bassmayhem

Fender doesn't sell enough. That's why they kill the brands they buy...

Now I've been noodling around a few weeks with the Stick and started to feel, well not exactly like home, but at least on the right continent. When I got the instrument it had baritone tuning. That won't say too much to the average bass chatter, but it means the melody side is tuned a quart lower than the usual classic tuning. I also tuned down the melody side one whole step to get better access and not let the hands "collide". Suits me fine. That means the instrument is tuned (on the first fret with marker - three frets above the nut) Melody strings falling: 1-A, 2-E, 3-B, 4-F#, 5-C# Bass strings rising: 6-D, 7-A, 8-E, 9-B, 10-F#. This tuning gives a good symmetry: five frets up on the melody side (the next fret with marker) gives the same notes as the bass side, making orientation easy. The lower tuned melody side makes the instrument "hold together" sonically, with both sides overlapping each other in a nice way, maybe more suited for a bass player's approach than from a guitar player's point of view. But what do I know? I'm just learning to crawl again...

I've posted this in the Bass section, but found out about this thread later, so a replay: [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]I have had a relapse in my 80's sins.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]During the 80's and early 90's we had a band playing "instrumental progressive music", mostly around Western Germany, as the country was called back then. A long lost friend from that era has knocked on the door to my memory and made itself present in my head for a while. Well, here it is:[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]A 10 string Chapman Stick, but this time MIDI equipped...[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]...as you can see here. Now it is like PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE to get in decent shape.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Here is a pic from "back in the days", 29 years and kilos (almost) ago. I sold my old Stick some 15 years ago and have regretted it ever since. What have I gotten myself into...?[/size][/font]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1390254046' post='2343288'] You are not alone..... I bought a 12 string Grand Stick towards the end of last year after selling my 10 string years ago & regretting it. I've recently had lots of problems with damaged ligaments in my right hand though so I've hardly played it since I got it. There's a Basschat Stick thread here if you're interested: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/164195-the-stick-thread/"]http://basschat.co.u...e-stick-thread/[/url] [/quote] Thanks for the tip! I'll post "over there" too...

[font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]I have had a relapse in my 80's sins.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]During the 80's and early 90's we had a band playing "instrumental progressive music", mostly around Western Germany, as the country was called back then. A long lost friend from that era has knocked on the door to my memory and made itself present in my head for a while. Well, here it is:[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]A 10 string Chapman Stick, but this time MIDI equipped...[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]...as you can see here. Now it is like PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE to get in decent shape.[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Here is a pic from "back in the days", 29 years and kilos (almost) ago. I sold my old Stick some 15 years ago and have regretted it ever since. What have I gotten myself into...?[/size][/font]

Definitely a GB Streamliner 900 before it is too late!

As long as I didn't connect the Korg PitchBlack+ I could use anything, but that unit caused some strangeness in the signal chain when using a wall wart or power supply with non-isolated outputs. I got the Voodoo Lab Mondo, et voilà: all is good. I can power my more hungry digital effects from that one too and also choose between different voltage settings. Expensive - but paid for! [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 12 isolated outputs sections eliminate ground loops and hum [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] All outputs compatible with 9V battery operated pedals [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 6 outputs high-current capable for modern digital effects [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Powers Strymon, Eventide, Line 6, Boss Twin, TC Nova, Moog and more [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] 2 outputs with Sag simulate low battery[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Toroidal transformers and linear regulation for lowest possible noise[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Temperature controlled variable speed fan [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Includes cables and detachable AC line cord[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3] Courtesy AC outlet[/size][/font][/color]

This is my pedalboard as for now: I also added a Voodoo Lab Mondo underneath it since I took the pic. The short flat patch cables are EBS new stuff. They save a lot of space.

Well, I haven't decided yet if I shall keep it. The string spacing is a bit too narrow for my big hands. Anyway, here is a pic from my corner of the living room: A nice looking old girl, she is...

