squire5

I bought one the HB B-30BK acoustic basses from Thomann.All in all its nothing spectacular but it plays well,has good volume acoustically and is comfortable.The neck has 22 frets as opposed to 24 in earlier models resulting in a slightly shorter neck.Played acoustically,the strings have a uniform volume although they are very 'scratchy' for want of a better word maybe 'noisy' would be better.Frets are well trimmed and overall not a bad bass HOWEVER....(theres always something)  when played through an amp there is a volume variation in 1 string.The 'D' string when playing on frets 1-5 shows a marked drop in volume which is not at all noticeable acoustically.Above fret 5 all is well.This points to either the bridge or the transducer under the bridgepiece.Am I right? and if anyone has heard of this or can offer any tips on overcoming it,I'd be most grateful.OK it cost £129 so I cant expect perfection,I know that.But I'd like to fix it.

I use one of of those Echo Show thingies and find that it enhances basslines very much.One bassline I'd not much noticed before was that of 'Do You Really Want to Hurt me?' by Culture Club.Seriously good.

Only one for me...Sir Tom Jones.What a voice!!

Least favourite- Scott Devine.Spends too much time playing pointless stuff and noodling to the point of showing off.

Favourite - Low End Lobster.Calls a spade a spade in his reviews.Also I could listen to him play all day,unlike  others.

1 hour ago, jrixn1 said:

https://www.myhumbleworkshop.com/series-parallel-loom-for-jazz-bass-with-varitone

Good man.Its all coming back to me now,although the company name isn't that familiar to me,I do remember the cardboard that it was mounted on.Many thanx.

I bought this last year,from where I'm not sure.I didnt like the tone control which was a very awkward multi position switch.The 'neck' control pot is a push-pull type probably for phase control of the 2 pups.I'd like to give it another go,but cant figure out the connections on the little multi pin connector.Can anyone help?

Just a quickie.Should the 9v pp9 expire quickly if the unit is left connected to the bass and the amp but not switched on.I ask because I put a new battery in my chorus pedal 3 days ago and now find its depleted.The pedal was,as I say, connected but not switched on.(least I dont think it was😕)

Just a little note to mention the sterling service from Pete at Laney Service dept.I obtained a rather tired but working RBG400 bass amp.It needed new knobs and EQ slider caps so I emailed Laney last night,This morning an email said that the required items were on their way at NO charge.So this is by way of thanx to Pete.Good to know there are reliable companies still out there.

Over and over
The crow cries, uncover the cornfield
Over and over
The thresher and hover the wheat field

Cabinessence - The Beach Boys

Even the Beach Boys were capable of gibberish,although those lyrics were credited to Van Dyke Parkes.

I didn't even know he could play bass,never mind have people want to play like him...

James Taylor's take on 'Day Tripper' from the 'Flag' album is best forgotten.Never thought I'd say that about a JT cover,but hey,there you go.

The ultimate P-bass,far as I'm concerned.Beautiful instrument.

I have one of these as well.I stuck a tort pickguard on it just to finish it off. Unfortunately, in my opinion, one of its downsides IS the weight. I found it really heavy compared to my Squire 5 string Jazz.I haven't weighed it as I dont have the suitable scales,but it is noticeably heavy.Plays nice though.

On 17/09/2022 at 09:38, Happy Jack said:

Listened to some of the tracks a few days ago - the remix, not the original.

 

I've loved that album since I was nine years old and I know it backwards and inside out. The remix sounded like ... well ... Revolver.

 

Yes, it's now in stereo. Yes, the bass is slightly more prominent. But it still sounds better on vinyl and played in mono, because that's what it's supposed to sound like. 🙄

In all honesty,do you not think that the bass is a little too prominent? I think Rain (bonus track) is spoiled by the bassline.I always have done,but even more so now.

Update: I did the 7th/8th fret check last night and indeed there was a lot of of relief needed.I loosened the truss rod quite a bit,and eventually got rid of the fretbuzz completely,as well as being able to achieve better action.That was fine,I played for an hour or so and went to bed.This morning,the buzz is there again.Not nearly as bad,but more adjustment may be needed.My main concern is how it happened so suddenly in the first place.Sorta mid-song if you know what I mean.I think you guys are right,its a truss rod issue.I'll let it settle for a day or so and check again.Thanx for your input.

Havent changed the strings at all Velarian.I only got the bass about a month ago.What worries me is that it seemed to happen suddenly,rather than over a period of time.The neck is sighting ok,no dips or bumps.I'll try the truss rod tomorrow.Thanx.

I wonder if anybody can shed some light?I was sitting happily playing along with some Dire Straits tonight when I thought I noticed some fretbuzz on my A string at the 1st fret.As the song progressed I noticed it getting worse.I stopped and checked,only to discover that there is pretty bad fretbuzz on all 4 strings from fret 1 to about fret 4.This has happened suddenly.Bass is a Harley Benton MB-4 SB Deluxe Series (Music Man clone)I have to say it sounds quite serious.Any idea what it could be?Thanx in advance.

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

 

If you use two bolts on the pot, one below and one above, you can make sure the minimum amount of the control is above and it will fit better.

If I had brains,Id be dangerous!! Of course Wood,never thought of that🙄Thanx.

Well guys,success at last....sort of.I swapped the blend pot over for a  new one,connected it up paying special attention to the 'X' configuration,as Paul suggested and everything works.Just one thing though.The stock Jazz bass knobs are now no longer a proper fit for the new pots.The pot shafts are too tall and now the knobs look ridiculous.But bugger it,I've spent enough time messing about with it.It'll do.Thanx for the input y'all.

I'll make a special point of that Paul.I always use covered wire anyways,but you're right,its a tight space.Just waiting for 2 new pots...just in case.Thanx for that.

You mean the 'X' configuration on the blend control Paul? Or something else? Could you elaborate just a wee bit? Thanx.

Heads up guys, sorry for the delay.I replaced both pots and re-wired to Bigguy's 2nd option.Still no joy.The  signal still disappears after the centre detent on the blend control.Master volume and tone are fine,the pups are fine,so I guess its the blend control.2 ordered off Amazon........Watch this space.

Cheers John.Thats helpful.I'll get them ordered.

I appear to have an intermittent faulty VOL pot,so theres no point in proceeding with this for the time being.I'm going to order new components and start again.I followed Bigguys diagram (the bottom one) to the letter and its still not right.Could someone just keep me right.250k and Linear or Taper pots.Which? Many thanx  for your input guys.

Right guys I'll get back to you.John,detaching that wire made a difference,but now one pup is louder than the other,but the blend control seems better.I'm going to try Bigguys diagram tho,as it seems clearer.I'll also need to brush up on my soldering skills I fear.Watch this space,and thanx again.