Evil Undead

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1507531269' post='3386006'] My thoughts too. Potentially, you're looking at throwing £££ at replacing the guts of your existing bass (whatever it is and because it plays nicely) and in truth you're probably never going to be 100% happy. You're saying you want active EQ, thump, decent pick tone, brittle slap etc. Just buy a Stingray or a Euro Spector NS. Job done really. [/quote] Unfortunately neither of those come in a short scale, and I have chronic hand/wrist trouble, so that's off the cards unfortunately. This is the only bass I'm able to play comfortably, and the only one that's kept me being able to play tbh

Looks like the J Tone might cover everything I want. What pickups might go nicely with that?

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1507498041' post='3385939'] Personally I think adding a pre to a bass that you don't like the tone of makes little sense. Especially a Glockenklang pre, as it is an immensly transparant pre and will in essence give you more of what is in there already. Changing pickups can achieve more, I would recommend the EMG Geezer PJ set. It made a very boring Fender come to life and transform into a great sounding PJ. Orange drop, CTS pots, switchcraft jack and hey ho. IMO [/quote] I definitely see where you're coming from. The thing I don't like about the tone is the overtones on the E (and a little on the A) and I think the retainer will help that a lot. I'm possibly interested in changing pickups as well, but I miss that active 'bite' so I'm dead set on a preamp as well

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507494161' post='3385904'] Glock preamps usually have a passive tone control in the circuit when switched to passive mode, useful for the Motown requirements! [/quote] Interesting, I never heard of them. Will research, thanks!

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1507492888' post='3385887'] Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with? [/quote] I love how this bass feels and plays. Nothing else beats the comfort. And it's got a great feeling, stable neck, and is super light

Following on from my thread about not being happy with how my bass sounds - I've made enquiries about getting a bar retainer on my headstock to increase the string break angle, and I wanna get some new electronics stuck in while I'm at it. I think I'd like to convert my bass to active, and I'm looking for a preamp. Possibly new pickups as well, undecided on that bit. My bass currently is PJ and currently has a Dimarzio model P and a model J in. I don't know if they'll go with a preamp to be honest - any ideas? I'm looking for something versatile, where I can get a nice punchy Motown type sound, good rock pick tone, through to a good slap tone (I like my slaps massive and pops almost brittle haha, quite a severe scoop) Active/passive option would be pretty sweet too, and if it can be 3 band, even better. I'm thinking maybe stacked bass/treble, and stacked mid/pickup blend, master volume. Can anyone make some suggestions? Thanks!

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507485948' post='3385809'] Excellent result, Mel. Silly question: I take it the E string is wound from top to bottom on the post? [/quote] Not a silly question at all, but yes it is. As far down as I could get it. Yes I've dropped the wonderful Andy Rogers a message, if anyone can sort this bass out and make it perfect, it's him

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507480778' post='3385752'] This week I found I had a bass that had a dead G-string. The set-up seemed ok, but the notes on the G simply didn't ring like the rest. I took another look at the set-up and the pup was slightly lower at the G end and the action on the G string was slightly higher. I adjusted it and it all seems good now. Maybe you should take another look at the setup? Or get someone else to take a look at yours? In any case, Mel, I hope you do get it sorted. You sound like you're really frustrated, which is totally understandable. [/quote] Yeah, I am kinda frustrated! I've spent some time with it today checking the setup etc, and all ok but I think I've found the problem - I wrapped the E string so the break angle was as hard as possible over the nut, but it's not enough, if I push the string down behind the nut, the overtones go away. Perhaps resolving that (string retainer?) and different pickups/preamp would solve the problem - I know the best guy possible for that so I'll drop him a message I think

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1507454899' post='3385474'] What about ordering some from Thomann and sending back the ones you don't like? [/quote] Interesting idea. Would they def take the ones back that I didn't wanna keep?

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1507455538' post='3385479'] You said in your OP "there's also issues with overtones and deadness on the E string" So the neck could be warped, poorly attached to the body, tuner in a wrong place, headstock mass may need adjusting, fretwork needs seeing to, or any other adjustment. Why? Because you ruled out strings and setup thereof and amps etc. Why the new neck anyway? I'm just curious where the dead E is coming from. [/quote] Ah ok I got you, thanks for clarifying. I got a new neck made because the original squier one wasn't very stable, but the old one also had issues with deadness and overtones on the E strings. It drives me nuts haha. This one is perfectly stable, no twists, new brass nut, etc. I don't know what's going on

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1507447778' post='3385443'] A good luthier shouldn't let you struggle with a neck that doesn't work properly though? [/quote] I'm confused - who said my current neck doesn't work properly?

