mcnach

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1340292709' post='1702429'] I just think that sometimes people don't fully think through the reasons for fitting (or not) a pre amp in their bass. I would hazard that unless the controls on your amp are very subtle or the EQ points aren't sympathetic to the bass (in which case you've either got the wrong amp or the wrong bass for you) that the amp should be able to do everything that built in pre amp can and then some. It's far easier to build an effective and musical sounding EQ when you're not constrained with having to fit it into a typical bass guitar and power for a decent length of time off a PP3 battery. [/quote] Reasonable points. But that's how you roll. There are many ways to make a stew, and if the final result is tasty, it's all good. Unlike you I don't think that any piece of equipment *should* be able to do anything in particular, and just try and see. I personally use the amp to give me a "basic sound", generally. Then use the preamp (sometimes) onboard to go for something thicker for a particular song, or part of it, and something treblier there, etc. Generally I don't really fiddle with the onboard too much, but I get the sound I'm after with it, and no, I don't get it from an amp. I could probably get something with my amp (4 semiparametric controls), but that's a lot more fiddly than using my onboard, which I can in addition adjust wherever I am (I don't necessarily spend all my time one foot away from the amp). If I have one bass that is in teh ball park but I miss certain something... and I know that preamp X allows me to tune in to that "something" easily, why would I look for another bass? Do I really have the "wrong" bass? I already have what I need within my reach... I could continue searching for that holy grial of bass, but... I'd rather slap that preamp in it and spend my time playing I do not object to any preferences... whatever you prefer is fine. I like some passive basses, some active, oranges and strawberries and detest cucumbers... What I object to is the idea that any particular option is unnecessary (or even wrong) by default. I agree that many preamps, especially but not only the most inexpensive ones are pretty lame. I know, I tried them all! And I agree that many people slap one of those in their bass without a clear reason other than "because I can". I know, I have done that a few times. It never really hurt 'though. Sometimes there was nothing there for me. Sometimes it was quite interesting. Let people get the sound they want through any means they want. Some are bass+amp guys (and girls). Some love a big pedalboard and a 17-band semiparametric with multiple LFO onboard preamp/synth. If we want the "pure" sound of an electric bass, we'd put a microphone and play it unplugged... We want a sound in our heads. Get it in any way you can, even if you already know that you will never get there and you will always look for yet soemthing else. Especially if you read BassChat.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1340274342' post='1701995'] I have a J-retro and it doesn't make my bass sound any better than if I just tweaked the controls on my amp. I bought it to make it easier to alter the sound of my bass between songs and to be able to adjust my sound while I was standing out front at soundcheck. If you have a problem with the sound of your bass I think upgrading your pickups would be the better option. [/quote] You didn't find the mid sweep useful? Not many amps offer something like it. My gripe with the J-Retro is that it colours the sound even when you set it "flat". Flat does not really exist with that preamp (but it does with others), and I really like a passive Jazz sound. But even then, I love the oomph and versatility it gives me. But I could use just the mid sweep module and be happy, to be perfectly honest. I use that a lot.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1340273638' post='1701976'] I have upgraded a passive bass to active and I think the difference is overrated. [/quote] It is not an "upgrade". It is a modification. Not intrinsically better or worse. It's different. And sometimes, not very different at all.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1340269773' post='1701871'] 1. The EQ structure would be a fair point if people actually looked at it, but AFAICS most don't. They buy the pre-amp that's cheap or easiest to fit rather than considering if the EQ centres are going to complement the overall sound of the bass. I can see the point of the pre-amp in MM bases because it's tuned to enhance the sound of the bass with its particular pickup. Also there are some pre-amps that offer features not found on the amp like filters or being able to EQ each pick up separately and these again are useful. However a set of generic EQ centre points on a circuit designed mostly to be able to fit in the average sized control cavity and run of a 9V battery not so much. 2. The controls might be near my finger tips but when I'm playing, I'm too busy to be fiddling with EQ controls. In between songs my amp is just as easily accessible. Most f this was brought home when I fitted a J-Retro to my short-lived Squier VMJ. While it didn't make the bass sound any worse, it didn't make much of an improvement either and didn't do anything for me that another 15 minutes playing with the gain and EQ on my amp could achieve. [/quote] I agree with 1 to some extent (most people don't look for the sound of a particular preamp, but just fit whatever they find convenient), and 2 is a matter of personal need/preference, so fair enough. But I'd use the J-Retro as an example of a "special" preamp. It has the mid sweep control... which is very very useful and I whilst you can use soemthing similar in pedal form, or in teh shape of a semiparametric tone control in your amp... I love it at my fingertips. Same preamp... two different experiences, yours and mine. It's all fine, whatever works... but asking someone who wants a preamp "what's wrong with your amp's controls" is not very useful. Because they do but they don't do the same thing.

