TRBboy

Yamaha RBX270. Versatility of p/j config, well built, comfortable, easy to play, lots of potential for mods. I bought one in VGC end of last year for £70 and hot-rodded it and it sounds and feels awesome. Way better than a squier or even a MIM IMHO. Have a look: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121667&hl=best+%A3200+bass"]basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121667&hl=best+%A3200+bass[/url]

Awesome, just awesome. Obviously it's all subjective but I tried a California PM and IN in a store last year and was blown away! I decided that next time I was able to buy a new decent bass, it was gonna be a Sandberg. That's what led me to buy my Basic 4 recently. Try one and i'll be very surprised if you don't like it!

Man, that is some crazy s*@t! I would love to have the money to just think "you know what, F%#k it, I'm gonna buy a crazy bass just for the hell of it!" They are all stunning and have totally blown my mind!!!

Worth also considering the Wilkinson bridge with brass saddles. Been very impressed with the one on my RBX and they're only about £14!

Is the general opinion that stainless steel is brighter and lasts longer?

[quote name='lowregisterhead' post='1188467' date='Apr 4 2011, 10:47 PM']D'Addario XLs. Not the cheapest, but you really can't go wrong. Ernie Ball Slinkys are remarkably similar too...[/quote] I've used D'addario's probably more than anything and they've always been good, but I've just had a bit of a duff set. I suppose whatever brand you use there's always gonna be the possibility of a dodgy set. It is the first time I can remember having a bad set of D'addarios in the last 16 years! Have you ever used the Prosteels? It looks like they're brighter but I've never tried them.

Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions for a good, bright set of roundwounds that last well (and don't cost too much!)? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Ok, slightly embarrasing, but it seems like the strings were playing a big part in all this. I think the combination of a slightly dodgy set of D'addario's and the taper issue were causing the problem. I dug out a set of GHS Boomers and they made a huge difference. I've just been playing for a while, and those Dimarzio's are awesome! They're absolutely perfect for me, they kinda sound like my favourite aspects of active and passive rolled into one. Loads of guts, clarity and response with zero noise. I know people have mentioned before about some Fenders not being that well put together in terms of neck/pickup/bridge alignment, and I've noticed that my bridge is a little squiffy and the bridge pickup is off-center (toward the control plate). You'd think they'd be able to get it right by now! Just a bit annoying because I can't get the strings to line up directly between the pole pieces on the bridge pickup. Anyway, thanks for all the help.

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1188226' date='Apr 4 2011, 07:57 PM']You have checked this with another set of strings? They sometimes die, while getting them on and off a bass the difference between string through and topload is so minimal it is just a nuance in attack and sustain[/quote] I changed the strings recently, and used D'addario XL's 45-105 which I've used countless times before. Maybe I should just stick another set on.

Just been reading some old threads about through body vs top loading - seems like the general consensus is that there's virtually no audible diference, so I don't think I'll bother drilling the bridge. Anyone got any other ideas why it's sounding so dead? It's really pissing me off now! EDIT: The only other thing I've just realised is that the strings are tapered, and the taper on the E starts just before the nut i.e the "full gauge" of the string is not passing through the nut slot. Could this be it?

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1187703' date='Apr 4 2011, 01:06 PM']Maybe you should adjust the height of the pickups, in my oppinion the most underrated thing to do in a setup. You possibly have chosen the same height than with your pickups before, due to more output they have now more mids. experiment with it, if you screw the pickups more into the body, they get more bass[/quote] Thanks for the advice, but I did spend quite a bit of time setting up the pickups. There's nothing wrong with the sound, it's definitely to do with the string response. You can tell the difference unplugged.

Installed the Dimarzio's yesterday and they sound great! There's something still lacking though, especially when I'm trying to play slap. I don't play much slap (nor am I very good at it!), but I have a need to play a little in my current band. When you slap the E string, it sounds kind of hollow and woody and lacks the attack and response that you need. Both of my other basses nail it, and the only tangible difference I can see is that my jazz is strung through the body, whereas the other two are top loaded. Could this be the difference? I'd be grateful if anyone can offer any thoughts on this. If so, I may drill holes in the back of the bridge plate to top mount the strings.

[quote name='TRBboy' post='1185272' date='Apr 1 2011, 09:13 PM']The NE-1 looks interesting, I may well keep my eyes peeled for a bargain! I had a response back from Dimarzio very swiftly regarding the output of the pickups, and I've gone ahead and ordered the Ultra Jazz set. Ordered them from The Guitar Workshop Online as they were one of the cheapest sites, and was very impressed with the service. I called them to check that they had stock at about 15:20 this afternoon, which they did. They said that if I ordered them straight away, they would despatch them this afternoon and I should recieve them tomorrow! AND the delivery charge was only £1!!! Sure enough, I had an email within about 15mins to say that the pickups had been despatched! Thanks for everyone's input, I've got some good ideas for further mods now if the Dimarzios don't hit the spot![/quote] Very impressed - the pickups arrived at 8:50 yesterday morning! I'm gonna try and find the time to fit them later. I'll let you all know what I think.

[quote name='machinehead' post='1185328' date='Apr 1 2011, 09:57 PM']I'd be interested to hear what you asked Dimarzio and their reply. I have the Ultra Jazz in my 75 RI jazz. I like them but I'm also very impressed with the standard Fender pickups in my MIM 70s Classic jazz. I think you'll be pleased with your choice. Frank.[/quote] [b]Me:[/b] "Hi there, just wondered if you could tell me which of these two pickups is the most powerful and punchy?" [b]Dimarzio:[/b] "The Ultra Jazz has an output of 250 compared with the Model J’s 150. Output is a direct measurement of loudness. You’ll find this and other specs on our website in the Specifications section on each pickup page." That'll do me, the Ultra's are loudest. I'm hoping they'll be just right. I'm really impressed with the Model P/J I've got in my RBX so I'm expecting good things!

The NE-1 looks interesting, I may well keep my eyes peeled for a bargain! I had a response back from Dimarzio very swiftly regarding the output of the pickups, and I've gone ahead and ordered the Ultra Jazz set. Ordered them from The Guitar Workshop Online as they were one of the cheapest sites, and was very impressed with the service. I called them to check that they had stock at about 15:20 this afternoon, which they did. They said that if I ordered them straight away, they would despatch them this afternoon and I should recieve them tomorrow! AND the delivery charge was only £1!!! Sure enough, I had an email within about 15mins to say that the pickups had been despatched! Thanks for everyone's input, I've got some good ideas for further mods now if the Dimarzios don't hit the spot!

I highly recommend the SD Quarter Pounders, and they would be a significant upgrade from the stock ones. They're hotter and more defined but still sound like a true single coil (cos they are). It just so happens that I have a pair for sale at the moment. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=129797"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=129797[/url]

Dimarzio have now answered this for me, and I've ordered the ultra jazz. Thanks for all the advice

Thanks guys!

I guess some of you have probably spotted this already, but I thought I'd put it out there as there's a lot of stingray fans here! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-Stingray-bass-vintage-1976-/330545485108?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4cf60bd534"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-Stingray-b...=item4cf60bd534[/url] Looks pretty cool.......

Just wondered if anyone knows which of these two pickups is the hottest and most powerful and punchy ? The following info is on the Dimarzio site: Model j Output: 150 DC resistance: 6.82 Ultra jazz Output: 250 DC resistance: 12.3 Does this mean that the Ultra Jazz will be much louder and more punchy, or is the higher resistance a negative thing? I'm itching to order some but I want to make sure I get the right ones!