BassBod

Not a fan of the Warwick bags - good design but the padding is really flimsy and allows knocks through to the bass. I've also had the straps come off when the stitching pulls apart..but that was after a fair bit of use. What bugs me is the padding is made to look thick but if you feel it you realize its pretty useless in protecting your bass. Harvest are the best I've seen - the canvas ones are very, very good (never seen the full leather version). They are fairly big, and expensive (but cheaper from Overwater?). Also the Levys CM19 (?) canvas one is great. After 20 years of playing I decided it was worth buying the best I could find (within reason!) rather than replacing them every 3 years. It all depends on how much you use them?

I don't think there's a player alive who's ever totally happy with their sound - and it really is a complicated issue. First thing - stage sound is never as good as out front...and is often shockingly bad, even with great gear. Sometimes (well, more often than not?) you just have to have faith that the audience is hearing a better tone than you are. Second - do you like the sound of your bass? What does it sound like both direct (no eq) or through an amp? Years ago I thought you could change a bass sound to "fit" different circumstances. Now I "cast" a bass for a gig - and honestly the only basses I've found that always work are Precisions or Alembics...but the Alembics often look wrong. Maybe try a fender style passive bass? Third - a good sound at home/rehearsal often doesn't work at gig level and acoustics. Be flexible, don't put too much low end out on the stage and let the PA carry the house sound. With a trace, don't let your graphic settings stay the same from gig to gig - go back to flat and start again for each room. Its easy to get used to a fairly overblown sound if you don't check back regularly. Hope some of the above helps? BB

The Clifton EUB has a Realist pickup, which I take a direct signal from (no preamp). Usually sounds fine flat, no need for much eq, although I will take some low end off for larger venues if I can. The balance issue is really when I use passive jazz bass together with EUB - I find the Jbass needs a fair bit of help (low end boost and some mid-cut) to sound good next to the EUB. However, being able to accurately set the relative gains for each seems to reduce the need for eq quite a bit.

My ultimate solution for this was the Alembic F2B preamp - not cheap, and a rack mount box! However - one thing I did learn was this. I always assumed that I'd need to make radical eq changes, as the bass guitar always sounds so "weedy" when used next to upright. But, I had a dual channel/switching DI pedal made for a banjo player with a gain adjustment for each (by John at Orchid electronics). When I tried it out with BG/EUB I found that getting the relative gains properly set up virtually removes the need for major eq'ing of either - it really surprised me.

My former 2000 SSI was a great bass...one of the best all-rounders...but I could never get "warmth" from it. Even after changing to EMGs and Aguilar circuit. I've recently acquired a 98 Thumb NT - much heavier, with a slightly displaced feeling (long neck on short body). The sound has more character than the SSI, with more of a bark to it. From what I remember the MEC pickups/circuit are pretty much identical (except for PJ /JJ) so I guess the tonal differences are down to the woods - all maple vs wenge/bubinga.

First suggestion is change the jack socket....then get a tech to check the wiring/circuit board. Its probably a component or solder joint but these can be hard to track down. I had a problem with a SI and decided to change to preamp for an Aguilar rather than mess around. It was an improvement over the MEC unit. The John East stuff would be great, and also the Bartolini preamps (although this seems to be out of fashion these days?).

It was a while ago, but I'm sure I paid somethng like £26-8 for the Pyramid Golds. Exchange rates have changed etc..but check Thomman? Anyway..they are very smooth, fairly supple but the E string feels big and fat, even though the guages are supposed to be standard 45-105 ish. Not as hard work to play as LaBellas. The other odd things are the outer wraps stop abruptly after the nut (on a regular Fender P or J) so there's little in the way of spare string, only the core goes round the tuner..and the ball ends are smaller than most. One bass (can't remember, but I think it was a Fender re-issue bridge?) can't use them as the ball ends pull through the bridge holes. I suppose you could fix this with small washers, but it was a bit of a shock. BB

