JDH

I've tried rounds, half rounds and flats on my fretless jazz. TI jazz flats do it for me!

It's attitude that makes you think about jacking in - there's no particular time, we can all become dejected when events seem to go against us! If you can't find a band that works out, set yourself some personal objectives. Brush up on your technique, or learn something new, challenge yourself! It'll be time well spent when other opportunities present themselves.

Great bass lines can only exist inside bass guitar forums - even then, there can be no consensus…

I’m using a mixer connected to my PC via a sound card. I DI out of my practice amp into the mixer so I can listen to just the bass, play along or record with any source. I have a pair Audio Technica M50 headphones. To my ear they have an excellent response across all frequencies especially bass. I’ve had them for almost 2 years and would recommend them, no problems so far and I use them regularly! They cost me £85.00 in January 2009, currently £134.00 from the same supplier. Ouch… JDH

That’s the point you can’t see the sound you can only here it… Actually, it’s a good point. The impression I get is that the build up of grudge inhibits or affects the way the string vibrates or oscillates - I think of it as damping the string, a bit like palm muting! I’m sure there must be a string expert here somewhere who can enlighten us!

I’ve been using the tube method of cleaning bass strings for around ten years, more or less since I started playing again following a long lay-off. As already stated the equipment required is readily available and fairly cheap and IMO the results are worthwhile both financially and tonally. I leave strings in soak for around 24 hours, then pull them out, but leave them suspended above the tube for 10 minutes or so for the meth’s to drain off. It’s surprising how much drains off, especially from a 5 string set. I then seal the tube to reduce evaporation and hang the strings up to dry for 24 hours. In the past I’ve tried wiping strings dry with a micro fibre cloth, but didn’t notice any discernible tonal difference, but it’s a good idea to do this anyway as there can be a small residue left even when the strings are dry. I have around 6 sets of strings in circulation at the moment. In general I’ve found that strings still sound almost new after 4 or 5 cleaning cycles, after that it is possible to discern a fall-off in tone and sustain, but even so still sound acceptable IMO. Personally, I prefer the tone when strings are played in a little. If strings have silks ends at the winding end they may become a bit frayed, but I’ve yet to have a string break or experience any tuning or corrosion issues. The process seems to work with most round wound string brands, having tried DR, D’addario, Rotosound, Picato, Yamaha and Ernie Ball with good results. I’m not sure if it was on this forum or Talk Bass, but someone asked about cleaning coated strings. I had set of Elixir Nano’s on a 55/01 for around a year. The B, E and A strings were pretty much dead, although the D and G still had a little brightness left. I tried cleaning the set, but I can report that the results weren’t good. There was a marginal improvement if any, certainly nothing like uncoated strings. I think it also lifts the coating on the string in areas of heavy use. Looks a bit like hairy string - see photo. I’ve just restrung my P bass with a set of Hi-beams and they are really bright. This is the third time they’ve been cleaned… Cheers JDH [attachment=63062:P1030020.JPG]

Babylon Sisters...

I personally look forward to the Mark Bass Road-Worn series and possibly a Vintage series, when I will gladly pay a 40% premium for a couple of concentric pots and an ash tray!

They should take a leaf from Fender; they’re currently listing 50 Precision and Jazz basses. Surely that’s way too low for just 2 designs… JDH

You can do both without a mixer. There's an auxiliary in (iPod/CD or other source) and a record/headphones out. I would expect the record/headphone out to mute the speakers. Check out the user manual... Cheers JDH

Doesn't this amp have an auxiliary stereo in (3.5mm jack) on the back panel? Regards JDH

I have a couple of these leads. They look exactly the same as those in your photo's and have the same text printed on the cable. It is a guitar lead, but I agree that the logo is misleading. It doesn't matter which jack is connected to the amp or guitar! Cheers JDH

