lonestar

[quote name='merchant' post='94676' date='Nov 26 2007, 06:09 PM']The first thing anyone who is thinking about buying a (their first) double bass should do is STOP. Take a deep breath. Count to a hundred then get a teacher. There are various ways to find teachers, but phoning music departments in schools in your area is a good start. They may not have a bass teacher, but will know of one. This teacher will be invaluable in regard to every aspect of playing a doublebass. Firstly you'll have lessons on their instrument. An instrument way beyond the reaches of a first time buyer and this is a very very good thing as it will take the wow factor off basses you look at to buy. Have lessons for a good couple of months (albeit 1 a week, one a fortnight or one a month). Your teacher will address all the starting points and help tell you what to look for. Now you are ready to go shopping. Be prepared for this process to take months (I'm currently shopping for a new bass and have been since early september). Your locale wil dictate what dealers you have to turn to, but be prepared to travel relatively long distances. It's worth it. The basses aren't going to come to you so you have to go to the basses. Private sales are good, but you wont be able to take an instrument on approval like you might with a dealer. In instances like this you may have to take your teacher with you (yes you will probably have to pay for their time) to help judge if the instrument is worth it. Rough costings: If you intend to buy a brand new bass you will need at least £1500 (bag and bow will cost extra) If you intend to buy a second hand bass you will need a grand as a minimum (you will definitely find something below this though) You will find new laminate basses for under £1500, but I personally don't see these as a viable starting point. I'm not anti laminate basses, but there are some old gems out there that won't drop in value like a new lam bass does. A carved bass will serve you better no matter what music you play. Just have these words rining in your head: DO NOT buy a bass unless you can play it. DO NOT buy a bass from an internet shop. In terms of brands/country or origin don't worry. Every country that makes basses has made turkeys and diamonds. Treat every doublebass on its individaul merits. This isn't a buying guide, just some pointers. Specifics are easier to deal with so please ask anything. Where abouts in UK are you? Thomas[/quote] I have just started thinking along the getting some double bass lessons line too with a view towards possibly a EUB. Thanks Thomas for a very helpful posting Regards mike

I have a CMD 102P combo and would throughly recommend it. Question1: Never tried this so can't comment Question 2: I've never had the master volume past 2 at any gig indoor or out. It's very loud with plenty of punch. I'll never cart a stack around again. Question 3:Even without using the VLE filter and with the controls all flat, ie midway there is plenty of low end with my Jazz bass. Dial in a bit of bottom say 1-2 o'clock and it's a real thumper. Judicious use of VLE (not too much) plus a Precision should get just the sound you describe. I find that the filters are good especially slapping with a bit of VLF but more often than not just set the tone controls midway and adjust things on my bass with a combination of pickup blend, tone control hand position and fingers or pick technique. Try one you'll love it

All good advice above. I find the Fender specs on their setup guides a really good starting point, eg 12 thou neck relief and 6/64" action, rather than trying to balance the two adjustments together as a pro guitar tech might. If you take your time and stay away from irreversible changes, ie filing frets or nut slots, follow the instructions and make small adjustments you shouldn't get into trouble. it's really satisfying when you get the hang of it. I'd highly recommend this book: [url="http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Erlewine/dp/0879302917/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195161322&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair...1322&sr=1-1[/url] Mike

In my limited experience find that rosewood boards have lots more middle and warmth where as maple is definitely brighter sounding.

I had one of these for about a year and thoroughly agree with all the positive comments. They're great basses. They are really easy to set up properly, just use Fender factory specs from their site. Worked a treat for me As for the switches: select both pickups on, phase switch up towards you and active on, occasionally switching to the treble boost for slapping, I found the most useful configuration.

[quote name='neilb' post='70063' date='Oct 5 2007, 05:16 PM']The Ox - Why didnt you listen to your doctor?[/quote] but as Roger Daltrey was quoted, I think. "It was a death any man would be proud of."

Good wasn't it? Cracking band, but I agree not the easiest material to listen too. I miss Weather Report. Shame about Joe's passing. There is a transcription of Havona in last months Bass Player mag. Now that's what happens when the bass player writes a tune! Wish I could play more than a couple of bars of it. One day perhaps???

[quote name='jon_kemo' post='48926' date='Aug 22 2007, 01:16 PM']Ok thanks alot for your help. That was my plan anyway but I thought I'd run it by you guys anyway in case you knew. Cheers, Jon[/quote] I have a similar problem with my newly acquired Peavey TL5 here is my original post: [i][i][i]"I have just acquired a late model 1990's one of these with a dodgy treble/bass pot. It's a stacked concentric one and I've tried the usual jet air followed by switch cleaner thing but I think it needs replacing. Anyone know the correct type and where I can source one? I might as well replace the mid/mid sweep one too I guess. Peavey UK didn't want to know and were no help at all as the bass is "obsolete". Any other info on these basses also greatly appreciated. I've not seen one before but its otherwise really nice".[/i][/i] I got a better response from Peavey USA who have supplied part numbers and confirmed that they have the parts but neglected to tell me how or where to get them! Good luck!

Thanks for the help chaps. What a great resource this forum is. I'm awaiting a response from Peavey US who have the parts but haven't told me how to buy them! I'll try WD. had a look at Status. they have 10k and 100k but not 50k whick I think mine is. Doh!

