mcnach

I wanted one not long ago, I ended up buying a cheap white covered pickup... It cost something like £14, and I just took the cover off it. I still have the pickup and meant to get a black cover (easy to find) and sell it that way to recoup part of the cost. I ended up keeping it because I can't be bothered The covers come off easily.

[quote name='christhammer666' timestamp='1491300875' post='3271889'] I get in from a gig the only things my wife asks are was it good and did you play well. And the gigs she does come to she see my talking to woman she know that part of gigging is interacting with people and does not pay much attention If she did say anything id tell her to get a grip [/quote] Hmmm... I imagine that would be the last time you'd tell her anything if she were half intelligent. But then again, if she were half intelligent she wouldn't be in that position in the first place, I suppose.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1491147044' post='3270805'] Thanks for the advice and I know you're right there. I decided to go with the Fender Japan Precision (see above post) as I played one at a gig once and loved it. At half the price of a Maruszczyk I just had to go for it. I would like a well thought out Jake in the future though. Not long til Christmas is it? [/quote] Yeah, I saw that after I posted my reply... at that price it's hard to argue! The euro-GBP exchange is not very attractive right now.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1490997471' post='3269816'] I made the mistake of venturing down the rabbit hole that is the Public Peace Website and have seen a couple of Jakes that I like the look of. The seemingly standard 40mm nut width is a bit thinner than I'm used to but I could get used to that as long as the depth front to back isn't too slim. American Standard-ish, or Geddy Lee-like? Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated! I know that I can custom order anything with Adrian but I'm looking to keep the cost down by going with what's in stock. Cheeoz. [/quote] Don't compromise on playability. I was the same with my first Jake. I saw something I like but the nut width was thinner than I prefer. I also prefer lacquered necks. I thought I wasn't ready to spend a lot of cash on something I had never tried before, but I thought I'd ask. It turned out that I could get the neck profile of my choosing and a lacquered neck for barely no extra cost (it was something but... it really did not amount to anything... and I think that was just the lacquer, not the neck dimensions)... So: ask. You'll have to wait around 10 weeks... but in my opinion it's worth waiting 10 weeks and getting the neck that feels right to me.

Fantastic gig last night with Urang Matang (ska/reggae, a mix of originals and a few classic covers). My first 'official' gig as a member (I've been playing with them every gig for the past 8-9 months as a 'dep', it feels like the longest ever audition! - finally it became clear they need a permanent member so I said yes). I got the proper introduction and a cople of impromptu 'solo' spots I wasn't really ready for that but I got away with it... good job I have played these songs for a few months now and I like playing about with changing phrasings and adding a few extra bits here and there for fun when I practice them at home, to keep me interested s I got away with it without embarrasment or resorting to slap Still... I enjoy playing bass because I don't get the spotlight on me, so I'm not sure I want that to be a regular thing We got Big Jim Paterson on trombone with us (due to geographical issues, he can't make every gig) and it's just so much more fun when he plays with us... I especially love it having the sax on one side and the trombone on the other... stereo bliss... Sound guy was great, adding extra echoes and things at the right places on the vocals and brass... and there was a large crowd going crazy. What a blast! I'm still smiling Maruszczyk Jake P/JJ + Markbass LMIII + Barefaced Two10... *in love*

It's good to see a bit of *real life* on the net, where people are often too quick at releasing their frustrations as aggression under the cover of anonimity, and see that humans can be nice people. Nice group hug... but who's getting next round? My glass is empty! Thank you all here for being cool guys.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1491080102' post='3270417'] "It's art when the check clears" Andy Warhol [/quote] great quote!

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1490974698' post='3269558'] Am I right in thinking that Adrian uses a reverse trussrodd or something? [/quote] Yes!!! It confused the hell out of me on my first Jake... I thought I suddenly knew nothing, or that the bass was broken. Then I thought 'wait a minute', and noticed it. I thought you Brits were the experts at doing things "the wrong way" just because you can... but here Adrian out-britted the Brits

