mcnach

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1456501631' post='2989730'] I like it because I can perv at basses I wouldn't normally look at. I say we leave it as it is. If people can't be bothered to filter through a few ads then that's their problem. [/quote] This. It's not like there are hundreds of ads every day or anything... when I'm looking for something I just skim the titles and right-click and open in a new tab... After I'm done scanning I go through the tabs, closing them as I go along unless any deserve my full attention. I find this pretty smooth. I'd hate having multiple subdivisions.

If you like those, you may also want to consider a Mike Dirnt Squier Precision (got mine for under £100 used). Very nice and light too. The neck is pretty slim also if you like that, not at all Precision-like. Rosewood, 'though. I have one, but sourced a CV maple neck and replaced it. I also changed the pickup... the original is fine, but I liked these cheap Entwistle pickups better. It's a monster of a bass.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1456180297' post='2986433'] It's not a good idea to plug headphones into a speaker jack, whatever the amp. Headphones don't have the right impedance for amp o/p, and will certainly be damaged when too much signal is applied to them. An accidental movement of the volume knob and your ears will meet in the middle of your head. Use an amp with a dedicated headphone socket, never the speaker sockets. [/quote] You'll probably kill the headphones in a microsecond if you plug them into the speaker out... the output there is much higher than any headphone output.

[quote name='Greg.Bassman' timestamp='1456442822' post='2989206'] Hi all. Ok so, I've been playing my Fender MIM jazz for a while now, and though it sounds great, it's action makes it a nightmare to play. I'm a light player who enjoys funk/disco, where the lines are often busy. To cut the story short... I need the action as low as I can get it! At the moment, if it's set [i]too [/i]low, I get buzz; subsequently, the action needs to remain higher... obviously, this is no longer acceptable Some have insisted upon a fret dress; is there any additional factors that I should be considering... Bridge type etc? Cheers. P.S - My neck radius is 9.5 (modern C) and the gauge of string I use are 'Regular Lights' (45-65-80-100). [/quote] Obviously the nut, bridge and truss rod must be set right... but you'll never get a low action that sounds good if the frets are not perfectly level. So make sure the frets are just right and the rest is basic geometry. Well, the neck angle also is important, I forgot that. Sometimes a very thin shim in the neck pocket is necessary... but get the other bits right first. Then if you find the bridge saddles are bottomed out and still want more, you'll know it's time for a shim. If that doesn't happen you'll be ok without messing with that. I'd take it to someone who knows what they're doing: it won't cost much and you'll get it right. It's fun to learn to do it yourself, and a great skill to have, but if you want results fast just take it to a good tech.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1456426556' post='2988969'] Didn't the SNP get a landslide victory at the last election ? [/quote]Yu Yup. But remember how the system works: first past the post gets the seat... The SNP actually got around 50% of the votes, a bit more than the 45% the "Yes" got in September 2014. Whether the increase is due to people changing their minds after the referendum or because some agre with SNP as a party minus the independence bit, I don't know. I do know a few people who voted "No" yet they choose to vote SNP because they see it as a more relevant party (and less vomit-inducing) than the rest...

[quote name='PauBass' timestamp='1456055712' post='2984846'] Thanks guys! I have just checked with Transferwise and their fee will be about £2.40, it also offers a better exchange rate. Natwest charges £10 for the transfer and worst exchange rate too. I will check later with CurrencyChange too. [/quote] thank you! I used Natwest the two times I needed it... next time it'll be Transferwise

[quote name='Drax' timestamp='1455964571' post='2983975'] Great advice all. Got the Einhell 90kg truck, £30 from Argos. First trip South London to Northampton return. Feels pretty solid, hammers up and down curbs, and thunders along the pavement. Learned - Avoiding tube station stairs is complicated when changing lines. - There are lots of hidden lifts, mainly used by lazy people who could probably do with climbing a few stairs. - Truck *just* fits in a Prius boot (uber..) when you return after hours Yet to attempt both cabs, might be over ambitious. All good though, hopefully many more miles ahead.. [/quote] what cab is that one?