[quote name='Hot Tub' post='725609' date='Jan 26 2010, 07:19 PM']Is my CMD103H gonna be "big" enough for a small pub? It'll be up against one electric guitar, one acoustic guitar, drums, and a singer. The band isn't "deafening" loud, but you have to shout a bit to hold a conversation. Subjective I know, but what do you think?[/quote] I’ve got the CMP102P and I haven’t had any problems with any pub gigs, even the larger rooms. I have an extension cabinet but rarely us it. I think your combo is rated at 400W as it stands - so no worries there. JDH

[quote name='pbaleiras' post='694547' date='Dec 27 2009, 09:47 PM']hi!! I have a Yamaha TRB1005….and I want to buy one hardcase, because gigbag is very fragile to be able to walk with bass to the concerts... I am from Lisbon, Portugal… and not meeting no store here where I can buy…. There in England, where I can buy one and order to come to Portugal?! Help me!! :unsure: Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee.... :rolleyes: CheerS... Pedro Baleiras[/quote] Hi Pedro I bought a hard case for a bass guitar in Spain a couple of years ago. The case was labelled "Cibeles Music", follow the link to their website (http://www.cibelesmusic.com/estuchesyfundas.htm). The case is rectangular and the part number is C203.001B. My Lakeland 55-01 fits the case so I would imagine that the TRB1005 would also fit, although you may need to check the measurements. I can't remember the exact cost but it was around 50/60 Euro. I would imagine it would be cheaper that shipping from the UK to Portugal. Regards JDH

[quote name='lowfer' post='674816' date='Dec 5 2009, 11:03 AM']Hi All, my lovely wife has bought me Korg Pandora for chrimbo, however the headphones i have are cheap and don't reproduce a very good bass sound. Looking for some advice on suitable headphones. Looking at spending maximum £70. Let me know your opinions cheers Nathan[/quote] Hi Nathan I can also recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 headphones, they are excellent for bass and monitoring. Before I bought them I was using a pair of Creative ear buds (EP-630A) which did a pretty good job for the money. The only problem was they can work loose from the ear when singing. You might what to consider them as they're available for around £10.00. Cheers JDH

I've recently been quoted £220.00 for a defret with a lined finish, and another inquiry which wouldn't quote without seeing the neck. I'm seriously thinking of just buying a fretless bass. Has anyone else come to the same conclusion or decided to take that route? Cheers JDH

[quote name='muzzer' post='217866' date='Jun 12 2008, 07:30 PM']As promised, here are a few piccies of the installed pre amp: As you can see, the pre amp is small - about the same size as a normal 9v battery - and the pots are pretty tiny too. Luckily my bass has a huge control cavity so there's plenty of room to fit 5 pots, two switches, an LED, the pre amp and two batteries in with room to spare. I can't wait to see wait this thing sounds like at a gig [/quote] Nice install Muzzer, where did you aquire the LED bezel? Cheers JDH

I’ve had a Cube 100 for around 3 years, I us it as a practice amp, although I’ve managed a couple of small gigs with it and it performed very well. It does have a quality DI which I’ve also used FOH and used the amp as a stage monitor. We’re talking small pub type venues here, so don’t expect too much it terms of volume. It’s very well built and has good EQ options, although I usually us the Flat or TE settings with the Shape button on. I think the tone is very good for the price point and delivers good overall sounds with vintage and modern basses. There are some onboard effects (COSM) which I don’t tend to use so I can’t comment on them, although the Chorus sounds reasonable IMO. The main issue as others have commented on here is that it’s falls between categories. It doesn’t have enough output as a gigging amp in its own right and is a little too heavy and bulky for an easily transported practice amp. I’ve also tried an extension speaker and although there is a perceived increase in volume it just tends to fill out the bottom end, so no real gain there as you’ve got to carry another cabinet. Overall I’m happy with it as a practice amp, it was good value when I bought at around £240.00. I see that they’re retailing for around £350.00 new so I would think twice before buying at that price. JDH