Delberthot Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 When August 13th arrives this year I will have been playing the bass for 25 years and have always promised myself something special. I've had a lot of basses over the years and more or less kept buying and selling cos I just fancied something else and I am at the stage where I'd like to buy myself a retirement bass - that is something I can keep until I end my playing career. I've had a lot of basses from stuff that I got for nowt to £3000 jobbies and everything in between. I always say that I've had everything from A to Z (except Alembic & Zon) I'm going to have somewhere in the region of about £2-2500 which would pretty much buy anything within reason second hand and quite a lot brand new. This thread isn't about what I should buy but to give me some pointers to stuff that I could try that I maybe hadn't thought about. I have a list of things that I don't like which includes: Fenders - unless its something unusual like a Coronado or Bass V or even a Precision Elite II Anything with fanned frets Musicman Stingrays Coffee table basses, including single cuts Fretless - much as I enjoy playing them its not a sound I can use live Anything with more than 4 strings Anything beat up, reliced, cracked, scratched, dinged, donged, dirty and so on so it has to be pretty much perfect condition which rules out most vintage stuff unless its been kept in your uncle's loft for the past 30 years just waiting for something along the lines of Ebay to be invented. I had at first thought about getting myself a new Rickenbacker 4003 but I've seen some early 70s and older Fenders going for less on the forum so that's got me thinking about what else I could try. I really like the look of the Spector Doug Wimbish but on that style of bass I really prefer an EMG 35xx style pickup, plus its over budget. I want to try a Wal as certain models are within my budget as are certain Alembics and Ken Smiths. I wouldn't be adverse to buying a top end Ibanez, Peavey or Yamaha either, I've actually always wanted to try the Yamaha BB3000MA and still have a nostalgic look at the Peavey TL5s and Rudy Sarzos that appear on Ebay from time to time . Any ideas would be most welcome. I will most likely begin trying stuff in about 3 weeks time so would like to have a good idea of what else is out there. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1336506394' post='1646683'] I always say that I've had everything from A to Z (except Alembic & Zon) [/quote] How about an A Bass: ... or, much better, a Zemaitis: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 theres an alembic in the edinburgh guitar guitar in your budget. It's quite nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 I always regret not picking up the Alembic Epic 5 string in Glasgow Guitar Guitar a couple of years ago for £850. The used prices of those have certainly jumped. I'll have a look into A bass. I remember a story about the other two Ronnies -Wood and Lane going into Tony's shop and saying "I'll have that one and that one and that one" and just taking half the shop away with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Rather than recommend any specific basses I'd suggest taking a couple of days off and go on a road/rail trip to Bass Direct, The Gallery and Bass Gear and try anything that catches your eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Gibson RD artist would be my first port of call with that budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Having said that I don't like Stingrays, I keep getting drawn to the g&L L2000 30th anniversary, £1278 fromThomann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1336514624' post='1646944'] Gibson RD artist would be my first port of call with that budget [/quote] I was looking at the Krist Novoselic earlier but do prefer the original RD model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1336514724' post='1646948'] I was looking at the Krist Novoselic earlier but do prefer the original RD model [/quote] Maybe even a 70s bicentennial T-bird? I know you're a fan of the bird. Or a mike lull t-bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 There's a decent selection of 4-string Warwicks in your price range. They do a nice line in understated natural finishes rather than coffee-table tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 How about a US Lakland Decade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Now I have been watching the Lulls but that's going to be a trip[i] I do fancy a 76'[/i] which is a year away from being a YOB bass. Now that Decade looks surprisingly like a Bass V and I imagine the pickups to be the bollocks. Keepemcoming, I'm really enjoying them so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1336514933' post='1646953'] There's a decent selection of 4-string Warwicks in your price range. They do a nice line in understated natural finishes rather than coffee-table tops. [/quote] While this is true I'd never buy a new Warwick given the re sale value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1336514933' post='1646953'] There's a decent selection of 4-string Warwicks in your price range. They do a nice line in understated natural finishes rather than coffee-table tops. [/quote] or secondhand he could get one of every model warwick has ever produced! Apart from maybe the fortress flashback 'cos you don't see them often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='cocco' timestamp='1336516111' post='1646996'] While this is true I'd never buy a new Warwick given the re sale value. [/quote]got there first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1336516186' post='1647001'] got there first [/quote] Great minds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Sue Ryder 'P' and blow the rest on hookers, jelly babies, good coffee etc... Nah, seriously though, with that sort of budget I'd take Bigredx's advice and treat yourself to a roadtrip... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I'd do the same as BRX says too. Roadtrip. Although you say you don't like fanned frets, have a shot of a Dingwall before you rule it out. I seriously regret not getting one when I had the money. I've had an Ibanez SR1000 for the past 23 years & it's still my main bass. If I had £2500, I'd also have a look at [url="http://www.luthman.fr/index.php?lang=en"]Luthman[/url] & [url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/"]Shuker[/url] to name just a few. Have fun shopping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Luthman-wow. That's not a name I've come across before but the basses look really good without being coffee tables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogload Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 How about a nice un-relic'd Ibanez MC924? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Nobody mentioned Status yet?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1336534557' post='1647103'] Luthman-wow. That's not a name I've come across before but the basses look really good without being coffee tables [/quote] similar to them there's eve in east lothian. no idea if they are any good just seen some hung up in red dog music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1336516096' post='1646995'] Now I have been watching the Lulls... [/quote] Then unless it turns out to be wrong for you I'd suggest [url=http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/T4_Red.html]this T-Bass[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 There are these lovely italian made basses that the builder posts in the Affiliates thread: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/122851-biarnel-liuteria-handmade-from-italy/ Some of the best looking basses ("fancy" without being "coffee table" IMO) I've seen & the prices are pretty good too. If I was in the market for a custom build these would be right at the top of the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 what about a [url="http://www.lefay.de/english/bass_pulse.html"]LeFay Pulse[/url]? it is a bit more than what you intended to spend, but alternatively ther also is the [url="http://www.lefay.de/english/bass_herrschwarz.html"]LeFay Herr Schwarz[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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