Lfalex v1.1

Just as long as your front man says it like Elvis... Presley. Not Costello.

wasn't me that said it was too close to the mark...

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1365631654' post='2042243'] It has certain appeal despite the use of "funk", although I suspect we'd probably use another name to avoid problems with oversensitive funky souls... [/quote] Soften it a bit? Funk-U very much..

Do you know much about the innards? Essentially, they're modular inside, it's not all on one board, and the leads between each bit aren't hardwired, they're just push-fit connectors which inevitably come loose at some point. Open it up and make sure they're all pushed home properly. DO NOT open it up whilst powered. Mains power will render some parts live! Of it's not those, which fuse are you blowing? The internal one above the power lead socket? IIRC it's a T3.15Amp. Do check the value, and see if you can get a "slow- blow" fuse of the same value. That may prove better, and still gives the right degree of protection. Hope that's of some use!

Funk-u

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1365512238' post='2040488'] I believe that original S1 pickups have 2 wires from each coil, to enable these to be switched (parallel/series). [/quote] +1 That's what I'd expect to find under the scratchplate.

Anyone who favours single pickups, don't accidentally buy a Warwick Fortress Masterman... It'll confuse the hell out of you!

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1365581069' post='2041205'] Recently went thru the headphone auditioning thing as my Sennheiser 201 cheapys were failing to cope with the bass levels thru my Zoom B9... I actually prefer full over ear types to these on ears but they are fine for a couple of hours blasting. [/quote] 201s just can't cut it with uncompressed bass. I favour circumaural types, too. For what we're using them for, closed- back designs are preferable. Less sound leakage, and therefore no spill in studios, and less aggro for others in the domestic environment. I use the old Sennheiser HD 215 mk1, and they're fine.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365586023' post='2041303'] Mmm, not sure I agree. For a bassist, the two are pretty much equal in their necessity. Any intermediate bassist should be able to apply those two qualities to their music with equal panache. [/quote] +1. But I'm not sure about applying French shandy to my music...

[quote name='morsefull' timestamp='1365585439' post='2041291'] I suffer with this problem and AFAIK it's due to the plucking finger "following through" onto the next string and pressing it onto the frets. Rounds clank, flats thump. I've tried for ages to change my right hand finger style to be less aggressive and pluck more across the string rather than down and through but when I get exited I just revert back to bad technique. I suppose I could force the issue by turning up loud and having to play gently but it's just not me. Any other tips on how to overcome this? [/quote] Yes. But it may require a change in your technique! It can still allow you to attack the strings if you want to, though I would advocate (and am working towards) a lighter right- hand style, as it makes playing less arduous and allows greater speed if required. A good tip is to try turning up the gain on your amp, but playing more gently to keep the overall volume level the same. This may force you to alter your attack such that the thump is less obvious or disappears altogether. After that, you need to look at damping strings to reduce unwanted noise. If I were playing any note on the A string on a five string, I would damp the G and D strings by gently laying my fingers across them whilst still physically fretting the desired note. They shouldn't be struck by my right hand, so the chance of harmonics being generated is small. Assuming I'm still playing the A string, that still leaves the E and B to damp. I'm alternating strokes on the string with my index and middle fingers, following through into the E. I damp the E with my third finger, by resting it on it. I rest my thumb against the body of the bass or a pick up, but leave it touching the B. The whole position translates downward/upward with string changes, and you end up leading with your third finger leading to damp the string above the one you're about to strike. The thumb can follow downwards, or can stay put. You need to move it clear of the B string if you're plucking that! The only downside is that this style precludes the use of the third finger to pluck. Otherwise, it's quite sound and stops a lot of unwanted string noise.. Sorry about the long reply. Someone else has probably suggested other alternatives by now!

I got pulled up by the police when carrying one bike whilst riding another...

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1365538770' post='2040972'] BAH! It says the country on the back of the headstock. I would only be interested if it was Korean anyway. [/quote] S'alright. You're safe. It's Chinese...

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1365537999' post='2040952'] Tell me about this OLP! What country was it made in? [/quote] It's an MM3. Don't know what country it was made in. Unfortunately, its new owner is coming to collect it on Saturday. Done on EBay. No-one on here ever seems to want what I'm selling. Except today, it seems..

