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Marc S

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Everything posted by Marc S

  1. Marc S
    I used to boil roundwound strings in water and white vinegar (I can't stress the use of white vinegar enough - I once used brown vinegar, and that made matters worse! lol). It definitely worked, and the strings became notably brighter after treatment - albeit for a few weeks. But this was at a time when it was important to me, because strings were expensive relative to my income. EDIT: Thinking back, it was a time when I could also afford only one bass - so I probably played that one bass much less than each of the several I now own.... Latterly, I've used "Fast Fret" to maintain some life in rounds - that seems to work, IMO. I did try using some Isopropyl alcohol, and I'm not quite sure about its' effectiveness - this may be because I only had a small pot of it, and perhaps tried using it too sparingly? These days, I mainly play with TI flats, which seem to improve with age rather than lose their tone and become dull & lifeless.
  2. Marc S
    Several years back, I had a Markbass CMD210 combo. I really liked the sounds from it. I particularly liked those VPF and VLE filters - I always seemed to be able to get a sound I was happy with, wherever the venue and whichever rehearsal studios I played at. I also played through someone else's MB208 combo once too, and was really pleased with the sound (and volume) from that. After trying various amp heads and a few combos, my amp of choice these days is the Markbass EVO1 head. The main reason for this, being that I need 2 separately controllable inputs - I often double up, playing bass guitar and upright. No matter what I did before (inc various A B - Y switches and separate EQ pedals) I never quite got the balance right. So the EVO1 was the answer. I really like the head - though in truth, I wish the controls were better lit.... for those dark corners of the stage I usually end up in. The 6 separate pre-amp settings on each input are really nice too - there are some nice vintage tones among those settings.... well, I find them quite convincing anyway. And several of the pre-amp settings give a more modern, cleaner sound. If you get chance, I'd recommend giving the head a whirl - don't know where you're based? But perhaps a local BC member would let you try their amp head? You'd be welcome to have a listen to mine. I do sometimes wish this head had those VLE & VPF filters though.....
  3. Marc S
    Hello, and welcome from Wales
  4. Marc S
    Nice work @dazza14and very brave of you, I must say. When I read the first post in this thread, I was going to suggest paying just a little more and buying yourself an adjustable bridge - that way, you can change strings and / or experiment with different string heights..... But obviously, I was too late to the thread! lol When fitting the strings, did you grate some pencil "lead" into the slots? This helps reduce friction when tuning the strings. Hope you find your ideal strings - I've been through a few sets myself
  5. Marc S
    Yes, definitely agree on it being a good "old age" bass, I use my Lyte where I know I'm in for a 3 set gig, or a long haul session. I do like the pre-amp, and the sounds I get from the Lyte - but it sometimes means more fiddling.... The simplicity of the VVT arrangement never seems to fail me - it's just that it's my favourite arrangement, and I sometimes wish it was the way the electrics worked on the Lyte Yes, they are now "vintage" instruments, relatively. You don't see them come up for sale so often nowadays.
  6. Marc S
    They are another notch up again. I realise the current models are pretty good... I have played a few of the newer ones. As I've mentioned, I once owned a very nice US P bass, and a Squier JV, and there wasn't an awful lot in it either way In fact, this CV is the one I kept longest. I took this bass in trade, expecting to gig it for a while, leave it at a rehearsal studio for convenience etc And it's the one I've kept longest, and the one I gigged most... until I got my MIJ P Lyte (for longer sessions) and my most recent P bass, which I also really like. As I've also said, if it weren't for that NBD a few weeks back - I'd be keeping this. EDIT: @Kevjust thought I'd add a few comments, as I recently played one of the newer CV's in PMT Cardiff. The necks on these older China made CV's are absolutely sublime - the edges of the fretboard are beautifully finished and rolled. It definitely feels in keeping with a higher end instrument. The sound from the pickup is also superb. My old JV just had the edge, slightly on it... but not that much in all honesty. I had thought about "improving" the pickup, with a Fender '62 pup I've had for ages - but as other owners of these beautiful basses have said.... the pickups in these are superb anyway - it probably wouldn't add much, if anything - it sounds like a P bass should, and delivers as well as the 2000's US Precision I had at the same time. It's great construction quality and feels really "solidly built" without being too heavy. It's near enough spot on 4kg. The newer CV I played felt maybe a tad lighter (I think the spec says they're just over 3.5kg) Hope this helps. And I know everyone says it when selling a bass - but this is one I'm really really going to miss. Also - the colour on this one is just gorgeous! of course
  7. Marc S
    Can't believe this is still here. I also can't believe I'm selling it, as it's just so nice. However, as I've said - I already have too many basses, and too many of them are P basses or P/J's I would put it on long-term-loan to my son, but he's also got too many, and he prefers black, pointy-shaped basses (preferably adorned with skull decals / stickers lol)
  8. Marc S
    This was also going to be my suggestion. I have one, which I bought from the marketplace on here. Lovely bass - lightweight, with a slender neck. Though I do sometimes wish the pickups were passive, with the standard VVT controls. If I haven't picked up the bass in a while, it instantly feels lovely to play - but I have to spend a while tweaking the EQ. The "pan control" (or is it a pickup balance control?) takes some tweaking depending on what each venue is like, acoustically. I can just dial in the P pickup.... but I like a hint of the Jazz pickup in the mix too. Hmm, perhaps I should have a word with our very own KioGon about this? I was also going to suggest putting together a Bitsa of your own choices. I've got a Squier PJ body (Indonesian, I think) and a Squier Block & Bound Jazz neck. It's a sort of knock-about bass that I may take on pub jams / trips etc and which currently resides in my office (for those times when I feel like a noodle during a rare lunchbreak).
