JapanAxe

I got my TC Classic head a couple of weeks ago, but had only been able to use it at home. Compared to my Ashdown ABM through the same speaker, at first I thought I preferred the Ashdown's fatter bottom end (fnar fnar), but soon realised that the TC had much more clarity in the mids. I wouldn't have gone out of my way for compression and overdrive options, but used in moderation they really add to the sound. Overall the sound is quite 'produced', but not to the point of fakery. The big question was: Will it be loud enough? Today I took the TC to a jam session held in a large room on the side of a pub. I plugged it into my Ashdown 1x15 8-ohm cab (my only option at present) and turned up the wick. The short answer is: YES. (The longer answer will have to wait on my BF Compact arriving.) Plugged in my P-bass, set the gain to avoid clipping, and set the master at 5. Too loud against a drummer, two guitarists, and PA'd vocals! Master down to 4 - still needed to back off the volume on the bass from time to time. Sound is tight, with plenty of punch when the strings are plucked hard. Also met the approval of another bass-player, who owns or has owned MarkBass, Eden, and OTB heads. Result! Can't wait to hear what it sounds like through a Compact!

Always guaranteed to have some interesting stuff in Wunjo.

I transcribed this once. Iirc I played it by moving between 1st and 3rd positions - quite hard to do smoothly.

To me, fusion is a bit like dogging. I have no objection to people doing it if that's what they want, just don't ask me to join in! EDIT: Or watch for that matter.

Andy I suggest you read all the [s]blurb[/s] technical explanations on the [url="http://barefacedbass.com/"]Barefaced[/url] website. The gist is that the drivers are so efficient (in terms of displacing air) that they go loud without needing 1000 watts to drive them. And still email Alex, he will reply. As for buying used, you will have to be quick!

I have a MIJ Squier Silver Series Jazz, and the lower horn looks very much like that. Now you mention it, it is pretty darned ugly, but I never noticed it before. [attachment=120191:Jazz lower horn.jpg] My advice: put on a black pickguard and forget about it!

Revision to above - more of a woody top than zing.

There's always a healthy second-hand market in used valve amps, even faulty ones. A faulty Orange Tiny Terror (guitar head, not bass) just sold on eBay for £215! So even if you don't have it looked at or fixed, don't ditch it. What is it anyway? Make/model? Head/combo? Approx age? Impossible to say more without knowing a few facts!

[quote name='Faithless' timestamp='1349357859' post='1825240'] For starters, it's not the different keys that's the biggest issue. Do you know your fingerboard well? I mean, REALLY well? It's crucial that you know your axe very well in order to read. Actually, pitches and keys aint the hardest the thing in reading - it's rhythms (groupings of 16th notes, syncopations) - that's what you want to look for. [/quote] ^^^ What he said about rhythms - the trick is to learn to recognise patterns rather than trying to read note by note.

Definitely worth trying a CIJ (crafted in Japan) model - but then I would say that...

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1346585938' post='1790792'] What we need is a standardised Basschat 'loudness' ... Then we need an unbiased way of measuring loudness. We could faff about with spectrum analysers/noise meters etc but it would probably best to use another bass player (unbiased)... ..... This is just an outline proposal. Please feel free to add your own suggested improvements..... [/quote] Where are you going to find an unbiased bass player? Surely s/he will be too busy criticising the bass tone and saying 'I would have played that better...'

Won't each shelf cover up the foot switches on the one behind?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1349341690' post='1824842'] Ahem ... with certain exceptions. There are some basslines that you mess with at your peril. [/quote] And what he said ^^^

I always start by transcribing the original part as closely as I can, then trying to learn it. Once out gigging, notes get forgotten and corners cut, but what I'm playing is still close to the recorded version.

Can definitely recommend Bare Knuckles for guitars but never tried on bass. Fwiw my CIT '62 RI P-bass has the usual wimpy Fender bridge but has bags of sustain - probably more to for with the timber used?

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1349244654' post='1823691'] Mainly at work these days (don't ask), involving audience up to 800, no pa support. Barefaced Dubster and before that Big One. Light, sensible size,loud and great clarity - the big hifi is my best take. Hope that helps. [/quote] Cheers for that.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1349211725' post='1823485'] Ordered a Super Twelve on 22nd September, so it's now week six. [/quote] Something wrong with your calendar thebrig!?

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1349210633' post='1823460'] The wait will be worth it - trust me [/quote] Trouble is, in the meantime I will be suffering from option anxiety: Do I really want a Compact? Would I be better of with a Super Twelve? A 12kg giggable cab is a dream come true, but if I ended up with two, the Super Twelve would have cost me less. No doubt I will be thrashing this out in due course, and there is always the 30-day trial to fret through (in more ways than one). So 3below - at the risk of hijacking this thread - what kind of gigs do you do, and what is your rig?

Nice to hear from you on this Alex, and pleased to read the update page on your website. Looking forward to being asked 'all the usual questions' - we all like to talk b0ll0cks about kit!