TRBboy

Right, better pictures now up, I think it looks better in natural light. You can see how gorgeous the grain texture is and there's also some lovely patterning towards the top end of the fretboard. The neck pocket is as tight as you could want. Every time I play it I like it even more, it really is a superb bass.

I think the SR70x models sound a little nicer to my ears than the SR50x or SR60x, buut they do have a maple "tone block" in the centre of the body, so it could be that. The whole SR range is great, really good quality basses for very reasonable prices BUT; you NEED to try one. Although I'm a big fan of Ibanez in general, and the SR range, I can't get on with the 5ers. Even though I play with a pretty light touch, the B string just feels (and sounds) flaccid and useless to me. It just doesn't give me the response I want. And I usually play 34" scale 5ers. Just something to consider.

Pictures sorted now, but they still don't do it justice, I'll try to get some more up when I can.

I stand wherever there's space! Seriously, the only consideration for us is that we have two guitarists, so we make sure one goes each side of the kit. I couldn't give a monkeys which side I'm on really. We do always seem to set up the same way at the same venues though. I always remember playing at a pub when I was younger (different band) that was so small, we had to pile all the amps and PA on the seat in the bay window, and even then, me, the drummer, two guitarists and singer had to fit into a space about 8' square!

[quote name='thebassman' timestamp='1391625680' post='2359427'] I'd love to hear my shuttlemax 9.2 through one of those cabs. Cheers Thebassman [/quote] It really is superb, the best of the best out there for my needs at the moment. I thought about going for two 1x12"s, but I know from experience that there's not gonna be a situation where I want to use one on its own, it works out as £400 more, and I can easily carry this can with one hand if necessary anyway. I was quite sure that I wanted a one cab solution from the start really. If you're in the market for a top notch cab(s), Vanderkley definitely needs to be on your try out list!

[quote name='Iana' timestamp='1391617145' post='2359288'] Nice rig, that would sound glorious with a streamliner 900 [/quote] Thanks! I was impressed with the Streamliner too, but the Shuttle suited my tastes better.

[quote name='grayn' timestamp='1391520610' post='2358025'] I know what you mean about Sanberg strings. They seem kind of dead. What did you replace your's with? [/quote] Well, I've got some Dunlop stainless steel sets, which I bought to try because the price was so good, and I've been pretty impressed. I use light gauge.040" - .120", and for a light set they have an impressive bottom end, nice and full but tight, defined, and punchy, definitely bigger lows than some other light ss sets I've used. Usually I use D'addario Prosteels, but at about £15 a set I thought it was worth trying these and I'm glad I did. Not sure that they'll last quite as long as the D'addarios, but they seen to have a fairly quick break in time, and aren't anywhere near as rough feeling as some ss rounds.

[quote name='grayn' timestamp='1391504313' post='2357765'] That's a beauty. Those soapbars may not have the single coil zing but they are so solid and high quality, in their tone. Congrats. [/quote] Thanks man, I'm loving it! Those soapbars still have plenty of high-end snap, but just a slightly more low-mid focused character, it's a nice alternative to my Ken Taylor. It's so comfortable and easy to play, very pleased with it.

Look out for a used Sandberg Basic Ken Taylor 5, or even a Basic 5. Great, handcrafted basses for not much money.

Very nice! How are you finding it? The Panther is one of the few Sandberg modems I haven't had chance to play. Hope you enjoy it!

Just realised the pics hadn't attached properly, they're here now!

I used to get it sometimes, but I now use lighter gauge strings and play with a much lighter touch which has stopped it altogether. Making sure you're turned up loud enough is important too I think, if you almost turn up slightly on the loud side, you'll feel less inclined to play really hard to cut through. One other tip is to make sure your strap is high enough for you too, if it's too low for you really it'll put a lot of extra stress on your your hands (especially your fretting hand) and encourage better posture generally.

I just use a versatile 5 string these days that does everything I need. Don't have to bother drop tuning for songs in D, which is great. I always take a backup "just in case", but I never need to use it.