[quote name='PauBass' timestamp='1455839915' post='2982965'] Well, I have made my mind and I'm about to order one. Only doubt I have now is if I should go for custom neck shape/dimensions or not? I was thinking of having it made to my Geddy Lee neck speck, which I love, but not sure if it will be worth the extra cash. [/quote] Ask Adrian. My first Maruszczyk was pretty stock, except for the neck, which I specified the dimensions of (wider and thicker than stock) and lacquered. I don't think it was that much more expensive than stock and probably just because of the lacquer... Ask him, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[quote name='sshorepunk' timestamp='1455794705' post='2982451'] A lot of talk around the amps I've been looking at, not had chance to play most of them yet, but reviews are looking promising The Genzler Mogadon seems to be a good, non valve option, as does the subway, but the price is +£100 over the Genzler right now. I was originally looking at a TH500, but there is some good competition out there now Tony [/quote] Damn, you had me looking for a new Genzler amp model!!!

One of the most beautiful I've seen.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1455651422' post='2981201'] 'Ma-roosh-chick'...[list] [*][url="https://www.facebook.com/MARUSZCZYKINSTRUMENTS/photos/a.10150116450572396.285289.292530792395/10153187012377396/?type=3&permPage=1"]Fretless[/url] [*][url="https://www.facebook.com/MARUSZCZYKINSTRUMENTS/photos/pb.292530792395.-2207520000.1455651164./10153172083047396/?type=3&theater"]Fretlesses[/url] [*][url="https://www.facebook.com/MARUSZCZYKINSTRUMENTS/photos/pb.292530792395.-2207520000.1455651164./10153172082117396/?type=3&theater"]Fretless[/url] [*][url="https://www.facebook.com/MARUSZCZYKINSTRUMENTS/photos/pb.292530792395.-2207520000.1455651164./10153053807692396/?type=3&theater"]BONKERS fretless[/url] [*][url="https://www.facebook.com/MARUSZCZYKINSTRUMENTS/photos/pb.292530792395.-2207520000.1455651164./10152958962732396/?type=3&theater"]Fretless[/url] [/list] ...etc :-) [/quote] pretty close... the matter of pronounciation bothered me so much that I had to get a Polish girlfriend so that she could teach me to pronounce it and now that I can pronounce it... I' already thinking about my third M-bass Well, I love the sound of a Jazz, but not the neck of the large body... so it has to happen, right?

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1455649037' post='2981156'] Well you are if you diss something without listening to it. [/quote] I suspect most here are 'dissing' Kanye for his comments/antics, more than for his musical output, which often appears to take a second place to his public persona.

[quote name='Bass-Thing' timestamp='1455575358' post='2980456'] Because the only reason I didn't get one is that they were discontinued... I had to settle for the Bugera Veyron Tube instead which apparently is a bloody good copy. Curious to know how you felt about yours... that's all. [/quote] Oh, well... yes, I like it But I never had the chance to try a Veyron, so I have no idea how they compare but I suspect I'd be happy with the Veyron too.

[quote name='Bass-Thing' timestamp='1455476793' post='2979458'] How are you enjoying your Streamliner? [/quote] erm, I am enjoying it alright, why?

