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Showing content with the highest reputation on 31/08/21 in all areas

  1. Harley Benton – Marquess 5: Quick Review This bass is good and at its price point it’s excellent value. Sound & electronics You immediately notice that the pups have considerable punch and that’s without being particularly close to the strings. Each pup has a separate volume control to allow you to use them individually or blend them to taste. Both pups deliver a very nice touch of growl. The neck pup is warm and full; the bridge more gnarly as expected and blended together they deliver a sweeter, slightly mid-scooped, tone. 2 band EQ. Bass set to ‘neutral’, or a very slight cut to tighten up the low end, is good; you certainly don’t want/need to be boosting the bass. The treble has a good range from vintage when rolled off to bright when maxed to deliver a slap ‘zing’, should it be required. Very slight high pitched whine from my rig when the treble is boosted - similar to what I get on some of my other basses e.g. Spector Euro 5LX, but completely disappears when set to ‘neutral’ or cut. It has no problems in belting out a meaty low B - entirely consistent with being a 35" scale bass. Comfort, design and playability The first thing I did was to weigh the Marquess because some HB 5ers have been known to weigh more than some minor planets, which would be a deal breaker for me. I had a good feeling about this one as it didn’t feel too heavy in the box and that was confirmed when it weighed in at just 4.2kg (9.2 lbs). Yaaay! The strings are 17mm spaced at the bridge which I’m very used to as it sits between my Ibby SR Premium at 16.5mm and Yamaha BB at 18mm and is, in fact, actually the same as my Spector Euro LX – but I appreciate that 17mm may be too narrow for some folk who prefer a 19mm spacing. The bass is comfortable to wear, but has a fair bit of neck dive which can sometimes be a feature, particularly of 5 string basses where the neck : body weight ratio is higher than on a 4 string due to the broader necks on a 5er. But when compared to my recently acquired BB 2005, which is a little heavier at 9.9lbs but which has almost zero neck dive, this is probably the Achilles heel of the HB for me. The bass was well set up straight out of the box with a very comfortable action and no noticeable fret buzz. The dusty end of the fretboard going up to the 24th fret is very accessible. Comparison This new bass reminds me of my Spector Legend Custom with its similar 2 band EQ set-up. I liked the Legend a lot and it gave me the confidence to upgrade to a Euro 5LX that I absolutely love. Except I prefer the Marquess to my former Spector Legend (which was a little too heavy for me and I ended up moving it on). The HB is both lighter and has punchier electronics; the Legend Custom’s EMGs always felt slightly anaemic, certainly in comparison to the pups on the HB Marquess. IMO, other than the neck dive issue on the 5 string, HB have delivered a very decent product particularly at the price point.
    10 points
  2. Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray CLASSIC Bass Guitar 2013. Condition is "Used". From research this is a Tony Levin inspired very limited edition only available back in 2013 from EB premier dealers. Classic 2 band EQ Beautiful Bird's-eye maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard Classic Mutes on the bridge (original/standard not after market) Classic Metal battery box cover String Through Body I do not have the COA .seems a previous owner misplaced it This colour "sledge" was only made for the TLI range. Custom metallic, special flake finish. "Colour transforming paint" shifts from silver to blue, green. gold, pink and purple , colour changes with different angles . I have tried to capture how the colour changes in the light. Almost immaculate very small mark at top of headstock. I have tried to show this in the picture. Musicman Hardcase included. Due to my change in circumstances I am reluctantly having to part company with this bass. Collection from Worthing area is preferred, I can send but due to value and insurance when sending it will be £70 to send to UK mainland only See images to see how good this bass is.
    5 points
  3. Project 1 completed: For me, only the 1000ma/3000ma have that sexy a_ss😄
    5 points
  4. Work out the average age of your target audience. For the sake of argument let's say it's 35. When would they have been 20? That would be 15 years ago = 2006 Go to one of the singles chart websites and look up the chart hits for a couple of years either side of 2006, so 2004-2008. Make a note of the big hits that fit the description 'female fronted / guitars'. There's your candidate song list.
    5 points
  5. This was my rig for tonight’s gig Tuner > big muff > q strip, into 2 x QSC k12.2s Amazing tone and volume
    5 points
  6. Squier Precision 5 string VM - Sold Time to thin the collection and a few basses have to go. Squier Precision 5 string VM in a stunning candy apple red finish. Presently strung with Chromes. Comes with a basic gig bag. Made in 2014, weighs in at 8lb 8oz on the bathroom scales. These basses need no introduction as a lot has been said as to how good they are in terms of value for money. Neck is in perfect condition and there are just a couple of minor blemishes on the body which I have attempted to photograph. There are two very insignificant fill holes on the headstock where someone previously fitted a different string retainer. Sorry but no trades. Located in south Warwickshire where you are welcome to come and try the bass out for yourself. Alternatively I’m prepared to drive up to 40 miles for a meet-up somewhere.
