uk_lefty

They look fantastic. I don't usually like green basses but that P works.

Moving Pictures is an album I've listened to a bit but not for ages. I think that says it all for me. I don't dislike Rush, but even with some of the technical brilliance required to play their songs I'm not sure what I would do if a band started playing that in a pub gig, dance? Stand still and stare at the bassists fingers? Silently nod along to the beat?

Last two festivals I've played: First one, didn't bother taking an amp. As the first band on I didn't want to be asked to loan it out, so I went MXR DI pedal straight to PA and it sounded great. There were huge subs so I had to roll off the bass more than usual but that was ok. Second festival I asked one of the sound guys if I could DI from my pedal. A look of fear came across his face, we were delayed by a lightning strike elsewhere on site so I don't think there was time to faff around... I had to DI from the provided Line 6 Lowdown and it was absolute dog turd. All low end mush with no definition, even kicking in my fuzz pedal did next to nothing to alter the sound. Next time, I'm not asking, I'm just plugging the XLR into my pedal. Easier to get forgiveness than permission. In short, always have at least a DI pedal you know and trust because festival backline can be absolute rubbish.

Great to read a review of these! Getting myself a lefty fretless Stingray seems to be impossible, might have to be a Sandberg or Maruszczyk special order...

Hi everyone. One of my amps has a tweeter that hisses. I know it's only the tweeter because when I turn off the tweeter there is no hissing. It's an older amp with dials that crackle a little. Does this sound like an easy fix? I don't want to spend a lot on it but I would like to get it sorted so there's no defects.

Thanks for the inputs. End of school year (I have two kids, I'm not a teacher thankfully!!) And busy work period has prevented me starting it up with any gusto. I find it so hit and miss, I post some poor quality photos of a not so special bass and get great response, a gig video or two, or I copy the more popular bass hashtags and get next to zilch. A recent video I put up had over 500 views allegedly but I think that's B.S. Anyhow, if anyone fancies seeing some left handed basses occasionally or how many cabs fit in the boot of a Volvo estate feel free to look me up! RR_on_bass

Had exactly the same thing!! Took about a year of "PETE FFS WILL YOU STOP PLAYING THE MELODY FROM THE NEXT F'ING SONG JUST BEFORE WE PLAY IT???!!!" at gigs, rehearsals, on band WhatsApp group to eventually get through to him. It's worse than constant tuning of guitars and pedal b*ggery creating dead time between songs. Just don't do it. Doing stuff from a different genre too is just weird. I'm not allowed to play 80's riffs in soundcheck in case anyone gets the wrong impression about our 2000's indie and pop-goes-rock band. Which makes sense, really.

I've not had it long and now ended up on holiday.... I prefer the tube drive on the EBS, it's a bit more natural. I've not got my head around the EQ yet whereas the amp is straightforward.

My amps are.... Ashdown ABM600 head with 2x Pro Neo 1x 15" cabs. This is my main gigging amp, sometimes I only take one cab. I recently acquired a 100w SWR WorkingPro wedge combo that also acts as a monitor on stage. I needed a stage monitor and I've lusted after that super clean SWR sound for ages so I got it off BC. Positive Grid Spark practice amp. This is for nothing more than playing in my office. It's ok as a bass amp but really better for guitar. My gigging "backup" isn't the SWR, it's an EBS Microbass ii DI pedal, so if the amp goes pop I can XLR to the PA. Or I can XLR to the PA and not bring an amp which is good for festivals where we need a quick turnaround. Or I can XLR to the PA and run the amp and cab through another output for stage volume. Or I can use the Microbass as an FX pedal into the amp input and DI from the amp. Lots of options.

Personally I used the RM500 head and matching cabs before. Very, very good amp which can do a bit of everything. The ABM series IMO has much more authority to the sound. The cabs on particular are definitely a step up, I know because I had both my RM and ABM cabs at the same time for a short period. I'd say the non Neo ABM cabs are closest to the big, hefty old school sound but the Neo's definitely are not far off and a fraction of the size and weight. I use 2x 15s, they fit side by side in the boot of my car with room to spare (ok it's a Volvo estate...) and are a doddle to carry one handed.

