ped

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07vwg5w 'Why is music addicted to bass?' Worth a listen, get the sub fired up Cheers ped

Pretty sure Kiwi had two in his last time he visited. Send him a PM perhaps.

*ping* Coming right up. Anyone need a drink?

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1503423991' post='3358132'] What an odd thing. I can't decide if it is genius or just pointless. [/quote] I'm finding myself picking it up all the time. It sounds brilliant and it's so 'handy' It's a bit like having a moped when you also have a car

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1503392426' post='3357764'] Wingbass + sand + salt spray = Happiness? I don't think so. [/quote] Looking outside today it looks like rain + wingbass + sand + electrocution Maybe just a noodle in front of the TV then

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1503391999' post='3357754'] I seem to recall reading somewhere that piccolo bass tunings work best for synth bass applications? Which would tend to suggest that this thing could be the perfect synth driver. [/quote] Yep that's the plan. The GK system will work well because it's the same a small playing with a 12th fret capo. The GK doesn't do any 'tracking' as such as it works a small an actual pickup into the VB99 so no latency either. The main bonus will be the polyphonic octaver which I can use alongside any other effect. The only difficulty will be deciding where to put the various controls and output. So far I'm thinking the up/down patch buttons can go on the heading edge of the bass at the bottom and the output at the front. You can't have the outputs on the 'back edge' where they'd normally go because that section rests on your leg.

I'm down at my wife's family holiday home in Wales. We go every year, it's sort of 'off the grid' although in recent years there's been improvements to 3G etc hence I can still post in BC! Anyway long story short I was relaxing in the hammock with the wingbass, headphone amp and a beer just now. Sybil was wandering around meeting other local dogs and well it was just bliss. Weather looks ok tomorrow so shall I take it to the beach?! ped P.S off to see Alpher at some point maybe next week about the GK install.

I'm away this week but I can have a closer look when I'm back. Was there something you needed to get from the convo as I can look at inviting myself in and copying over what you require. Cheers ped

[quote name='Grantd' timestamp='1503310582' post='3357022'] I believe it should be ready at the end of this month. [/quote] Great! I tried one at the LBGS and really liked it. I also just got a wingbass which is superb. Look forward to seeing yours.

Could be because the other person deleted the convo - the software is a bit weird, it deletes it for everyone if one person deletes it!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1502974407' post='3354777'] Bringing the bass isn't the problem. It's the articulated lorry filled with pedal boards and FX units that's the problem. [/quote] Actually I'm only using the VB99 these days and occasionally a GR20. The two together make a really neat little package. Single effects pedals are a pain. Still wouldn't turn down the chance to have a go in a lorry, though! [url=https://ibb.co/nbTAra][/url]

I showed her the bass yesterday and came out unscathed, in fact she even LIKED it. What's she been up to? Yes I'll be bringing it to the bash, I'll wear cargo trousers. I know a Uke bass etc is much cheaper but to be honest whilst this is sold partly as a 'travel' bass, it's actually a brilliant bass in it's own right - it doesn't feel like a 'toy' if you see what I mean. I probably wouldn't buy one new from the states because of duty etc but for what I paid it was a no-brainer. Honestly the craftsmanship is top notch.

[quote name='ricksterphil' timestamp='1502970798' post='3354730'] Cool thing...are they expensive? [/quote] I think new they are about $600 which for a custom built (half) bass I don't think is bad. There's a configuration page on their site where you can 'build your own'

Looks really cool. Now get your cabs painted and find a matching morph suit

[quote name='CameronJ' timestamp='1502927780' post='3354498'] Ooh I'm jealous ped! Very cool. [/quote] Thanks, I'll bring it to the next bass bash so you can try it. The GK kit arrived today, and I'm talking to Chris at [url="http://alpher.co.uk"]Alpher[/url] about installing it, at they're semi-local to York. I did the last one myself but feel this time it's worth paying a pro! Bought the kit from Bax-shop, they were pretty good despite me getting an email to say my payment failed when it hadn't, ending in a telephone call and lots of confusion. The kit was the last they had in stock so really didn't want to miss it. Thomann were out of stock at the last minute.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1502960219' post='3354621'] The only downside I've found with Imgur is their chaotic, unreliable album arrangement; the pics just do what they want, it seems. The only downside I've found with Flickr is their verbose BBCode, which contains links back to their site which I don't want, so I strip 'em off by hand. Imgbb doesn't propose albums, so I don't use it, but at least it's simple to use, which is a Good Thing. [/quote] I only use picture hosting sites for the 'throwaway' images used on forums etc so the lack of features on imgbb I actually find a bonus. All I want to do is upload a pic or some pics and immediately get the BBcode for pasting into a forum. I don't want a direct link, HTML, any of that.

