lee4

Perhaps there is a Zen-like saying for this?"Open every package as if it the only one you will ever open"? "Man who opens bubble wrap have number 1 jolly luck good time"?

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='1315876' date='Jul 25 2011, 04:04 PM']If I've learned anything in my 40 years + of gigging/recording, it is this: Music is [b]NOT[/b] (or at least it [b]shouldn't be[/b]) a "competitive sport". Your playing should serve [b]the song[/b] and not be simply designed to "impress". This should apply to every instrument, including the human voice. All IMHO, naturally, and just my 2 pence worth. [/quote] +10,0000

I have spent years learning to play less notes. Ask the other band members what they want to hear the bass play(usually the singer could'nt care less and the drummer just wants you to lock in.Never ask the guitar player,he/she will feel threatened and sulk ).

I have done 2 recording sessions this week with these strings.Add chorus and it does a passable take on a fretless(played on an acoustic track)and can sound fat but still with good note definition(on a rock number).

[url="http://www.chasedirect.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON09I000018&Prod_name=CHASE%20GUITAR%20BASS%20ELECTRASONIC%20VEGAS%20EKVEGASS4MRED&CAT_CODE=52&SUBCAT_CODE=309"]http://www.chasedirect.co.uk/ViewProdDetai...SUBCAT_CODE=309[/url]I like the look of this one.

If we keep telling people how good they are and how well priced the price might go up! It'll be our little secret!

Well,through my rig at rehearsal volume the results were great.I played funk and reggae/ska stuff and these strings were ideal. For some players the lack of sustain will be an issue as will the abscense of sparkling highs,but if you need those you would never consider flats. I found that I had to reduce the level of low mid on my amp but this did'nt seem to make these strings sound in any way thin.I was still able to hear myself in the mix unless everyone was trying to 'rock out' at the same time. Hand position seems to have a greater effect on these strings compared to rounds,with the best sound found where a P pup would be.Played at the bridge they gave a great 'bark'that worked well in funk numbers. All in all these strings tick(so far)all the right boxes for me.

I decided to change to flats as the music I play(rock,ska,funk,soul)needs IMHO a more fundemental tone. I trawelled the net finding out about flatwounds and was in equal measures confused by the choice and staggered at the prices. So,being a cheapskate,I bought the Status strings. 1.Price. Including postage they cost £20.59!A snip compared to Rotos and Daddario sets. 2.Sounds. I have rarely used flatwounds so I do not have a reference point,but to me they have(obviously)less sustain and overtones. I fitted them on my active Status Groove and so far I have been able to get a 'thump' up to a warm growl.I've only played through my old 25 watt practice amp so far. 3.Feel. No fret noise and smooth slides,absolute bliss!There seems to be a touch more tension in them despite the guage(40-60-80-100)being the same as the Elite rounds that I usually fit.I have had to tweek the truss rod a little and play with the intonation as well. Tommorow(Thursday)I will give them a blast at a full volume rehearsal and see how the perform. P.S, Status will do roundwound sets in custom guages for under £20!

[quote name='dannybuoy' post='1276243' date='Jun 20 2011, 07:35 PM']I got some from Strings Direct a few years ago for my fretless Yamaha but they had to order them in for me. Status Hotwire half rounds are very similar though and cheaper if you want to try those in the meantime![/quote] Just ordered Status flats for my Status.I'll let you know how they sound(I've been using Elite rounds for years so it's going to be a shock!).

Radio Free Vermont(online station)

I found removing the tweeter helped on my 2X12.The handles are solid.I had the back panel rebuilt as well. The best thing about the Zoot cabs is the fact that I can pick the cab up with one hand,the bass with the other,and have the LM2 in a case over my shoulder. This allows you to overtake the guys struggling with an Ampeg 8x10!

[quote name='crez5150' post='1261889' date='Jun 8 2011, 09:25 PM']Not really for me to say on a public forum, but there is History.... Bass Merchant was originally started by Mike Walsh who also makes Purple Chili and Zoot. The new cabs are sweet.... though Mike is now concentrating more on the guitar cabs.[/quote] I'm not trying to be unfair to anyone intentionally.It sounds like there is bad blood and I do not wish to get involved,even at a distance. I appreciate all companies have teething problems with products sometimes,and my cab may have been one of those.I am not quibbling about the sound;far from it,as it is good to my ears.My gripe has been with the build quality. As you are using Chilli cabs,you must be happy with the sound and the build of them.So how do they sound?

