BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Hello guys, With all the wonderful basses out there my setup is bound to change over time (at least it's done so in the past), but anyway I thought I'd share some pics on the ones currently in my care. More gear than talent for sure, but that's not really a problem now, is it? Love their different personalities, and unlike women these beauties don't seem to get jealous - not so much anyway. cheers // Matt [b]Aria Pro II SB-R80[/b] My very first bass, a Matsumoku build from -82 given to me by my dear parents in 1984. Thanks mom and dad, you set me off on a nice path there. Cracking bass, and built like a tank. [b]Yamaha BB3000S[/b] My #1 bass for a very long time. After saving up all my hard earned cash for over a year I managed to lay my hands on it in -87 (or was it 88?). Simply wonderful. [b]Ken Smith BSR5EG[/b] Fully loaded with KS magic. [b]Unicorn Artist[/b] Handcrafted by Christian Olsson of [url="http://www.unicornbass.se"]www.unicornbass.se[/url], an amazing luthier and bass player. Christian built this one for himself but has graciously allowed it to pass along to me since. He also built one just like it for Mark King - oddly enough I still need to practise that thumb wizardry. Playability and sound is amazing - incredibly responsive to how you treat it. [b]Windmill JModern[/b] cuddling with my [b]MGP Level 5[/b] The Windmill is my blue quilt indulgence, has an incredible B-string only barely beaten by the Smith. The MPG was a gift from my darling wife :wub: (how about that!). Though the Barts are sweet I see Nordstrand pickups heading its way in the future, think that would be a great fit. [b]Custom Windmill Fretless[/b] (aka the iPod Bass) Well, you gotta have a fretless (or so I was told) so why not one with some cool looks? Wonderful bass that doesn't quite get aired as much as it deserves. Edited November 5, 2009 by BB3000S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Bear with me, just the work horses left... And yes, at the end of the day I'm a jazz bass fan. thanks for looking // Matt [b]Musicman Stingray 30th Anniversary Model[/b] Mahogany body, loads and loads of Stingray growl here. [b]Fender Roscoe Beck V[/b] Jazz with some really nice twists in a five string package. Great bass, can't see why Fender discontinued this model. [b]Fender Jazz -74[/b] Love it to bits. [b]Sandberg California JM4[/b] I'm not one for relics really, but the way this one plays I couldn't resist. Got an amazing neck, and resonates like there's no tomorrow. The way I like it - black pickguard and proper Fender knobs: [b]Mike Lull M5V[/b] Probably the sweetest fivestring neck I've ever played. Edited November 5, 2009 by BB3000S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Amazing collection you've got there. Despite the trophy ones though, I prob like Yammy and the Aria the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Yeah, some gorgeous basses there. I'd agree with stingrayfan on the Yamaha. Those 80's BBs were lovely basses. I have a BB1100s which has a beautiful neck on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 That windmill fretless is amazing, i'd love to own it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 My favourite out of all these basses has to be that ken smith 5 string. I was quite interested in those sandberg basses, of course it does seem wierd that they should relic it only to put a musicman humbucker in the bridge position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 great collection there! i really like that alembic copy, lovely top on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 the windmills are gorgeous!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='564636' date='Aug 10 2009, 02:53 AM']Amazing collection you've got there. Despite the trophy ones though, I prob like Yammy and the Aria the best![/quote] [quote name='BassBus' post='564677' date='Aug 10 2009, 09:41 AM']Yeah, some gorgeous basses there. I'd agree with stingrayfan on the Yamaha. Those 80's BBs were lovely basses. I have a BB1100s which has a beautiful neck on it.[/quote] Thanks guys, needless to say those two are the ones I'm most likely to bring along to the great bass place in the sky one day. You must be able to bring along at least two right? They do hold their own quite well, especially the BB which is truly amazing. [quote name='Shockwave' post='564687' date='Aug 10 2009, 09:57 AM']That windmill fretless is amazing, i'd love to own it [/quote] Thanks mate, I'm open to any and all suggestions on that one. [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='564728' date='Aug 10 2009, 11:01 AM']My favourite out of all these basses has to be that ken smith 5 string. I was quite interested in those sandberg basses, of course it does seem wierd that they should relic it only to put a musicman humbucker in the bridge position?[/quote] Maybe that's what happened at Sandberg - "this bugger of an MM pup [b]should[/b] fit in here". They do of course come in unscathed finishes also, but when shopping around for a new fourstring this came out the clear winner even though I was looking for a JJ. What to do? Of the "trophy" ones (haha, as if they were meant to hang on a wall) the Smith is in a league of its own. Quite versatile even though looks wise my blues mates seem to prefer I bring something else. [quote name='Kev' post='565020' date='Aug 10 2009, 03:27 PM']the windmills are gorgeous!![/quote] Thanks mate, methinks so too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 [quote name='BB3000S' post='565027' date='Aug 10 2009, 02:34 PM']Thanks mate, I'm open to any and all suggestions on that one. [/quote] How about you just give it to me for free..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Pms regarding Windmill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Best bass I've ever had, my old BB3000S, identical to yours, . That's a stunning collection you have there you lucky sod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmanfunk Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Nicest collection I think I've seen on here to date. I love the fact you held to your basses from way back in the day. And that fretless windmill is pure sex......mmmmmmm. I seem to remember Windmill producing a j-modern like that for Hadrien Feraud. Not sure whether it was a full on signature model or just a one off custom. It looked an awful lot like that. Edited August 10, 2009 by jmanfunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 [quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='565069' date='Aug 10 2009, 04:16 PM']How about you just give it to me for free..? [/quote] Well, there's a first time for everything right? Let me get back to you on that - don't hold your breath though. [quote name='Shockwave' post='565171' date='Aug 10 2009, 06:09 PM']Pms regarding Windmill [/quote] Thanks Rob, replied. [quote name='Rayman' post='565175' date='Aug 10 2009, 06:10 PM']Best bass I've ever had, my old BB3000S, identical to yours, . That's a stunning collection you have there you lucky sod.