JapanAxe

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1472208989' post='3119439'] I think your issue is TWO guitarists. I've been in a similar situation where finding a tone that fits in the mix is practically impossible because both guitarists are using 'Their sound' which is the sound that they like when playing solo in their bedroom/practice space. This leads to volume wars where everyone just tries to turn up in an effort to be heard over everyone else. [/quote] +1 I much prefer to play in a 1-guitar band, whether or not that's me on the guitar. The single guitar naturally has its own space without having to compete with another one very much like it. Guitar, bass, drums - sorted. Keys? A whole other thread...

When you say 'chops', would that include 'jowls'?

To me, Townshend, Moon and Entwistle played as 3 soloists, but somehow the chemistry worked. I had a first run through last night with the band, and the approach of signature riff + ad-lib improv seems to work.

I voted 'abandon' because I recently sold my 5-string after owning it for a couple of years. I imagined it might make my services more desirable, but it was only really of benefit on one (1) gig. I don't think I ever identified string spacing as an issue, but I totally get the 'comfy slippers' thing! I now have a Hipshot Xtender on one of my basses - quick access to low D is generally enough.

I'd go for one with just a P pickup in place of the regular Mustang one (in fact I've seen Mustangs modded this way) but I have a thing against PJ layouts.

I didn't start on bass till I was 40 so why not? You can pick up a lot online. Avoid the YouTube show-offs, stick with the likes of [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/"]Scott Devine[/url]. [url="http://www.studybass.com/"]Study Bass[/url] is good if you want to learn the theory too.

Here's my 3p worth (see what I did there?): Left - 1973 in Natural Ash, all original except the brass control knobs Centre - CIJ '57 RI in Candy Apple Red with CS '62 pickup (KiOgon loom incoming) Right - AVRI '63 RI in Faded Sonic Blue with Hipshot Xtender It's fair to say I'm fond of Precisions...

I keep an [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/12-obbm/"]OBBM[/url] speakon-to-jack cable for that very purpose.

I had the pleasure yesterday of hearing andyonbass (of this parish) playing his ACG 5-er (with fretted neck) into an R400 and two TKS 1x12 cabs. I could clearly hear every note, without the bass guitar being silly loud, so that's a big plus in my book. I went for a closer look in the break, and I particularly like the clip-on front cover.

Mono gig bags come up used on BC from time to time of course.

Next step is a KiOgon loom! EDIT: Incoming!

I play bass and guitar and I can sing. I used to consider myself a guitarist, but at some point when I'd been playing bass for a few years, I realised 'musician' was a more appropriate description.

Mmmm....

A few weeks ago I bought a CIJ '57 Precision via this very forum, and expressed my delight [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/287183-nbd-and-a-tale-of-4-string-sets"]here[/url]. Over that time I became somewhat dissatisfied with the sound, in particular when I gigged and rehearsed it with my country band. Frank Zappa famously said that talking about music was like fishing about architecture, but with that in mind caveat I think the stock pickup was a bit lacking in the fat mids that I crave, and quite smooth-sounding. On the one hand I didn't mind that it sounded different from my other Precisions, but on the other it wasn't quite in the ballpark for me. Anyway, I bought and fitted a Fender Custom Shop '62 pickup. Fortunately the dimensions are exactly the same, so no routing, drilling, sawing, or filing were required, although the larger screw heads on the CS unit meant I had to jiggle the aly scratchplate a bit to get it back in place. And what a difference! My £550 bass now sounds like a £1,000 instrument. It's not a million miles form my '63 RI, with loads of punch and growl, and all the range I want across the travel of the tone control. This is a 'spare' bass that will now hold its own with my 'main' basses. The Fender blurb describe this pickup as having 'flush' pole pieces, but in fact they do project through the covers (although they are not staggered). I don't know whether this is period-correct for a '62 (and I don't really care, as it is on a supposedly '57 bass), but it might put some people off as there is always the chance of catching your fingers, pick, or even strings on the pole pieces. As always, pics or it didn't happen:

[quote name='P Kool B' timestamp='1471711239' post='3115272'] Sorry, I should've been a bit more clearer in regards to effects- I've got plenty, but I want to try to avoid them, so I don't want to be buying something for an inflated price for an option I (probably) won't use, although I shall definitely check out all the recommendations given so far. [/quote] I suggested TC because it might allow you to do without pedals - onboard tuner, and 1 or 2 effects available (depending on the model) if you need them.

If you want affordable with effects, go for one of the TC heads that have the Toneprint(TM) facility.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1471685570' post='3114981'] I've had a few of their guitar pickups, and they were great. No experience of their bass range though. [/quote] Likewise. I have Mississippi Queens (HB-size P90s) in my Gibson CS336, and that is probably the all-round best-sounding guitar that I own. I also had a bitsa 'Nocaster' with a Brown Sugar set, and it was the perfect Keef-a-like. A friend has an Apache set in his Strat, which he is very happy with.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1471686393' post='3115000'] That whole rig is one sweet looking piece of kit!!! [/quote] We must have very different tastes in cabs!

I have sent a link to this thread to a friend in a Slade/glam tribute that I have depped with. I expect they may know about this already, but who wouldn't want to take a glam tribute act to Italy!

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1471639801' post='3114768'] I'm having this one: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P-Bass-Precision-Pickguard-Custom-Fender-13-Hole-Guitar-Pick-Guard-Bandito-/321999029167?hash=item4af8a343af:g:Cf8AAOSwX~dWs5PD"]http://www.ebay.co.u...f8AAOSwX~dWs5PD[/url] [/quote] Is that Ronnie Corbett?