Thanks man! Not sure why the pic's come out such bad quality either, but you get the idea.

Hey guys, got my new rig in the last couple of weeks, and it's awesome! It's kind of the sound I've been hearing in my head for a long time, very clear, defined and punchy, with a full but tight low end and detailed high end. The best way I can describe it is like listening to a really well produced bass track on good studio monitors! I tried some other top cabs too (Bergantino and Barefaced) but the Vanderkley just pipped it for me. I made a custom isolation pad for it too. Anyway, here it is: Not great pics, but all I've got at the moment. Happy boy!

Hey guys, got my new Sandberg on Wednesday! It's a Bullet Booster 5 in cherry sunburst with a maple neck. I upgraded to a swamp ash body, plain maple headstock, and a 3-band eq. Gigged it for the first time last night and it kicks ass! it's sooo light on the strap, but sounds monster! I guess it has a slightly darker, mellower sound than my Ken Taylor (as I'd expected with soapbars), but it's awesome. The Bullets have essentially the same neck as the Basic series, so I'm on familiar ground there, it almost plays itself. Had to change the strings after the first rehearsal, I really don't get on with the Sandberg ones for some reason.... Anyway, here it is:

Hey guys, got my new Sandberg on Wednesday! It's a Bullet Booster 5 in cherry sunburst with a maple neck. I upgraded to a swamp ash body, plain maple headstock, and a 3-band eq. Gigged it for the first time last night and it kicks ass! it's sooo light on the strap, but sounds monster! I guess it has a slightly darker, mellower sound than my Ken Taylor (as I'd expected with soapbars), but it's awesome. The Bullets have essentially the same neck as the Basic series, so I'm on familiar ground there, it almost plays itself. Had to change the strings after the first rehearsal, I really don't get on with the Sandberg ones for some reason.... Anyway, here it is: [attachment=153986:IMG_2696.JPG] [attachment=153987:IMG_2698.JPG] [attachment=153988:IMG_2699.JPG] EDIT: Don't know why the pics have gone sideways, sorry!

I bought a few sets because they were cheap, and I've been pretty impressed! I use light gauge (.040" - .120") stainless 5-string set. I normally use D'addario Prosteels. The Dunlops sound great, they have a really nice big punchy low end for light gauge stainless strings, and a sparkling top end. I was a bit apprehensive about the .120" B, because it's lighter than anything I've used before, but it's great. Not flappy and nicely defined. Not sure at the moment if they're gonna last quite as long as the D'addarios, but I've had a set on my Ken Taylor since the start of December and they're still going strong but feel nice and smooth now. They seem to have quite a fast break-in time, and don't feel as rough as some SS rounds. Worth a punt I think.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1390419905' post='2345322'] Does anybody have any suggestions for a compact stand that will hold a jazz bass securely without the arm catching on the jack if the bass is plugged in?? [/quote] Hi Pete! How is the jazz? I think you'd probably have to get a ultimate gs100 or a hercules gs414b or 415b, something that hangs from the headstock rather than resting on the base.

Can't do bendy picks, I use a purple Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm for the songs I play with a pick. They last for frigging ages too!

Actually, reading some reviews of the travlite stand, it does sound pretty stable, and it's great that it would fit in my kit bag! Looks like the instrument leans back a long way though..... might take a punt on one.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1390340714' post='2344344'] I use Ultimate Support GS1000's, I think that's what they are anyway. I find them better for the wider necks in my basses, the Hercules ones are wide enough. For ultra compact there's the tiny Hercules one, that's actually really good, but doesn't work on jazz basses, or any other with an offset bottom. [/quote] The GS1000 is the one with the self closing device on the top, looks good I think and cheaper than the GS100 & 200 at the moment! I just worry with the little Hercules ones that they'd be prone to being knocked sideways (not that that's particularly likely to happen). No worries about fit for me, I like a nice even, pert bottom!