[/quote] Thanks Rayman - guess it's a lousy comfort, but you're probably not alone regretting having parted from a BB once upon a time. Luckily enough for me temptations for trade were few and far between where I grew up, and I've managed to hang on to it. The BB and the Aria are like good old friends, you don't need to hang out all the time but when you do it's like you met just yesterday. [quote name='jmanfunk' post='565241' date='Aug 10 2009, 07:39 PM']Nicest collection I think I've seen on here to date. I love the fact you held to your basses from way back in the day. And that windmill is pure sex......mmmmmmm. I seem to remember Windmill producing a j-modern like that for Hadrien Feraud. Not sure whether it was a full on signature model or just a one off custom. It looked an awful lot like that.[/quote] Well it's a nice couple of basses at least, I'm very happy with them. I love trying out new stuff and try to keep the ones that inspire me to play more and hopefully better, and this is where I'm at now. Yeah, Burgundy Metallic, blocks and that ramp, that's Hadrien's signature model. Oh look, here's a picture of it: cheers guys // Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmanfunk Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Aha, thats the one. I was just too lazy to look up the Windmill website. How are you finding the one piece ramp/pick-up. I was seriously considering getting one for my Sei but I thought adjusting individual pick-up height for equal out-put would be compromised ie. you couldn't set the neck pup lower than the bridge. Edited August 10, 2009 by jmanfunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) [quote name='jmanfunk' post='565294' date='Aug 10 2009, 08:26 PM']Aha, thats the one. I was just too lazy to look up the Windmill website. How are you finding the one piece ramp/pick-up. I was seriously considering getting one for my Sei but I thought adjusting individual pick-up height for equal out-put would be compromised ie. you couldn't set the neck pup lower than the bridge.[/quote] Love it - output is perfectly equal between the two. (Not when the bridge pickup is in series mode though...) I would guess the neck pickup sits a little deeper than the bridge one. As the pickups are epoxy sealed from below there's no way to tell without ripping it apart though. Got this far once: BTW the pups are Häussel J and Twin-J. Passive electronics with a 3way switch for the twin. Edited August 10, 2009 by BB3000S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmanfunk Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I didn't realise Haussel wound the pups for them! I always find it perplexing when custom firms state that they fit their 'own-brand' pick-ups when in reality they outsource to established pick-up manufacturers, albeit custom wound to their specs;Vigier and Sandberg are two names that spring to mind, although Sanbergs relation to Delano is no big secret. Names like Haussel and Delano would surely be a bonus to any bass manufactures spec list! Anyway, I bet that bass sings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Sing it does, mmmwwwaahhh, though with a warmer more mellow tone than had it had an epoxy board. Agree fully on the pickup confusion. On that note, the Unicorn's pickups are actually handwound by Aaron Armstrong to Unicorn specs. Finally, as a side note to that note (hey, the thread is about my basses, ok? ), the pups in my Aria are also from Aaron - the old ones died on me and Aaron wound a pair nailing that Aria SB sound. He's a magician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmanfunk Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) [quote name='BB3000S' post='565427' date='Aug 10 2009, 09:35 PM']Sing it does, mmmwwwaahhh, though with a warmer more mellow tone than had it had an epoxy board. Agree fully on the pickup confusion. On that note, the Unicorn's pickups are actually handwound by Aaron Armstrong to Unicorn specs. Finally, as a side note to that note (hey, the thread is about my basses, ok? ), the pups in my Aria are also from Aaron - the old ones died on me and Aaron wound a pair nailing that Aria SB sound. He's a magician. [/quote] Aaron is another guy who knows how to wind a pup. We really are spoiled in Europe when it comes to pick-ups! Also, how much is a Ryanair flight to Sweden? And on my continuing deviation of this porn thread; I'm selling a set of Delano SBC quad coils that would work wonders in your blue Windmill. Never got around to installing them in my Sei. Edited August 10, 2009 by jmanfunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Oh, the Ryanair flights are cheap, welcome over! Upgrading the blue isn't my top priority at the moment, but I have to admit the Delanos do sound tempting. Much as I love the low end in the Barts I find the top end somewhat artificial and cramped. Seem to be a perfect fit as well. Hmmmm... Edit: Bugger, yours definitely seem to be 4-string ones right? Really need that B-string covered also... Anyway, thanks for inspiring me to read up on pups for the blue - those Delanos could well be it! Edited August 10, 2009 by BB3000S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmanfunk Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I really need to get my lense prescription renewed. I completely missed the B string on that Windmill! Too mesmerised by the quilt...as inviting as a swimming pool in Crete And yep, beyond having a set of pups custom wound, the SBC's are amazing. Couldn't agree more about the Barts too; very closed sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Wonderful collection you have there, Matt. Especially the Unicorn, Smith & Mike Lull - Stunning looking instruments. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='566525' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:25 AM']Wonderful collection you have there, Matt. Especially the Unicorn, Smith & Mike Lull - Stunning looking instruments. Congrats [/quote] Thanks mate - would love to add a nice Status eventually though. With mixed feelings I have now parted with the Mike Lull. Truly wonderful bass, but it had to go to make room for one I just fell head over heels in love with. Here she is, a [b]-78 Fender Jazz[/b], all original in Olympic White: 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.