    4 points
  7. Aww, it's home at last! The screwholes even line up. Well - close enough for rock 'n roll.
    4 points
  8. Is the “b” button on your keyboard broke? 😬
    4 points
  9. Specs: - Body: swamp ash - Top: buckeye burl - Neck: maple - Fretboard: (I think) Macassar ebony. Can be Santos rosewood (Pau Ferro) too. I saw on Elrick's internet site that some of the basses have this kind of fretboard and it looks very similar (colour and grain). Anyway... sounds great, I think this is more important. - Tone block: alder - 35" - 4.1 Kg - Hipshot Ultralite tuners - Hipshot A-Style bridge - String spacing: 19 mm now, but can be adjusted between 17.5 and 20 mm - nut width 48 mm - Dunlop Straplok Flush Mount - Pickups: Bassculture Motherbucker, in ebony housing - Electronics: Aguilar OBP-3 - 18V. Push/pull volume for active/passive, balance, bass (40Hz), mids (push/pull for 400/800 Hz), treble (6.5 KHz), two switches for serial/parallel/single coil for each pickup The bass is in an excellent condition, I like it a lot, but I need something different for the music I play now. The price is firm, 2900 Euro and I want to sell it only in EU (you know the reason... 😥). Also, I'm open to trades. I'm searching for an USA 4 string neckthru Spector (or Euro Spector + money). BIG price drop! 2700 Euro + shipping cost Here you have the previous ad:
    3 points
  10. A beautiful example of a fantastic bass. For the full specs have a look here: https://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-dept/bass-guitars/precision-bass/fender-american-elite-precision-bass-3-tone-sunburst Barely played and well looked after, with not even a slight blemish on it. The case has a very small dent on it (which occurred without the bass in it), but otherwise it is immaculate. Genuinely sad to be selling this but after the last 18 months I can't afford to keep it. Whoever buys it will fall in love with it. Would prefer collection, but can organise a courier at cost if necessary. I also travel all over the country for gigs, so let me know if you'd like it and I may be able to sort something.
    3 points
  11. So here's the finished bass! Need to order some card to use as a background and do a proper photoshoot with it at some point, but you get the idea! Took it to my wedding gigs at the weekend and it sounded lovely, cut through the mix properly, settings were all useful too- the bridge pickup is as Jaydee-like as the one in my Vox Standard bass, the neck pickup has the growl of a Fender P, but put it in parallel for the sound of a Mustang, and put the bridge in parallel for a Jazz bass approximation, together in series they're a growly as heck, etc etc... but then I would say it sounded good wouldn't I..? 🤣 (the XLR is actually wired in now, though I don't think I'll ever need it) Overall though I'm pleased that it looks like it's from the era I based it on; even with my ukulele shape I think it carries the vibe of those mad old Matsumoku gems. The oil finish helps- as it's not even and has a bit of an open-pore thing going on it feels like an old bass already, which isn't bad considering I finished it last Thursday! Neck is very skinny and combined with the short scale it's very easy to shred all over it. Looking forward to getting some proper photos and demos sorted! Meantime here's a couple of clips I threw together for instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFmS9jjmCo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDREcND4gb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Thanks for reading! -Steve
    3 points
  12. Just bought an HB bass off Thomann (above the £135 limit that Alan mentions above). A couple of my BC mates have asked me whether there were any hidden costs in importing from Thomann? My experience is that they really seem to have got their shit sorted! I simply paid the all-in price quoted on their website and they dealt with all aspects of importation with no further costs e.g. customs handling charges etc. They used DHL to courier, who gave me a 1 hour delivery slot on the agreed day of delivery and arrived within the first 15 mins of that slot. Couldn't have been more straightforward.
    3 points
  13. On the kay/cort theme, the very kind mr Bassassin sent me the proper truss rod cover, which looks so cool, I’ve just got to get a few small brass screws from work, here’s a quick pic 🙂
    3 points
  14. That picture definitely makes it look like the head is twisted clockwise to the body, but it could equally just be the picture. [Cheesey American radio host voice] In other news on KBRC (Kay bass restoration channel), I've scraped out the pickup routes on mine. Luckily the glue and paint is so old it just broke up with scraping with a sharp chisel. I was going to run a router around them but they're clean enough now not to worry really. Just need to give the whole thing a good sand down and lacquer it. Though about oiling it but I do like a nice shiny bass. Still considering dyeing the wings red or dark brown before lacquering.
