silverfoxnik Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 There are some bass players who are more 'conservative' than others, and vice versa.. Same as in all other walks of life isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) GAK is a weird old shop. They will say whatever the customer wants to hear of course, but they do have Laklands in there, and gazillions of Warwicks (some of which are very old and dusty - they dont sell that fast), they have a load of Fender guff in ( sorry but how many variants of a sunburst P or J do you actually need in one shop?), they have loads of Ibanez, some ESP and some really weird and funky new Italian archtops in (really unusual, good on them). Thing is they get this stuff but most of it doesnt float my boat. They say they cant get anything higher end in , but some of the tired old Warwicks are over £1500 - you can get a far more obviously classy bass in the shop for that kind of money. They choose not to. Same with amps - they wont touch high end or esoteric as they fear they wont move them. After all 90% of the people walking in the shop have less than £500 to spend.... In short I dont think bassists are conservative (nothing like the way guitarists are) but the shops are extremely conservative! Edited April 12, 2009 by 51m0n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) I don´t think "conservative" is the right term. It´s like mocking a violinist for playing an instrument that hasn´t had a design change in centuries. If it does the job, why bother? I´m not playing a Precision because I´m conservative but because it sounds great, is comfortable to play and fits in any musical situation. It just works perfectly for me (plus I love the look). Don´t blame me for Leo Fender getting it right the first time. Edited April 13, 2009 by Soulfinger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I reckon we are only conservative with the contents of our wallet, Though we all lust after the Vigier, Shuker, Overwater,Sadowsky etc, the income dictates the Yamaha, CIJ fender, Warwick rockbass, skyline etc and I think 90% of us are content with that. Personally I would love a bass version of this [url="http://www.teuffel.com/english/guitars/birdfish/birdfish_main.htm"]http://www.teuffel.com/english/guitars/bir...rdfish_main.htm[/url] but don't even have the spare 400+ euros for the display stand (Genius or lunatic???) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 As with all things of a musical nature, the mass produced stuff will follow the herd, but the custom stuff will always be more adventurous. I don't see guitarists being particularly adventurous - It's usually Strat, Tele or Les Paul. Status Streamlines are catching on in a big way this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='51m0n' post='460924' date='Apr 13 2009, 12:45 AM']GAK is a weird old shop. In short I dont think bassists are conservative (nothing like the way guitarists are) but the shops are extremely conservative![/quote] A-HA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='461003' date='Apr 13 2009, 08:31 AM']I don't see guitarists being particularly adventurous - It's usually Strat, Tele or Les Paul.[/quote] Well the shop had flying V's, and and crazy axes covered in flames - compared to a giant wall of Fenders for the humble, conservative © bass player. Oh, hang on a minute ... that [i]does[/i] sound conservative on behalf of the guitarists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='460538' date='Apr 12 2009, 01:15 PM']Places like GAK simply don't see that side of the bass buying market. If you are interested in instruments that aren't simply Fenders or their clones then I learned a long, long time ago that shops like GAK simply didn't stock the things I wanted to try. It used to be worth popping in every month or so to see if they had picked up anything unusual in p/x but now eBay has killed that off.[/quote] I remember an old secondhand guitar shop in Ipswich (run by a guy called Ivan) back in the 70's. It was a delight because you never knew what would be there when you visited - and of course you could pick the instrument up and [i]play[/i] it - rather than just look at it on a screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='Eight' post='460546' date='Apr 12 2009, 01:38 PM']I think its probably true. However, this may just be a population thing. More guitars sold + more guitarists means that a smaller percentage of people buying unusual instruments results in a greater number of buyers. Manufacturers seem much more able to try new things with guitars and generate enough sales to survive the experiment.