I've had mine quite a while now, some learnings to share... If others in your band use the same system then it's important you don't rush connecting the bug to the base unit. Wait for the bass unit to show the green light. In some venues this can take what seems like an age but if you rush you'll crossover with your bandmates and have bass coming through their guitar amps. To recharge it don't rely on the base unit. Use a mains plug into the little usb thing, far more effective. Learned from painful experience. Be careful when setting your bass down into a stand with the bug still attached. Enjoy the freedom of not having a cable.

One day I'll just stop... One day. Added an EBS Microbass ii yesterday and put all the other pedals into a loop. I might go ampless a lot more now so having this pedal and the ability to loop the others into it gives me a lot more control. I also moved the Limiter/ Enhancer to the end of the chain rather than first, which I'm not sure about yet, giving it some trial and error. I swapped out the Marshall Guvnor for a Jackhammer and I think it will stay that way. The Guvnor was really good for lead guitar style tones but the Jackhammer is a lot more usable and can switch from overdrive to distortion. The AMT Bass wah might go soon, I like bass wah but I'm hardly using it at all. The Joyo Analogue Delay and Marshall Vibratrem were good, cheap additions, and for some synthy songs give me a little extra texture and sound fantastic with fretless. The Darkglass Fuzz remains as ever, absolutely fantastic. It's probably my favourite pedal. I experimented with a Marshall Regenerator which has six modulation types onboard but I ended up preferring my TC Corona for bass at least.

Just bought Carl's EBS Microbass II. Absolute gentleman to deal with, cannot ask for more. Thanks again! 😀

I fully understand that, it's not really the point I was making.

I like a bit now and then! For fretless I find some reverb or delay essential, a bit like adding reverb to vocals, it just thickens it up nicely and brings out the best qualities of the sound. I was at a Marcus Miller clinic where he said he finds reverb on bass to be too muddy so prefers delay.... I mentioned that on here and got told "just cos he's a great player doesn't mean he knows anything about effects" (I think being one of the foremost bassists and producers means he at least has time to try a few things, perhaps!!). So now I use an Analog delay. I saw an Ian Alison video where he used delay into vibrato and that sounds good too. Where do I use it? A low amount of delay always on for fretless. For certain parts like when I have to do the opening of Seven Nation Army without any other instrumentation, if you listen to the high definition audio version of the original there's a whispy delay trail on it, I use it for some synth type lines that I copy in pop songs too. On top of that at home I use it just noodling around because it sounds good solo. I got a Joyo Analog delay for a good price second hand and it's holding up well.

https://www.gig.ink/?fbclid=PAAaZByJVJigcFk4HY4QH8Pd8RIB9M3r0pEgiS0L5VaHEQzT3BKO8D5hCPdFk @Dankologyif you want a custom made pickguard/ assurance it will fit... I've had a few bits from Gig Ink. He's a member on here too I think. He's excellent and very reasonably priced. Band logo on a mirror pickguard for a left handed US Stingray? Not a problem.

If it were in any way not working, like dodgy preamp or whatever then I would send it back. But needing an hour's worth of cleaning would be a quandary. It's sloppy by the shop for sure, it worth the hassle of sending it back (assuming by post?) and hoping they do a good job of sorting it would make me think it's better doing it myself but sending them photos and asking WTF they're playing at.

I've been told off for my soundcheck being to play 80s melodies on my bass (Take on Me, Wherever I Lay my Hat) and singing the first few lines of "we didn't start the fire" as a mic check in case someone requests those songs! If someone requests a song from our wider list, we play it. We once had a larger lady request our version of "Hot me baby one more time" and promised us something special. As we played it she then launched into a half-gymnastic half dirty dance routine resulting in her doing the splits at the front. Some of that dance was inappropriate. We often get asked for songs way out of genre or that we just don't play. It's the anger and upset it causes when we say No that I just can't fathom.

As if I needed a reason.... Seriously, they don't float my boat but I can see why they're attractive to people who like Ukes. I don't want to put a downer on this.

£260?????!!!!!!! 🤯

No it doesn't 🤪