funkypenguin

[quote name='notable9' post='98814' date='Dec 4 2007, 01:44 PM']Hi
R they smooth or coarse? Im looking for a nice set of rounds which feel nice on the fingers.
Note[/quote]

When the strings are brand new on the bass they do feel quite coarse on the fingers but once theyve been broken in a little they feel fine. And the sound amazing!
my advice is go for them and see what you make of them!
Hope this helps!
Ben

wow....

i'm impressed with what vintage are producing these days. these will be very attractive to student bassists. A few months back i was lucky enough to see and try out a prototype 6 string they developed. Would make a fantastic flagship instrument if they end up producing it...
Good review!

Hey everyone

This is my first time using Prosteel strings, since ive used nickel coated more or less since i started playing so i thought i'd pop a review on here in case anyone is thinking of experimenting with/changing their strings. Many thanks to my bass teacher for sourcing these at a cheaper price!

Im using a 6 string Set with gauges .130 B, .100 E, .80 A, .65 D, .45 G, .30 C#

Right

Anyone whos used D'Addario before will know about the quality but if not, you can buy their strings in the knowledge that you're buying a quality product. Out of all the major string manufacturers ive tried (EB, Rotosound, Elite, Warwick and D'Addario) i would say they're certainly among the best (in my humble opinion). Ive never had a 'dead' string out of the box and they dont seem to fade as fast as some other makes of string.

Sound wise i love them. They seem to work very well with my double coil pickups to give a naturally bright, punchy sound but they maintain clarity and depth at the same time. It certainly makes a difference moving into the basses upper register. Nothing feels weak or strangled and they have an even tone right across the range. Depends on personal taste but they are quite a 'pingy' type of string. Their sound is ideal for metal, rock, funk and slap playing but they will fit in with anything if you tweak you EQ

These are the brightest strings in the D'Addario range and are availlable in the standard range of guages so you're bound to find a set to suit you if you like the sound of them. just a word of warning, these strings can be quite hard on the fingers if you really hammer your bass when you play. So take it easy

All the Best!

[quote name='Kinder' post='83850' date='Nov 5 2007, 09:05 AM']Thanks for the advice guys. I did go out shopping on Sunday but picked the wrong day cos everyone and their basses were at Music Live at the NEC! I played a Schecter Custom 4 though and absolutely loved it, the neck felt beautiful. Anyone got any thoughts on these?[/quote]

If its got the EMG pups like the one i tried then go for it. specially if you like the feel of the neck. Every bit as good as a spector or a warwick.

You can probably find a Spector rebop 4 or maybe a 2nd or 3rd hand Euro 4 for that money. see what you can find on the warwick $$ front. look for lots of second hand stuff. often much reduced.
All the best
Ben

Go for it!
i would probably build myself a bass if i had the time, money, resources, tools etc. etc.
The alembic electronics are pretty sweet, from what ive heard of alembic basses.
if its a fender i would recommend you buy a graphite fender replacement neck from Status Graphite. Their workmanship and consistency is first class, and it makes your bass a bit different, while you know that the neck is a good one.
An 'ultimate specced up Jazz bass' would be something quite different and funky.

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the input (special thanks to dood for all the techincal info,
especially on the pickup front). I dont have the money for a Modulus (although i do like the graphite neck concept) and certainly not for an Alembic (which in my opinion are vastly overpriced for what they are. similar spec to the one below....$7500!!! not including import)

Anyway...

Here is an updated spec. based on info ive recieved. If i go for one it wont be ordered until after christmas (when i have the relevant money in the bank!) and as such im still completely open to input so feel free to recommend alterations to my design. the sound im going for is powerful with an even response right across the bass neck. I am a fan of the musicman crunch but i need the sound to be versatile. I'm really trying to avoid sitations where i end up fighting the bass to get the desired sound! My price limit is £1500 tops

• 6 string deluxe+
• 34 scale
• 24 fret
• Black hardware. One piece Gotoh/Schaller bridge + Gotoh tuners
• 17mm string spacing
• Graphite Nut
• Low Profile Frets
• Tung Wingbass inspired body design
• 7 piece thru-neck – maple + ebony/walnut
• Deep Neck cutaway - Easy high fret access
• Birdseye Maple fretboard
• Walnut body
• Ebony Veneer
• Flame Maple top (going for the 'bleach blonde' look with black hardware
• Satin lacquer (15% gloss)
• Elbow and tummy contours
• Active electronics + E.Q
• Shuker mid spec. pre-amp
• Volume, Pickup Pan, Bass, Mid, Treble, Slapswitch
• Pickups – still not sure. I’m looking at going for 2 double coil pups but EMG or Seymour Duncan? Taking Jon’s (Shuker) advice on that one. I need to be able to remove the crunch without fighting the instrument.

here are a few optional/cosmetic bits and bobs il have included in the (unlikely) event i have any money spare!

• Recessed Dunlop Straplocks
• Ramp
• Continuous Wood Backplates
• Matching headstock Veneer
• Thru-Neck to be invisible from the front
• Inlays on 12th and 24th frets

See what you guys think

All the best!