[/quote] This is a good example of the evolutionary theory of design that pervades here on basschat - a greater population produces more anomalies and variants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='Spoombung' post='461005' date='Apr 13 2009, 08:37 AM']Well the shop had flying V's, and and crazy axes covered in flames - compared to a giant wall of Fenders for the humble, conservative © bass player. Oh, hang on a minute ... that [i]does[/i] sound conservative on behalf of the guitarists![/quote] Flying Vs came out in the 1950s, and the crazier spiky BC Rich designs aren't that new, several of them going back to the 1970s (there's a picture of Roy Orbison rocking out on a BC Rich Mockingbird somewhere). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='dlloyd' post='461023' date='Apr 13 2009, 09:20 AM']Flying Vs came out in the 1950s, and the crazier spiky BC Rich designs aren't that new, several of them going back to the 1970s (there's a picture of Roy Orbison rocking out on a BC Rich Mockingbird somewhere).[/quote] ... hence my swipe at conservative guitarists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='soopercrip' post='461001' date='Apr 13 2009, 08:10 AM']I reckon we are only conservative with the contents of our wallet, Though we all lust after the Vigier, Shuker, Overwater,Sadowsky etc, the income dictates the Yamaha, CIJ fender, Warwick rockbass, skyline etc and I think 90% of us are content with that. Andy[/quote] I'm not sure the economic argument is that strong Andy, given that some Fenders can match the prices of the models you list - and how would you explain the common practise of commissioning a custom build and ending up with a slightly shinier replica Fender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) There's plenty of weird and innovative guitar designs out there, you just have to know where to look. Here's a few of my favourites: [url="http://www.auerswald-instruments.com/"]Auerswald[/url] [url="http://bergeronguitars.com/index.htm"]Bergeron[/url] [url="http://borntorock.com/f4c.html"]Born To Rock[/url] [url="http://www.burnsguitars.com/jetsonicburnsguitars.php"]Burns Jet-Sonic[/url] (designed by Pagelli) [url="http://www.tdlguitars.com/"]De Lacugo[/url] [url="http://www.electric-babes.net/"]Electric Babes[/url] [url="http://www.ganderguitars.com/"]Gander[/url] [url="http://www.gusguitars.com/"]Gus[/url] [url="http://www.geocities.jp/jerseygirlhg/home.htm"]Jersey Girl[/url] [url="http://www.garykramerguitar.com/R36Turbulence.html"]Gary Kramer Turbulence[/url] [url="http://www.longfellowguitars.com/"]Longfellow[/url] [url="http://www.nortonguitars.com/"]Norton[/url] [url="http://rksguitars.com/main.php"]RKS[/url] [url="http://www.spaltinstruments.com/apex1.html"]Spalt Apex[/url] [url="http://www.teuffel.com/"]Teuffel[/url] [url="http://www.tokaijapan.com/talbo.htmlTokai%20Talbo%5b/url%5d%5burl="http://www.internalcombustionguitar.com/"]Woody B[/url] [url="http://www.xoxaudiotools.com/"]XOX[/url] Some of these will be familiar to those who followed the Weird & Wonderful Basses thread and then went exploring further on the sites I linked to. However there's also a good number of instruments here that exist only in guitar format... I would love to see bass instruments from Bergeron, Teuffel or XOX. Edited April 13, 2009 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I'm thinking about going into GAK to see if they do these conservative basses:- But I think a spalted maple top would look better, and the body bindings should be Neodymium to save weight, and I don't fancy that standard Rotosound string so I'll have to change that. I'm also worried about neck bend so maybe I should ask for twin carbon fiber trussrods and also put some LED's on it so I dont get lost on a dark stage? Any more thoughts on how to improve it - or keep it as it is and be a bit more organic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 It's strange - I am conservative and I'm not. Conservative when it comes to body shapes etc., constant tinkerer when it comes to hardware and internals. Current body shapes - P, LP, Bronco/Musicmaster/Mustang, even my custom build is a modified P type shape (non-offset waist, slightly altered horns). I suppose the LP is radical in the sense that not many famous players use one. When it comes to the hardware/internals, nothing is safe! I've just put EMG-HBs in my Epi Les Paul bass and I'm waiting on the arrival of a BQC Control for 3 band EQ madness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='Spoombung' post='461026' date='Apr 13 2009, 09:32 AM']I'm not sure the economic argument is that strong Andy, given that some Fenders can match the prices of the models you list - and how would you explain the common practise of commissioning a custom build and ending up with a slightly shinier replica Fender?