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1455374403' post='2978570'] Until they break. Which they will. [/quote] ... or not. I have used Behringer amps very successfully for years. B-bashing gets oh so tiresome.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1455184826' post='2976706'] I joined a band when I don't even think I could play a whole song through. You're never going to be "ready" enough, so just do it [/quote] This. get out there, and feel the pressure... you'll improve really fast. Also, maybe don't wait for teh perfect band. My first band on bass was not exactly the kind of music I wanted to play... but it did wonders for my playing andmotivation, and gave me a better view of what my level was compared to other bands out there... it also allowed me to meet other musicians, some of which I joined latr in other projects for something I liked better... You can't get many contacts while sitting at home.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1455130787' post='2976299'] Ok so I've came close to stopping playing before and I carried on but once again I'm having a bit of a wobble for much the same reasons. Today I tried to learn a few tunes and it was a horrible experience I won't say what they are through embarrassment I suppose they would be considered beginner to intermediate level. I'm not very good to put it bluntly for various reasons and I don't think I'm going to get anywhere near the standard I want and my standards are actually pretty low. I've been playing/learning for nearly 3 years and apart from a few weeks here and there I've always practiced at least an hour a day. I'm really really not a natural that and an old forearm/hand injury probably means my left hand will always struggle and it may not get much better than it is now. I can't get past a fairly basic level of playing although my basic playing and technique are alright I'm really struggling to do many songs and I won't be happy at my current level. I could go for lessons but there are a few reasons why I can't. My girlfriend thinks I should quit and said I'm clearly not enjoying it, when that's not true I do find it frustrating but I think I'm happy learning I think. And she also said bluntly at times I am not very good, which really got to me, it wasn't meant to but it basically really hurt and depressed me. I'm worried if I quit it will actually effect me, as learning to play, working on basses and so on is my main hobby now, what else will i do. Not to mention I've invested a bit of money and a lot of time learning all the aspects of fret work and replacement. General bass setup. I feel if I quit playing there is no way I would want anything to do with working on them as I would feel like I failed. And I did have plans this year to further my skills with the goal of maybe in the future doing it as a profession, that would be down the drain. At the end of last year I taken 5-6 or so weeks off playing and while I came back really enthusiastic I'm not sure if taking another break will work. I feel equally trapped between wanting to continue learning and quitting. I could argue it both ways! Someone once said maybe bass isn't for me, I don't want to hear that but maybe it isn't. It is my fav instrument and I can't see me learning anything else so if I quit it would be me quitting learning to play any instrument. Maybe I'm making to big a deal about what is a hobby but I really feel I don't have anything else going for me currently [/quote] It sounds to me like you do love bass and don't want to quit... I'd quit if it stopped being fun. I'd ask that question to myself: has it stopped being fun? At times I've felt less interested, and like I could not play anything even if it weren't true, and I may have temporarily spent less time playing (guitar/bass)... but I always came back because I love it. If you quit because you feel you'll never get to level X or your girlfriend says you're not very good, I think that would be a sad thing to do Maybe you're not very good. So what? As long as you enjoy it... and if you enjoy it chances are you'll get much better than you expect. I hope you can remove the pressure factor from playing bass. I mean, it's not like you depend on it for a living or you plan to, right? When I started playing guitar my aim was very low. Then I reached that goal and I thought "ah, ok... maybe I can stretch to this other thing" and set another low aim. Then I reached it, and so on. And I never tried particularly hard. No, I was not a natural, I just enjoyed it, so I spent time on it, having fun... and little by little things stick. If you feel your bass playing is not going anywhere, I think it's normal to feel a bit down, and if you have someone you love putting you down, I understand the temptation to quit. But I think you'd regret it, from what you say. I may be wrong but that's the feeling I get. Join a band! Being in a band will do a lot for your motivation and your progress, I am sure. Playing by yourself can be cool, but it's nothing like playing in a band and the feeling you get from playing music, live, with others. If you really really really want to become a good bass player, then you need to work hard at it. Talent helps, but even the most talented player only got there through putting the hours. There's no substitute for hours and effort. If you want to be very good... then that's what you have to do. However, you don't need to be very good to enjoy bass, I think. A lot of great bass lines don't require much dexterity, and with a little bit of work anybody an get to a level that they can sound decent and play along to their favourite songs, or play their own... and if you enjoy that, then there;s nothing wrong with not becoming a top class player! If you quit, let it be your decision, based on your level of enjoyment... not because someone tells you you are not very good (nice support, by the way :/)

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1455125032' post='2976212'] You can ask for that, think someone on here has already [/quote] yup, I think they just kept the "M" logo.