I've mentioned it elsewhere but imgbb is my fave. There are lots to choose from but many make grabbing the BBcode a pain.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1502904916' post='3354329'] Tried them at NAMM this past Jan and they're great. Chris is a lovely guy, and they're really well made! The one I tried had a Micro-POG built into it (switchable of course), not too sure about that....there are much better Octave pedals, but still, nice instrument! Si [/quote] The VB99 octaver is fantastic and that's what's on the clip above. BUT - once the pickup is installed I will be able to use the polyphonic octaver which is even better, so that'll be really cool... plus I can go as many octaves up and down as I like

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1502903450' post='3354314'] Nice. [/quote] I really wish I saved it as a project file so I could redo the 'soloing' bit when I have more time but I'll do a better version tomorrow! Another excuse - the strings on this are heavier than my usual, plus they're steels so they make my fingers hurt, honest guv. I'll put Elixirs on it soon - also it seems a shame to cut them in half!!

[quote name='songofthewind' timestamp='1502895828' post='3354243'] Well, I can hardly wait to hear about your progress with the Roland installation, and the subsequent use thereof. Good luck with it all. [/quote] Cheers - I use the GK system with all my basses, here's the one in my Vigier.

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1502891503' post='3354211'] That's completely nuts! Would love to see/ hear in action [/quote] Just recorded this for you - pretty rough but you get an idea. The main groove is an octave down (so normal range) then there's some noodling over the top, plus some auto wah and distorted rhythms going on. Bit of a mess really In my defence I've only had it a few hours and I'm getting used to the frets being so small and the fact I can't hook my thumb over the top, so there are several bum notes! [url="https://soundcloud.com/chris-hiscocks/wingjam1"]https://soundcloud.c...scocks/wingjam1[/url] Cheers ped

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1502889353' post='3354195'] There's nothing like a bit of incentive to reach a quick decision. [/quote] My wife isn't home yet but I'm already practicing my 'I've had it for ages' poker face

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1502887178' post='3354176'] So whoever bought it initially must presumably have had a very rapid change of heart? [/quote] His wife threatened to insert it up to the bridge, if I recall.

Finished pic - scroll down for the whole tale! I was alerted to the sale of this on eBay and it was bought by a basschatter who then sold it on to me. Lucky, because I was about to get my own made as I liked the concept so much. It's a lovely little instrument, hand built, I believe, by Chris Stambaugh It's a funky little thing in it's own right - imagine a full scale instrument with a capo on the 12th fret - that's what this is. So it's an octave above a normal bass. When played with an octave you get a great bass sound in the normal range which sounds kind of synth and really groovy. I'll definitely be using it on some recordings like this - and without the octaves you have a really lovely singing top end perfect for soloing and chords. The plan is to install the Roland GK system into the bass so I can have access to full polyphonic synths and effects, plus looping and recording fun. I think it'll lend itself to making some really different sounding compositions. I'll post here as I go on with the work - the GK kit is in the post (it'll be installed internally so you only see the extra pickup and controls. I have still to decide which controls to add but I'll probably go with the patch up/down buttons, assignable knob and the status LED. Because of the shape, the new 13 pin output will probably have to be front mounted, or even on the front bottom edge. Here are some pics for now - you won't believe how cute the little gig bag is!! I'm going to try and get a picture of Sybil wearing it later on so hopefully you'll sub for that if nothing else. BTW the chair it's sitting in is a tiny children's chair, so it makes it hard to judge the actual size - I've taken a picture next to a normal bass further down. Some features to note: -Black limba body -Flamed maple top -18mm spacing -Bartolini pickup -Wooden control knobs -Satin finish (feels amazing) -No truss rod - fretboard is glued right to the body, so it's totally flat and super stable. -Action is extremely low - even for me - and no buzz, but just the right amount of clank when digging in. It was perfectly tuned and setup right out of the case! Cheers ped

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1502794420' post='3353551'] Since I bought a Skoda Superb, which is huuuge in the back, I can't reach my lad if he's farting around...I'd need a hockey stick... [/quote] Excuse for a new bass??