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Music goes in cycles, loud guitars for a while, then pop with just singers for a while, then solo performers for a while, whatever the "in thing" is. I reckon we`re due some scallys with guitars again soon.

Im doing functions and a good amount of working gigs (mostly with my ultra 5 string jazz) but also have my own sort of Nu Jazz Quartet (Bass, Guitar, Sax, Drums) which this build is primarily for, I have to cover a fair amount of ground harmonically (especially during guitar solos) and am tired of switching B-G to E-C on my Jazz for gigs, rehearsals, recording etc. hence the need for a specialised E-C 5 string. I have played a few 33 scale basses and I have enjoyed them (a couple of my friends have their own custom basses for a similar purpose) and I like the slight bit of extra warmth you get on the High C. For me, im looking at the woods mostly from a structural/aesthetic point of view and have switched my spec to a thinline sapele body just to add a bit more personality to the bass.

And that was all state of the art by comparison with how =Kraftwerk recorded their first album, I must re-read that book

No.

I hope so

That's because the main component of the sound is the steel or nickel strings driving a magnetic pickup and the traditional guitar amplification.

Not particularly practical but definitely an interesting experiment. And always with these things it doesn't seem to matter how radical the design is or how little body there is, let alone what it's made of, it still sounds like an electric guitar.

Right folks, help me decide what to take. Don't clutter up the thread, DM me and tell me if there's anything you'd specifically like to see/play from the following: Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass - modded - DiMarzio X2N-B pickups, series/parallel, Babicz bridge etc. Epiphone Jack Casady (20th Anniversary) - unmodded G&L CLF L-1000 - unmodded Reverend Triad - modded - Freeway 10 way switch Yamaha BB1200 - unmodded Sire Z7 - unmodded Epiphone Thunderbird '64 - unmodded Greco LPB-700 - modded - Freeway 6 way switch Burny (Fernandes) LSB-80 - modded - Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups, Artec EXP active mid range control DeArmond Jet Star Spel - modded - Peavey T-40 pickup added, series/single switch for T-40 Neep One - custom bitsa - Warman MM4/Roswell large pole piece J pickups, Artec SE-2 preamp, Hipshot hardware Fazely Hot Rod (the Ratlet) - modded - Tonerider Duke P pickup Yamaha SB500S - temporarily repaired, therefore modded with a Tonerider Duke J pickup in the bridge position Cort Curbow - modded - Bartolini USA MK4CBC pickup, series/single/parallel switch, Glockenklang 3 band EQ Epiphone Mike Dirnt G-3 - unmodded Ibanez ATK200 - modded - Warman MM4 pickup Don't be shy, noise me up. Otherwise I'll just take whatever I fancy out of this lot, and I will likely favour things which weren't there last year. Probably shouldn't take 16 basses with me lest it become a case of "I'll have this hall, where are all the rest of you going?" Cheers!

I’ve succumbed to the hype and ordered one! Currently running a Capo into a Noble on my board, thinking this might replace the Noble. I love the saturation of the Capo with the added mojo of the Noble, but having a second input at the end of the chain would be very useful being as I am on synth bass on every gig too. Currently have to carry a separate DI and use two channels, be easier to just have it all on one DI for gigs we are mixing ourselves. Be very interested to see what you think vs the Noble Paddy.

When I sold my MB58R 102 cab the chap came round with the MB CMD121 combo and connected my cab to it. Without it sounded boxy and not much low bass. With my cab it was deeper, fuller and of course louder. Massive improvement

Well sometime later since I posted this I’m now 100% playing with a pick and still prefer the triangle shape pick and tend to use the Dunlop “ Flex” series in 1.0mm The magic for me playing with a pick = good amp and compressor, cab with 12” speakers, PBass and mids slightly scooped in EQ The Flex series has a warmer tone compared to Ultex or Tortex pics but not as soft as nylon

Hi Steve. I tried an 845 once when it was still in production but it had the BH2 Barts which really wasn’t my thing but,what's interesting is the replacement 945 has Nordstrand Big Single pickups which IS my thing. I'm wondering if the sheer body size along with the longer scale length and possible marketing towards the metal genre has made them somewhat niche 🤔 Don't rule out the 705 however as in my experience it almost played itself and sounded good doing it. I've noticed Ibanez have removed the 705 from their website now.

Hi All, A lot of great advice here. If only the rest of the internet was as helpful! The Mini CMD 121 does look like the pragmatic option, but it is lacking the "I want one!" factor. Also, my first gig (1989!) was with a 12in combo that sounded decidedly muffled, so I used 15in's after that when I was still gigging. I'm going to have a think (I'm not in a rush), and if I buy one I'll let you guys know what I think of it. Thanks again.

Go Vest (very appropriate for their We Close Our Eyes video).

Yeah, realistically just buying a TC electronic 208 and a Gnome head would get similar results for half the cash.