I had a good try yesterday during rehearsal with a D800 (thanks, Deek! ) and I have to say that is a pretty cool amp. I compared the MarkBass LM3 into 4x TKS S112 (8ohm load, 300W max) against the Mesa D800 with the same 4x S112, connected differently to take advantage of the 2ohm option, 800W max. Both were loud, that's for sure. I was in a large rehearsal room and we played louder than usual just to humour me for a bit... our drummer hits hard, and he tried his worse, but either combination would be way too loud for an unamplified drummer so I am not going into what sounds loudest. I suspect the Mesa will... but volume-wise with 4x speakers, amp power is not a big issue. Now, I did try them into 2 speakers only... The LM3 gets the full 500W (4ohm load) and the Mesa, with the switch at 4/8 will produce 800W into the 4 ohm load. This combination is plenty loud with the LM3 and will be what I use the most: it'll easily match the drummer levels and sounds good, it just won't have the 'girth' I get with 4 speakers. I didn't spend a lot of time with this combination, just enough to play a bit and match settings etc. So, with the 4 speakers... Last week I tried the Streamliner 900 and the LM3. I liked both. Both were loud enough, and I could not feel the Streamliner was significantly louder within the confines of a rehearsal room.. large for a rehearsal room, but still nothing like the kind of venue I'd use all 4 speakers in, so this impression might change in 'real life'. Tonality is a matter of personal preference... I did prefer the Streamliner marginally, but the LM3 sounded 'punchier' and bigger somehow. Hard to describe. Then yesterday, I thought I'd take the LM3 to compare against the D800, as I wasn't so much interested in sheer volume as in the actual sound. I found that the tone controls are very well designed for my taste. Better than the LM3, where I find the low mid control is a bit too 'unrefined', although I felt the low control was nicer on the LM3. I could get a nicer control over the top end with the Mesa. The deep switch felt too much for me, I don't think I'd ever use it... blah blah... I won't go into versatility etc... suffice to say you can get a wide range of sounds, it's definitely not a one trick pony. The contour knob adds to the versatility.. I personally did not like it. But I never like contour controls. So, alright, so far so good... it's a very nice amp, but I don't feel I'm missing much from using either the LM3 or the Streamliner... *except* one thing. There is one thing about the D800 that set it apart: it sounds BIG. I do not know what it is, and I cannot even describe it... it just sounds like it's got 'body'... bigger than the LM3/Streamliner. I played the LM3 alone, and I was happy with it... then I switch to the D800 and I was happy with it... then back to the LM3... and it felt a bit 'meh', like something had been removed from its sound. It's that kind of non-obvious at first listen difference, but once you notice it you cannot not hear it. I can see a D800 in my future, just not sure which of the LM3 or Streamliner it would replace as I like different things in both. Perhaps the LM3, as it lacks a mute button and that really annoys me There's one thing that worries me a bit on the D800: the impedance switch. It's at the back, but very easy to flick. I'd be worried when using a 2ohm or 2.7ohm load (4 or 3 8ohm cabs respectively) that I might inadvertently flick the switch to the wrong position, or that someone needed to adjust something behind the backline, maybe reconnect a DI or something, and flick that... I've seen weirder things happen! I suspect the amp might switch itself off before damage occurs, as is the case with many modern light amp designs, but I'd be nervous anyway. Personally, I'd prefer that switch on the front, big, and under a idle-finger-proof transparent plastic cover... but that's just me. Very nice amp. It also feels reassuringly 'solid' and well made, which is nice, and to the point... without interesting colour patterns or flashy logo illumination So that's the 2ohm search for me, I think. If I get such an amp... it's probably going to be the D800. And even if I don't need the 2 ohm option... I might still get one anyway. It's just a very nice sounding amp.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1454893936' post='2974010'] Me looking smiley with the rest of the 'Spoons [/quote] looks like fun!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1454768465' post='2972795'] I've just realised that the gig I want to use them for is a week today, which seems like a scenario from one of those cheesy home improvement challenge programs on TV. Will I make it in time? Who knows... [/quote] Nailbiting stuff!

I had two, both tidy. I used to use them without a scratchplate.