal and so that had to be crowdfunded or it never would have been made. I don't decry these guys for making a living, if the money doesn't come from crowdfunding it won't come from anywhere now.

I was quite excited to see the other day that Stuart Hamm has announced he's working on a new album, or rather, it is very nearly done. As you might expect in this day and age, he has launched a backing campaign to get it finished. Being a big fan of Stu's work from over the years, I was quite happy to throw some dough his way to get the record finished. When I signed up the other day the campaign had about £80 in funds but it's now doing very well with over £10,000. I've only backed one of these campaigns in the past, for Jeff Berlin's 'Jack Songs' record. Contrary to that protracted and somewhat opaque process, Stu has a given a clear indication of his goals and what he intends to do with the funds, so I do have confidence that the work is nearing completion. Plus, the sound of a prog rock album with guitar work from Alex Skolnick sounds very intriguing. https://igg.me/at/StuHammHoldFast/x#/

I'll make a proper thread on this tomorrow but Stu has recently announced he's nearly finished his new album, check the link for info. I've put in for a signed CD. The Estonian Bass Oasis event last year looked absolutely great, I'd love to go but work commitments keep me here. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/stu-hamm-new-release-hold-fast-campaign#/

Jeff Berlin Tetsuo Sakuri Yoshihiro Naruse Alain Caron Geddy Lee Stuart Hamm Jonas Hellborg Michael Manring Billy Sheehan Victor Wooten All such great players.

Pros: you'll never have to change them Cons: they'll never sound great

It looked as though it had been well used. Enough, I'd say, that the original owner would be justified in going back to F Bass to buy another if he were going to get the same use from one again. What had gone wrong with the neck? Had it twisted over time?

I was going to post the exact same bass because I have become somewhat attached to Basslab instruments, and my second choice was going to be a Ritter Roya! Quite the coincidence. Something like this, but with the B string on the saddle:

Nothing to do with the craftsmanship and everything to do with different materials expanding and contracting at different rates. I've heard of this happening on many lined fretless basses, even on high end handmade Pedulla Buzz and F Basses, and I doubt anyone would ever say they weren't expertly crafted.

That is absolutely foul.

I've since spoke to a previous owner who confirms it was traded in France and then believed to have been sold again, so I'll consider it effectively off the radar now with no active leads. As it happens, someone had tagged the builder, Heiko Hoepfinger, in one of my Facebook posts. He has advised me that he'll let me know if it surfaces (I've previously bought a used Basslab instrument through him and would do so again).

Thanks for the heads up! I will try and speak with him and see if that comes up with anything.