[quote name='crez5150' post='1261862' date='Jun 8 2011, 09:13 PM']I don't think it's fair to have that quote here as there is 'history' with Iceni Zoot and the Bass Merchant[/quote] What 'history'? As far as I know,the cabs,be they Zoot or Purple Chilli are/were made by the same outfit. I really wanted to support a British company making a good product,but it just did not happen.I can only hope that P-Chilli(sounds like a rapper )have upped thier game. But,as my previous post said,now that the rattles are cured,it sounds good.

I have a Zoot 2x12,which was the marque before Puple Chilli. So far,I have had to have the control panel replaced,and have removed the tweeter which was so badly seated it caused a rattle. Yes,it is light to carry and the sound from the Celestian drivers is good,but IMHO the build quality is far below what I would expect for the price range. Even Bassmerchant told me they had recieved complaints about them.

Shep,I do use straplocks,and the rattle is there without them on.The strings are 40-100 so are not thick(IMHO)but I will try and check this out.Hope it's not the nut as my luthiers skills are not all that! FlatEric,I will check the plate this week.So true about these basses,and as it is the only bass that I've ever felt has been truely comfortable it'll be buried with me! Many thanks,guys.

Richard Thompson.

Done both checks and the rattle is still there Definately coming from the bridge though.

I've posted on here before about the wierd rattle on my Groove.It first started when I used Elixir strings,and is still there now I'm back with Elites. I have removed the neck,given it a shake and replaced it(not the rod),and scrutinised the bridge,but I still can't track down where it is from. It never sounds through the amp,only acoustically. I play towards the bridge;could it be something to do with this(if I play where a P pup would be there is no rattle)? If it is the bridge itself what would be a good replacement that is easy to fit? And if it is the tuners,ditto.

Liberon make a sanding sealer.Ring them up to find a stockist near you. Or try a decoraters merchant.C Brewer&Son is the only one I can think of.

Waterrats in London,2007. We were booked to play the same weekend as Glastonbury,and we warned the promoter that most of our crowd were at the festival. He told us not to worry,as there were plenty of people always popping in. Well,you guessed it.No-one came. The promoter conveniently forgot what he had said before and gave our singer a hard time. We played our set,packed up,and pushed off,all fuming. But as the drummer was leaving,carrying 2 heavy cases,the promoter was in his way. I know what was said to the promoter,and it's pretty unrepeatable!Suffice to say he moved very quickly out of the way! That was the last time we played in London,and we will not play there again if possible.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1220699' date='May 5 2011, 10:06 AM']Cool people don't play Status basses and have never played Status basses, that's their problem. Even when Mark King was nearly cool in the '80s he didn't play Status basses, he switched to them afterwards! Until someone undeniably cool is strongly associated with a Status bass they'll always be expensive mid-life-crisis basses.[/quote] Erm,I am 42,and own a Status(bought from new for £650 about 15 years ago).I do not play slap bass. It's possibly worth £300 now. Am I suffering a mid-life crisis? Just ask my 18 year old girlfriend whilst I adjust my medallion!

Straplocks and a Roadie Rench(Swiss Army Knife for Bass and Guitar).

Still trying for that whole "less is more" sound?Do you have a tendency to overplay? Then the new Shutthef**kup Method will be what you need. For only £50,I will send you the secret of less is more.Send me your front door key as well as the times you are at work,and I will rid you of sonic overkill forever. This offer is not available from any reputable retailer,and is not protected by Trading Standards. Shutthef**kup;isn't it time you did?

[quote name='stevie' post='1193856' date='Apr 9 2011, 03:45 PM']I do like a good mystery![/quote] Was it the one-eyed butler,seeking revenge for his spurned attention,who strangled Lady Cynthia Chinless-Wonder in the library?

Say hello to Mike from E&M Acoustics please,Born 2b. He plays drums for the band I'm in,and makes fantastic PA speaker enclosures.