    3 points
  15. With black curtains near the station 🤯😁
    3 points
  16. Quick update- We've got our own Track And Trace QR code. Although none of us have got any obligation to use it, I would very much encourage and reccomend it. If we can prove to the venue that we can be responsible with covid precautions- it might bode well for the future. This year may well turn out as a smaller event than last time (no guest speakers, fewer commercial exhibitors, etc) but the venue is cheap and there is still a pandemic on. Gear-sharing and clothes remain optional and down to individuals. Oh, and bring cake.
    3 points
  17. Me with some stupid warbling idiot,err I mean our vocalist
    3 points
  18. Just been having another look at the pics of this one - might be the angle but that does look like the neck might have a pretty serious twist. As it happens, mine had a mild twist, not enough to affect playability, but this looks like it could be quite severe. Would recommend anyone considering bidding on this should try & get a look at it first. Unless it stays at £25, of course.
    3 points
  19. At our saturday gig, it was a pub that isn't often that busy but it was heaving. I commented on it and she said, "You could be the sh*test band in the world and people would still come, we are so desparate for music" so I said, "Excelent, we are your band!". They seemed to love it anyway!
    3 points
  20. This weekend I played my last two public gigs with the soul band (work and family life pressures mean that the gigging has to stop for a bit ☹️) Sunday the five piece played the New Inn, Amesbury and that was a fun gig. Bit strange being put into a cubby hole corner of the pub but it was probably the best place to set up in the bar. The band played great as usual 😎, seems a shame to leave when we're so slick right now. Early on some young drunk wanted to play drums (is there always a drunk drummer or singer at pub gigs?) Monday night we played the Bridge Inn, Upper Woodford (not far from Sting's lil' country mansion). This was their inaugural weekend of live music in the beautiful setting of the green opposite the pub. This is a rural location next to the river and just tractors, pick up trucks and 4x4s driving past the pub! For this gig we had the horns so there was 8 of us and the band sounds effing awesome once you add brass (plus they are so funny, horn humour!). The night was great, the sound on stage was superb, the crowd were fantastic (we always get people up dancing). I could hear my little Barefaced cab stack so clearly so when my fingers were feeling sore I could reign it in a bit. I'm a player who ' digs in' but with 36 soul and funk tunes to play, that's gonna hurt! One more gig to go but this one was quite emotional for me, last with the horns and Chris on guitar (he's the new bass player but can't play the next gig)... I kept it together well, got a big hug from Dave the drummer, we've been locked together tight on stage since he joined, the perfect drummer for me. Sorry for the long, rambling post but I'm gonna miss playing the best basslines ever with the bestest bunch of musicians I've ever played with 😭
    3 points
  21. Well, some feedback on the mesa - its awesome! Arrived friday and had a baptism of fire yesterday at a local festival Glaston-bury where all the pubs in Bury town centre have a rolling roster of bands. We were told last week a bass cab would be supplied but i needed to bring a head as such i thought best leaving the SVT at home, probability suggested it would be an 8ohm cab. Got to the venue yesterday and my heart sank a little, the cab was an old Ashdown MAG 2x10 lay on its side for vertical speakers - i do love ashdown heads but never got on with their cabs. To add further frustration teh sound guy DI'd our keys, mic'd the kit and the two other guitars and was going ''to rely on brute strength'' for the bass - what a sound! It obviously sounded bass heavy on stage but there was a huge rumbly growl to the sound without ever being uncontrollable or boomy. A real FAT gutsy growl with my flats loaded P bass. Got huge compliments from punters and seeing videos back the sound out front was great (if not a little keys heavy). Miles lighter than an SVT without being class D, great valvey growl and plenty of headroom and volume to spare. Im definitely in love!
    3 points
  22. Walrus Audio Slarp inserted into the board pre gain! A idea that sounds great! Verb into gain into verb sounds really cool can’t wait to try it with the band!
    3 points
  23. Still planning on being there unless my new job throws a spanner in the works Valenti Jazz, Fender Dimension Dlx HH, G&L L-1000 reissue, TC RH450 with BC208 cabs
    3 points
  24. These are my "creative" pedal boards for home use: And I just take this one pedal off to give me everything I need for live work! 😄
    3 points
  25. Had a busy week, last week, with 3 festivals & an outdoor theatre gig. The highlight once again was playing to 30,000 people at Carfest South on the Friday..
