Chris2112

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1321877592' post='1443902'] You see, this is another internet myth. Bartolini is often being quoted as being dark sounding with a rolled top end. [/quote] I don't think it is. I've recently had three basses with Barts, played through the same amp with the same settings. All sounded softer and more 'organic' than other comparable basses. Indeed, my Zon could be so bright it could slice your ears off at 20 paces. But it still gravitated towards a darker, warmer sound. My Warwick Streamer has a lovely midrange growl and the top end is nice and clear, but it's 'musical' rather than sharp. etc etc. EDIT: Mind you, I don't want to get into lazy stereotyping of pickups. After all, there are many Bart pickups and many of the items supplied to high end luthiers are custom wound. So there may not be a 'true' Bartolini sound. But in general, I find them far less 'in your face' than say, EMG.

I'm not a Corvette fan, due to the shape. Mind you, if you were to get one with a bubinga body and a wenge or ovangkol neck it would sound better than a Fender could ever dream of sounding.

He is pretty good but.

I still absolutely love my ACG. It is the one bass I would never, ever get rid of. I say this not as a fawning owner, but as a slightly jaded player of many, many high end basses that were not as good as the hype suggested, but I firmly believe Alan Cringean is the most exciting bass manufacturer on the planet at the moment. In a short space of time he has created such a following and basses of such a unique vision. I love the fact that I've got a relatively early model, as it feels exclusive but the quality of construction is exquisite. When I think of all the other basses I've owned in the time I've owned the ACG (Status, Kubicki, Iceni Zoot, Alembic, Zon etc etc) I can state that they are amazing basses but not as good as the ACG. That said, this is the only ACG I've played so maybe it's just a one off that is spectacularly good. But the devoted following these basses have would suggest otherwise. In fact, it really needs some new strings. I might have to get in touch with Alan and get some new ones ordered.

MarkusWarwick has a nice Streamer Stage II. I am of the opinion that one cannot own too many top end Streamers.

I regularly go to shops and leave feeling a bit disappointed. Take Guitar Guitar Newcastle, for instance. They've got loads of basses, most middle of the road Fender and Lakland. I'd rarely bother playing a Fender and having tried some of their Lakland stock, I found that very bland too. The most fun I've had there was testing out amps with my old Kubicki, #1659! It's just down to what you're into, I suppose. I like high end, boutique stuff. Something thats a bit interesting. I'd much rather have one or two nice basses than a larger collection of less interesting instruments. I think the care the instrument has received also plays a part too. When I got my Zon from Retroman, he had set it up very well for me, and it was a pleasure getting a bass from someone with a real passion for them, as opposed to getting one 'off the rack' and thinking "yeah, I suppose this is good enough, I'll take it". Similarly, when I went to see Warwickhunt to get my Streamer, we chatted on for ages about the basses and that sort of thing. I think you can be quite inspired by someone elses passion for a bass, whereas going into a shop and looking at a rack of bland P and J clones can be fatiguing through their banality. I expect if I went to Bass Direct or something like that, that caters for tastes like mine, I'd leave thinking "what a great shop!".

My new laptop wallpaper... [IMG]http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv52/Baryonyx2112/bass.jpg[/IMG]

I find that I really enjoy Bartolini pickups. They're not super bright, hi-fi pickups so if you're looking for a slap machine they wouldn't be much first choice. But they have such a musical voicing, especially in the midrange. Very enjoyable indeed. I also really like EMG's too, but again they are a very different sound.

Went back and re-learned 'Bling (confessions of a king)' by The Killers properly. What an awesome bassline.

I love playing over the bridge and getting bright, burpy sounds. Most of my fingerstlye playing is done exclusively over the bridge pickup.

If the band is an equal partnership, do what you want. It's your part, after all. If it's a paid gig or something, then use a pick. Always answer to the boss, unless you are the boss.

I played for about 7 years without a pick, having started out with one and then shunned it a couple of years later. It was a revelation to go back to it. I still only use the pick around 10% of the time, but it's a skill and a sound well worth having. I'd advise getting good at both styles, it will make some songs a lot easier/sound a lot better.

I still think after all these years of playing loads of great fretless basses, the one that stands out that I've never owned is a Pentabuzz with Bartolini P/J pickups. It just growled and sang in equal measure over every note. It really was a dream. As much as I love a fretless Wal, I'd say the Pedulla was the more entertaining fretless bass. It was just spectacular...and the EA rig I was playing it through was pretty awesome too (I also played a 5 string Spector Euro NT through it, which sounded great).

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1321381230' post='1438530'] Some superglue in the gaps would probably sort that out I'd imagine. Then buff residue flat. [/quote] the previous owner of the bass got the neck refinished in 2006 and it's happened again since. I suppose some superglue may work.