BassBod

Another suggestion for the Di Marzio J type - its a humbucker, so the output will be more of a match for the P. You've got the option of wiring its two internal coils in series or parallel (series is a bit darker but more output). Also look at the Sadowsky J which is made as a humbucker (probably by DiMArzio?). Some people say the J type is the least J sounding pickup, but I've always thought its a great sound..with the bonus of no single coil hum. It hasn't got all the top of a real single coil, but it honks away nicely!

Sigma - very similar to Martin, but a lot cheaper. Also get a decent DI (Orchid Electronics, with a mute footswitch). Do a search on acoustic strings here - the bronze rounds that most basses ship with are horrible and there are other options. Don't worry about being very quiet as you will always have to plug in, unless you are playing alone.

I'm guessing the replacement fuse let way too much juice through...hence the melted component? Good news that the new one will be a fairly easy re-fit. The bulbs were pretty easy to find a few years ago, but the correct metal clips to hold them may be tricky to get.

Good to know...mine's been a little wonder, but its over 20 years old now. Only a matter of time before something goes.

Sorry..bad phrasing from me. What I meant to ask was..what system is Jon Shuker using these days/fitted to your bass? I know he was using (expensive?) Schertler stuff a while back...curious to know if he's moved on to anything else.....

Great bass...what's the piezo system?

Before you spend any money look at the crossover circuit and see if it holds a car light bulb as a fuse/tweeter protector. They can come loose from the brackets that hold them in place etc etc The rotary control on my old GII feels very stiff, but works ok....but the bulb has fallen out before now..but not completely, giving odd results. I turn it right down anyway so it took me ages to notice!

I'd look into the crossover as well..had one of those cabs for a long time (may be the same one?) and they go very loud before stress, so you would have noticed quickly if it was turned up that loud. Wouldn't worry much about the co-ax for bass use. I always turned it way down, and only ever used it for vocals or acoustic guitar. Remember the cab design is supposed to be a transmission line, so that may complicate the speaker options. Good news is if you replace that monster speaker you will have a much lighter cab. I always thought the size was perfect for a gigging all rounder..it was only the weight that bugged me.

My Sansamp is very old, so it doesn't have a line level output option (as the new ones do). That means going into the effects return is too low level to drive the power amp well....so I have to use it in the front of the amp. Sounds good though. I just set the amp's tone controls to near "neutral" and only use them to fine tune what comes out of the pedal. Have fun experimenting, and do look out for used VT version 1, without the speaker simulator off switch. They are probably very cheap, as version 2 has been around for a while, and the latest DI version is coming soon.

Thanks to GP for answering proper geeky bass gear questions so quickly....its what we do best you know. Surprised you'd still rate the old Trace stuff....I know it was good at the time (I'm that old too) there are so many choices today. But having it nicked must be so annoying, even if the gig's a good payer!

The VT and bass diver will give a good emulation of a valve amp...with care I've found them capable of transforming very clean sounding amps into nice old school things. But..my priority is easy transport/loading, then sound, then volume for the gig. Your list may be very different. I found the key was to pretty much ignore the manuals and just listen to what they can do - particularly with less drive and careful use of the blend. Its too easy to overblow things and think of these as fuzz boxes..they can do much more subtle things if you take the time to experiment. My SFT is a clone, so I don't have any experience of a "real one". But, it is a bit more of a distortion pedal to me - the eq is very low mid focussed. More of a rocker than a jazzer? I'm waiting for the new smaller DI version of the VT to arrive...seems to tick all my boxes!

Having read the book and seen a Youtube of the same story...I saw no racism, unless you count rich popstar Noorrff Laandeners as a distinct ethnic minority. Now can we get on to the important stuff - would Guy ever consider putting the original (re-wound?) pickups back into Betsy? What did Womack and Co do with his monster Trace Elliot rig? Would he ever want it back anyway? Why use a Framus...there must be much better options for an Electric upright these days?

Talk to EA first...they don't have any original speakers for that cab, but a year or two ago they suggested the current Wizzy speakers would work in that box. There may also be Eminence units that would be ok (the original was a custom co-ax Eminence...but very specific to their design?). I also recall a B&C speaker being fitted to one by Mark at Bass Direct in the midlands - could be worth a call? A great cab, and a shame to see one die..

For the upright, try using the amp as a power amp only...and go direct into the effects return. You'll need an active preamp/DI but there are many of those around these days (something like the Fishman, Sansamp, Sadowsky, Aguilar etc etc). That takes one voicing out of the situation and allows you to replace it with something more "neutral" or suited to your upright. Might not be a complete solution, but I've had a pretty good success rate with GK's and SWR's.

I'd also consider heavier strings for the D and G as a first option..if you are noticing this playing at moderate levels, then its going to be more pronounced the louder you play. I haven't used compressors much, and only really as limiters for really loud gigs....but its got to be better to even up the response from the output of the bass. Worth asking Joe V if he has any thoughts...or could help source some custom string gauges?

There is a difference between paying people to use your product, and giving the stuff away, or for nominal sums. I don't have any issue with it...its good marketing and serves their more famous users well. One of the most important things Ashdown can do for its endorsers is provide loaner gear all over the world, sometimes at short notice.

I might even go see him perform in Bristol in a few weeks. This could be" the" opportunity for the Bristolian BC meet up that never happens.....

Sure Radial do one - or look on Thomman (under the DI link) for a dock/interface..probably a neater solution. SM DiDock - that's what I was thinking of...

I almost pride myself on making a noise that sounds like jazz from a distance, but wouldn't stand close inspection. Its more of an atmosphere than music. I get paid far more if there is nobody really listening - I'm also amazed at how long it took me to realise and accept that. It works for me...at the moment.