chrismuzz

This is a really nice thought, all the best with it

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1369600089' post='2090789'] Hmmm - I wonder whether this may be the problem. I generally have my action set fairly high and over the past few weeks I've been gradually lowering the saddles bit by bit without touching the truss rod. One of my many bad habits is that I tend to strike downwards with my plucking hand (never use a pick) which means I have to set the action quite high to stop me bouncing the strings off the frets. [/quote] I play the same way, and I deliberately lower the action to make it easier to get that clank! So if you want to avoid it, Id recommend either raising the action, or trying to adjust your technique. Raising the action will definitely be the easier option! Then if you like you can gradually alter your technique over time, and start lowering the action again.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1369569671' post='2090475'] Am I "allowed " to do it ? [/quote] There was a post a few pages back saying that as long as it's not for sale it's OK

Had no idea it was Daft Punk! Really catchy but I don't like it... the bass playing is pretty cool though I must admit!

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1369435393' post='2089381'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]In that case you just behave like an adult and say "look, please don't adjust anything, thanks".[/font][/color] Going as far as taping over the controls just strikes me as being really quite weird. [/quote] I wouldn't do it myself, but I'll bet people have ignored polite requests in the past!

[quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1369434551' post='2089373'] +1 to this. If I can't get hold of the bassist who's rig I'm supposed to be using before the event I tend to throw mine in the car and take it. It stays in the car until I've tracked down the bassist and double checked that it's definitely okay and that they are aware of the situation. I turned up to a few gigs early on in my bass career where the promoter had told the other bands that they could use my amp. First I knew of this was when the next band to sound check plugged in to it! If I'm aware in advance I don't tend to say no, but I do keep a close eye on my gear. Although this may change when I start gigging the Genz and Berg set up. [/quote] I usually bring my full rig, but when told not to I bring my head anyway, as it goes in the bag with my leads.. And I have two DI's on my pedalboard as well! Luckily I don't have to pay too close attention to my rig when people are using it, since I use a 500w head into an 8 ohm 800w cab... So even at full whack you'll never put more than 350w into it... And Markbass heads have those insane limiters in for extra protection!

"Testicles 1, 2" always makes me chuckle. I'm so simple minded

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1369429912' post='2089313'] to be honest, that's pretty lame behaviour in my opinion. By all means, refuse to lend someone an amp. That's cool. But to lend them one and then duct tape the controls? That's pretty sad. [/quote] With some amps it can take a long time to set a good sound up. Luckily my Markbass head is the king of simplicity, however nobody has ever changed my settings because they sound perfect for a metal band HOWEVER... If I was to let somebody use my pedalboard, they would NEVER be allowed to adjust any of the settings!

I played a gig just last night where I was told that the headlining band were sharing their drums and backline with all the supporting bands. I still messaged them, introduced myself, explained what I had been told, and asked if they were aware of this, and if they were OK with it. I strongly believe in sorting out equipment before you get to the venue... Although if somebody asks me if they can use my gear I am happy to oblige I'm headlining a show in Macclesfield next weekend, and I'm currently sat twiddling my thumbs wondering if/when the bassists from the supporting bands will approach me...

[quote name='bakerster135' timestamp='1369399465' post='2088763'] I have! What would you recommend? Been looking at the George Ls kit, but reviews seem to vary!... [/quote] I use the Diago Patchfactory. The jack plugs are really small (11mm), and they're very easy to make cables with. Even I can do it! I was able to fit an extra pedal on my board thanks to these little guys

