jackers

the pickups that come with the new US standard P-basses are the ones with the raised pole pieces, and I think they sound fantastic. For me they are definitely a step up from my old P-bass. I picked up my 2012 P bass for a grand, and I'm very happy with it.

This has been a very interesting thread to read and hats off for not letting is turn into handbags at dawn hehe. I have to say, it can be kind disheartening at times trying to write and perform originals, but then I listen to the stuff that people like Nige and BRX are a part of, (both of which are fantastic btw ), and I remember exactly why I started playing in the first place. Covers bands can be fun, and I'm enjoying the gigs I'm currently playing with the country rock cover band I'm depping in, but my dream is, and always will be, to be up on a stage hearing people singing along to something I've written. There is just no feeling quite like it for me.

Bass was the first musical instrument that felt 'just right' to me. Picking it up to practice was a joy, not a chore, and because of that it will always be 'my' instrument. Having said that, nowadays, if I'm not doing any band/session related stuff with my bass then I tend to pick my guitar up just as often as I do my bass, as I find it a bit nicer to play on its own, as well as finding it easier to write my own music on. (Part of that is down to the fact that I am still very much a guitar beginner, so a 30 min practice can teach me alot).

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363731777' post='2016863'] Having maintained for years that wood makes no difference, I took this test and got it right. The Alder bass was obvious! So I'm not quite sure where this leaves me, now... [/quote] I have to say, I just listened to the three clips again and managed to get it right too :S haha. There is a tiny difference in the roll of in the top end to my ears, lol.

wasn't there an experiment done on talkbass a few years ago where someone posted up 3 sound clips, one of a US Fender Jazz, one of a bitsa/copy jazz and one of a plank of diy-type wood with pickups and strings attached and got people to vote for which they thought was which? I seem to remember that very few people were able to tell the US jazz from the plank of wood, and there were even some who made up an entire arguement as to why they were definitely sure their choice was the US jazz, only to find out they picked the plank. IMO, it may well make some difference, but it is definitely not a very important factor.

Personally, I find black basses a little dull. It was actually one of the main reasons I (stupidly) sold my first USA P bass as it was black/black/maple. Though I now have a 3TS P-bass, so I guess my opinion is voided by that haha.

My 2012 USA P-bass came with the 2 small allen keys and the T-bar for adjusting the truss rod, (along with all the other case stuff), so you were definitely mis-informed on that front. and yea, 3/16 sounds right IIRC.

First off, best of luck with the shop! hope it goes well for you. For me, one of the most important things is feeling like I can go and chat to the staff without feeling like I'm wasting their time. I also really like feeling like I can try stuff without being pressured into buying something.

underslung shotgun on a P bass?

1 bass, 1 rig, I am very happy with it so far

In my, and many other people's, experiences, stringing through the body makes absolutely no difference to the sound. It MAY help the provide some extra support if the bass is really badly made, (though I've not come across a newer bass that needed it), but it isn't going to change the sound of the bass. Save yourself the hassle IMO. As far as amps go, if you just want to record, then just DI the bass into the mixing desk/computer. Micing up bass amps can be tricky, and unless you have a couple of decent mics, it won't sound all that brilliant. As for the strings, that will depend on the kind of tone you want. If you are recording some soul/motown, then flats will be great, if you want to record some heavy stuff, then roundwounds are generally favoured. (There are, ofcourse, exceptions to this, but it still works as a general rule.)

I went from 4 basses down to 1 last year, and it hasn't bothered me in the slightest. In fact, I've found I've spent much less time worrying about whether I prefer the tone of my P over my J, or the 5 string over the 4 string etc etc, and so much more time actually playing the bass! haha As long as you are happy with the one bass you do keep then I would actually say it's good to do some thinning out. It has definitely cured all of my GAS problems (1 bass, 1 amp, 2 cabs, all you really need tbh isn't it?).

A 'scooped' sound is usually achieved by boosting the bass and treble frequencies and cutting the mid frequencies. (Also known as the 'smiley face' EQ ). It is often avoided by players because the mids can allow the bass tone to be much more audible in amongst other instruments. So far as general EQ goes, I found the EQ controls on my OTB didn't really do much, lol. I usually left the bass and treble at 12 o'clock, and boosted the mids to 3 o'clock. I used a precision with it, and had the gain at 12 o'clock, volume at around 9 o'clock. It was a nice sound.

there were a large number of threads about it, with lots of options discussed, as well as banners of text at the side of the main page. The yearly subscription/one off fee per item was agreed to be the best way to handle the running costs of the site. It isn't all free y'know

I use 105 gauge DR High Beams and I can easily get the low string down to C without it being floppy. It is less tense, ofcourse, but I play pretty heavily and don't get much fretbuzz at all, even when digging in. Also, if you are into flats, the set of Chromes I'm currently testing out (45-105) can get down to B just fine.

I own and play a Fender because I like the way it looks, plays and sounds. I would never try to argue that it was better, (or that I was better, for that matter), than a gibson/lakland/sadowsky/warwick/insertbassmanufacturernamehere, or the person playing one of them...it is simply my preference. I have played some wonderful basses from other companies, but Fenders are my favourite, so they are what I stick to. If I find something that suits me better then I will be very happy to change, but so far I haven't.

nice chopping board, too

that is a beautiful piece of maple GW

I use ultimate guitar and songster when I can't work bits of a song out. I don't get why people get so hateful about tabs. As long as you understand they are unlikely to be perfect, then they make a great starting point.

Bass looks gorgeous but that has got to be the worst description of a vintage fender I've ever seen, lol. One sentence? come on guitarguitar.