The Last Bass Outpost

I'm thinking I'd like to try a full tube amp on down the road.  I love the sound of my Mesa Walkabout, with just a tube pre-amp.  As a youth, I naturally only played through full-tube amps (Ampeg).  Thought it might be fun to try again.  Been searching around for something reasonable and entry level.  Any suggestions?  I found the EBS line and Bugera.  Anyone know anything about these buggers?  Unlike Mark, I did like the tone of the new Bassman 100T at the full 100 watt setting, but the price is up there.  Just wondering what you guys think.

Well, after putzing around with numerous basses I have finally realized that I have some wonderful instruments and there are a couple standouts among them.  I've been looking for that near-perfect combination of tone, output and playability in my basses and here's what I've discovered:

Solid bodies:  my 92 T-Bird reverse Special Edition is the best IMHO in a 34" scale.  Easy to play and wear and it kicks butt.  My bandmates love it, too.

Solid SS:  The 72 Triumph takes the prize here.  Great tone and a breeze to play.  A bit heavy, but that's manageable.

Hollow body:  First place is my Hofner Club.  Sounds great and is a gem to wear and play.  I can even get a nice mid-high range tone out of it to cut through the racket created by my bandmates.  

So, these are the basses showing up to practice and gigs these days.  I could easily live with the TB and the Club and nothing else!

What's your favorite/s?

I was chatting with Kurt at the HOG and he said Gibson is gonna come out with a 335-archtop style bass (aka EB-2 in the old days).  Should be interesting to see if they actually do it and what the price point will be.  I'll post again if I get more info on it.

I need a blank Fender style bass bridge plate.  I've been searching everywhere for one.  Anyone know where I might find a source?

I won't say anything, just let you absorb this...........    I do apologize for the crappy workshop artificial light pix!

I just missed Scott at the HOG today.  I played the new cherry Midtown and liked it.  The neck doesn't stick out as far as my EB-650, so it's more comfortable.  The neck has a nice trimmer 60's EB-0 style profile.  It feels a bit heavier than an EB-2 since the back and sides are a solid carved out piece of mahog.   It has a volute, which I'm not crazy about, but maybe it does make the neck stronger.  Overall, it's harmless, doesn't get in the way when playing.  Very nice binding on the edges and neck.  Plugged it into an Ampeg combo with 15" speaker and it sounded really nice.  The 34" scale really does boom and the resonance of the body is quite pleasing and full.  The new Gibson pups are nice and sound much better in this bass than they did in my previous SG bass.  A good marriage with the hollow body  (oops, semi-hollow body).

The neck pup screws were not protruding through the cover as they should, so I left it there for the repair guy to adjust.  Gibson quality control!  I refuse to fix brand new basses myself!  Will be fixed tomorrow, so I might go pick it up if I can tomorrow or Friday.  Pics to follow after that........

OK, some of us highjacked the Mustang thread over in the Fender sub forum.  So, I thought it would be fun to do a thread on cars since we haven't talked cars recently.

Here's my two current "loves."  I love the GT to death (4.6 l of rip roaring fun) and the 912 is a kick to drive, but very temper-mental.  Constantly fighting oil leaks.





What I wish I had in my garage..........

Corvette C2 Stingray Fastback

1957 Thunderbird Convertible!

I stopped in just for a few minutes to chat with my favorite sales guy about my long awaited Hofner Club.  He was on the phone so I wandered around the shop and made the mistake of picking up one of those new road worn Fiesta Red Jazz basses.  I've never been all that fond of reliced basses, but this one looked really cool and played sooooo nice.  Well, you know the rest of the story.  I put a deposit down and will pick it up after I sell a few odds and ends.  Pics when I get it.   I am so weak!