Marc S

Just another thought from me.... Has anyone on here used a Sansamp for Double bass, or Electric upright? Wondering how they sound in that application.....

I'm also with Dave Vader on this. It is a big shame, I know. I've had this happen too I've also had gigs where things don't go quite so well; either I'm not quite on form, or the overall sound isn't that good etc So how is it when I play perfectly, no one is there to witness it? Just put it down to being one of those things... at least the whole band sounded good - look on it as a sort of "live practice" Next time will be busier.....

Why not indeed - top answer Al Krow .... so why is my face that of a grumpy old git? lol

Why? Because when I've found my perfect bass, I want one in Fiesta Red too.... And one with a maple board, as well as the one with Rosewood.... and.....

Cheers for sharing that advice AndyBass - I've not come across "twister" before.... where can I get some? BTW. Cat Burrito, I also use Innovation Silver Slaps, and they're great strings They're not too high tension, but they're not all floppy & flabby either They're quite "snappy" and have quite a nice, Dark sound to the bottom end

Hello and welcome to Basschat olicor Croeso, from Wales (Je suis un Galois) Don't worry, we are all forever changing basses and / or amp gear - it's part of being a bassist We just want to improve our sound and our playing, and are forever looking for something even better (but if you find the "secret" please let me know immediately lol)

Difficult to tell, without actually seeing it and playing it.... That's a "heavy relic job" - of course, if that's to your taste - fine Is there any way you could find out the origin of some of the parts? Might be a great bass... but mightn't be that good too BTW. It does look good to me, but then I quite like (some) relic basses. The Fender Roadworn J and P basses being among my favourites.... along with every Limelight I've played Let us know what you decide Panos - and see if you can get a reply as to who the Luthier was, and the origin of the parts. Best of luck

Hi Panos, Not sure what the import charges in Greece would be from Japan, but you might be right - they may be pricey, otherwise, I'd say a MIJ Jazz would be great How much second-hand stock is within easy reach for you? Definitely look at the 2nd hand market to get more for your money Alternatively, others have already mentioned the Squier Classic Vibe range. Most of these are now discontinued, I believe, but there are one or two still in shops near me The Squier VM 70's is another good recommendation - quite fancy one of those myself See, you've given me GAS now! Good luck with your search

My DOH moment came when I got my first P/J precision bass. This pickup arrangement does everything I want, and is really flexible - love it, and can't understand why it wasn't more commonly seen until fairly recently... I don't use a Sansamp, but plenty of bass players seem to rave about them. I thought about getting one, then I discovered the MXR Bass DI / EQ pedal, with the added distortion control. It's also got a "Mids" EQ control, and the added distortion control is great, and very controllable, with its' own separate level I'm not a huge fan of overly distorted bass either (re my own playing, that is). I really like this pedal https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/mxr-m80-bass-distortion-bass-guitar-effects-pedal?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7_7q65_p2QIVyqgYCh2FJAJpEAQYASABEgKfRvD_BwE EDIT: I bought mine a while back, and didn't pay the £180 quid price tag - think it was about £110 - £120 at the time, which was a good bit cheaper than the Sansamp I wouldn't mind doing a comparison between the MXR and Sansamp - anyone done this?

As Breadbin says - there's no right or wrong.... But as I was hinting at in my earlier post - it might be a good idea to have 2 basses that differ - even a bit, in terms of dimensions and feel, and a good idea to have 2 basses which can produce different sounds / tones That Squier VM could be a good buy. Like Jezzaboy, I really like the look of the 70's one with blocks & binding too As I said earlier - give several basses a whirl, and if you instantly "bond" with one - go for it Buying 2nd hand you shouldn't lose much money either - obviously, inspect and check it as best you can before parting with your cash Or buy from a known BC'er - Squier VM's often come up on here (think there's one in the marketplace atm)

Necks can vary quite a lot - there are even noticeable differences between similar models I used to think there were P necks and J necks, and whilst it's generally true that J necks are slimmer, there are variations I've played several P necks that are quite slim, and J necks that were relatively chunky (and one or 2 that seemed really slim) Squier Vintage modified series (VM) P bass necks are fairly slim, compared to some of the older Fender necks, and VM's are pretty damn good I'd say, look for a 2nd hand VM on here - they're a lot of bass for the sort of money they go for Yes, the newer Affinity series are pretty good - but less money or similar money will buy you a used VM Squier, and I'd say that was better value Of course, you should always try before buying, and buy what you prefer anyway..... As you already have a bass - don't be in too much of a rush to get your backup / 2nd bass If you're going to keep it alongside your sofa, or in a corner of your living room - you could also think about getting a smaller, "handy" sort of size bass Maybe something short scale, like the Squier SS (Short Scale version) Jaguar - unless of course, you don't want to be swapping different scale lengths, while you're learning Personally, I quite like the idea of changing scale lengths, as it's good to be able to switch & swap easily..... again, up to you though - try one & see what you think Good luck with your search - I always think this is an exciting stage, when you're looking for another instrument, and don't quite know what it will be Let us know how you get on, but definitely keep an eye on the BC marketplace - you'll get more for your money, and most BC members are the good sort, who won't rip you off

Blunt cheese grater?

Replacement speaker / port grille?