[quote name='Junkyard Rocket' timestamp='1369002120' post='2083936'] who's using the psu with theirs & who prefers batteries? [/quote] I use the same power supply that powers the rest of my pedals. I've got a Diago Isolator Adaptor on it though because I was getting a high pitched hissing that you get when powering digital and analog pedals simultaneously.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1368996391' post='2083849'] Right. So if you string a bass through the body you add, what an inch or so to the length of the string and this makes it more elastic. If it's a linear relationship then I suppose on a 34" scale bass the string might be 3% more elastic. Is that enough to even notice? And why would you want a string to be more elastic? [/quote] Since the break angle is so sharp on a through body bass, it would make it less elastic. The angle is usually around 60 degrees, whereas on a through bridge design it's closer to 20 degrees. The same thing goes on at the headstock, which is why many Fender style basses have those string retainers up there, to increase the break angle. [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1368996391' post='2083849'] I guess this means the best bass design for a decent B string is a headless. [/quote] Actually, that is probably right! [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1368996625' post='2083852'] Its one factor of many. A 35" scale bass isn't that much longer than a 34" one, but people deal with the harder to play because of the sound. People also go lighter strings for more compliance, in spite of the thinner tone. [/quote] Yep. I actually prefer the sound of lighter strings, I don't need bags of low end. I also prefer LESS compliance! So where possible I prefer 35" scale, through body stringing, and light gauge strings!

One of my 6 strings has individual string bridges like this: If I string through the bridge, when I play particularly hard, the entire saddle (the white bit) moves no matter how tightly I screw it on. It's not possibleto dothat when strung through the body (I tried!) Won't affect many decently designed bridges, but it's something to consider if you're a heavy handed lunk

I tried one in PMT Manchester. Very nice one it was too!

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1368922001' post='2083146'] If there was more tension there would be higher pitch, that's how strings work. It's a lot of silly bollocks. [/quote] Tension is a word that's misused a lot. The word is compliance, as Mr F says above.

It probably depends on technique. I play quite hard over the neck pickup, so picking definitely moves the string more than somebody who knows how to play bass properly

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1368894707' post='2082789'] So, there's no such thing as a 'sweetspot'. There's merely different places to put a pickup and each place will be a factor in the overall sound of the bass. An aspect fo the sound of a P bass comes from the position of it's pickup. Same for a J bass, but the pickups are in different palces. And same again for an MM or any other bass. Where you place the pickup makes a difference but the idea of some magical 'sweetspot' - it's nonsense. [/quote] This is pretty much it. If the pickup sounds good where it is, that's your sweet spot

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1368900768' post='2082868'] Why would you be stretching/pulling excess string from past the saddle? That sounds bizarre. How hard are you pulling on your strings? However, I like heavy gauge flats and and I play lightly. For me nothing is happening past the saddles or nut. If I want less compliance I move my right hand nearer the bridge; for more compliance I go nearer the neck. [/quote] I have a more aggressive right hand technique, to get that 'string hitting the fret' clanky sound. Also, if you bend the strings that can do it too. Good point about moving your hand near the bridge though!

I have 4 basses with the option to do either. It definitely gives a tighter feel due to the break angle at the saddles being sharper. You will find it much harder to stretch/pull excess string from past the saddle. I prefer through-body, because it allows me to use lighter gauges without too much flop and fret buzz

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1368656631' post='2080011'] Now that is clever , and beautiful , but is all the re-tuning with the special heads necessary ? [/quote] The only benefit I can see would be changing the pitch of the natural harmonics, and adding a different feel. It is a lovely piece though. For me, it's both art AND entertainment

What about mid-song? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas[/url]

it's a shame because from what I hear, they are very quick and eager to try and resolve problems to the customer's satisfaction. Not only that but most people who actually get a good set tend to rave about them. I wanted to try their Neon range for a while but all the reports of bad QC have put me right off.

It only ever seems to be the Black Beauties that I see bad reviews about. Is it just coincidence, or is that the only range that seems to have problems?

I love their strings, and I recently sent them an enquiry about getting more gauges in the stainless steel ones. They said that they're not sure when they will be as they're still quite new, but I was pleased that they got back to me quickly and sent me a detailed and appreciative email.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1368289121' post='2075359'] This Axl guitar, which was £99 new. [/quote] I love that finish! Honestly I don't think that looks like a toy, it's a really cool guitar