    3 points
  26. So I was recording an episode of my podcast with Dutch bass legend Rinus Gerritsen of Golden Earring, and I'd heard about him having a shortscale Rickenbacker 4001, of which many people *know* doesn't exist. So I asked him about it, he smiled and said "oh yeah that thing. I was in Chicago and a guy came up to me and said 'hey, you play those cheapo Danelectro basses, shouldn't you play a Rickenbacker?' I didn't really like Rics so I said 'nah the Danelectros are great, and by the way, who are you?' The guy said 'I'm a Ric representative'. So to be sure to get rid of the guy I said 'sorry man I'm a shortscale guy'. The Ric rep said 'oh but we have a shortscale, actually we have two! One was built for this country music guy, so if you tell me at which hotel you're staying I'll have it delivered to you'. So the next day there was a guy with a guitar case and there it was. One of two shortscale Rickenbacker 4001 basses ever built." And here it is. Mapleglo, walnut headstock wings, and it feels...weird. It feels like Ric but...different. Shorter, of course, but also...special. It is of course absolutely unique. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'm not a big Rickenbacker guy but this is quite something.
    2 points
  27. Last Price drop ! £350. Gathering dust. Lovely 5 string that I bought from bass direct 2/3 Months ago so recently cleaned and set up well. It’s in superb condition, I can’t find any scratches/chips/marks on it anyway. weight - 4.5kg TRADES - looking for a Squire Mini precision bass in red (plus cash adjustment) or Fender Jazz/P at right specs and price, try me I’m open to suggestions! I’m after a P/J set for the P7 if this goes first so possible trade there too! See also Sire P7 I have for sale/trade I’ve used it just for practice as was my intention and I’d like to keep it for that purpose but need to raise some funds. £399 includes gig bag and delivery via Parcelforce 48 collection welcome. Can do a price without gig bag too just send me a PM. I travel to West London via A1 three times a weeks so meet/up delivery is also possible. k
    2 points
  28. So quite a few years ago I became what began as an enthusiast but quickly became an obsession with the SWR sound. Over the years various SWR amps, cabs, and combos have passed through my hands but I think I’m currently at the most heads I’ve ever owned. As it was a typically miserable British bank holiday weather wise, I decided to spend the afternoon ‘testing’ and sorting my current stable. I think I’m sorted for now, unless someone tempts me with either a Baby Blue or the even rarer Spellbinder 😎
    2 points
  29. The bass is as new, zero signs of wear, use or damage. Stunning bass, but sadly the neck profile is not to my liking. £849 RRP. Selling at low price to move on, but can't stress enough, the bass is as NEW. Will be securely posted in gig bag. Please note, I only post to UK addresses. £15 for postage. Message for more details. Brian
    2 points
  30. @M@23 Mark - if you can stretch to this I would take the AC 121 Lite, every day of the week, over my CMD 121H (which will only deliver 500W with an extension cab - whereas the AC 121 Lite will manage to deliver its full payload on its own). If you'd still prefer to go for a CMD 121H then I might be obliged to make a trip to West Oxon to relieve this fleabag of his excellent combo to fill the gap you'll have created...😄 Blimey @Hellzero- we do seem to be sharing too much taste in various bits of gear recently. Good job I don't play those weird 6 string thingys that you seem to like and call a "bass guitar" which the rest of us just refer to as "guitars"...😁
    2 points
  31. Can't help on banjo tech, but I do like banjos quite a lot. Recently found banjo Ben on YT (brilliant character and player), and it's about now I get to post a link to Sheila Kay Adams (never thought I'd get to say that, certainly not here !):
    2 points
  32. It should be visible on a stage 🙂
    2 points
  33. I like it but not old or (probably not) Japanese enough for my mental encyclopaedia of useless info. First impressions suggest a luthier build, maybe '90s or '00s. Leaning towards '90s, as the bridge is an obsolete Gotoh model used on some 90s Ibanez. The 'TR' logo looks sort of familiar but not ringing any specific bells, not yet at least. And that's all I got.
    2 points
  34. Staining the wings is a great idea - and if you're persistent enough with Danish oil you can get a good gloss - this was 20-odd coats applied with a cloth: Took a while as I was doing it in the dead of winter but it was straightforward to build up the finish (managed 2 applications a day) & then just a light sand before applying a final coat. I think it'd be smoother/shinier on something with a less open grain.
    2 points
  35. Literally just received this in the last couple of days: I jumped at it because it was a steal - upon reflection, I think the SPB-2 (no DI) is what I’m after. But also have bought a couple of things in the past week which might cover what I’m aiming for… Anyhow - boxed, as new, exactly what I paid for it. £85 posted in UK.
