jammie17

[quote name='bleedproof' post='109714' date='Dec 26 2007, 11:35 PM']Thanks for the the reply. Again I'd like to point out I'm not having trouble with the in's and out's of obtaining the sound, or infact how to play slap. I think my choice of title was a mistake I've been playing long enough now to know when to change my strings and have enough experience to know how to get my bass to sing I suppose I'm coming from the point of view of a regularly gigging bass player. I get paid to perform and my sound is part of that performance. As I don't have a non paying gig if I sound bad my playing can and has been compromised ( as per your last comment I agree) It seems to me that there seem to be a lot of questions about technique, how to get a sound or a style down - but always within the context of the practice session or bedroom. I'm sure there may be players out there who identify with my situation. My frustration is probably aided by my guitarists egotistically driven tone trip (masses of pedals, too many guitars etc). I usually have my amp and a bass.... I'm probably answering my own question - perhaps I need to buy a few pedals - then sell them on here when it doesn't work out lol[/quote] Ahhhh...I thought you were talking a bit about the "Feel" of the bass....as in feeling the notes onstage as you play them. (Power).

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='110506' date='Dec 29 2007, 11:49 AM']Mine very lo-tech in comparison to some of the 5u racks on here. Does the job fine [i][b]but I'd still prefer an 8x10 fridge! [/b][/i] [attachment=4361:100_2379.jpg][/quote] You mean like this?

Buy a new set of strings?

[quote name='BassBalls' post='109841' date='Dec 27 2007, 12:55 PM']I have had this about 6 months now and its time to put some pics up. [attachment=4347:DSCF0028.JPG] [attachment=4348:DSCF0034.JPG] [attachment=4349:DSCF0033.JPG] Im not sure of its exact age im guessing around 1991? It has the original foam blocks at the bridge and six neck bolts. The neck is gorgeous with lots of character. Lovely sounding bass too, its now my number one choice.[/quote] Go to the EBMM web site. They will tell you the exact birthday of the bass from the serial number. Jim

Cool. I belive the guy my wife talked with was "Dan" in Music Man customer service. A stand up guy.

[quote name='BassManKev' post='109537' date='Dec 26 2007, 04:28 PM']update on this unfortunatly, that jack wasnt suitable (i dont know the technical term, but the jack i bought only had 3 metal things that soldered to the circuit board, whilst the one installed had 4). i soldered it in, and it didnt work. however, after bending the contacts of the old one around a bit, and resoldering it back to board, the old one now works perfectly!! lucky ay? when it stops workin again sometime next week, il post again [/quote] Save yourself some worry. Contact EBMM customer service, NOT the forum. They would have you for lunch if you dare post a problem with a product. Customer service is easy to work with and ask them to sell you a jack. Tell them the problem, and you never know, they might just send you one free. I'm NOT saying they will, but I've heard of it hapening. Anyway, you can at least purchase the right jack. [url="http://www.ernieball.com/contact/"]http://www.ernieball.com/contact/[/url] Good luck, Jim

[quote name='bleedproof' post='109620' date='Dec 26 2007, 07:52 PM'][b]What I mean by that is the feed I get from the desk is balanced but very sterile to my ears. I know that the sound in the crowd is acceptable (as I've had my brother crit my last gig) but a large part of playing slap for me is the feel I get - the response of the bass and the sound that fills my ears. [/b][i][/i] Thinking about it, it's really a problem of two parts. 1. I suppose I'm having more difficulty accepting that the sound I hear will be very different to that which the audience hears due to the small in ear monitors (opposed to the powered PA cabs). This I can live with if part 2 can be addressed. 2. I mention that I leave the EQ of my EA flat. I have played EA for a long time and know that the EQ has almost an infinite number of tone shaping options. I however, having always used the limited EQ on whatever bass I play and my hands to create 'my sound', I will use the amp to shape the sound to the room/ venue/ location.... or if pushed for time, bypass the EQ via the DI out and use the desk. I then find myself with a decent sound - but not for every extreme we play (I can only do so much with the bass). I can either get very good at EQing the amp 'blind' and hope that it all works. or I was hoping for some suggestions from anyone in a similar situation. As I mentioned I had a Sans Amp that seems like an option. Thicken the sound a little? .[/quote] I understand EXACTLY what you are saying. And to be VERY honest, it DOES affect your playing.

[quote name='dood' post='108828' date='Dec 24 2007, 10:37 AM']and nice new strings for a springy and vibrant tone to your thumbing and pops![/quote] Slapping or not, new strings are so important. I've read where guys have had sets on for a year and say they still have a bright sound to them? I replace my strings on average, once a month. I play/practice 2 hours a day. I write "pop" rock but play progressive rock, (transatlantic, for instance) to keep up my chops. I'm slap a bit for fun, but have never really concentrated on learning that style. I love to listen to a well versed slapper however. Some bassists can make their guitar sing. But you HAVE to have fresh strings!! How do you think you cut through the mix? EQ the heck out of a dead set of strings?