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1490956060' post='3269350'] Excellently put sir and I can now see how modifying instruments becomes alluring to some. My worry is that if I have 'X' bass, I either know it's a keeper or I don't. If it's a keeper, that usually means I'm happy with it just as it is and don't need/want to mess with it. If it's not a keeper, I wouldn't want to modify it as it could potentially devalue a resale. This point has, I believe, been raised in other threads. This is not to say that there has ever been anything wrong with basses that I have sold. My main motivation for selling anything these days is almost always because I have my eyes on something else. [/quote] and I envy you well, I'm much better these days... but it can almost be a compulsion... changing something in the bass just to make it a bit more 'unique and personal', just because you can. It's mostly just a bit of fun, really, but I remember not long ago when every bass I'd get I'd find a way to find an 'upgrade' for. I have wasted so much cash over teh years putting preamps on basses that were never going to be 'keepers'... it's ridiculous. It never added much (if anything) to the sale price, and sometimes it actually put people off who preferred an untampered-with instrument. I have reduced my collection considerably (I never even put everything I had in my signature!), and modify things a hell of a lot less. Interestingly, this happened at the same time I was getting much busier playing. Isn't there an expression that goes something like "the devil finds work for idle hands" in English? (I'm not a native) It's the same with purchasing gear. If we looked at how much I buy vs how much I play, I'm pretty sure there's a strong anticorrelation there. and this effect was amplified the day I discovered Basschat!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1490954564' post='3269330'] Without the active preamp my Jazz just wouldn't work for me, bit of tinkering and it's at every gig, [/quote] same here. I tried to like the passive Jazz... and I like it until I play it in a band. So my Maruszczyk is now inheriting the U-Retro I bought for another old project a while ago. I miss it everytime I use it. It works, but I just know I'm missing out.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1490900355' post='3268965'] This is not meant to antagonise anyone, but don't all these discussions about rewiring amount to tinkering around with something that doesn't really need fixing? [/quote] it's a very good point... but you've been here long enough to know that *need* is rarely the major motivation about what we do here. Do we *need* a new bass? Really? Yet... we get not one but three But seriously, yes... your point is a good one. Typically a bass works for you or it doesn't. If it doesn't... you may try changing things on it and all these mods can be very useful even if in most cases you're better off getting a different bass. But sometimes we just have to use THAT bass... maybe is sentimental value, or it just looks fabulous... other times it's a bass that feels *just right* but unfortunately the sound doesn't match the feel... whatever. If the bass works for us... it usually doesn't *need* anything. Most mods we do can make us happier with it in various ways. But we would probably be fine with it without the mods. I started playing with wiring mods back in the day when I was not playing in bands, I had one guitar and little money. It was a very cheap way to experiment, and it was fun and educational. At one point I was in love with the idea that with the right switches I could get 27 combinations out of my Stratocaster. I didn't go as far as that, but I got a way to get many many combinations. Of course, most were not very distinct. Some were not even useful. The interesting part is I found the sounds I liked... and invariably I would end up with 2-3 sounds max. Same with basses. I had a Warwick Corvette $$ with the two MM humbuckers and switches etc. Lots of combinations. I found that after the initial trial period, the switches stayed put. Now, series/parallel on a Stingray like instrument... I personally do not need the switching ability. But between the two I much prefer the series option. It works beautifully with a 2EQ preamp. It works well enough in parallel, as countless records illustrate. But in series it gives me that extra oomph that makes me smile that little more. It's not enough to make people say "hey, that bass sounds so different!" but it's noticeable enough for people to say "your bass sounded great tonight". Now, I'm pretty sure other people can get that kind of sound without the pickup being in series, by altering the EQ, as I get close enough on my Stingray with a touch of extra low mids on the MMSR preamp... but 2EQ + series is a very simple configuration that sounds great for what I do. So, whilst not needed, if I ever get a 2EQ Stingray, I'd rewire the pickup to series, and leave it that way. I don't need a Jazz and a Precision and a Stingray... I could play either and be happy. The 'problem' is I *know* the others exist, and sometimes one of them is a little extra nice for my purposes. So it's good to have, if you can... but no biggie if you can't/won't.

