Rubbersoul

Pickguard set on the body just to see if it works. I think it does. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015537_1074113349293731_5741171228994432497_n_zpsifuqd2b4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015537_1074113349293731_5741171228994432497_n_zpsifuqd2b4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Really didn't know what to do with the pickguard, so I covered it with duct tape [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015098_1074113329293733_3854808374266576544_n_zps2uphfn3k.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13015098_1074113329293733_3854808374266576544_n_zps2uphfn3k.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Slightly more controlled burn on the rear [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13047806_1074007959304270_5302338985861700193_o_zpsdvrxnnit.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13047806_1074007959304270_5302338985861700193_o_zpsdvrxnnit.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

So, then I set it on fire! [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13041267_1074007935970939_7582190866638163217_o_zpsmeghncvv.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13041267_1074007935970939_7582190866638163217_o_zpsmeghncvv.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Next, dismantled and stickers removed [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13063374_1073934682644931_1096801927312152028_o_zpsgi7yk0dd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13063374_1073934682644931_1096801927312152028_o_zpsgi7yk0dd.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

My very first bass, owned for 40 + years, has basically been sitting unused for a long time. It took one too many knocks years ago and ended up with a nasty crack in the headstock that knocked the tuning stability off. I did glue it but unfortunately didn't clamp it tight enough so the repair looks pretty bad. It worked OK but I was a little ashamed to take it out. My mate was round last week and I plugged it in for nostalgia's sake: I could not believe the tone that came out of it. So I decided to do something with it. Over the following few posts I will show you what I did to the poor bugger. The work isn't complete yet because I'm waiting for some parts but I'll post what I've got so far and update as and when. I hope you enjoy. This is the guitar in question, a Westone Concorde 2, bought second hand in 1982 I think. [URL=http://s53.photobucket.com/user/Steve_Ireland/media/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13072906_1073905369314529_559035090561846018_o_zpsdrdlrvwy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Steve_Ireland/Facebook/The%20Bass%20Transformation%20Album/13072906_1073905369314529_559035090561846018_o_zpsdrdlrvwy.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

After all that, I was directed to Ignite amps. I got totally distracted and haven't even demoed the Amplitubes. Ignite only have 1 bass amp, the SHB-1 but it is exactly the sound I was looking for. Seriously dirty tone and not for the faint hearted but I love it. I will definitely go back and give the others a bash but for now I'm happy.

I'm a Windows / Android man so the appeal is limited to that. It does look excellent though but I didn't actually get a around to demoing the Amplitube models today so I will have another look tomorrow.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1461016296' post='3030766'] It might not be the answer you are after, but here's my amp sim software of choice - [url="http://www.positivegrid.com/index.html%3Fp=8125.html"]http://www.positiveg...l%3Fp=8125.html[/url] - in fact all of the Positive Grid products are stunning. I've just finished recording bass for a new album and every single part has used 'BIAS' and 'BIAS FX'. Super stunning! [/quote] Hey Dood, I downloaded the BIAS demo set to give it a go but I can't find anywhere were it says what restrictions there are if any with it. Does it just run like the free version of Amplitube where it is just that you have a limited set of gear to work with but that there is no time limit? Can't find anything on the site. Edit: was just playing with it and the sound randomly drops out. Hate that with demos.

Brilliant, I just found out I can demo any of the models for 72 hours. That's tomorrow sorted then ☺

Ta, I reckon I will get both but like I said, cash is tight (just got medically retired) so it'll have to be one this month and the next in a couple more.

Thanks man, I've not heard of this stuff before, I'll check them out. Still open to answers to the original quest though, all help appreciated.

Hi folks. I've been using the basic free Custom Shop package on my bass recordings and I am reasonably impressed with the general quality (apart from the stomp boxes, they're a bit pants). I want to add to the amp options and I am wondering who uses the software here and what their preferences are? I play with overdrive and the general feel is dark and nasty rock/punk/metal etc. I am thinking the Ampeg SVT Classic model may suit best but I am also considering the Orange model. I will be building this over a period of time as cash is a bit tight so only one at a time and I want to make an informed decision. Thoughts? Advice? Grateful for any input. Thanks, Steve.

[color=#141823][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]My new fuzz pedal arrived this morning. Holy sh*t it's epic! All the fuzzy goodness you could want without sucking the low end out of the bass the way my Big Muff (guitar version) does. Vicious! Have only been able to play it through the computer interface so far, can't wait to hear it through my full amp. Smiley faces all round [/font][/color][i][u]smile emoticon[/u][/i]

[quote name='CliveT' timestamp='1460026219' post='3021858'] I've just picked one of these up and I'm still figuring out the best setting but for the money it seems pretty good. Still around the £20 mark on ebay. Rubbersoul, out of interest, what settings do you use? Mine is stock so quite middy but the well used trick of setting the low and high on or near max really gets round that. In fact my current settings are level at 9:00, lows at 3:00, highs and gain on max. With fingers this gives a full, slightly fuzzy OD. Back off the gain a bit if it's too much. With a pick I back off the highs a little. [/quote] Normally I have the bass and treble round about the 2 o'clock mark and the gain up full. Small adjustments if I'm using someone else's amp but through my Ashdown this works for me.

I've been using the Digitech Bad Monkey for years and I absolutely love it.

Saw a two piece punky blues type outfit called The Bonnevilles a couple of weeks ago. Small gig but utterly brilliant. Reminded me a bit of early Black Keys (not the poppy crap they are putting out now - think Rubber Factory and Thickfreakness). With songs like "Good Suits and Fightin' Boots" how could they possibly be anything but marvellous? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyLSnHyueqg

Panic over! I had a look round the net and was advised to spray the switch with contact cleaner. £3.99 later and some liberal application and the thing works! Not 100% but it seems to be getting better the more I press it. Happy days, lesson learned.

Cheers I'll look into that one.

Another shout for the Superlux HD668B. I use them for mixing, monitoring and general listening. For the price I do not think they can be beaten. If you can't find them on Thomann, Amazon is your best bet.

I find myself in need of a flanger. I have an Ibanez CF7 but there is a fault with the foot switch which makes it unreliable for live use. At the moment I only need it for one song and it is unlikely it will become something I will use frequently, so I don't want to spend much. I have seen a lot of very cheap pedals that are allegedly designed in the US but built in China by a compny called Mighty Sound. They look exactly like the Mooer pedal but are selling for £15 on ebay. Anyone have any experience with them or can you recommend something else in a similar price range? It will be used with an overdriven bass tuned to D standard. Thanks.

I just ordered this a couple of days ago : https://youtu.be/p1Y7kQ5aV8I It seems to be a straight clone of the Zvex and the demos sound brilliant. £32 delivered seems pretty good. Will let you know how it sounds in real life when it arrives.

Sorry I don't know it but I do like the Bluetones.

Bad Monkey is a superb od pedal. I originally bought mine for guitar but found that it gave me exactly the sound I wanted on bass. It is my one essential pedal.

What do you class as a versatile bass ? Never mind - I just saw your Enfield thread. Looks brilliant.