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1365467021' post='2040091'] Why not burn them yourselves. Get printable CDs, http://www.amazon.co.uk/CD-R80-Inkjet-Printable-pieces-recordable/dp/B00AR0WOY8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1365466888&sr=8-4&keywords=printable+cds and print them as well on a printer that prints CDs like an Epson photo R220. You might as well print out the back covers and inserts for the jewel cases, http://www.amazon.co.uk/100x-Jewel-Cases-Black-Tray/dp/B0011YDXPI/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1365466968&sr=1-6&keywords=jewel+cases while you're at it. It's a lot cheaper so more profit for you. [/quote] It's what one band I was in did. Turned enough profit to pay for the next recording session and covered its own costs in terms of production, too. All we did was pay for rehearsals and travel to venues (which we shared in two vehicles)

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1365410305' post='2039025'] CAPTION ? [/quote] Should have gone to Specsavers?

Thanks to all for the contributions so far. Staying off bass as it plainly exacerbates whatever I've done. Ironically, nothing else seems to affect it. Struggled to sleep because of it last night, but seems okay in general use....

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1365427083' post='2039376'] These days I tend not to worry about badges. Chinese rockbass £100 sounds just as good as my 'best bass'. Then again my best bass is only a copy precision, says something like made in Fullerton CA USA by Leo Fender on the headstock. Have had the why do you only have a copy comment several times. Seems like a waste of time trying to explain G&L to the uninitiated. [/quote] SB-2?! I'm not a badge whore at all. I buy what I like. I'd never heard of Vigier when I bought mine. I had sort of decided on a Thumb 5, but tried everything in the shop in my price range. Off of the wall came "the black one over there" and it never went back. I DO own an American Jazz. Jazzes suit/fit me very well. The one I bought felt and sounded better than a Warwick j/j Streamer and was nearly as punchy as a Ray on some settings. I own a Squier VMJ, too. Cracking bass. Super neck, and some better pickups will make it really quite formidable. Have funds? Try it. Like it? Buy it. Colour, style (unless that causes ergonomic issues) and badge aren't really part of the equation.

Had 3 Escorts. All did heavy band duty. The 1.3 ohv was the best. Basic as you want. Got myself, guitarist, singer and all gear everywhere. Now own a Puma, which is a bit of a statement of intent about my gigging future.... There isn't one. Even if I could find the time, there's no space!

I'm gently downsizing. Selling off cheaper instruments like an Ibanez, Ovation electro-acoustic, OLP and potentially Hohner B2A, whilst keeping more useful/ better instruments. Figure I'll keep the VMJ, MIA jazz, Vigier, Yamaha and two of the Warwicks. The fate of the Streamline and Infinity are undecided. In place of the 4 or 5 that go, I'll likely invest in an EUB. Has to be a fiver, though!

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1365367375' post='2038711'] Do you know for sure it's tendon issues? About half way along the outside of your forearm? [/quote] Almost. More like two-thirds of the way to the elbow and outside edge / slightly below. Only other thought is tennis elbow, though the pain isn't in/around the joint..

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1365361146' post='2038572'] What i can't understand is how a courier puts a hole through several layers of packing AND plywood. Was it a drill hole? [/quote] Forklifts. Stable, robust, powerful devices for a tough job. When clumsily (or mis-) used, the damage potential is simply enormous.

Thanks, and it's ok, I'm only canvassing for opinions and experiences. I'm not going to sue anybody over it!

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1365339052' post='2038174'] Surgical spirits is good stuff for skin & strings, you can kill 2 birds at once by cleaning your strings off after every session with sugical pririts on a cooton pad or soft cloth, getting it on the fingers & strings at the same time + it will clean any dead skin & detritus out of the strings making them cleaner & healthier to minimize contamination or aggravation of any dermatic condition. First thing I do with new strings before fitting them is to rub them hard along the length with a pad soaked in surgical spirits, you might be surprised at the black muck that comes off some brand new strings, depending on the manufacturing processes, oils etc. used. [/quote] Or use coated strings.... Provided that you can get on with them in terms of feel or tonal qualities. Fortunately my job entails lots of manual work. My hands seem pretty tough and heal in two days when split/cut.

Whilst trying to remove a seized sump plug today (long story), I've found that I've strained some tendons in my right forearm from repeatedly applying a lot of strength when laying at a funny angle. Hadn't particularly noticed it until I picked a bass up, but now it feels like that arm (plucking, I'm right-handed) is on fire, especially when I play. That, and I've heavily bruised my fretting hand just from gripping something too tightly. I'm no weakling, nor am I Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I can't comprehend my ability to apply more force than my bones/joints/tendons can take through muscle power alone... Any ideas on recovery times. Fortunately I'm on holiday from work for 2 weeks.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1362498997' post='2000214'] Listen to how Frank Sinatra sings well known songs, and how they differ from the original... that's 'phrasing', that is. [/quote] Or remember how the cylons in the original Battlestar Galactica spoke? Monotonous, without inflection or emotion? That's a complete lack of phrasing!