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1490896756' post='3268942'] Cheers Mcnach! I'm actually going to get a pro to do it! I have an old Ray 5HH which is series wired (as per the Sterling) it sounds fantastic and really punches through a band mix,however I miss the parallel setting I had on my old sterling and want that option too.i wouldn't try and do something like that myself 😁 I'm also thinking of adding the East MM 3 band at the same time. [/quote]

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1490877636' post='3268692'] So does this mean it'll be difficult to put a series/parallel push pull on my Ray then? [/quote] Not really. But there is a risk. Is it a big risk? Not really. But it stops me doing it unless I *really* want it, and contrary to what that guy who keeps leaving his pet's poo in my garden thinks, I don't *really* want it You have access to the ends of each coil from the bottom of the pickup. There is a small blob of solder at each end. You can use those to connect the coils to a switch if you want to. It is not a difficult thing... but you do need to be careful. Knowing what I know now, if my 2EQ Stingray were stock, I'd do it. I'd sweat a lot but I'd go for it and it would most likely go ok. But I replaced the the preamp with a 3-band MMSR from John East, which is pretty much the same 2EQ, but with an additional mids module that has a sweepable frequency selector and can be set flat, in which case it does nothing and you still have the 2EQ character. I like it enough to make me think that a series configuration in that bass would be pointless.

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1490873175' post='3268645'] You 2 - GET A ROOM!!! One, thing though McN, which way is the pup wired in the EBMM Sterling SUB USA? Mines got the 3 band EQ but seems to have more depth and punch than previous EBMM full fat Rays I've previously owned. [/quote] Unfortunately, I have no idea what the EBMM Sterling SUB would be like. They're so rare I have only ever seen one in the flesh! If it has a ceramic pickup, like normal Sterlings do, maybe that accounts for some of the punchier tone. If it's wired in series then that for sure will give you a noticeably punchier sound. But I don't know what yours is like. If you ever get access to the bottom of the pickup, have a look (take a picture). The way they wire the pickups you can usually tell by eye without having to measure anything.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1490871810' post='3268634'] Bit of gouging and soldering a push pull pot in and you can have a series parallel version of either then, I already have on mine as I'm a grown up with five strings and that function is standard P.S I never saw a sign about the grass and I forgot to bring any poo bags! [/quote] I've got my air rifle ready by the window, you scoundrel...

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1490864986' post='3268564'] Well everyone wants to tell me that the SUB is EXACTLY the same regarding the electronics, if you can get to the connections on a SUB but not on a Ray then they must be different after all? [/quote] No, the SUB pickup is wired in series from factory (there are some in series and some in parallel, all stock, and I owned both), so you still cannot get to the wires unless you tap directly from the soldered eyelets. In that respect is the same. The parallel wired one *is* the same in every respect. Obviously, the one that is wired in series differs in that bit. Oh, and get off my lawn!

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1490785885' post='3267926'] Missed this thread before... I wouldn't class myself as a huge hip-hop fan but the good stuff is absolutely immense. Classic records worth checking out: Nas - Illmatic* Gang Starr - Moment of Truth* Talib Kweli - Reflection Eternal* Dan Le Sac / Scroobius Pip - Angles* Cypress Hill - Black Sunday Roots Manuva - Run Come Save Me Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle Dr Dre - The Chronic Eric B and Rakim - Paid In Full* De La Soul - Three Feet High And Rising* A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm* Mos Def - Black On Both Sides NWA - Straight Outta Compton* The ones with *s should be in every record collection IMO. [/quote] Fantastic!!! I already have listened to a few of those but there's some there I never even heard of, thanks! Spotify session coming soon

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1490781909' post='3267865'] That would be it. [/quote] I *want*!!!! Right, post-it note made to remind me about this

