Rusco

You've played one bass for a while which gives you a good starting reference, or should I say baseline? 🙂, for what you like. If you can get to a big music shop and try a bunch in your price range you'll get an idea if you prefer how others feel.. you might love the Ibby skinny neck but equally might find it too skinny and uncomfortable compared to what you're used to, don't know until you try! An afternoon playing around in a music shop is also good fun although can be expensive. I think I'd try and hunt out a second hand Yamaha BB414 or BB424. Great sounding, well made basses, middle of the road-ish on neck size etc and if you want to move it on I doubt you'd lose much if any on it. Good luck hunting.

Thanks Paul, I didn’t find that one when searching. Lots of love for Adagio’s on there. Thank you all for the comments and suggestions 👍

Another vote for Boss WL20. I've been really impressed and can't really fault it. Easy to use, setup and simple to charge the batteries plus no faffing around with a head unit. I've noticed the gain knob on my Markbass CMD121P doesn't seem to make much difference when using it (could be user error) but I'm assuming that's a digital thing and it's not a big issue.

I've never used flats but fancy trying some out on my P Bass for a warmer vintage thump. I know there are loads which string type threads and equal numbers of opinions... but what would you recommend as a first, nothing too expensive, middle ground just to try? Thanks!

Thanks, it's an awesome looking bass. I'm still to decide but I do keep looking at them and the options, although a red tint, headless with gold hardware isn't very CW!. I reckoned on a long wait if I did pull the trigger. Thanks all for the replies and suggestions, there are some amazing basses mentioned in the above.

Hi all My marvellous better half offered to buy me a 5 string Stingray Special for my 50th (she likes the new snowy white colour 🤷🏼‍♂️). It’s lovely but not sure I’d use a 5 enough to justify and they’re now stupidly expensive (IMHO) for what they are. So I’m looking for ideas... What bass did you add to the collection as a milestone keeper?, you know that one you’d never sell for both musical and sentimental reasons. A ‘Ricky’ would complete my Fab Four set but I’ve just never got the attraction really. Big Muse fan so wondered about a Chris W replica Status but I know you’ll laugh 😂

Thanks for the replies. I couldn’t get it set up any way I liked so I’ve ended up sending it back. Shame as in theory it ticked a lot of boxes. I’m now using a Zoom B3 USB’d to a Mac Air with BandLab and will need to have another think about Spotify..

Thanks, that’s a bargain... but unfortunately says they’ve sold out now

Hi, I bought an iRig2 thinking it ticked the boxes for BandLab use and playing along with Spotify. I’m using a newish iPad and AmpliTube but I’ve found a couple of major flaws... 1. Volume is too quiet - I’ve tried various basses and cables and all the recommended app and iPad settings yet with every volume knob at max it’s still very quiet both through headphones and BandLab recordings. 2. iPad volume can’t differentiate between AmpliTube and Spotify so with the former being too quiet the later overpowers it. So, has anyone had the same issue and found a volume fix?. I searched and found a few related topics but no solutions. Alternatively, any recommendations for something similar that is portable, interfaces with an iPad and allows Spotify play along plus headphones? Many thanks!

Same here. Works very well and couldn’t be easier to use.

This is what I do. It’s not the model on your list but I use a MB CMD121P for everything you describe. Small, light, very loud and I’ve always found a rock tone I’m happy with just twiddling the VLE/VPF knobs. I have the NY121 extension cab but to honest the combo is so powerful/loud it’s rarely needed, handy to have the option though. I can recommend checking that out for what you’re looking for 👍

Many thanks for all of the replies and suggestions!!. A few answers to some of the questions.. Yep the guitar players have the same issue. Earth-less kettle lead is an idea just as a way of proving or ruling our mains. I wouldn’t run with it but as a diagnostic idea it’s ok.. if I can find an old spare one without a moulded plug 🤔 I did consider interference as the issue improves when touching the strings. Also when using the Boss wireless the bass is obviously completely isolated from the amp. That said.. I tried wirelessly wondering around the whole, quite large, pub and it made no noticeable difference. We are back there this Wednesday so I’ll try some other sockets and look for anything obvious that may cause interference. Cheers

Hey, hoping someone can help or give me some pointers. My amp has a nasty mains ring / earth type hum when we play at our local pub. It only happens in this one pub and we all suffer with it.. leading me to assume it’s perhaps an earth issue with their sockets. This happens no matter what bass I use but does seem more pronounced with my Flea Jazz. I can reduce it a bit by eq’ing the high frequencies down but it never goes. It does significantly reduce when I touch the strings. The amp is plugged directly into the socket and bass directly into amp so nothing else in the paths. Amp: Markbass CMD121P + NY121 Basses: Sringray, US P, Flea Jazz, BB424, Tanglewater Contemporary J I use either a cable or Boss wireless but makes no difference which. The pub socket is the only variable so I’m reasonably sure it’s this however getting them to look at their electrics is unrealistic, so wondered if anyone has any suggestions how I can overcome or at least minimise this through setup or a clever bit kit ?. Thanks in advance!

