Lost bass: Info needed

The bass you see in this pic (Bacchus J-type) was stolen from owner lost/ misplaced by Nur Hakim. It's a workingman's bass, nothing excessive in terms of worth but if you have a personal attachment to any of your instruments, you know it's worth everything. If you have any info of its whereabouts, please get back to Mr. Nur Hakim:

• Mobile: 8-2-6-8-9-0-8-6
• E-mail: dimensionkim@gmail.com

Thank you for your kind assistance.

LTD: Phoenix 204

I'm still no good with a full-scaled bass. It's nothing to do with playing capacity but the comfort involved. However, every now & then, some exceptions come my way. The LTD Phoenix 204 bass above, is one of those exceptions. It's a well-made bass & made its status heard- the factory default pickups there may not be stellar but they get the job done. Do not expect some P/J-bass voicings here but if you are looking forward to some 'in-between' working tones (in between a single coil & a humbucker, that is...), this is a great bass to own.

PS: Thanks to all @ Davis GMC for the opportunity.

Cheap & cheerful (4): Aria IGB-Std

Aria is currently experiencing a come-back of sorts. Either this or there is an attempt by the manufacturer to make Arias more accessible to players. The IGB bass I tried yesterday wasn't a costly unit- $350 <$250 & you get a very decent J-bass tones & those deep, wicked Stingray-esque voicing from that humbucker. The construction- I give it a thumbs up despite a slight fray at the exposed neck tongue, near the single coil pickup. A great bass that won't break your piggy.

Thanks to Davis GMC for the opportunity.

Spector- not a current fusion

Oh dear, what's this about the Spector design being a monstrosity of current design fusion? Spector basses had been around since 1974 so any resemblance issues you acknowledge currently is the draw from this design, not the Spector being a cross between some recent make. Tsk tsk tsk...

Before moving on to EBMM, Dave La Rue was with Spector. The image above was etched in my mind when I first saw it because he was one of the very few bass specialists who incorporated a whammy bridge in his bass.( I had a chance to try a Spector bass at Davis when they used to have them there, I clearly remembered it was a blue 4-string model but I ended up buying the EBMM Sub 1 bass instead). This feature wasn't brought over to the EBMM basses he plays today. I was thinking if Stuart Spector transferred his bass design to the guitar, it would be splendid. So it came true for me.

Duran Duran

One of the reasons why the music of today isn't as consequential as the '80s' is its lack of thoughtful melodies. It's isn't about simplicity per se but the lack of efforts in ensuring what sticks in people's heads once they hear the music. I am rather thankful to have grown up in the '80s & Duran Duran, together with Depeche Mode et al,  was playing on the radio. But these days, Duran Duran's past works are a great source of bass reference for me- no technicalities here, just the lines which made the song work. I've been listening to Duran Duran's Greatest Hits for the last few days or so. Great music.

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It's a wet Sunday afternoon. Hot tea & cookies.

Ibanez: Artcore AGB200

I've been wanting this bass, honest. So when it was still available during the Swee Lee SALE yesterday, it was a sign. Nobody was interested in it maybe because it sports a shorter scale length (30"), not a solid body instrument in its entirety & the fact that the neck humbucker there, sitting flushed against the neck end, presented a limited slap-&-pop technique applications. The shorter scale length was the key interest for me so without hesitation, the Ibanez AGB200 became mine.

I love all the features the bass has to offer but the plastic tuners were quite a turn-off.

Like all Artcore models, the body is arched at the top...

... & at the rear. I've not played the instrument enough to give a final say in terms of tone & playability. This will happen at a later update. I can feel the strings here are not .045s, will swap them out soon.

PS: Do note, this AGB200 is a pre-2011 model sporting the former headstock decal. In addition to this revision, the current AGB200 features a pair of Sure Grip knobs & the easy access truss rod cover.

Selling: Smash JB-1 bass

Selling my Smash JB-1 bass: $199 (bag included). This is a fantastic bass for the money, thumbs up to the QC so why am I selling it? I'm getting the maple fretboard version, he he...

• Condition: 9/10 (5mth old...)
• Self-collect
• No trades/ No reservations
• Please do not leave an off-line message thru' MSN, e-mail all queries/ confirmations

STILL AVAILABLE: Squier Deluxe HR Strat/ Sound Drive SG-612R head

EDIT: Bass SOLD, 6th Feb, 11.43PM. Thanks :-)

Gray memory

This is a commemorative Ibanez ATK bass, in memory of the late Paul Gray (Slipknot)- RIP. It would be a more deserving bass should it feature the original specs of Mr. Gray's workhorse but that won't induce sales for the manufacturer. There should be a lefty version for it, shouldn't there? Considering Mr. Gray was left-handed.

RIP - Paul Gray (1972 - 2010)

Special basses

I really thought the good people at Fender had forgotten the bass when it comes to the wonderful American Special series. But here they are for 2011, a pair of (very) enticing American Specials; a Precision & Jazz bass for those of us who had been waiting patiently.