BassBod

Here's one I made earlier....started as an old Brandoni bitser (was oil finished) and ended up with an old style paint job, bashes and all. The colour doesn't really work in the photo, but its Fiesta Red (pinkish but more red than it look on my screen). Sounds great (with flats) but I've got a bit of earthing hum I can't get rid of. [attachment=2151:DSCN0992.JPG] You can do it yourself, but its not cheap or easy... BB

Cheers....but its staying with me for a while! BB

If its a four string I wouldn't expect it to make much difference, but on a five or six it may be noticable? I'd suggest taking off a tuner and weighing it, then compare that to the ultralight. You could multiply the difference (x4 or 5) then hang that weight on the headstock - I know that's adding the weight and not taking it off, but it should give you a feel for the difference? My guess is its not worth the cost, unless you've got a dodgy tuner to replace anyway... BB

I use an old Alembic F2B - its certainly warm and very traditional, a fantastic unit - But, it does lack midrange and this can cause problems on some gigs (particularly with cabs with a pronounced mid scoop - like most SWR/Eden/Ampeg). Also the F2B lacks any DI outputs so you have to use a passive DI box in the chain somewhere. The more "modern" F1X is a bit better equiped, (with the same eq) but only has the one channel. If you're looking for "balls", I suppose its Ampeg, but I've never liked the (rented) ones I played through. I'd also consider the Sansamp rack pre. I like the combination of an SWR 220 as a clean preamp, but with the Sansamp pedal in front for a bit of edge when needed. There's a lot of choice..and yes, they do all sound different! BB

Look up Cafe Walter - a bit pricey, but very good. BB

Ok, people may think this is b@ll*cks, but I've found that P bass pickups tend to sound pretty much the same, and I've never really heard a bad one. But Jbass pickups do seem to all have a different character. The worst I've heard were from an early 90's Fender (Japanese?) - very hard and edgy sounding, low output and did the bass no favours. Kent Armstrong (Korean made) replacements sounded very full and punchy (for the money) but still had a bit of harshness. DiMArzio (humbuckers) sounded great, good and honky, but not really the classic bright tone you'd expect form a J. EMG's are fantastic for a modern clear sound, but can sound much more traditional if you turn the tone down at least half..... That's the ones I've played....oh and a SD Antiquity (bridge only). Easily the best sounding, most traditional etc but was pretty microphonic and hummed like a bee BB

I'm a happy EMG user, with a Warwick (together with EA amps and cabs) but its a combination that can be too clean for a lot of people. Two suggestions, set your amp eq back to "flat" and start again, with an emphasis on boosting the lower mids and cutting around or above 4k. Second, cut the highs on the bass (at source) and you can get a more "passive" sound from EMG's. For an "old" sound for blues/rock gigs I often use a Sansamp to warm/rough up the Warwick - more extreme but its always worked for me. BB

Mark Pinto - I think he used to play for Bakka Beyond (World music band based in Bath)??? Sorry, back to the discussion.... BB

I've bought a few cables - excellent products, good prices and fantastic service. Highly recommended. BB

Great to see the old Ashbory still turning heads - tried it thru an octave pedal yet?? BB

Assuming you won't be moving the neck elsewhere, (and its not way off) I'd take a bit off both. Its easier to sand a small amount off, and you're less likely to distort straight edges. Use a block to help keep things flat, and try the fit often to check progress. Good luck BB

Simple answer no - its the soft rubber strings/piezo. But as noted, they can be a pain to intonate and keep in tune (maybe the current Ashburys are better, with geared tuners?.....) BB

Mine's for sale due to a recent bad Alembic habit (4 string fretted and 5 string fretless) - time to slim down a bit. I've always been happy with the Streamer, even more so with EMG's and Aguilar, but its just not an Alembic.....(some would say thankfully..) My other basses are Brit made (Manson, Clifton) and really have little used market value compared to the Warwick. BB

I'd suggest a secondhand Workingman's 12. A bit heavy, but very good sound (esp with an extra preamp..) and a great all rounder. I've seen them on evilbay for silly ££s BB

I've got an unused set of LaBella flats (black plastic coated) for 30" scale basses - made to fit the Rob Allen Mouse basses, but they didn't fit my short scale (thru body needs a bit more length). I've got a full sized set on a Jazz bass, they're great strings. PM me if you're interested? BB

I'd suggest changing the circuit first, and see what you think of the MEC pickups after that? As for electronics, I like Bartolini or Aguilar but its really a matter of taste. I've always heard good things about the Demeter on board, and there's Mr East's products...but I've never used them. At least there is some choice these days! BB

What he said - decide whether you really want to go acoustic or not, and invest the money in either a "good" acoustic or good EUB. Try to play a few EUB's if you can, as they can vary between "fretless BG on a stick" to "just as hard to play as an acoustic" and everything in between. What sound are you looking for and what situations are you expecting to play in? For me, an EUB that plays like an acoustic (ouch...) and sounds pretty close, even at relatively high volume, is perfect. Other people prefer more of a BG action and more fretless sound. I've got a craptastic acoustic (new bridge, new endpin, pickup, new strings..) and I hardly ever use it. BB

Overwater used to do something very similar....check out their online shop?? BB