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1388580519' post='2323553'] I'm currently looking to get an orange ad200b all valve beast and when I tried it in the shop with their orange obc115 400w 1x15 bass cab it sounded awesome, it has an eminence kappa speaker in it (I believe) and I'm wondering whether a TKS cab (and which one) would be able to kick the same amount of huge richness and fat bottom end while retaining the surprisingly balanced sound and sparkly top end (and be a lump lighter)? I was very pleasantly surprised at how sensitive the orange cab was and at how good the slap sound was through it! Proper chuffin heavy though!! [/quote] I got a friend who is selling his orange coloured TKS 215 cab (out of production) due to the size and effectivity. He complains: "It is impossible to get the amp to break up at volumes you survive using that cab..." The TKS stuff is very efficient and the ratings on the web page are honest. My 2126 cabs are not that efficient, which is stated in the web page, but they go way deep. They are more like studio monitors. In the present range of speakers I'd say the best matches to an Orange valve amp would be either the W212 or W2126 cab. Check the web page: www.tks.se You can get it in "Orange orange" and with the grille of choice...

Here is a picture with different fronts (vinyl and cloth) on the same 112 cabinet.

I've been collecting preamps for a while and have found some favourites. In my rack I have from top to bottom: - Roland M-120 Line Mixer - for connecting all preamps to one power amp. - Yamaha PB1 - one of the first rack units for bass. If you find one of these 80's gems: GET IT! - Eden WP-100 Navigator - the most versatile of them all. - Ampeg SVP-PRO - the one that differs most from the others in tone AND noise. - EBS-1, series 2 - also a versatile preamp, more hi-fi. A bit strange to tweak, though. - Trace Elliot V-Type - the surprise of the year! Very, very good sounding preamp. Like the Yamaha it builds on the Fender tone stack. Find one: GET IT! [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/1-BassPreampRack_zps6afb9610.jpg[/IMG] These things have NOT cost a fortune, more like basement bargains, due to weight and bulkiness. Today you get light weight stuff that is really, really good. I got a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 for ordinary "meat and potato"-gigs. These things mostly sit at home, or get rented out to some local studios.

Lakland! Period. No other five-string I have played comes even close. Most - not all - fivers are four string basses with an extra rubbery excuse for a B-string with a totally different tonal charachter. I have to quote a very fine piano player, Horace Parlan, when he was asked by a fellow musician about the jazz blues they were to play: "[i]Whay key...?[/i]" His answer was: "[i]Blues [b]IS[/b] in F.[/i]" [i]P-bass [b]IS [/b]four string[/i]. But if you want a [i]five string P[/i]: go for a Lakie!

[quote name='action_panzer' timestamp='1387383040' post='2311353'] A humbucker? On a jazz? *head explodes* the status neck sounds like a really interesting idea, but dont they alter the sound significantly? [/quote] Yes, they do! You'll get another bass. Check out the G&L basses! (The US ones...) Good build at good prices. [url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/basses/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/basses/index.asp[/url] I got a JB, a very fine bass. Their L- and M-series should suit you better...

Some brands have a NAME. Some have not. It has nothing to do with quality. Unfortunately that reflects a lot in the price on the second hand market, but if you get an instrument to [b]keep [/b]and [b]play[/b], it doesn't matter. I've never played a Wal, but I've played an Overwater. A very good and nice instrument with solid feel and tone. It is like clothes: some suites you better...

[font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Guess whose TKS 2126 cab acted as "centerfold" in the big TKS review in the Swedish "Fuzz Magazine" this month:[/size][/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3][/size][/font]