So I used it for rehearsal last night. A bit underwhelmed, but it wasn't bad at all. I missed my MM SUB a bit, but I was using an amp that I never liked and actually not even my SUB is nice there. PLaying with the band I find that the bridge pickup is decent, improvable but decent. The neck pickup is the one I'd me most interested in replacing. I played passively all but the initial 10 minutes. I am not liking that preamp. Gig tonight at the French Institute, for their annual Fete de la musique thingy. We set up our gear last night. Nice big stage, decent room. I'll bring the Cort, and see what it feels like through my own amp etc. Tonight will be the critical test. It does play really really nicely. IT feels really good, well balanced etc. I think it's a great bass to spend just a bit more to improve on the electronic part of it.

Thanks! UNfortunately it's too early for me to consider making an offer...

[quote name='the_krysh' timestamp='1340262126' post='1701745'] well, difficult question, since the pros and cons probably are equal and it depends on the existing tone of your instrument. in my 2 custom jazzes I have an obp3 (active/passive switchable) and an only active audere in the other one. both sound great, but a little bit I miss the possibility to switch the audere to passive - until I use it . I'd suggest to go with a tonehammer or sadowsky pedal first and if you really dig the tone then get a preamp installed. but if you do that, you should only use a high quality one like aguilar, nordstrand, audere, glockenklang, john east, etc... everything else might not be worth it. [/quote] I'd agree. Artec preamps work, but they don't really offer anything extraordinary. In addition they have a big block of a preamp, unlikely you'lll fit that plus battery in a Jazz control cavity without modification. My personal favourite for a Jazz is the J-Retro. More expensive yes, but it really gives you a lot of control. The mid sweep in particular is very cool. You could even just buy the mid sweep module alone. It'll fit without alterations, but the knobs will not be the originals as it uses concentric dual pots and knobs.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1340260428' post='1701729'] What's wrong with the tone controls on your amp? [/quote] it really cracks me up when this question gets asked (and invariably it does) when someone asks whether to install an onboard preamp. Two points: - EQ structures: the voicing in your amp and the particular onboard of your choice are likely to be very different. You may choose an onboard preamp because of its particular voice - onboard. Right there at your fingertips. You may not care and play with one sound all night. Some actually like to have more control at their fingertips, without running back to the amp or footswitchable presets or whathaveyou. Whatever works for you, however!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340134923' post='1699824'] So whats the deal here then? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Musicman-Stingray-bass-HYBRID-/170863064867?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27c83b7723"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27c83b7723[/url] I dont think thats an EBMM neck, the bottom area around the truss rod wheel is the wrong shape as its much to round rather than flat behind the wheel of fortune also the heel is round rather than coming to a sort of V shape. check out this one for an idea of what I mean [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Music-Man-Stingray-3EQ-Bass-Guitar-Humbucker-Black-Pearl-/290602880263?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43a9480d07"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43a9480d07[/url] What would it be then an OLP neck (?calling mcnach ) with a decal and a few bits and bobs for £500? Sorry if its a member here but I have serious doubts about that neck if it was purchased at full whack price [/quote] It does not look like an OLP neck, it's too round for that:

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1340184349' post='1700439'] let me guess... its a stratocaster? [/quote] he seems to be a man of good taste, so it would not be surprising if it were. I love strats and teles, me. I only own three guitars right now. Two are strats (one "standard", a yummy Classic Player series in sonic blue, and the other is a humbucker&FloydRose loaded Richie Sambora signature... please don't laugh at me ). I need to get back to guitar more.