Ben

Hey there!
As telebass says you'll soon get back into it.
I would recommend checking out Ebay, specially for a bass amp (i bought my whole stack off Ebay for about £800 less than its all worth) and for basses that you like (theres usually a few yamaha basses knocking about if thats the kind of thing you're into).
all the best
keep it groovy!
Ben

Hey everyone
im toying with the idea of splashing out on a custom Shuker 6 string bass (deluxe+)
im open to ideas. i have a very rough spec. in mind but im open to suggestions, since im looking to spend around £1500 and want it to be as good as possible.

[u]Rough Spec.[/u]

6 String (BEADGC)
34 scale
24 fret
16.5 or 17mm string spacing
Black Hardware
Tung Wingbass inspired body design (see image - bass on the right)
7 piece Thru-neck (maple + ebony)
Deep neck cutaway to give easy high fret access (see back of 'doods' 7 string)
Im thinking along the lines of a birdseye maple fretboard and either a flame maple or wenge (or a very dark wood) top. Perhaps an ash or walnut body?
Natural oil or satin finish
Active electronics and E.Q (vol., pickup pan, bass, mid, treb., slapswitch)

Areas im really looking for input are fretboard wood (or composite), body wood and pickup make/configuration. Im looking for a fairly bright sound that will come out in a band setting. The sound should have alot of power and clarity to it. I do like the Musicman Bongo setup of 2 seymour duncan pups (H/H) but i want to know if you can take the crunch off the sound with that kind of system. it has to be versatile.

Cheers guys
Ben

Hey Frank
Good to hear you're going for the 6 string!
17mm seems to be the standard spacing on alot of 5 and 6 string basses, only the neck is wider on the 6. I have seen basses with spacing as narrow as 16mm but its all about what makes you comfortable. Scale length, again its about what makes you comfortable. 35" scale is often the standard length for 5 and 6 string basses but you may find the high C string is a little strangled, particularly if you use light strings. On the other hand, you may find the pitch definition on your low B string (unless you E.Q your sound to bring out the higher frequencies) will deteriorate a little on a 34" scale bass. Pickups, im a fan of soapbars myself. But whatever layout gives you the sound you're looking for. on 6 strings they seem to be either soapbars or J pickups.
Be sure and try as many basses as you possibly can and see what sounds and feels best for you!
hope this helps!
Ben

Spector dont finish the Legend series basses in holoflash as far as i know...
[url="http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/professionalseries.html"]http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/professionalseries.html[/url]
I would recommend looking at Indie Basses (www.indieguitars.com). I find their basses every bit as good as the equivalent spector or warwick models. I would also recommend Cort basses, particularly the GB line if £400 is roughly your budget.
As for necks, spector necks (when they're set up properly) i find are a little thicker than fender necks but much more comfortable to play on. As for Warwicks, i find them quite uncomfortable to play full stop. Something about their basses (bar the thumb) just doesnt agree with me.
Hope this helps!
Ben

Hey there!
welcome to the party. 6 string player i see! good man
does your band have a website?
Ben

Welcome!
I dont think they make that model of peavey anymore. a mate of mine has one though. nice bass!
As for replacing the hardware on your other bass, i would recommend (providing your willing to spend money) gotoh, schaller or hipshot tuners and a gotoh or perhaps (if you're feeling flash) a kahler bridge (you can have one that takes a trem. bar!)
all the best!
Ben

Main Bass: Indie IB606 Beast 6 string
Backup: Spector Performance series 4 string (2004 model)

Whats the fret rattle like on that F#? the action looks fairly low so whats it like when you're really hammering it? or does the high gauge of the string give it lots of tension?
looks monstrous regardless
you ever gig up north with that baby?

Its nice to be part of Basschat!
about me...
ive been playing bass for around 4 years, after i saw my former schools resident bass player jamming after hours.
My first bass was a Cort GB24 stingray clone. Single humbucker and passive electronics. Was a very nice bass, specially for slap. Unfortunately didnt have 24 frets.
My second bass, bought around a year after i got my Cort was (and is) a 2004 Spector performance series 4 string (i think its better than the current model). Frets filed from the factory (thanks to whoever was responsible!) and fitted with EMG passive electronics. Still have this as my backup and as my 'slap machine'!.
After being introduced to the music of John pattitucci, John Myung, Steve Bailey and Jean Baudin i switched to 6 string bass around may/june of this year. My current bass is an Indie IB606 'Beast'. Ive had the frets filed down a little (many thanks to Jon Shuker for the custom work and full set up). Its 24 fret, 34 scale, ash/walnut/ash body, maple and ebony neck, rosewood fretboard, active electronics and EQ (bass+treble). Shes a gorgeous piece of gear and il be using her for the forseeable future. Only possible mod. now is the electronics replacing with an EMG system.
I use D'addario XL nickel roundwound bass strings from .130 - .32 gauge.
Amp wise i use a Trace 1x15 and 4x10 cabs going through a Peavey MAX700 bass head (im looking for a second hand Mesa Boogie big block 750 if anyone has one going secondhand?). I also use bass chorus, distortion, wah and digital delay.
I play Bass in a Funk band, Metal band and Reggae band and i also play Trumpet and Flugel Horn.
Thats about it
Take it easy!
Ben