My experiences with flats to date: Rotos - felt very stiff, put a lot of tension on the neck but didn't sound good to me. Thomastik - sound great, but the floppiness can get annoying (move the action up and they are easier to play). LaBella - tried the expensive black plastic ones - fantastic sound, heavy guages but don't feel like hard work to play. I think they'd probably last longer than I've got left on the planet. But my favourite so far has been Pyramid Gold (another old German company). Slightly higher tension than most rounds (but hardly) and a good "old" sound straight away. Makes you feel warm and cosy and ever so slightly melodic. They are stupidly expensive in the USA, but only normal expensive in Europe. BB

I've used my Clifton for ten years now - I'm not exactly happy with my abilities...but I'm still very happy with the bass! Do contact Mo if you need any advice about the bass. Like most makers he's always improving designs/trying new pickups/strings etc so can let you know what may work best for your needs. BB

I'm near Bath...just off the A420..and short of gigs...and 40 something. I may just be in touch! BB

I don't think there's much between them really! Assuming the Eminence is a fair bit less ££, then I'd go for that. The only thing I would add, is carefully think how far you'll go with the upright - my Clifton EUB plays and feels very much like a full scale acoustic. Good because I can move to an acoustic without any drastic changes/shocks...but the downside is I need to play and practise regularly to maintain any sort of dignity! I've only played one Eminence and only for a minute or two, but it was set up with the "feel" of a regular acoustic - my guess is that really dropping the action would compromise the sound? Obviously strings and specific set make a big difference etc If you want somethng that demands less physical effort, then I'd go for something like the NS basses which can sound good with a lower action? Just my thoughts.... BB

Recently sold a bridge to Paul - easy transaction with good communication.

That's really interesting - thanks. I've always liked the idea of the Turner basses, but I hadn't thought of them as fragile. Maybe I'll actually get to play one eventually! I'd discounted the Godin, but largely on the experiences of a few guitar playing friends who'd all tried earlier versions but moved them on after a short while. Recently I've worked with a guitarist who plays the nylon/classical version and it really does sound good (much better than I remember the others sounding). Thanks again for the review (ps what do you think of the 1x12?)

I've used the Korean (?) made Kent Armstrong ones that WD sell. They're pretty good for the money, the only criticism I had was they could be a bit "clangy". However, I can't remember whether I had the alnico or ceramic magnets... I know it all depends on the bass etc, but these days I'd get a used set from a "better" range such as Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio for around the same money...or go for the Wizards or Aaron Armstrong. BB

If you're in a hurry, get Hiscox standard sized. They're tough and light, so easy to cart around if you have to. The Bass safe doesn't fit around all gig bags...so it can hit or miss...and like Ck said, they can open if not closed carefully (usual for airport securitiy?) Good luck BB

I used them a few years ago - nice strings. More like Thomastik Spirocores...but good strings. I think the standard Steinberger strings are a variant of these?

I'm not entirely sure they'll fit...but the Innovation (made by Picato) strings are great on my Clifton. There are a few types, but they use a synthetic core, and give a good "old fashioned" sound (lots of thump and less sustain/growl) compared to steel cored strings. They can be had for around £80. My only complaint is that the outer windings can slip a bit on the core, which can feel a bit strange...but I've never actually had one fall apart! Good luck - there's a lot of choices BB

Made by a bass maker...but a bit smaller [attachment=21942:DSCN0463.JPG] I've also got a solidbody/electric made by John Marlowe under the stairs..anybody want to buy it? BB

Shame about the light - I remember (maybe wrongly) it was only the newer 200 that was getting the complaints. What seemed to hack people off was moving from a reliable b100 up to the new higher wattage version and then having to deal with unexpected cabinet problems. Sounded like early production problems? Anyone got one recently? How heavy are they (really?)

I thought about getting one...but was put off by reports (on the interweb only..) about bad cabinet rattles and poor construction. Not the best way to evaluate an amp, I know, but it was enough at the time.