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1340179605' post='1700289'] If we're actually honest with ourselves, there are very few of us here who couldn't do everything they want and need to do on a bog standard Jazz bass and, I put it to you, that even owning more than one is an induglence. Why are people who have two or three applying a stigma to having more than that? At a push, you could say there could be a need for fretted and fretless but saying you [i]need[/i] a Stingray tone and a P bass tone is a bit much. Just get more if you want more and enjoy it, don't think too much about it, just play them [/quote] I don't think they're criticising you for having more basses... I think you read it that way because your subconscious feels guilty. You need to liberate yourself. How? Buy a LOT more basses. That will teach your subconscious!!!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1340149337' post='1700157'] What makes you think that a "collection" automatically means "instrument(s) gathering dust"? All mine get played on a fairly regular rotation because I like them all. If they don't get played, they get sold. [/quote] pretty much the same here. I may not gig them all. IN fact, like I said earlier, only two basses really see any action, and one does 90% of the gigs,, or more. But they are all used. Past couple of weeks I have been playing a lot my new fretless Jazz and the Cort GB74 I just got. I even rehearsed with the fretless, for giggles. But last week's gigs, as well as those this week (thursday to saturday) will see the MM SUB alone (VM Jazz as backup on Friday). They *all* get used. If not... they go.

[quote name='paulmcnamara' timestamp='1340143370' post='1700056'] If you like the Jazz sound, buy a jazz bass. [/quote] but-no-jazz-bass-ever-feels-like-this-precision-bass so no, not comparable.

[quote name='debwilliams' timestamp='1340143758' post='1700068'] so really, one bass per amp makes sense [/quote] aha! that's what I was doing wrong... I need to buy more amps!!!

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1340117143' post='1699351'] The previous owner, Mykesbass had the board replaced by john shuker, as I recall. Made a cracking job of it too! I got some SIT silencer halfwounds through the letterbox today so I'll fit them when time allows and see if there is an improvement in the B string. Might be a U-Retro incoming if it turns out alright [/quote] aha! I see. The U-Retro would be a huge improvement!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1340140382' post='1699952'] By coincidence, I have in front of me a new, unopened, MEC (read Warwick) 100K/100K stacked pot, with push/pull switch. They do exist, but you do have to look hard for them, it's true. Not cheap either. I think it cost me just over £25. And then I never installed it! [/quote] it's part #178569, if anybody ever needs one.

[quote name='allihts' timestamp='1340114798' post='1699306'] @McNach The pot was damaged so I replaced it with a status one (the only company I could find that make 100k/100k stacked pot). Some dogey soldering later and it works but doesn't sound as good (to my ears) as the original. Only ever really play my Fender Jazz now though so it's not the end of the world. [/quote] By coincidence, I have in front of me a new, unopened, MEC (read Warwick) 100K/100K stacked pot, with push/pull switch. They do exist, but you do have to look hard for them, it's true. Not cheap either. I think it cost me just over £25. And then I never installed it!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1340129694' post='1699697'] I'd love to, but I have a gig on Saturday afternoon at still to be decided time. Have a good one! [/quote] pah, excuses! thank you, you too! We also have a gig on saturday, back in Edinburgh [1]... still unclear when. All I know is at a forest near Bilston, site of a famous protest against a proposed road project... 10 years ago! It seems there's people still there today, living in tree houses and the lot. After a recent gig someone approached us asking whether we'd be willing to join their 10th anniversary party in the forest. They are providing all equipment etc, so we figured it could be fun. [1] this will be with another band, Sea bass Kid... but 75% of RATM are in SBK, so it's really all the same people, we just change jackets