  9. Marc S
    Done. Best of luck with the project
  10. Marc S
    I put a set of the D'Addario tapewounds on my Upswing. I quite liked the sound initially, and tried re-setting the string height a little. I've mentioned before that I'm not really a bow player - but there are occasions where I bow some simple parts, as in some songs, it really works well. The Tapewounds didn't bow as well as the strings the bass came fitted with. I also tried tweaking the string height, and found that they didn't "feel" right when set slightly higher. So after a little pondering, I re-fitted the original strings. I must say, I definitely prefer the original strings (D'Addario flats). I'm now going to set the string height just a tad higher again, and if I do that incrementally, I might just get used to the higher action - it definitely sounds a bit more DB-like with increased string height. I'm still loving the Upswing
  11. Marc S
    I'm withdrawing this fab pedal (for now, at least). It may be useful again in future, and I'm not going to let it go for next to nothing.
  12. Marc S
    Yes indeed. I remember way back, when I only owned one bass (yes, there was such a time lol). Whenever I then picked up someone else's bass, or tried one in a shop, I usually didn't feel that comfortable - most likely I was only used to my own bass, and the way it was set-up. As well as having a different array of tones, I play different basses in slightly different ways. It's good to have a choice of what basses I'm going to take to my next gig - it will be a different choice, depending on which band I'm playing with and what sounds I want. Also, I recall once being in a pub, where there was an open-mic. The guitarist pal who was with me suggested we get up and have a jam - this was fine, but the only bass there was a 5 string..... and I hadn't played a 5'er much at all. Hence these days I keep just one 5'er for occasional "noodling" - just in case this happens again. I know that's a long shot, but I just wanted to be able to get up and give a fair account of my playing. Of course, it's all too easy to get "one of these, one of those, one with flats, one with rounds etc etc...... and I have been guilty of this
  13. Marc S
    Welcome Paul. My bass had at one time not been played in anger for 2 1/2 decades! Now there's barely a day goes by without me picking one up for at least a noodle. Welcome to the forum - beware of the marketplace on here, as many of us spend far too much time (& money) there Now - get playing that bass
  14. Marc S
    Ah, but @stewblack- surely then you would "need" another HB before they became rare?
  15. Marc S
    Last bump for this pedal. I ended up unexpectedly using this pedal for a gig the other week - it saved me from carting my amp gear a long way, as I used this and went directly into the venue's PA. It sounded great, so I'm now thinking I might keep it after all... Last bump, and no daft offers please.
  16. Marc S
    Ah, that old problem of online guitar shops while under the influence. Fatal eh? @AndyTravis? That looks lush. I just recently bought myself one of these from this very forum, in Fiesta Red. I definitely didn't "need" another P bass. But I'm so glad I went for it, as its a stunning bass. Feels, looks and sounds superb. GLWTS Andy
  17. Marc S
    I had a NBD recently - got myself a Fender Classic series Precision, and I absolutely loved it, as soon as I picked it up. It came, pretty well set up, with some (unknown) rounds. They sounded clean & bright and in great condition - almost like new. Anyhow, I decided to get a new set of TI Flats for it. After a slight tweak of the truss rod, it set up even nicer, and plays even better. Took it to rehearsal last night and it sounded spot on. I've grown to prefer the feel of flats much more now too.