I have just acquired a late model 1990's one of these with a dodgy treble/bass pot. It's a stacked concentric one and I've tried the usual jet air followed by switch cleaner thing but I think it needs replacing. Anyone know the correct type and where I can source one? I might as well replace the mid/mid sweep one too I guess. Peavey UK didn't want to know and were no help at all as the bass is "obsolete". Any other info on these basses also greatly appreciated. I've not seen one before but its otherwise really nice.

Ditto comments about the bass merchant. i got mine from him. a business doing pleasure with him! No surprises from the Bass centre then?

[quote name='theheed' post='59861' date='Sep 13 2007, 01:26 PM']A few months ago, I missed out on the old CMD102P on ebay. I was tiling the bathroom and completely lost track of time so didn't get to my PC. Only one person bid, and they got it for £350. To say I was gutted is a gross understatement![/quote] I bet you were. I feel your pain! especially as i paid nearly £800 for mine.

I have a markbass 102 combo. it's tight and punchy and certainly has plenty of bottom end. I haven't tried a 1x15 markbass but based on my recent experience of changing from a 1x15 + 4x10 ashdown stack with a Hartke HA5500 head. I think you'd be amazed at the markbass 2x10 and would certainly reccomend giving it a try.

[quote name='Alun' post='56927' date='Sep 7 2007, 12:52 PM']I tend to not push the VLE on my LMII much past 12 o 'clock unless I particularly want a reggae-ish mudfest. about 9-10 o' clock is great for taming the mids on my active Cort for swing and big band stuff ( I use a 2x10 though, so it may be a bit much with a 15) I've recently been experimenting with using the tube setting on an EBS Multicomp ( formerly owned by Urb) which adds a nice warmth. Cheers, Alun[/quote] That's interesting I have a CMD102P and was thinking of trying an EBS multicomp. I would be very interested in your opinions on this combination. I also find the VLE at about 1pm very useful with my jazz bass.

how about a G&L Tribute L2500?

[quote name='metalmaniac' post='50303' date='Aug 24 2007, 05:43 PM']Hey Just wondering if anyone else on here uses a Mac for recording/effects processing or what have you. If so what hardware/programs etc, I find myself generally using garagebands to process my bass, mix it in with whatever i have on my itunes and practice this way as it gives me a great way to play along with my fave tunes without blowin anyones eardrums near me, and also gives a great deal of accuracy when working out basslines. Recently ive been workin the entire album Morningrise by Opeth. Once its all mixed, goes through my headphones.. sounds brilliant. Or by any extreme does anyone us Linux/Windows/BSD or any other sort of music programs/hardware?[/quote] How do you input your bass?

I'd be up for that. is it Muppet that's based near Huntingdon too?

Can I join too although I'm in Saffron Walden rather than Cambridge now??!! Mike

She's great isn't she? I have a very good solo album of hers called "I used to Be". I ordered it from HMV a couple of years ago and thoroughly recommend it. Cracking voice , good songs and top bass playing of course. Whenever I've watched Bowie I can't take my eyes of her! I'm really surprised that she isn't a bigger as a solo artist. Here is her site: [url="http://www.gailanndorsey.com/"]http://www.gailanndorsey.com/[/url]

I went as well. What a nice bloke Mr Levin is. great when you get to meet one of your heroes and he turns out to be a nice gvuy too! My mate Bob won the bass in the raffle. He's a drummer but his son al plays bass and will be getting a surprise present tonight! all in all a great evening.

[quote name='Muppet' post='33919' date='Jul 18 2007, 11:47 PM']Three bands Rich, The Brackets out of Peterborough, Burlesque (!) out of Huntingdon and Bottled Out sort of Cambridge/St Ives based. I'm not at home a lot [/quote] Hi muppet. i have occasionally depped for Bottled out too, being good friends of Alan & Julie. Small world!

I'm amazed the lockup is still going We used it years ago and it was a tip then. Loads of stories of nicked car hi fi and dodgy substances being dealt in thr car park. Allegedly! Cambridge centre is a sad place for rehearsal spaces. There used to be a small place called Flightpath studios on newmarket Road and that's about it I'm afraid. I've also used the place mentioned above near RAF whyton in the back of beyond; converted packing case type rooms but still better than the lockup. PA and drums quite good. we also used a place called The Warehouse in fulbourn. i now live in saffron Walden and rehearse with my band in either Harlow or Chelmsford. sorry I don't know of anywhere else Good luck!

No I haven't tried it with an active bass but it has a very sensible input gain setup: Basically, as described in the instruction book, you plug your bass in turn the master right down play hard and turn the gain up until the clipping light flickers, back off slightly and you have the optimum input for whatever bass you're using. i find that it's about 3 o'clock for mine too.

I have one of these and love it dearly. I traded a hartke HA5500/ashdown 4x10+1x15 stack and have never looked back. It's loud, versatile, can be lifted with one hand and sounds great. The VLF filter is good for a scooped mid modern slap bass sound, the VLE gives a nice warm thumpy vintage vibe. Generally though I use the tone controls pretty flat at 12o'clock with perhaps a gnat's mid low boost and a little high cut to give a good basic tone as a starting point with my US Jazz bass standard, and tend to stick with this occasionally using the aforementioned filters. The are certainly lots of useful combinations of the brilliiantly straightforward controls to be had to suit whatever dust's your broom sonically. I can't recommend this amp highly enough. All of the mag reviews I've seen seem to agree. I have to say that the lurid Lamborghini colour scheme put me off initially but looks great under stage lighting and I've kind of warmed to it. Hope this helps mike p.s. i'm not on an endorsement deal with Proel or Markbass honest! (but very open to offers)