danhkr

The vast majority of strings are hex core. Certain brands make round core strings and they tend to be a bit more flexible and (IMO) seem to have less mid-range. Personally I think whether the string is stainless steel or nickel makes a bigger difference to the tone than core shape.

thanks guys, much appreciated

Got chance of an old Boss CE-2 chorus pedal at a reasonable price. I know a few bassists use them but was wondering if they suffer from the same sort of 'reduced bottom end' that guitar distortions can when used on bass?

I know there are dedicated bass chorus pedals out there, so didn't want to waste my money if the CE-2 isn't really suited. Any advice/opinions appreciated.

[quote name='dood' post='1059894' date='Dec 15 2010, 07:12 PM']I love the Korg Pitchblack tuner. It's small, built like a proverbial outhouse and very acurate. It even tunes my low F# strings - something I've seen lots of tuners struggle with. As for effects, maybe you could link us to some YT videos that you like the sounds of and we'll have a go at telling you how to go about getting those tones if you are unsure.[/quote]

+1

The pitchblack is great, a lot better than the TU-2 in my opinion. Is amazingly good on low strings without the need to use harmonics.

any pics buddy?

I like both but I have a slight preference for the playability and sounds of a jazz and the styling and controls of a precision. Having said that, my Roadworn 50's P has a very big neck which I love, but for lengthy gigs I prefer a jazz neck for it's ease of use.

I recently picked up a MIM deluxe p-bass which has a jazz neck, and p and j pickups. It's also active, so although it's a precision in looks, it's a million miles away from the road worn, and cuts through and plays just like a jazz. Despite having two pickups, it's also got a single 'master' volume (another feature I prefer from a precision).

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1052702' date='Dec 9 2010, 01:27 PM'][b]Go in and try one[/b], if the neck feels pukka then it's a goer for modding.[/quote]

Thats the key really. You can spend fortunes customising a guitar, but essentially it's still the same basic neck and body whatever else you add to it. Got to make sure the thing is good enough in the first place and I'd have serious doubts at that price.

[quote name='JMT3781' post='1032690' date='Nov 22 2010, 02:50 PM']yeah.. after checking out the online prices.. thinking twice about ordering them in.. those online prices are about 100 quid less than the rep has quoted us as RRP's... Long live the internet lol![/quote]

sadly thats fender for you

There's colours I prefer and colours I'm not so keen on, as there are shapes and styles of bass. Generally if it's a bass I like, I'm not too picky about colour.

I like the VM stuff, but I actually think the Classic Vibe stuff is the better series to go for. Maybe some will disagree, but they just seem to be that little bit nicer finished and they all tend to have gloss necks which gives them that more expensive feel.

[quote name='RussFM' post='1042223' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:30 PM']I played the P, but bought the Jazz because I prefer the shape, but both are great basses, well made, US electronics, definitely a step up from the quality of the MIM Standards. [u][b]The pre-amp isn't great,[/b][/u] I'm eventally going to swap mine out for a J-Retro, and the bridge had a nasty rattle, but that's normal for the Fender bridge so I swapped it out for a Bad Ass II. I think they've gone up in price recently but second hand ones usually show up for around £350.[/quote]

In what way is it lacking?

I've always preferred p-basses, but love the jazz bass playability and tones. This deluxe p-bass has a jazz neck and bridge pickup. It's also got active circuitry. Has anyone had/tried one of these? Any opinions?? Thanks

[url="http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0135760359"]Fender Deluxe Acitve P Bass Special[/url]

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='1037186' date='Nov 26 2010, 12:13 AM']These are great basses, how do you knacker up Chrome Covers - Coke In a tub?

Wet'n'Dry a thumbrest...

