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TRBboy

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Everything posted by TRBboy

  1. TRBboy
    It's really weird, it's like fuzzy overtones when you play the strings, and like I say there's some background noise when not playing, which is not what I'd expect from EMGs. I did see the note in the instructions on the bridge wire, so I've just taped it up. I didn't install the pickups, so I'm going to lift them and check the connections tonight. After that my only other thought is whether the barrel jack has a problem - one of my cables doesn't work with it but another does. I think it's the original one, so may be some wear and tear going on. I have questioned my wiring of the jack, but I'm certain it's right, unless the original Ibanez jack socket has non-standard configuration of the terminals (should be long - sleeve, medium - ring, short - tip?) Thanks for your help 🙏
  2. TRBboy
    Right, I've followed that wiring diagram and got it working as it should! 🙌 Only problem is, it has some weird fuzziness going on! 😫 There's a bit of noise when I'm not playing too.... Anyone got any ideas?
  3. TRBboy
    @orangepeelneil I've now found a schematic for what I want (hopefully). Will have a go tonight. 2-EMG-2v-1t-or-2t-no-switch.pdf
  4. TRBboy
    Hi Neil, thanks for this. I agree with you, the jumpers just simulate the middle position of the switch. At least it proves I can get a sound out of it though 😅. Can you see a way to wire VTVT without a toggle? It all seems pretty odd 😵‍💫 I would've thought that disregarding the green switch block would just mean that the neck and bridge pickup circuits are coming into that black connector and going out to the jack, and the switching element is 'optional'? 🤔
  5. TRBboy
    Hey folks, I'm having a bit of trouble... 😬 A local bass player asked me if I could have a look at her Ibanez, which she'd attempted to install an EMG PJ set in, but was getting no sound. No problem! I'm pretty good with wiring, and although I've never installed EMGs before, I knew that they were solderless connections, just click and play, right?! 🫣 She's bought a VVT setup, but added an extra tone pot. As far as I could tell when I opened the back up, and referring to the schematic, it was all wrong. Now, only one of the diagrams in the instructions covers VVTT config, but it also includes a toggle switch. I tried wiring out up the same but ignoring the toggle switch bit, no sound. So then I figured I could 'cheat' the system, and wire a pair of jumpers into the green terminal block where the switch would connect, to fool it onto thinking a switch was connected. And I got sound out of it! The problem is, both volumes control both pickups now, so you can't solo either... 🤦🤦🤦 I'm starting to think that she either needs to go VVT, or add in a toggle switch, as these two options are covered in the instructions. Does anyone here have experience with EMG systems and can offer any wisdom? Thanks 🙏
  6. TRBboy
    Absolutely Dave, that is by far the hardest thing! I've been in plenty of bands over the years with people that didn't 'gel', and it's not fun. This band was so awesome because we're all good friends first and foremost, that all go back a very long way. I'm searching as hard as I can, and using all the contacts I can think of, so hopefully something will materialise. Realising two things though; a) the local music scene is non-existent compared to 20 years ago, and b) I hardly know any local musos compared to 20 years ago 🤣 Fingers crossed it all works out though! 🤞 The most frustrating part is that we're getting loads of enquiries at the moment, but can't commit to anything! 🤦
  7. TRBboy
    Looks better in the flesh by the look of it. Quite digging the black sparkle Z3.... 😍👌
  8. TRBboy
    Well, after me saying earlier in this thread that our band was kinda stalling, it's all gone to shit this week. It's difficult after 13 years of stability and good times, and also because we're all really good, old friends first and foremost. There's no drama involved, but the rhythm guitarist has decided to pack it in with immediate effect because he's just too stretched, he has 5 kids and a busy job, and just can't commit right now. The drummer is in a similar situation, although not quite as bad. He's going to honour the handful of gigs we have booked in so far this year. So the singer/lead guitarist and I are busy trying to find some other musicians! Seems to be challenging around these parts..... I have a guitarist interested, but a drummer is going to be really tricky I think.