My second set have gone dead...."e" string especially.....I have sent them back to D'addario, and am awaiting their decision for replacement. They have a returns dept. for their strings!!?? I'm going back to the Ernie Ball Super Slinkys. They may be a bit lighter in sound, but they lasted longer, and were easier to bend. And as I am playing for a couple hours every day, I believe that I am noticing the "e" string starting to loose its twang much quicker than before. A, D, & G strings seem to be doing ok...but they still did not last as long as the Slinkys did. So, I'm running off to get a set of Slinkys today. EDIT; Slinkys back on. Will let the neck set for a few hours befor I adjust it. Action is a tad high for me, as the D'addarios pull a bit more than the Slinkys do. I sent off the Dadarrios, and will let you know what's up with their customer service. I have just never had strings go dead so quick on me, not even back in the 80's 90's heyday of partying and playing and sweating all over my basses and strings......ewwww....sorry.....

[quote name='slystewart' post='105112' date='Dec 16 2007, 11:15 PM']so I have been playing the bass for about 6 months and at some time if not now will need to replace the strings on a mm stingray 4 ...whats the difference between flat wound and round wound strings any help on this thanks[/quote] Keep an eye out here mate....I sent for some daddiero replacements round rounds...I'll get a twin pack...when/if they come in the post, I'll send them to you. You just pay the post. I'm going back to super slinkies. Jim

[quote name='DHA' post='109225' date='Dec 25 2007, 11:04 AM']Hi Jim, It all depends on how lond they are switched on and how hard the valves/tubes are driven and that's down to the design of the amp. When the sound gets thinner with loss of the mids then they are done. Sometimes you may even hear an increased level of hiss and popping. The new valves will need to be matched and the amp re-biased by someone that knows how to do it. Merry Xmas Dave[/quote] Thank you Dave and Merry Christmas to you also. Jim

My wife left on Saturday to be with the in laws...won't be back till Wednesday, so a VERY Merry Christmas to me.. Beer, Football........and silence..

If this has been asked before, sorry. Please delete. How long do power tubes in a modern tube designed amplifier, in this case an Ampeg SVT CL, last before they need replacing? I have gotten ALL sorts of answers on this from an Ampeg engineer himself, stating 18 months with weekly heavy usage, to another source stating power tubes last 30 years. My Ampeg service manual states 18 months or whenever you HEAR a degrade of quality in the sound. So what is your opinion/experience in this? Jim

[quote name='BassBalls' post='109003' date='Dec 24 2007, 05:29 PM']Cheers! This head is getting way too much respect from me. Im scared its going to blow up everything i plug it in too or blow its self up. I think ill got a computer fan and blow air through the back vent when i use it.[/quote] I totally forgot that...that was a remedy another user also came up with....great idea!

[quote name='Waldo' post='108672' date='Dec 23 2007, 07:09 PM']Hehe, that's better [/quote] I'm the first, to correct a response done in error....most of the time.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='108680' date='Dec 23 2007, 07:38 PM']What - like you did? I think that to suggest further discourse with you is pointless, because you have not managed to understand anything I've said, or my reasons for saying it - even when another forum member has taken the trouble to try to explain it to you - is a singularly well-reasoned response. What's the point of my attempting to respond to a lot of made-up rubbish that's nothing to do with anything I've actually said? J.[/quote] Bassassin... How about we just move on mate....you and I have different views on this and I respect YOU but disagree with your views.... Jim

[quote name='Muppet' post='108649' date='Dec 23 2007, 06:10 PM']Side to side actually. I've never had any problems it has to be said and I run mine bridged at 4ohms, but if I did, I would consider additional ventilation[/quote] Cool...well I just wanted to make you aware that a couple people had issues with them....but that was some time ago...year or more ago. It's a nice amp...congrats. 1200 watts!!??? WOW!! :wub: Jim

[quote name='Waldo' post='108670' date='Dec 23 2007, 07:04 PM']If you say so![/quote] Arguably, one of the best.

4003 Bound body and neck, full inlay, wired for stereo 2159 2008 retail price for a 4003. Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Fireglo is $1,949.99 from a manufacturer's list price of $2,159.00 Yup, they have gone up in price, but that's what happens when you make one of the best musical instruments in the world. Quality will always cost. "The essence of debate is that you listen to & understand the other person's argument, and the perspective they're coming from, [i][b]and then reply with a structured and reasoned response"[/b][/i], (You mean like this?) Would do you well to read your own reply....