This is a very cleverly designed bass ... I thought the bridge was a little too bulky with a lot of strange details until I - to my surprise - found this: Adjustable string spacing! The previous owner had missed these important details: - He had not tightened the locking screws to the intonation of thebridge saddles, with the result that they fluttered like aspen leaves in the wind when played. - He had not tightened the locking screws for the string spacing (one per saddle) which made the spacing fairly uneven with some audible buzzing and other [i]peculiarities[/i]. Overall, this means that you can get " compound spacing ', ie . the same distance between the strings' " winding periphery " instead of equal distance between the center of the string core. This means that the distance between the strings adapts to the strings' diameter : larger diameter - larger center distance = same distance [ in ] between [/ i] strings. Smart! Feels just right ! Now I'm just waiting for a set of new strings so I don't have to use my own old ones. If I try to describe the tone of the words, something equally baroque, like dancing about architecture, but I make an effort: a homogeneous tone with granular core, perfectly bridge pickup bark without a shred of thin crispness. The neck pickup can emulate P- bass tone if you like, both pups in combination becomes like a juicy tonal boullion with a light fragrance of thyme and wild meat. Tastes best with a Cabernet Sauvignon or Cotes du Rhone... (Heck, I said I would try.)

This one has Bartolini pups and three band eq (with hidden mid band pot in the control cavity). The fretboard is rosewood, but I oiled it yesterday evening so it was "soaking wet". The guy who had the bass didn't really know how to set up a bass, so I spent some 45 minutes filing the nut to appropriate height, adjusting the twin truss rods, intonate the bridge and raise the pups to a level of "non anemic content". The bridge pup was set so low it didn't make a difference, nearly. I put some foam under both pups and screwed them tight. I set the mid control on full et voilà: the bass sang like a bird (just lower). Before the tweaking I did some serious cleaning of the fretboard with a ScotchBrite spunge soaked in oil, also cleaned the laquer with my standard solution: window cleaner (kind of...). I was a bit surprised though, since the bass is rather neck heavy in spite of the long upper horn. Not a problem, just not expected. Oh, I changed the buttons to Schaller Strap Locks. Ambient: I cannot comment on the similarity to the American made Tobias basses, since I've never played one. Still, it has a very nice tone, touch and quality. The neck is asymmetric: also a new experience. It feels more expensive than it was, at least after my tweaking. The strings were wery, wery old so I changed them to a set of not-so-very-old strings, but plan to order some balanced sets from Circle K Strings. Anyone tried them?

Toby Pro is another animal... Here is a better picture: This bass is REALLY nice...

Well, here it is: [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/11_zps01523223.jpeg[/IMG] After some tweaking it proves to be a very nice bass...

I just got hold of a nice and rather rare bass in a swap deal: a Tobias Standard 6, made in Japan, one of the 400 made pre Gibson take-over. In one hour I have it at home. Anyone out there with experience of such basses? I'd be happy for a comment. Pic's will follow...

Made In Japan!!! Definitely! Even if I don't call it heavy rock; just plain old school 70's rock with a lot of blues flavour. A double album full of playing and musicianship. A gigantic jam session! There is only one double album to match Made In Japan, but in another genre: 8:30!!! Same, same but different!

I got a pedal somewhat like that: the old Markbass Distorsore. (Out of production) It is a tube/valve unit with a compressor in front of the drive circuit, then lowpass and highpass filters and then a blend control for unprocessed and/or distorted sound. Also gain and volume controls on a tandem pot. I never use it since the type of distortion is not what I looked for, It has that Sheehan flavour with a distortion that can sound like an octave above the played note. (Due to the harmonics produced by the valve, I presume...) Anyway, a nice "instead of" Sheehan pedal. Also - the compressor can be used without drive so you can parallel compress your signal. I have it in its box, complete and just like new, waiting for someone to buy it...

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1385624101' post='2290294'] I'm interested in making it. I'm going to make a ramp for my LTD jazz, I'll try to do one for This one too. Hopefully without having to ask Cameron to send me his bass, but not sure how possible that is. Sorry Bill for hijacking your thread. If we go ahead on the ramp and post pics maybe I should go to another thread? or do we stay here? [/quote] Good idea with the ramp.Also nice to see someone else having a "Dirty Blonde" too. I've been thinking about a ramp for mine too, as well as selling the bass from time to time... [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/CIMG1336.jpg[/IMG]