skej21

7 hours ago, thewebow said:

I picked one up after watching Matt's video.

 

I love it for what feels like natural compression in the breakup. I have it infront of a PJB - Session 77. Makes the whole experience feel far more organic and alive.

 

Also picked up an old black Label EBS octavabass.

 

Any recommendations whether I go for BassIQ, Comp or Chorus/Vibrato next?

 

At the moment I am mainly playing Pbass or Fretless (P & Jbass)

 

Glad you’re enjoying it! Just to be clear, this wasn’t a “sales” attempt, just an attempt to be as objective and transparent as possible so people could get their own idea about whether it works for them or not. Always nice to hear when it works out 🙂

1 hour ago, wateroftyne said:

This popped up in my YouTube and I clicked  it purely ‘cos of the clickbaityness of it (because it definitely is), and was slightly taken aback at how much of a mountain is being made out of a molehill.

 

‘A livestream to discuss our feelings about it’? C’mon, man.

 

The glove is creepy too. 

And one of the four live streamers put his up for sale on FB. Views gained, bin off this “scam” bass on someone else now without a second thought…

8 hours ago, skankdelvar said:

Someone should set up a Humbucker Disappointment Survivors group, crowdfund a class action and put the guilty men on death row. It's the only language they understand.

Sounds like “Bassists4Justic” is almost born. Let’s all go and purchase our fancy dress crustacean costumes and arrange to rendezvous outside the Fender factory for the protest…

1 hour ago, Musicman20 said:

 

This is what the world has come to!

A bunch of people talking nonsense instead of practicing? Pretty standard bass player activity!

On 14/04/2022 at 19:18, NikNik said:

Thr clickbait claim us without merit. Seriously,  WTF?

It’s quite interesting that someone who quite happily uses gimmicks and misleading, clickbaity content would create a holier-than-thou video trying to highlight (likely unintentionally) deceiptful marketing. People in glass houses and all that…

28 minutes ago, BassTractor said:

Does it come as a surprise the Belmont Conservative Club spawns a "Back to the 80's Tribrute Night" (sic) ?
Of course they actually mean "Back to the 80s Tri-Brute Night"
😐

At this rate, it could turn in to a “Back to the 80s Tribunal Night” 🤣 

Decent condition (only rubber feet missing, no scratches etc). Great little compressor, really musical and ideal for small pedal boards but I just got the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass and don’t need both. 
 

£110 shipped in UK. No trades thanks.

Any questions, just ask!

This was the last pedal to make it on to my board. Admittedly, I took a gamble, but on paper it seemed to be the answer… The moment I plugged it in, all of my worries vanished. Wow!  I would’ve loved to have done a 3 hour video on what every tweak and adjustment does but as you will see, just having everything set to 12 and using the three main alogrithims (with an OC2 for good measure!), this thing is just stunning! 
 

Hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed making it and hopefully it’ll introduce some of you to a hidden gem 🙂
 

14 minutes ago, Kev said:

The bass, the finish, the woods used, none of it is "Old Stock".  Maybe if they were using a pot of finish/paint from the 60s, or woods from the 60s. Or something that qualifies the word "Old" being used.  Before reading this thread, had I saw a Fender Custom shop bass be described as being NOS, I would have assumed this was a body and/or neck stored in the factory for 50 years, which would be pretty cool and well worth the ££££ to some I'm sure. 

 

Again, I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just still haven't heard a reason why they are using this phrase to describe a finish.  But i realise a byproduct of being unsatisfied with justifications posted is indeed turning out to be argumentative, so I'll stop 😅

No worries, I’m totally objective about it and just trying to help, so no offence taken at your persistence 🤣

I completely agree that a Fender Custom Shop NOS bass (if you had no knowledge) would make you assume that it was a Custom Shop model they maybe built for someone and had it cancelled and it’s been sat in a case for a few years since!

I suppose Fender are probably just trying to use terminology that’s evocative of history and ‘cool’ era of Fender with names like NOS and Closet Classic, when in reality it could just as easily have been ‘Relic Level 0-6’ or similar! 

