BassBod

From memory...the pickups join the circuit boards with a multi-pin plug - a push on plastic block. Gently, see if you can unplug/push it back on. Could be something loose or slightly dirty. Also, gently tap the pickup to see if the A string comes back. The pickups have quite a few separate coils inside (and joins) so it could be internal to the pickup, but still only affect one string. Nothing that can't be sorted....even if it means a trip to Paul Herman.

Stripping and re-finishing a neck isn't that much work - mask off the headstock face to keep the original logo, and its less work. I'd have it "professionally" re-fretted and then home-rattle-can (nitro) refinished, but only if it set up and played well.

Off topic - but you actually got in touch with Fred H? I thought Darkstars were a thing of the past (well, obviously they were...but you know what I mean..) and he'd disappeared....

From memory, the drivers are Eminence. Someone here put a replacement 10" in my old CXL 1x10 and was happy with the results - may be worth a search both here and under repairs? The CXL series drivers do seem to need replacing after a few years....hopefully they've improved things in later designs?

In that case - do it! Don't think there's much risk of it not working for you (unless you play very very loud...with no PA support).

I'd consider a 1x12" plus 1x15" combination - not much difference in size or weight?

I explored this years ago for my Clifton EUB - the only option was a rectangular flightcase/wardrobe! Its big, but not really very heavy...has wheels at one end, so it can dragged along behind quite easily. There are some advantages - being square makes it easy to stack in vans, so it doesn't get knocked around...its plenty big enough for "baggage handlers" to not even think about throwing it (much). Down side is it attracts interest from customs..and can be fun in airport x-ray scanners and revolving doors. Its flown a couple of times and worked well - leave the flightcase at the hotel, and do local travel with gig bag. But its also been great for touring in vans of all sorts. Currently lives under the stairs.

I've got one of Beedster's old 1x15's - great stand alone cab, and I'd love to hear what a pair can do. Very musical, not a lot of really low end, which makes it great as a stage monitor (you don't mess up the out front sound as much as a typical 4x10). Small and sturdy...but a bit heavy by current standards. Nice.

[quote name='molan' post='1273216' date='Jun 17 2011, 09:21 PM']That oiled birch 15" is a pretty funky standalone cab at £450. Looks much nicer in the flesh than it does in the pics [/quote] I wasn't even thinking about it... And I won the premium bonds yesterday, but the £25 wouldn't even cover the postage! Hopefully they'll be sold soon, so I won't have to think about it.

That Bag End 12" is just tooo tempting...and I've got car tax this month....and my well paid weekend is looking wet and windy....its not good.

Good find! But the bunny has taken a chunk out.....that might cost a bit to fix.

I've been using the non-tweeter version for around 7 months now...for all sorts of gigs on BG and EUB (with an EA Micro). Its a very good "one box for all" cab, and the light weight is wonderful for those gigs where you can't get the car get close to the venue (seems to be most these days). The sound does have a bit of mid emphasis, but nothing unpleasant - if anything it helps to keep things clear in bad acoustics, without feeling you should turn up the volume. I've also got a lovely Bag End 1x15" - sounds fantastic, is only a bit bigger than the midget..but I've only used it about three times since I've had the BF cab. The Bag End sounds deeper and very musical, but it is over twice the weight. Mine had some distortion when it arrived, so back it went. Problem was sorted in a few days, so not a concern - except that it was the speakon terminals inside the cab. Don't know what would've happened if my amp had been damaged by the speaker fault, so worth checking things over carefully. The size of the cab is also very good. Not imposing or obvious in "acoustic" or cramped situations. I had the BF Compact on loan for a few days, and though it sounded great and was very light, it was just too big and black for a lot of the smaller gigs I do. Quick edit for ; Don't forget to look out for used Euphonic Audio cabs - not as light as the BF, but the Wizzy/Mline Wizzy are very, very good. Would go well with SWR BB, provided you don't have to go "loud".

The foam/sponge under the strings, just in front the bridge might help a bit - partly to mute the top, (and keep the feedback at bay) and partly to get a good short thumpy sound for them therrr bloozzee.....as we say, here in Brizzle.

Best gig bags I can afford (Levys, favourite) for all stuff where I'm traveling by car or public transport...Hiscox for all vans and flying.

I've never used it much in the last 15 years...but I did do several years with a Series VI. I picked up a Mark IV GP11 preamp ages ago (the version with the XLR input) and it is a lot less "voiced" than the later incarnations. The slap switch pre-shape is there if you want it, but the graphic is very simple and overall its a warmer tone. The only issue is the noise filter..or rather the need for one, but that's only an issue if you use extreme eq boost at the high end. A few weeks ago I compared it to the Alembic F2B, and there wasn't that much difference...surprising since one is a 60's valve design with passive eq and the other is a late 70's tranny with a powerful graphic.

That is amazingly crap. I've had very helpful responses from a few American companies..including Alembic (often cited as the last bastion of true hippyness). I'd just ignore KS and get searching for an equivalent - there must be good techs in France who can repair your problem for a lot less money. A detailed pic and some notes of any markings on the pot would be a good start...

I had one about ten years ago - loved it, but it was a real pain if I wanted anything like gig volume. I've got a Martin now..and its really the same story! Lovely sound, very enjoyable to play but hopeless for gigs unless they are really really quiet. As for pickup, the K&K that sticks inside under the bridge is very good, but you may as well have an enpin jack socket fitted - all the velcro/tape arrangements aren't very durable

Some thoughts. The Sadowsky is always active, even when the preamp eq is bypassed, so you never hear it without the preamp..even if its only acting as a buffer. Also the Sadowsky pickups are spec'd and voiced by Sadowsky, even though they're probably made by DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan. Given Sadowsky's origins as a "hot rodder" for Fenders I'd guess they are voiced for a bit more edge or bite than stock Fender pickups...as that was what a lot of players were looking for back in the late 70's and 80's. The Marcus and Will Lee approach needed an impact that stock Fender basses couldn't do without some active help. With current amps stock Fenders can sound a lot better than they did back in the old days (!) - may be some of what you're hearing is improved amplification of what was always there...and the more "modern" voicing of the Sadowsky?

Try plugging into an external preamp? The Aguilar DB924 and Sadowsky pedal were both (allegedly) voiced in the style of the early Music Man circuit, and add a bit of low end hump and treble bite....whichever you prefer.

Actually....now you mention it, a powered Bag End 15" in the naked wood finish and an Alembic preamp. Sod the weight - that would be just about perfect.

Alembic F2B (twin channel fender/RCA preamp from the radiogram days) with a 300w class D power amp and a transformer DI in a small box. My Euphonic Micro is very close to this...but the preamp isn't quite as nice and the DI is a balanced stereo jack. Ever seen a grumpy/confused sound engineer? This feature virtually guarantees you will meet one.

Another vote for Brandoni - the necks and bodies are very good. The hardware and pickups are more hit and miss, so I'd suggest getting body and neck and sourcing everything else from wherever..including here. Used bridges, pickups etc can be very good value and its surprising what you can collect over a few weeks. Its a great learning experience and really demonstrates the value of a good set up.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='1256474' date='Jun 4 2011, 02:09 PM']i've always read that 'gain staging' (low input level and high master level) is the best way to get high volume with low feedback in order to cut through the mix [/quote] I've always understood it to be the reverse - highest input level without unwanted distortion..and minimum output volume...as a way of achieving the best possible signal to noise ratio!? We must be bass players......

Protec Contego...cheap from Thomann. Not the smallest case/bag but very comfy once its on your back, and has plenty of room inside. Think of it as a cheaper version of the Sadowsky case...