  9. TRBboy
    Yes, I believe so! 😊
  10. TRBboy
    I also really like the look of the '56 😍
  11. TRBboy
    Awesome! A bass that I'd definitely love to get one day 👌
  12. TRBboy
    Sweet baby jesus and the orphans! That seems to have caused me some trouser problems 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥
  13. TRBboy
    I think the horn is the same length, or maybe fractionally longer. It looks longer because the bottom horn is MUCH shorter 😵‍💫
  14. TRBboy
    I really kinda like them, but also feel they could've chosen much nicer colours! 😅
  15. TRBboy
    Very, very nice mate, thanks anyway! 🙏
  16. TRBboy
    Thanks Andy, just spent ages looking for it 🤣 It's the other one, not the semi I like the look of
  17. TRBboy
    Oh! Interesting
  18. TRBboy
    Just seen on FB, Vintage have announced two new bass models at NAMM, the Supreme (semi) and the Callen. The Callen definitely has my attention.... 😏
  19. TRBboy
    Great example! Those large pole-piece Sandberg pickups have quality of sound, power and clarity, but for my ears were always a bit soulless. That's why in my 10 year, 9 bass Sandberg quest, I ended up ordering a TT5 Passive, with their Alnico V single coils. They gave me exactly what I wanted, still great quality sound, but more toneful, more organic, and I guess an inherently 'fuller' tone (perhaps more traditional I guess). All of this is pretty subjective, but I'm pretty sure to please my ears I want an Alnico V MM humbucker in this bass. I guess it's just a question of whether I take a punt on a cheaper one or spend more on something I know will be great (still far less than the big brands though).
  20. TRBboy
    With the greatest of respect, this ain't my first rodeo. Of course I've tried playing with amp settings etc, and whilst I can improve it somewhat, the fundamental sound/character of the pickup isn't to my liking. I have other cheap instruments that I'm perfectly happy with the sound of. I'm not the sort of person that EVER upgrades anything for the sake of it (I'm a massive tight-arse for a start 😅), and I never believe that throwing money at something makes it 'good'. I'm also not a believer in buying name brands just because they cost most therefore must be better.
  21. TRBboy
    I appreciate what you're trying to say, but I'm not asking generally 'what type of pickup should I buy to get this sound' etc, I started off asking about a specific pickup, and I guess now it's expanded to 'what budget Alnico V MM pickups do people recommend?'. I'm confident that an Alnico V MM humbucker is going to get me where I want. FYI, the stock DX4 pickup (dual ceramic soapbar) sounds a little 'boxy' to me, seems to be quite prominent in the high mids and lacking low mid presence. Generally lacking a bit of guts too. I'm looking for a fuller, bigger, rounder sound, whilst still being pretty organic sounding and not being overly aggressive or hi-fi sounding.
  22. TRBboy
    They do look good, but I kinda want a rounder more classic tone, and passive. I was looking at the TBHZ before though, could be another option.
  23. TRBboy
    @Pea Turgh I'm glad you reminded me about Warman actually, they seem to have the cheapest Alnico MM pickups available. The thing I'm wrangling over now, is whether to go cheap or just spend out on something I know will sound killer... I know it's a cheap bass, but it plays amazingly, so maybe worth the cost? Current options: Warman MM4. £23.50 Retrovibe MM4. £45.00 Catswhisker MM. £78.00 Now, it's entirely possible the first two options will be the same, they will both be made in the far East, maybe even in the same factory. The Catswhisker will be hand wound here in the UK, and I KNOW will sound phenomenal based on the PJ5 Allan made for my build last year. DIfficult decisions...
  24. TRBboy
    Thanks for the help 😅👍
  25. TRBboy
    Hey folks! 👋😊 Although I'm really loving my little bargain Ibanez GAXB150, the stock DX4 pickup is leaving me a bit flat... So I'm looking at options, and at the moment I'm sorely tempted to put an Alnico V MM humbucker in it (minor woodwork required). Also, I want to spend as little as possible, obvs. 😅 There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of budget Alnico MM's around, but I did spot some for sale with Retrovibe. Just wondered if anyone has used these, and could tell me what they're like? Thanks!
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