Clarky

I just bought a KA mag pickup off Gareth. Arrived next day and Gareth helped me out with finding a cable that fits the unusual RCA jack plug. Excellent BC'er!

Thanks mate! I decided to keep your old Wizzy 12 as I haven't yet found a better balance between clarity and volume - I thought I had it with an Acme Low B2 cab but it didn't match the volume part of the equation. Hence the Wizzy is staying

As long as your bridge vibrates with the strings any piezo will do the job. I have a Baby Bass which is effectively a foam-filled EUB in the shape of a downsized DB and the previous owner (Mr_Bassman aka Keith) wedged a Revolution Solo pickup in the bridge assembly http://www.uptonbass.com/Double-Bass-Pickup-Revolution-SOLO-II-RS2/ Its very similar to a Shadow but enclosed in wood and does the job well

[quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1327145241' post='1506891'] [/quote] My thought exactly! And there was me thinking £206 for the head was a bargain ...

This won't directly answer your question but the Ibanez Affirma bass, made in the early 90s, is notorious for one or more of the piezos going quieter or failing. In this case, the original designer Rolf Spuler offers a service whereby you send him the saddle and he repairs/refurbishes for around £30. Point being, its clearly not a big or costly issue getting these fixed, as long as you know where to get the work done - the latter question I cannot help you with but I would call a reputable luthier like Alan Cringean of ACG Guitars (who uses piezos in his basses) or Martin Pietersen of The Bass Gallery and see what they say

I can't answer your question but I am very glad to see your post as I have just ordered an MB200 this very afternoon for the princely sum of £206 (SoundsLive)

Update: keeping the Acoustic Image and have bought, on Keith's advice, the little GK MB200 amp for backup/practice/rehearsals/small gigs - there was a deal for £206 shipped at SoundsLive which really is peanuts if this head is as good as people say.

Very DB-friendly - phase switch etc - and easy slider EQ. Its the industry standard preamp for DB for good reason. There are other good ones - Headway, LR Baggs etc but depends on how much you want to pay and what functionality you need. I like having a mute-able tuner in my preamp so I use the LR Baggs Venue DI but its quite a bit more pricey than the Fishman. http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~L.R.-Baggs-Venue-DI~ID~13224.asp

[size=4][sup]The colour is fab (I'm a big fan of antigua) but it does seem mighty pricey, as Jack pointed out[/sup][/size] [size=4][sup]As for pure unadulterated sex, I wouldn't know. I'm married [/sup][/size]

[quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1327052767' post='1505591'] That lisp not sorted yet Clarky ?? Thufferingthukatash !! [/quote] At latht! Wath waiting for you to thpeak up Tom

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1327001928' post='1505117'] December 30th at the Adelphi Club Hull. [/quote]Hey SS, your RIM bass (need to type that carefully!) looks very cool on stage. Very nice

Thinking this through further - and trying to eliminate the GAS effect - I have a perfectly good amp in the AI Clarus which has bells and whistles I don't need but which I will have to sell at a loss for another amp which will not be better (at least not for DB) but which will be simpler and a bit cheaper. I think I will take Geoff's advice and stick with the AI head, at least for now.

Maybe we should ask BC'er, Ethicsbasscat?

I just sold a fretless to James, meeting at a dodgy service station! Very charming and honest. Thoroughly recommended. Hope your entry into the word of fretless is fun, James!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1326988645' post='1504799'] Maybe you shouldn't have sold your F1 last year Clarky ;-) Let me know if you want to borrow it for a few gigs. [/quote] Thanks for the offer Dave. Annoyingly I didn't try the F1 on a double bass gig so I don't know if it works well in this setting - its great for electric

It seems logical (to me anyway) that the combination of the unnatural angle that the left wrist assumes in the lower positions plus the sheer distance to the Thumb's nut (due to its unusual body vs neck gemoetry) must be exacerbating matters and that to find a playing position or bass which brings your left wrist closer to your body can only be beneficial. I doubt anything you do with the Thumb (eg, strap button placement, different strap) could change that fact in any meaningful way, sadly. Probably does mean a new bass if you are keen to go electric in a serious way. A bass where the body sits easily across you and where - contrary to some suggestions - there is a thicker neck may mean an easier grip. I still get pains from my broken left hand and find I get less cramp with a thicker neck than a skinnier neck, I assume because there is less tension in the hands as you curl your fingers into the ball shape. You might consider it a dull bass by comparison but have you thought of borrowing a good old Fender P from someone (as opposed to skinnier necked Jazz)? The body hangs very naturally, can be moved a little laterally to your right so you can pluck nearer the neck with a straight-ish right wrist and in so doing brings the nut towards you? Just a thought. And then there is also a short scale, not all of which look like kid's learner basses! Warwick are going to be making some short scale basses according to a post by Throwoff today, which might be your ideal half-way house? Good luck mate in getting this sorted