Just coming back to this as I’m about to order a WL-20. Can I ask if you just plug it into your bass and leave it there ?. It looks like it will be a bit a vulnerable sticking out of my Stingray jack so was thinking about using a small lead extension and holding the transmitter in a pouch on the strap.. Cheers

Thanks for the feedback, that makes sense. Kinda what I thought so I'll think I'll go for the WL-20 in that case Note to the mods: - apologies I saw this was moved and realised I originally posted it in the wrong place!

Hi all, I’ve been looking at the Boss WL-20 but can’t work out what difference there will be between the ‘L’ and non ‘L’ versions or which one I should get. I understand the technical blurb theory but really can’t make my mind up if it’s for real or just marketing BS. Basses l will use it on are - Stingray (the new ‘special’ one), Fender Flea Jazz, Fender US Special P, Yamaha BB424X and Tanglewater Contemporary J Does anyone have any experiences of the two or any advice? Cheers.

Thanks a lot for the replies. I don’t really want to muck around with the electronics so will check out the tweeters suggested as a direct replacement. Cheers

Hi all, Has anyone replaced their tweeter with a like for like screw in upgrade and can make me a recommendation please ? I know this is a well discussed topic in general and a lot of people have just disconnect it or mod’d the electronics but I’d like to replace the tweeter with a better non-hiss one. The answer may be buried in the many existing threads but thought it easier to just ask :-) Many thanks.. R

This. I'd imagine its a commercial and marketing decision rather than simply flogging more bases. I.e. sell a few high end basses yes, but also gets people discussing fender, increasing brand current profile (this thread as an example.. ) and also increases knock on sales of the more modest lines. I know he is not the worlds best bass player but multi millionaire international rock star Mr Clayton does seem commercially pretty sharp.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1504702946' post='3366718'] I've bought a few on Ebay from Guitars Electric. Quality has been good. [/quote] Thanks for that .. will take a look!

Hi all - I have a 3TS Fender US Special P-Bass and have been looking for inexpensive replacement pickgaurds just to try some other colours.. possible a tort and a black. I found these on Amazon and there are a number of others around the same price point. Has anyone had any experience of these or similar ?. I realise you get what you pay for and they won't be to original Fender standard. [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/IKN-Guitar-Pickguard-Precision-Replacement/dp/B01DBVCZ0W/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504701503&sr=1-1&keywords=p%2Bbass%2Bpickguard&th=1"]https://www.amazon.co.uk/IKN-Guitar-Pickguard-Precision-Replacement/dp/B01DBVCZ0W/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504701503&sr=1-1&keywords=p%2Bbass%2Bpickguard&th=1[/url] Cheers..

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1493209294' post='3286498'] You could maybe fit a gu**ar in that slot? [/quote] I'd prefer a drum kit but I don't think it will fit

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1493206835' post='3286459'] I would love to go to 1 bass. I have basses I have not played for years, but I am emotionally attached to to them. But I am not. I should just flog them. I am a lightweight. [/quote] I can relate to this. I have 4 all relatively inexpensive but have a reason to keep each. - Squire CV60 Jazz – My first proper bass and worth more to me than its likely modest resell value so would not sell it. - BB424X – Birthday present so would not sell it - Overwater/Tanglewood Contemporary J – My only active and worth more to me than its likely modest resell value so would not sell it. - Fender American Special P – Birthday present so would not sell it The GF does struggle to understand why I have 4 but she did buy me a stand with space for 5 so I do now need another one. In reality the BB covers most things and is all I probably need in strict ability (my) and musical terms… but they are all a bit different and quite inexpensive / modest models and I guess it’s more an emotional ‘want’ rather than a need.

I recently had a conversation with a guy gigging an Ibanez SR600 who said he had similar needs (and very painful neck/shoulder problems) and chose that particular model after testing a huge number of others across many price points. Sounded fine and seemed feather light. I know it’s not ticking all the boxes you’ve stated though.

5 who inspired me to put down the air-bass and try real thing.. Flea Mark King Chris Wolstenholme John Taylor Duff Mckagan