    2 points
  36. Now I'm REALLY sorry to miss this year. That's going to be a heck of an ice breaker...
    2 points
  37. Just make sure you didn’t make the same dumb mistake I made… I had the whole thing tuned an octave down. After years of bass playing I didn’t realise it went so high.
    2 points
  38. Something like that. I’ve seen the same bass on eBay before. Just checked those two brands and it’s neither. but something not Yamaha
    2 points
  39. For pedals, just get yourself a Zoom B1-4 and be done with it. Fits very nicely within the new "basic as possible" regime! 😁
    2 points
  40. 2 points
  41. Fender Coronado II – CAR – With hard case - Sold Time to thin the collection and a few basses have to go. Fender Coronado II in a stunning candy apple red finish. Presently strung with Tomastic jazz flats so has quite a thumpy sound. Comes with an Epiphone shaped case which fits it perfectly. Made in 2013, weighs in at 9lb 9oz on the bathroom scales. 30” scale so very comfortable to play. Photos show the bass without the pick-guard as I feel it is much better looking like this but can be easily re-fitted as all the screws and bracket are present. The small holes in the body are for the pick-guard so will be covered if re-fitted. Neck is in perfect condition though there are a couple of minor chips on the very top of the headstock which I have attempted to photograph. The mod to the selector switch wiring has also been carried out which gives much better tonal control over the two Fidelitron pick-ups. The photos don’t really convey it but the CAR finish on the bass is truly stunning which is what sold it to me in the first place. Sorry but no trades. Located in south Warwickshire where you are more than welcome to come and try the bass out for yourself. Alternatively I’m prepared to drive up to 40 miles for a meet-up somewhere.
    2 points
  42. An update. I have a bit of a droopy finger that won't straighten fully - this is expected for this sort of injury. The tendon is longer than it used to be. The long period of splint and cast use has caused arthritis in the proximal joint (1st one from the knuckle). I need to do about 15-20mins exercises when I wake up as it is basically swollen and rigid first thing in the morning, although that can be helped if bind the joint a bit overnight. A little bit of pressure stops the swelling. Anti-inflammatories help too. I do other 5 minute exercise sessions every couple of hours through the day as well. The therapists have been brilliant, wanting to understand the movements of a bass playing finger and figuring out how to assist. One of the exercises is to have a flat bit of paper on a table and put the hand on it flat and then pull all the fingers in to crumple it - sliding the fingers on the table. That is remarkably similar to plucking a string while using a ramp, drawing a finger along a flat surface with a string just being in the way. So I raised a flat topped pickup on my Sandberg to act as a ramp and it is letting me play far better than I have been recently. I have more control and just as importantly it's preventing my finger from hooking too much and stopping the fingernail catching on the string. I can now play as therapy as well. 2 of my basses have flat topped EMG pickups so they will get raised to be ramps. I've bought some epoxy for the others following Billy Sheehan's old method of covering exposed pole pieces with it and then sanding to shape them. I've been videoing some of my playing - close up right hand - so I can see what I'm doing more easily and adapt a bit. It seems that if I rotate my hand leftwards a little, so the string contact is closer to the left side of the finger rather than the middle of the finger pad, the movement restriction is less of an issue, particularly when the tempo is a bit higher. Also the therapists have come up with a strapping system that gives a bit more control in strengthening the finger while trying to straighten the tip, and that won't get in the way of playing. I can play at home without it, but I can strap it for gigs / rehearsals where I'm likely to play harder. The overall position now is that I can play the stuff my big band plays - not as well as I used to yet, but very close. The Billy Sheehan type stuff is a long way off, but I don't play that sort of thing very often anymore as I've become old and boring! Rehearsals start on the 18th Sept. Be interesting to see how it goes.
    2 points
  43. For my money, that accolade goes to the first of the Brian Bromberg basses, the Peavey B Quad 4. That thing was properly bonkers compared to everything that was around at the time. I'd love one.
    2 points
  44. Hammer Smashed Face by Cannibal Corpse will always get the grannies up for a dance
    2 points
  45. And doesn't it look so much more high brow?
    2 points
  46. There's cost, Stingray are a pricey instrument and above many starting punks financial means. Later when upgrading, the path from your starting squier to a mex/jap fender to a US one is keeping to what you know and love. MusicMan and later Ernie Ball didn't get to market until after the first and around the middle of the second wave of punk. So younger punk players won't have seen their idols playing one. I have seen quite a few being used by newer bands in the last 10-15 years, they're great punchy instruments fit for fast paced music. I'll leave you with this distraction:
    2 points
  47. I have an Concord 1 that I've owned from 1982. It's been through the wars as you can see but it still plays really well. Solid as a rock, really punchy sound.
    2 points
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