Winner![/quote]

Someone I knew tried to make some oldish bits look even older by leaving them in coke overnight. Next morning when he took them out, the coke had cleaned them up like new!

withdrawn

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1036126' date='Nov 25 2010, 11:44 AM']If you were closer id be down for a test drive![/quote]

and to try the bass

[quote name='Musky' post='1023405' date='Nov 14 2010, 02:08 PM']Didn't Ashdown do a UK made limited edition? [b]Normally they're made in China AFAIK[/b].[/quote]

What I thought. Theres a new 'black' uk made ltd edition, but nothing to suggest they made any of the normal ones over here. Also nothing on mine to suggest it's anything other than standard issue. Bit of a strange one, got me wondering.

Hi. I've recently purchased a new Ashdown ABM 500 Evo III head and have just noticed it says on the back 'manufactured in England'. I know the Evo II's were English, but I thought the III's were made in China. Not complaining, but can anyone tell me if they are all English, or if not, how I happen to have an English one?? Cheers.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1006574' date='Oct 30 2010, 06:01 PM']Had something similar a couple weeks back; bought a Sterling on eBay via 'Best Offer' (offer obviously vetoed and accepted by the seller), paid immediately with paypal and asked the guy if he would use my work address for delivery... tumbleweed, nada, nothing, zilch! This went on for a week and I'd asked him several times that if he had sent it already that was fine but could he let me know when it was dispatched as I'd need to arrange with the family to keep a particular watching eye for couriers (amazing how many can't find the front door). Then out of the blue a refund from paypal and no explanation. I neg'd him and left it at that. I'd offer the same advice to you mate, no point busting a blood vessel over it.[/quote]

Don't get it. If he didn't want to sell at that price why accept your offer?

[quote name='Ian Savage' post='1011883' date='Nov 4 2010, 11:59 AM']This, I'd suspect - when I was working for a major UK audio manufacturer we tested and pulled apart a lot of Behringer kit to see how they were making stuff with such good paper specs for so little money. The answer was, the specs were largely b0ll0cks and the gear was cheaply made with low-grade (potentially unreliable) components.

I still like their old Composer compressors, and the ADA 8000's a handy bit of kit, but I wouldn't trust their powered stuff further than I could kick it. Get yourself a decent secondhand US/UK-made QSC, Crown, Peavey or Studiomaster amp instead.

All IMO, obviously.[/quote]

+1

Behringer are great for cheap gizmo's, recording gear, effects etc, but I'd never use any of their amplification unless it was literally all I could afford. You get what you pay for springs to mind.

I've got an Amplug, pretty handy because you can plug your mp3 player or laptop into it for learning stuff. Use mine all the time at home.

I prefer nickel strings to stainless steel. They don't last as long but tend to be a warmer sound and smoother on the fingers. Ernies and D'Addario's are great, but I tried some of the cheap Rotosound (RotoBass) sets which are nickel and to be honest they're just as good and can be picked up usually for between £12 and £15 a set which is a fair bit cheaper than the others. Another cheaper nickel set that's impressed me are the Picato's. Their 5-string set is very cheap as well.

I use the K&M Heli stand. Compact and unobtrusive, also folds flat and fits in my leads bag. K&M stuff is great and doesn't affect any finishes.

[quote name='motoxross' post='985655' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:07 PM']Hi

I have an SWR WorkingPro 400 head that I'm hoping to couple with an SWR Goliath SR 6x10.

Can anyone recommend what is the best cable to get these two connected and sounding sweet?

Many thanks[/quote]

For starters use a cable with Neutrik Speakon connectors rather than jacks. If you can find one that doesn't use far eastern manufacture or cable for a reasonable price, you won't go far wrong.
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1m-Neutrik-Van-damme-2.5mm%b2-Speakon-NL2FC-Speaker-Cable_W0QQitemZ370327967286QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=163413415286&rvr_id=163413415286&cguid=16631b4e12c0a0aad3054bd5ffda8c3f#ht_1653wt_905"]THESE[/url]
are very good and not too pricey.

I don't believe the hype about so-called 'super cables' personally. I've used Piranha leads for years - decent Italian cable and Neutrik plugs. Tried all sorts of stuff but even those at 4 or 5 times the price haven't given me any reason to change.

Living proof that drummers [i]can[/i] become musicians.