[/quote] looks V sound I guess I agree fender's top end stuff is on a par with premium brands, but the more economical of us who don't have space on the credit card, still want a nice jazz bass made from ash maple neck and board seymour duncan quater pounders sd pre amp and it will sound as good as any premium brand. Even if the badge is Lada, you still want an Aston Martin, but drive a focus... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='Hamster' post='461035' date='Apr 13 2009, 09:55 AM']I'm thinking about going into GAK to see if they do these conservative basses:- But I think a spalted maple top would look better, and the body bindings should be Neodymium to save weight, and I don't fancy that standard Rotosound string so I'll have to change that. I'm also worried about neck bend so maybe I should ask for twin carbon fiber trussrods and also put some LED's on it so I dont get lost on a dark stage? Any more thoughts on how to improve it - or keep it as it is and be a bit more organic? [/quote] Ah, I see your irony, but I feel I've got to point out that design doesn't simply mean attaching bells and whistles - which would clearly be impossible on your primitive design above (no hooks) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 There's only [i]so far[/i] you can redesign a guitar without losing functionality. I bought a firebird a good few years back... it looked great, sounded fantastic, and it was different... Then I got it home and realised I should have tested it in the shop with a strap... and, oh... it's a pain in the arse to prop up against anything. The fact is that most electric guitarists are looking to make one of a few sounds that were defined more than forty years ago, and have only undergone minor tweaking since then. Body shape is a compromise between style and comfort... and most comfortable designs are going to be variants of stuff we've seen a million times before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='soopercrip' post='461038' date='Apr 13 2009, 10:00 AM']Even if the badge is Lada, you still want an Aston Martin, but drive a focus... [/quote] Well, it's a clapped-out Astra in my case but I shall soon be in receipt of the Aston Martin of custom basses, hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='dlloyd' post='461040' date='Apr 13 2009, 10:02 AM']There's only [i]so far[/i] you can redesign a guitar without losing functionality.[/quote] Yes. If bass designers aren't careful they'll end up designing the instrument like a guitar ...... with 6 strings! Can you imagine it?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='BigBeefChief' post='460529' date='Apr 12 2009, 01:07 PM']To me, bass is about holding down the low end (my opinion only), and for that I don't want anything more than 4 strings and passive electronics.[/quote] That's charming, but unfortunately reminds me of Flann OBrien's [i]The Poor Mouth[/i] with the Gaels complaining about how misunderstood they are and the sheer poverty of their lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGH Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Bottom line,if you are happy WELL DONE If not...... THERES A WORLD OF STUFF TO TRY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='ARGH' post='461052' date='Apr 13 2009, 10:18 AM']Bottom line,if you are happy WELL DONE If not...... THERES A WORLD OF STUFF TO TRY![/quote] Except not in GAK. There was a wall of Fenders, a wall of Warwicks and a smaller wall of Ibanez's. Oh, and there were two Deans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='ARGH' post='461052' date='Apr 13 2009, 10:18 AM']Bottom line,if you are happy WELL DONE If not...... THERES A WORLD OF STUFF TO TRY![/quote] +1 As I said earlier GAK don't see the whole market for either guitarists or bassists. On the whole they only stock what they know will sell. Those looking for something different soon learn that they will need to look elsewhere, and because looking elsewhere is easier than ever they rarely come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='461056' date='Apr 13 2009, 10:23 AM']+1 As I said earlier GAK don't see the whole market for either guitarists or bassists. On the whole they only stock what they know will sell. Those looking for something different soon learn that they will need to look elsewhere, and because looking elsewhere is easier than ever they rarely come back.[/quote] Of course, but if you remove choice from your average store like GAK then how is the customer to know? It would be nice to have a variety of instruments in your local store in the £300 - £700 bracket without having to resort to visiting a specialist where you have to ring a bell on a closed door - like a sex shop. I'm just thinking how it relates to new, unusual, mass-produced or small production designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.