Just now, Kev said:

Its just misleading.  Claiming something is NOS, when in fact is just, well, isn't. There are plenty of phrases they could have used.  Isn't closet classic something similar? Meaningless phrase outside of Fender, but at least it doesnt specifically mean something it isn't. 

 

Also, I thought I read a description somewhere saying "NOS treatment".  So, again, what is that?  What "treatment" is done to the finish to make it NOS?

Well I agree. Although equally it’s not.

NOS I believe is misleading, because (as mentioned by others), the term is often used in other musical contexts to refer to stock that’s been protected and preserved. Fender’s use is more like saying “you’re asking for the spec of old (ie not a production model, like an American Original which has vintage specs but can be bought off the shelf) but you also want a ‘brand new’ finish, so it’s NOS”

I think ‘Closet Classic’ and ‘Heavy Relic’ and most of their other definitions of applied finish options are probably a little bit clearer, but then you could have the same argument about anyone applying an alteration to an immaculate finish (how do you know what a ‘distressed’ or ‘light relic’ means when it’s such a subjective term and you’re ordering a custom instrument from any manufacturer?)

4 hours ago, Kev said:

I'm not being facetious, but I still don't understand what they do to a period correct nitro finish to make it "NOS".  Does anyone know?

They don’t “do” anything. It’s just terminology. Like saying to Limelight or Bravewood “I want X paint job but with a ‘light relic’”… but instead of that being a subjective term, Fender have clear definitions of what the five or six options are so you’re both clear on what you’ve asked for.
 

Stating “I want X bass with an NOS finish” means they will make you a bass with a finish that is as-new, irrespective of whether the bass is vintage spec (spec like old stock) - hence ‘NOS’

19 hours ago, Kev said:

I don't understand reliced basses really.  But now, they seem totally rational.

 

I mean, what do they do to it?  NOS means its finish is as-new, so given the bass is new, the finish is naturally as new.  And presuming they've used a period correct finish for the bass, itll be a replica.  What makes it NOS???

“NOS” - It’s just Fender’s way of labelling the level of relic so you can choose it as an option when creating a custom shop instrument. As you mentioned, it’s meant to be ‘as new’ using vintage methods and materials but without any wear or aging (yellowing etc) applied (like, for example a ‘closet classic’ level relic). It’s essentially like having a master craftsman from any other manufacturer producing their best instrument. Strangely, Fender also  own/run the Gretsch custom shop, which amongst that community is seen as the holy grail of Gretsch.
 

It’s also strange that nobody ever has this discussion about other high-end builders who produce cheaper, mass-produced ranges (like Gibson, Sadowsky, Lakland, MTD, Overwater etc). Maybe just because Fender’s brand is now so synonymous with their cheaper ranges that people feel aggrieved to pay out ‘custom’ money for the OG Fender spec? 

I’ll remain silently objective and just share the info for anyone that is interested (either way)

10 minutes ago, Kev said:

It's a shame if it's as it appears.  When Doug was running the company, he was always adament that Darkglass wouldn't release anything that already exists in the market unless its a significant improvement or something new.  I don't feel like this is something that would have qualified as that before.

Same mistakes as the Aguilar guys I think. Start working with greedy distributors who drive up the prices and stop caring about the quality of the product. When you see the Senior Leadership of these companies leaving, it’s clear that there’s a reason (usually that those who remain want to run the company in a way that goes against their ethos). It’s a shame because both companies were excellent in the early years!

Isn’t this just the same as the TC TonePrint Amps where you could load up the TC pedal range? I’m not really sure how they could’ve spent 2 years ‘developing’ the concept of an amp with built-in effects…

1 hour ago, prowla said:

Does "Bass and Guitar Show" mean they'll be doing doublenecks?

Nah it means you can only attend if you’re now a bass player who started as a failed guitarist 🤣

I recently managed to get my hands on the EBS Octabass (Blue Label, even though it's green?!) Triple Mode Octave Divider and thought I'd share the results in case anyone is thinking of dropping cash on one!

