bassmayhem

I forgot to add my fifth... Super J5 with J-Retro Deluxe. (I've equipped the SJ4 with the same preamp too...)

The ABZ also has a very thin laquer to let the wood "breathe and resonate" more naturally.

They are Vovox Sonorus; the best cable I've found out there so far. Vovox won't even call them cables: "Klangleiter" is the term used. They really do difference; they let EVERYTHING through. We had a cable shootout a few years ago, with a lot of different cables: everything from crap to expensive. "Is there any REALLY expensive cable here?" was a question asked. I offered my 20 ft Sonorus for a test. The test leader connected it and started to laugh in a very bullying way. "IT BUZZES!!!" All the crowd laughed, until I said: "It is your shitty P-bass that buzzes, but noone can hear it with all those lousy cables you use." Well, the guys with lousy cables chose to believe their cheap cables were better. None of my basses buzz through my cables. Never and ever. And - your fingers won't smell like old rubber... things when you have rolled them after a gig...

My two (or three) new kind of midget setups: Acoustic Image with AccuGroove Tri112L, and Vanderkley Spartan with the same AccuGroove Tri112L... Well, three setups, I use the AI alone too... I also use the Spartan with my big TKS 2126 cabs...

Here is my choice:

What brand is that bass?

I bought an Acoustic Image combo from tharidla, it arrived well packaged after a swift and trouble-free deal. Nice amp, nice guy!

I bought Rorys Kala U-bass; it arrived in one piece, well protected in a coccoon of bubble wrap. Rory is a nice guy to deal with, highly recommended!

I cannot say anything about the East MM-preamp, but I've installed the J-Retro Deluxe in my both Dingwall Super J basses. A most versatile preamp, and I doubt the MM model would be less versatile and well sounding. And - Mr East is the definition of a true gentleman. A pleasure to deal with...

This one has some really nice grain... If the neck is anywhere near the neck on the US Bob Glaub I had, well, then it is just fantastic...

My old beloved Jazz Bass I bought second hand in 1982 has undergone some dramatic changes through the years. It started as a black maple neck bass. I took off the horrific lacquer and had it more or less just wood filled/plain wood for a lot of years. It was the heaviest s.o.b. out there, causing a slipped disc and back surgery for me. Some years ago I had a new very nice body made for it, chambered, with "tiger eye burst". But - I made a mistake: I didn't tell the luthier I wanted 70's bridge pup position, so it was a beautiful wall warmer for some years. Last year I bought a super nice single piece swamp ash body with 70's routing from www.guitarbuild.co.uk and today I let the old friend out in the sunshine again. No lacquer, just heavily Danish Oiled and polished, Hipshot KickAss bridge, the Swedish Lundgren single coil pickups and completely shieded and grounded. Even the pole pieces are grounded, so no buzz when touching them. Faraday cage, kind of... Well, here is my old friend, my first ever bass, revitalised and reincarnated... It is the same bass as in my avatar, but with the beautiful body, that now has a fretless neck...

Whichever bass, I like number two...

Stainless strings are somewhat obstinate compared to nickels. It sounds like you want that bright tone, so I may have to disappoint you. Looser tension means by law of physics lesser brightness and "twang". If you want to try REALLY low tension strings, try the Thomastik Jazz Rounds! They are however a bit different from other strings in some aspects: - First - the gauges: .029 - .043 - .051 - .068 - .089 - .116 from high C to low B in 34" sets. That makes them really floppy if you "dig in"... - Second: the tone is very... organic and natural, I find no better way to describe them. No shrill treble, a nice full mid with a lot of "wood" in the tone. Not really the twang you may be after... - No string for traditional slapping. Finger style playing with a LOT of fffummmmph, if you "loosen the grip"... - It takes some adaption of playing style, softer right hand touch, but you are rewarded with a tone to die/kill for. As long as you like the tone. They sit very, very well in a band mix. http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/sites/default/files/catalogue/bass_guitar_2015.pdf

I had one for sale a while ago, but in Sweden. Customized wih a cabinet in smoked oak... Sold, I'm afraid... The little Quilter BassBlock 800 acts very valve-ish compared to other solid state amps. 1.7 kg isn't wrong either. You can attach that one to their own cabinet and cover the front with whatever vintage cloth. I used that amp for everything from acoustic upright to downright metal. Listen to this demo:

What is the most important thing, that it sounds old or looks old? A friend of mine who plays in a Beatles tribute band use a MarkBass combo with Vox speaker cloth on. Just for appearance. Find yourself a nice sounding "top loaded" combo and change its clothes. If the sound/tone is a main thing, well, you can always add a nice preamp in front... Or: get a Peavey VB-2: the most underrated fantastic all valve amp out there. Sells for coffee money...