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1340130731' post='1699727'] i think the point is that emails are good for information i.e dates and times indeed its the email from the singer which means i can prove it was bad comunication that led to me not being able to do the gig and not my mistake however i do agree that it is a lot easier to ascertain exactly what someone means when you are talking to them over the phone or face to face but yeh maybe an online calender is a good solution to this situation would you care to suggest a free/relatively cheap one? [/quote] google calendars! I've been using it for about 3 years now with several bands. It took a bit to get people to use it, but eventually they saw the advantages and it's working very well. I still need to call people up if someone contacts me wanting us to do a particular gig, but at least i can now say immediately that a certain date is busy. Seeing various people's calendars at a glance, with various colours... very helpful, for me. However, it only works f people do really use it. Being online, everybody can access it from their computers, phones...

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1340094685' post='1698866'] Heh, Mad Hatters is ace, really enjoyed it when we played there back in April. Just mind out for that curfew - I got shut out of the place when I nipped outside to phone my wife after the gig and had to ask very nicely to be allowed back in to get my stuff [/quote] Thanks for the tip I have never been there, but I hear good things about it. Pretty much everyone who knows it thinks it should be a good gig to play. We decided we don't want to drive back after the gig, so we can drink and relax, so we are staying at a nearby hostel, one room for teh four of us (well, we don't want to spend all our fee in petrol and accommodation, eh? ) Looking forward to it! I hope the weather helps a bit. So, not fancy a trip from Aberdeen?

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1340124952' post='1699539'] Two biggest problem in bands. Big Egos and Bad Communication. I can live with the first. Avoid emails and Texts unless it's for information - like "The gig is 22nd July" not like "We're using a dep, how do you feel?" Face to face and phone is always better. [/quote] Although emails and txts can be recalled later at will, while people often fail to make notes and "misremember"... Online calendars are also a very very good thing.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1340099162' post='1698938'] You make some good points about practicality but with respect you are quite new to BC and it hasn't had time to corrupt you yet. I had about 2 decades of GAS free playing where I felt exactly as you do before joining BC... now I have multiple guitars in every single room of the house. I only perhaps gig with a couple of them... the rest are for my pleasure. [/quote] Oh, indeed!!!! BC has contributed extensively to my GAS. I was oh so happy with my OLP too

[quote name='pendingrequests' timestamp='1340098287' post='1698927'] To be honest, I have never seen the need to own any more basses than 2 or 3. Certainly a lot of players on here can justify owning so many. I have been pretty much using my USA Jazz bass for all live and recorded work for 4 years. In this time I have played in a ton of venues and recorded various styles of music. At any point, in rehearsals or the recording studio has someone said "Eugh, I don't like that bass tone, do you have another bass?" There has never been a time where I've felt I needed to buy another bass 1. I don't really need to. 2. What's the point if the Jazz is working? I think people get caught up on changing the bass, rather than concentrating on what they are doing with their fingers. Again I don't want to offend anyone, I really do not see the point in have over 3 basses. A local session bass player in Belfast I know, who is a extremely busy guy, usually has one bass strapped around him for everything he does and uses it from funk, cover gigs (pop, rock, indie), soul and Motown work. [/quote] See my sig below. And that does not list everything But I am not offended. In fact, I probably use two basses for 99%, and one for 90%. I could easily just use my MM SUB. Easily. But the reason I have so many basses is not "necessity". I just... like them. What can I do? If I think "need" I could then justify the SUB or Stingray, the fretless Jazz (or P if I add a jazz pickup to it but that's another thread ), and either another Jazz or P-bass with flats of soem description. Those three basses would cover anything. The thing is only at home I play and mix basses... live is nearly always the same one.

If so... come along to Mad Hatters, where Radge Against The Machine will be playing. It's the first time we play there, and I wonder if there are any other BCers in the area who might be coming. If you are, and you do, make yourselves known... it's always good to meet other forum inhabitants while out of town

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1340075648' post='1698741'] But then I might want more! [/quote] and the problem with that is...?