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507439102' post='3385425'] Ibanez TMB30 (30") or GSRM20B (28.6")? Definitely worth a trip to Bass Direct as suggested, they have the Chowny in stock as well as a bunch of Maruszczyks that you won't find anywhere else. http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Short_Scale_Bass_Guitars.html [/quote] I think I might go have a look. I can't afford a Maruszczyk so won't play any while I'm there haha, I wouldn't want to fall for one!

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1507430990' post='3385421'] if a shorty causes you wrist pain and is too heavy, your only option seems to be shorter and lighter which means a U Bass. [/quote] That particular one was too heavy and gave me wrist pain. My current bass isn't/doesn't

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1507411219' post='3385364'] +1. As usual, Pete is right. You simply must try before buying. Ignore reviews, etc, etc and go to a well stocked shop (not the local music shop that has a few odds and ends on the shelves, but a proper bass specialist), find what YOU like and buy it. If you're anywhere near the midlands, Bass Direct is the obvious choice. I've bought several things from them and have always been able to compare meaningfully because their stock is so extensive. I bought my current bass head (I won't say what, because I don't want to influence you with my choice) after comparing it with virtually all the alternatives. I'm in London, so it's a bit of a trek, but I've found it worth it because I don't get fed up and sell what I've bought on within a few months. Whatever you do, don't buy mail order and sight unseen. It's a sure-fire recipe for disappointment. [/quote] I totally get what you're saying, but I'm a short scale only player, and I don't think there is much choice in modern sounding shorties, let alone ones I can try in a shop

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1507412905' post='3385375'] Perhaps you're looking at the wrong end of the chain? It might be worth trying out a few amps/cabs/combos with your current bass if you can, maybe you can find a sound you like more. [/quote] I've tried several different ones and didn't like the sound of the bass through any of them

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507403461' post='3385304'] What is your current bass? Overtones and deadness on the E could be fixed by a new set of strings, especially if the existing one doesn’t have enough break angle over the nut and bridge, or if a slight twist was introduced along its length when tightening up. [/quote] It's a Squier SS jag with a new neck (made by a great luthier), gotoh bridge, dimarzio pickups. I've changed strings, tried different numbers of windings on the tuner to change break angle, checked for twists, adjusted pickup heights, etc. No difference

Star Wars references out of the way... I've found that I hardly play bass any more, and wondered why, so I picked up my only bass, plugged in, and found the reason straight away. It sounds like crap. I only kept this one as it was the only one comfortable to play with my hand/wrist issues, but I find myself really missing the tone of my active Warwick Corvette shorty, which sounded incredible but caused me wrist pain and was too heavy. So I think I want to get a new bass. I've noticed that the Warwick shorties are a lot cheaper than they used to be which got me tempted, but then remembered why I sold it so I think I'd be silly to go there again. I'm considering ordering an SWB-1 - anyone with hand issues got experience of those? I know that replacing the pickups in my current bass is an option but there's also issues with overtones and deadness on the E string as well. I've used different amps and just don't like the sound of this bass with any of them Words of wisdom needed, oh wise basschatters!

I love it, if done well.

[quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1505924471' post='3375292'] That's a great find for £50, Pacificas seem great! Is it a 112? I picked up an 012 from eBay a few months ago and it's fantastic. I prefer it to my old Epi SG Special I used to own (like comparing apples and oranges, admittedly) and a friend who played it became an instant convert. [/quote] I'm not sure to be honest! I think it might be from parts - the body is almost definitely a 112J but I never saw one of those with maple neck so maybe the neck is from a 112V? I think the single ply pickguard is not stock either!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1504858384' post='3367773'] Nice, well done. I've had a couple of Pacificas and with a decent set up and a few little upgrades they were good enough to gig with. It's a scary moment when you hear that crack isn't it? Had it with a customer's Yamaha bass, when I was adjusting the truss rod. Like you, I thought it had broken but it is just the nut loosening after having been locked in position for years. [/quote] Very scary! I was nervous of truss rods for years, but now I'm just like eh... if it breaks, it breaks, but hope it doesn't haha

Thanks guys! Quite excited about it. Need some new strings - what brand would sound/play good on this? 9's I think, I've got hands like a 90 year old.

Hey everyone! This is a total impulse buy, but I'm pretty happy with it for £50 (including a stand haha). I wasn't looking for a guitar, but was browsing marketplace on Facebook and up this popped - I love pacificas especially maple neck ones, which don't seem to appear for sale often. The guy said he doesn't play any more so just wanted rid, wife wanted the space for other stuff It badly needed a setup so I've done a quick job, but it also needs new strings so I'll do a proper set up then. Seller said he'd never adjusted the truss rod in all the years he had it (considering the terrible set up I believe him!) so when I got it home I had a go - it was very stiff so I pulled back on the neck to ease up the pressure, tried turning it again and heard a loud crack - thought I'd broken it. But it still turns quite stiffly and has had a very positive effect on the relief, so I think it was loosening up rather than broken, fortunately. I think I did alright

Incredible work Andy