Keep your eye on the marketplace here Also, re that Zellar bass selling - perhaps it will have sold, by the time you have saved enough cash ... but DB's tend not to be as fast selling as some bass guitars - so you never know - keep your eye on it, or at least message the seller and register your interest.... Good luck with your search

Yes, Tina Weymouth is awesome! BTW Suzi, don't know whether you've seen this? I don't know the seller, and haven't physically seen the neck But I was just wondering whether something like this might be a good idea? Perhaps with a second-hand Short Scale Squier? interchangeble necks? - if it would fit, that is..... That way, you can try out fretted and fretless short scale, and see what you prefer... Be sure to get the Short Scale Squier Jaguar though - they also do a long scale version! EDIT: BTW, I have dealt with the seller, and he's a good BC'er

If full scale 34" is a bit of a stretch for you, then perhaps 32" or 30" may be the way to go. Personally, for me 34" scale is still fine - but I can appreciate how, as one gets older stretching can become more difficult as joints age. I've spoken to a few older bassists who have migrated to short scale It's tricky to asses just how the 30" scale Jazz compares to a 34" Jazz, suzi9mm - as it has a P/J pickup arrangement. So it sounds more akin to my P/J Precisions than it does a 34" Jazz.... It's also wearing rather different strings to anything else I play. However, I think it's just a little bit "lighter" on the lows than my 34" P/J basses. The mids are a little more pronounced too, I think Years ago, I had a US Musicmaster, which was a bit too "middy" for my liking, and it lacked a bit of bottom-end "heft", though at the time Fender fitted the Musicmaster bass with guitar pickups, not ones designed for bass. Also, these days there is more variety in string types readily available, so a bit of experimentation can help you find a better sound and feel, more suited to what you're after, and suited to your bass. Back in the day, local shops only stocked one brand, one gauge of string for my old short scale - and they usually only had one set! lol My 30" Jazz certainly sounds much "bigger", "fuller" and has a wider range of tones than my old Musicmaster did - hope that helps PS. I don't see many fretless basses around in shops, either new or used, and I don't think I've ever seen a 30" fretless in any shops near me - so you might be better off trying to find one on here, or perhaps get a 30" bass de-fretted Either way, let us know what you decide, and how you find the switch from 34" to short scale....

To me, both the Stagg and the Harley look to be quite similar. If it was a choice just between those two, then I personally would say the Stagg - purely because I've not tried a Harley Harley Benton get some good reviews on quality of their bass guitars though - so the Harley upright might well be really good.... I'm guessing that if you bought either 2nd hand, there wouldn't be too much in it, and you wouldn't lose much if you decided either wasn't for you. If you can try either before buying, then I would recommend doing just that. But also, keep a look out for other instruments, in the marketplace here

Yes, the SLB does look and sound good (at least from sound clips I've heard of them) I wouldn't want to put anyone off buying a Stagg - they are great value for money (esp send hand) and a good intro into upright playing - at least, they give you a bit of a flavour for it But I definitely agree about the "body" attachments - I bought one as a bass guitar player, and didn't get on with those attachments at all. I found them very awkward, and later found them to be very unlike the shape and feel of an acoustic DB body which they are supposed to replicate / represent. Again, that may be just me, some folks might find them useful.... Definitely take your time ChrisF, and play as many as you can. The only thing is, you may have to travel a fair bit, and be quite patient - as there aren't too many shops that stock EUB's. And those that do will probably only have one..... Ask if any kindly BC members who live near you, are willing to let you try their EUB. Good luck with your search

I too started with a Stagg EUB. It was a great introduction to upright playing for me, and it fuelled my desire to get a "proper" acoustic upright The stagg is cheap as chips (especially 2nd hand) and fairly light, and nice & easy to lug around, set up and use However, I never got it to sound too much like a Double bass, it always sounded more like a fretless, and to my mind, it never really felt like any DB I subsequently played That said, as I mentioned, it was a great intro to the world of upright, and I got back what I'd paid for it.... The best sounding IMO, was my Eminence - though as has already been said, you could define it as an acoustic DB with a very small body / acoustic chamber and not actually an EUB at all.... I've not played a Yamaha SLB, but from sound clips I've heard, where the players have stated that the sound has been unaltered, the SLB does sound superb NS Design EUBs do look as though they're nice, light & portable - though I think the dots for every note would probably distract me (perhaps these could be masked, using tiny pieces of black masking tape? or felt pen?) I've got a KK Baby bass (bought from Happy Jack on here) and it is possible to get closer to a natural DB sound from it - though it's still not quite there, like the Eminence one drawback with the KK baby bass is, that they're still quite heavy (perhaps the heaviness of their structure helps the sound?) though, in truth, I find that it's as much the bulk of an acoustic DB that makes them awkward to carry, as does their weight They can all be played slap stlye - depending on how they are set up. The type of string also dictates and helps here.... Generally, you'd need a slightly higher action for slap stlye One word here - get a DB / EUB with an adjustable bridge, if you want to play different styles - being able to easily adjust the bridge height will be a real bonus Another plus for the KK Baby bass - adjustment is even easier, as there's an allen key at the back of the neck. This adjusts not bridge height, but it adjusts the angle of the neck I find it so quick and simple to do Sorry, I've probably given you too much info - I am known to ramble on a bit.... But the suggestion of trying as many as you can, and visiting a DB bass bash is the best way forward I think You don't way where you live - perhaps it would be a good idea to update your profile with that info or you could ask local BC members who own EUB's for a huge favour, and try their basses? We're a friendly bunch, and I know I'd be happy for you to pop in if you're anywhere near Cardiff Cheers now, and best of luck with your search

I once had a bitsa P bass which had a Mighty Mite neck The neck was so nice, I was genuinely surprised at just how good it was