I can play with fingers, but for recording most of the time I prefer using a pick so you get much more of the sharp attack which cuts through in a rock and roll mix... but only for rock and roll and some pop... wouldnt use one for jazz or funk. From what I understand, JP Jones was the same way...pick in studio on tracks like Whole Lotta Love etc. to get it to punch through the mix better.

you can use your left hand to provide that attack as well. You don't have to use a pick.

unfortunately not with (my bass ability) and the basses that i have... a 68 Gibson EB and a Jap Fender Pbass lyte deluxe... neither has proper action....the Gibson has better tone but the intonation is awful.

My old Ashbory was from the "Guild" years/ Great "pseudo-upright" sound. I also bought a cheapo Danelectro Longhorn for a cruise gig (thinking if it got stolen, I would not care)....turned out to be a damn good sounding little plinker.

Oh, and as for "trying a bass then buying mailorder": QC & tolerences are not tight enough instrument to instrument to trust that. I NEVER buy anything I don't ACTUALLY play first (if it's going to be a "player" instead of a "collector")

...but then again, some folks will buy a 911 w/o a PPI:D

I would vote for the G&L but I'm partial to them... have not played a Warwick but they have a nice sound.

That Gibson Firebird is on my ultimate lust list.

I don't need another bass... but if I did I would buy one of those.

That would be a Thunderbird. The 6 string guitar is a Firebird. I understand it happens all the time. Thanks for the comps.

Just as an FYI, I use a 5 string set on both my T-Birds. So it is tuned B,E,A,D, instead of E,A,D,G. I have a box of unused G strings.

Sorry, I'm in a hurry at work and didn't have time to get it correct.

I play my friends Alembic when I jam over at his house and it certainly does not suck... certainly is not inexpensive either.

Rickenbauckers (sp?) have that famous sound.

I played a Stienburger for years and loved it... it got stolen.

I'm playing a mid to late 70' Fender Jazz with a maple neck... it is good, not the best but it has become an extension of my body so it is hard to switch to anything else.

I have an Alvarez 5-string fretless... great sound... hats off to you guys who play fretless... maybe someday I will get the hang of it.

Also have a Yamaha 5-string fretted... and a Hondo danelectra long horn copy with demazio P bass pickups.

I picked up another Stienburger but one of the pickups is messed up so it sits in the corner until I buy some replacements from EMG.

Did I mention I don't need another bass?

I play with a pick for fast hard edge stuff and fingers for the more soulfull stuff... and yeah I take a lot of crap for using the pick... I kind of enjoy pissing people off though. :D

Nice new bass. Now you just need the hairdo to complete the whole ensemble.:D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235522512.jpg

Hey Nostatic

Does your ZON have one of those fiber optic pickup things on it ? (i am not sure what they are called) but its some sort of optical pickup. If so I would like to hear your comments about how you like or dislike that.

Yes, it has the first generation Lightwave optical pickup system (http://www.lightwave-systems.com/lightwavepickup/LightWavePickup.htm). Everyone who has heard the bass compliments the tone. It is neutral and versatile. It is the perfect setup on a *good* fretless bass. I don't really care for it on fretted though.

From this album, all of the tracks are the Zon Lightwave 5-string fretless running direct (though a Summit TD-100 direct box and TLA-50 tube compressor) except "Lovin", "Flowers and Pain" and the solo on "No Promises" (those are Zon Sonus fretted 5-string)

http://simpleflower.com/sounds.php

Cool

thanks for the link.