  18. Marc S
    Hi @blue The lead guitarist in one of my bands bought himself a Kemper during lockdown, so he could explore & play around with sounds & effects. He used to have a huge array of pedals, and his levels were sometimes up & down like crazy. As you say, his Kemper is really small.... and crazily loud for its size too. His levels are far easier for him to control now. Some great sounds with the unit. He can even choose a particular guitarist's sound - and its spot on. He's still learning some of the myriad of controls, as there seem to be endless options. We did a gig last weekend - and it was just one trip from the car for him. That's a huge bonus
  19. Marc S
    Thanks @gypsyjazzer I thought that might be the case. I previously had Spirocores on my acoustic upright, and there were times when I thought the E string was just a bit "weaker" - which I think is why someone suggested replacing it with the Dominant E.
  20. Marc S
    Hi @gypsyjazzer I was just wondering whether these were higher tension than Thomastik Spirocores? I think I've actually got a Dominant E string.... which I've never fitted lol
  21. Marc S
    I've done fewer gigs so far this year than I would have expected. But I have to say, the ones I've done have been pretty good. I think most punters are up for a bit of live music - having missed it so much. I really missed playing gigs during lockdown, and I missed my band-mates. Some of them are great pals who I'm glad I know. Last summer, my acoustic covers outfit played some really nice pub garden / ale festival outdoor events, and they were brilliant. Thinking more about it - were it not for gigging, I wouldn't have met some fab people, and there are pubs and towns / villages I may never have discovered. Perhaps I just didn't gig enough when I was first in a band many years back? Perhaps my near 25 year absence from playing made me more keen to play live? Perhaps I've met the "right" band-mates? Perhaps it's all of these factors, but I'm really enjoying playing and gigging again, and long may that continue Re the "lugging equipment" issue - I've worked on putting together the lightest weight, least bulky gear that I can reasonably afford, and that helps.
  22. Marc S
    Looks a cracker. I'm a fan of MIJ / CIJ Fenders too - not played a bad one yet. GLWTS
  23. Marc S
    I'm not really sure which way to vote. I play in a covers band, and an originals band, but I have also played several tribute bands too (and would again, if / when the opportunity was right). I also record with a couple of other people - mainly singer/songwriter acoustic guitarists. I really like each aspect, and for different reasons. Maybe I enjoy the covers band most, as it can bring in a bit of pocket money, and I enjoy playing live anyway. However, I also like the other aspects a lot too..... Sometimes, even a small audience at a folk club or acoustic event can be as rewarding, or even more rewarding than playing to a packed pub, where people have danced and sung along all night. Just a couple of months back, my pal released his CD which was also the soundtrack to a small, independent film - and I was really pleased with that too. It's never going to make any money, it will probably only be played on Radio Wales (Frank Hennessey's "Celtic Heartbeat" show - fingers crossed) but it was great to be involved in the recording, and rewarding to hear the final result. Hence, I wanted to vote 4 times in that list - but really can't choose
  24. Marc S
    I've got a TC Electronic BG208 thats pretty good with upright. My preference is to use my Markbass EVO1 head, and my Epifani UL110. But of course, that's not really a cheap option. I use the EVO1 head, as it has two separately controlled / EQ-able inputs, and a nice range of preamp sounds for each input. I have found that smaller speakers seem to work better for upright. Having owned & tried several 12" & 15" speakers that worked well with BG, but produced muddy, ill-defined low end tones with upright (more so with EUB too, I think). So something like the TC 208, or that Markbass 208 would be a good place to start. Beedster's AER also looks a good bet, if you can afford it. Also a point worth noting, is that EUB and BG require very different EQ'ing. I tried an ABY switching pedal, but struggled trying to EQ for upright and BG through the same channel. You could of course use an ABY switch, and EQ each output separately, with an EQ pedal for each one.... Good luck with your search.
  25. Marc S
    This lovely, unusual and rare bass is off to Moto Music in Cardiff tomorrow. They're going to sell it for me, for commission. It will be harder for me to access this bass for anyone wanting to try it out (you can of course, pop into their shop to do this). So anyone seriously interested in buying - it may be best to PM me today or this evening, to arrange a viewing (as I said, I'm also willing to travel a few miles to meet in the usual motorway services / pub car park).
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