Yeah, you won't get the Stingray sound from the L2500. I had both a L2500 and a USA SUB5 for a short time... The L2500 is more like a Jazz who went to same competitions that Arnie used to go to. Very powerful, can be both smooth or aggressive, and it's lovely, but if the Stingray sound is what you're after then it won't be a good match. I loved both, soundwise. The Lakland 55-02 is another hybrid. Still no Stingray, but it gets closer than the L2500 when you use the top coil alone and play with the preamp a bit. However, if you really must have the Stingray sound, this won't do it either, although it's ultra versatile and sounds great and has the nicest neck I have ever played on a 5 string.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1490739802' post='3267638'] It depends how much he makes from those two gigs and how much of it he gives to her. Assuming she is sat at home alone on the Saturdays when he is out working. When I worked New Years eves, and they were hard work that paid reasonably well, on New Year's Day I'd take the family out for a meal to compensate. They wouldn't have gone out on NYE partying anyway and we'd all have been home watching TV, so it was only compensation in the loosest of terms. [/quote] Yeah, but that NYE gig is a one off. It was similar with me. My gf didn't love the fact I had a gig that day, despite neither of us being big on partying on that night but she loves being out for the fireworks etc. The money was good and we managed to run out of the venue for the fireworks, and get back in time to play again... then we used the cash on ourselves (partially, I also had a bass purchase in mind... although I went off the idea in the end). This summer coming, I already made a mistake Her birthday is on a Sunday. I got offered a good gig on the Saturday and accepted, because in my mind it wasn't her birthday, right? Of course, afterwards I realised "dang, but it's the weekend, we'd normally do something... argh, she's very nice and understanding but I bet she'll be disappointed". This was a gig in Nuneaton. I am in Edinburgh. Lots of travelling. I enquired at what time we would finish and whether they plan to drive the van straight back or stay overnight. Because I might just drive myself to ensure I'm back on Sunday morning. That's when I realised my mistake was twofold. There was another gig on the Sunday about 50 miles away from the first, which paid much better, so 'we' were staying for the night, play that gig (festival at 3pm) and then drive home. For a minute I saw my head on a stake made from the neck of my favourite bass. The way I saved it is by turning it into a miniholiday. I'll drive my car with her. We will not hang out as much with the band as I would normally (they're great guys and my gf loves them, so spending some time together is nice anyway), explore a bit duriing the day, play the gigs at night, and then take an extra couple of days for us. There are a couple of places that we can go from there, and if the weather is good (August) we can do some nice cycling, go to the beach... In the end I'd make zero money probably once I factor in the travelling and hotel costs... but I hope we'll have a good time. I blocked out that weekend in my calendar for the next two years already so that this doesn't happen again So yeah... it's got to be balanced. But guys, don't ever forget your girlfriend's birthday

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1490735807' post='3267596'] 35 years 9-5ing it was enough for me.How I lasted 35 years, I'll never know, I hated it. Life is to short, now I can "honestly" say I love my job. Blue [/quote] With a girlfriend that has said multiple times that she'd be happy to be the only 9-5er and let me take time to get into music full time (starting with a lot more practice and proper study etc), the notion is tempting. But I can't shake the feeling that if I did it full time I would end up resenting a lot of it. I'm one of those guys who love the stage time and I'm ok with a bit of the hanging about and networking bit... but the long waits kill me. Last summer I had a series of 'mini-tours' (and that's an overstatements, it was just 3 days at a time over a number of weeks), in a van, sleeping wherever, a gig every night, sometimes two. I had a great time... but most of the day was spent doing nothing. And drinking. I don't normally drink a lot, but I do like beer... and there was little else to do where we were, and free beer was hard to resist, just sitting around, chatting, snoozing, going for a walk... The waiting, being away from my bed too often... I can see myself hating it pretty soon. There are some bands around here playing weddings etc who make good money but they mostly just play weekends so they end up supplementing during the week a bit. That usually does not require a lot of time away from home. I don't know, I think I am one of those guys who the minute you tell them "you HAVE to do X", will automatically hate X Hmmm. How long have you been away from the 9-5 life?

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1490779173' post='3267824'] At last I have a solution for combo IEM cables. See Affiliates section for more information. [/quote] Oooh! Is that a combined stereo feed from the mixer and instrument cable in one?

Yeah, now I notice the guy was almost everywhere... I love the live stuff on youtube, he does come across as a really cool guy...

I just came across this guy... and immediately I realised I had heard a lot of his stuff before, I just didn't know his name. I'm sitting at home upstairs, window open letting a little bit of shy sun in, while I'm at the computer erm... 'working' (ok, it's my coffee break ) ... and Billy Preston jst making me dance on my sit while I try hard to resist the urge to plug in my bass... love it!!! I thought I'd share some of this, and I hope you enjoy it too [media]http://youtu.be/ubIt94oLaBI[/media]

[quote name='Treb' timestamp='1490735476' post='3267590'] Ernie Ball will not sell you pickups. Big Poppa himself says so. Want a new MM pickup? Hand over the faulty MM one. [/quote] Yeah, but S&T used to until relatively recently. They used to have a menu that was not very good to navigate, and no pictures... then they improved it, and soon after they stopped selling to individuals. I suspect EBMM found out and had a word.