I was quite surprised by the manual's suggested "synth" setting, as it didn't really evoke that feel for me (although improved when I combined it with a bit of dirt from the ValveDrive).

All in all, i think the tracking is actually really good, the tone is very smooth and friendly in a mix and the pedal itself feels really well built (with a quality footswitch). It's a cracking little option!

In full working condition. Few scuffs as it has been gigged but no Velcro and all cables, rubber feet etc included. 6 x 9v and 2 x 18v outputs.

£45 ONO shipped. No trades. Payment via Bank Transfer of PayPal (seller to add 3% for PP G&S).

Thanks for looking!

Number 37 of 500, this is a classic 18v preamp/DI in limited edition silver. Excellent condition with box and packaging. Bought last year and only used at home, but changed to a Noble since so this is no longer required.

£215 delivered/insured - Buyer to cover any PayPal fees if using G&S.

Open to offers but no trades please.

Thanks for looking!

In excellent condition with original box, stickers etc. A reissue of the original DOD Gonkulator ring modulation pedal, which some subtle to gnarly distortion tones and a good range of freq and modulation options.

£125 (buyer to cover fees if using PayPal G&S), posted signed for. Open to offers but no trades.

Thanks for looking!

Really glad I asked for my refund earlier. Looks like another classic money grab at our expense rather than trying to genuinely fill a void. Shame really.

9 hours ago, 40hz said:

That Blueburst J is just asking to be bought. Roasted Maple neck as well!

Funny that, nothing turns me off a bass quicker than roasted maple… except maybe roasted birdseye maple. Rosewood or ebony all day long for me!

29 minutes ago, jezzaboy said:

 It`s quite expensive especially when you can get a Sire with an alder body, roasted maple neck, rolled edges etc for £369.

 

I know what one I would choose.

Swings and roundabouts though, because with Sire, they could charge £200 for better features than a £450 Squier but it still has an ugly headstock and cheap a*$ tort… 

(by the way, I own a Sire P7!)

14 minutes ago, Musicman666 said:

Just got this pedal, …it seems to be a one trick pony but it’s a good trick, just makes everything sound better. For me it doesn’t readily overdrive rather than just give it a bit of tube breakup which is just perfect. It’s one of those pedals that you need to turn on and off to fully appreciate what it’s doing. I’m pairing it with a cali76 which I think could be the end of my quest for better tone….for the foreseeable future anyway. 

Totally agree. I think if you like that kind of dirt, it’s a winner!

I find if I have my bass in a mix, and subtle break up it’s just magical!

18 minutes ago, paulo m said:

Once again matt excellent little demo with great sound quality & clarity. 

I've owned a microbass II for years & it's a unit I simply wouldn't part with for its multitude of applications' the valve drive is of an equal quality if' a more rarefied taste for myself.. The Crunch' Drive' Distortition' is not something I would find myself using on a frequent basis but' it is most certainly convincingly audiophile quality. 

Your choice of P Bass is ideal for this demo... From the Jamerson motown grit' to the full-on rock-metal face melt. 

Hours of endless sound sculpting... & may I say with exceptional results. 

Thank you for the kind words. Micro bass III is definitely one I need to try.

I have a Noble preamp on the way and I’m thinking the combination of the two will cover all of the classic tones I need!

Probably a little late to the party but I managed to get my hands on an EBS Valve Drive DI and I quickly realised that it was the breakup/dirt I’ve always been chasing. From slight breakup using the manual’s ‘Crunch’ setting to a heavier dirt using the manual’s ‘Vintage Overdrive’ setting, it’s got quite a lot of range and a tonal quality that’s hard to find. 
 

I must admit, I still can’t work out why the ‘flat response’ setting requires the EQ knobs to be maxed out to get the correct frequency curves (I certainly wouldn’t have known it just by messing around), but all in all, it’s an absolute winner!

Here’s a quick 2 minute demo with some snapshots of the settings if you’re interested. Let me know what you think!