[quote name='Muppet' post='108637' date='Dec 23 2007, 05:45 PM']I run mine in a standard SKB 6U rack, together with a DTR2000 tuner and have no problems with venting. It gets hot but no hotter than any other amp I've tried. Some guys in the US drill a few holes in the side of their cases to aid in ventilation but that worries me as I reckon it must compromise the structure of the case. I'd not worry about it too much. Cheers Steve[/quote] Some time ago, there were some "issues" with these shutting down due to not getting enough ventilation. Ampegs newer designs vent front to rear. I believe yours vents side to rear? Over the driving transistors. At 39 lbs, I doubt that some well placed additional venting holes would compromise the structural integrity of the unit and would probably be a good idea given their past history with some users.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='108601' date='Dec 23 2007, 04:27 PM']Cant think of much else that has not increased in price since 2001.[/quote] Unfortunately, neither can I. Especially if it remains to be manufactured in the USA.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='108489' date='Dec 23 2007, 11:26 AM']Well, having established my credentials as a non-hater of Mr. Hall or RIC, and as an owner of genuine Rickys, let's take a look from the other side. Jammie, it's usually worth the effort of actually reading Bassassin's posts. Ignorance of this topic is no defence when so much information is freely available to you. [b]Bassassin's point is that RIC / Rickenbacker / John Hall Jr. do NOT have any form of original [b][i]copyright[/i][/b] [/b]on any aspect of the distinctive Ricky shape, any more than Fender do on the P-bass or J-bass shapes. RIC have very recently (the last 10 years) started to register their distinctive features in the USA, use those registrations to take legal action against anyone in the USA who tries to sell a 'copy' of a Ricky (whatever that means, exactly), and put legal pressure on US-based organisations like eBay to prevent them from allowing the sale of 'copy' Rickys anywhere in the world. Bear in mind that the vast majority of 'copy' Rickys were made long before RIC decided on this change of policy, and that the vast majority are bought & sold outside the USA. Living in London (that would be "London, England" to an American), I am not subject to US law and have no wish to become so. If I want to buy a copy Ricky, that's up to me. You presumably believe that John Hall is a businessman protecting his legitimate interests, and that is definitely one reasonable interpretation of his actions. Another equally reasonable interpretation is that this policy is a combination of cultural imperialism and legal imperialism which looks pretty grim to non-Americans, and which often verges on being just petty. Please understand that I am NOT flaming you, or trying to do so. Had RIC (or its predecessors) taken out copyright on the distinctive features of the 4001 during the 60's then we wouldn't be having this conversation. The whole point is that they did not, and that by their current actions they are effectively turning many thousands of innocent people into retrospective miscreants, and potentially subject to legal action in the USA.[/quote] [i][/i] Guys, it's pretty simple. For whatever reason Ric felt, they did not need, seem to feel the need, want, whatever reason, back in the day, they now have trademark, copyright, or whatever right to protect their bass/guitars from being Illegally, ILLEGALLY copied and manufactured by unauthorized companies. [i][b]"cultural imperialism and legal imperialism" [/b][/i] You have GOT to be kidding....right? The company wants to protect its product. You're too funny. Must be that English, (London, England) humor. Now as far as when Bassassin's fake knockoff was made, it was made for one purpose only. As a cheap copy of a popular, quality instrument. As Bassassin's has stated now, their will be a growing market for these Illegal knockoffs, in part due to Mr. Hall's raising of his prices. The other part due to people who buy cheap knockoffs of REAL products. [i][b](whatever that means, exactly) [/b][/i] Now please, you guys in London, England know what a copy is. Now as long as there are people with Bassassin's attitude, that seems to believe that owning a knockoff of a product is ok, then there will be a market for these products. Just as many feel it's ok to download pirated, illegal music without paying for it/the artist. And I FULLY support the artists going after people stealing in this way.....(gotta love the internet)... So now, Mr. Hall has raised the price on a product that he manufactures, and the implied "Threat" is, "Well he'll get his, because there will be MORE knockoffs now". So, Bassassin, if Charmon raised the price of toilet paper 40 %, would you protest this by buying an off brand copy of it?.... Then again, if you really want to save money, you could "recycle" the paper your chips were wrapped in.

[quote name='Alun' post='108156' date='Dec 22 2007, 02:28 PM']I must admit I agree. There seem to be a lot more opinionated blinkered posts here these days. I guess it's the nature of growth though - [i][b]look at the sheer number of idiots[/b][/i] who comment on Youtube and post on more established forums.[/quote] Interesting reply.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='108404' date='Dec 23 2007, 02:36 AM']With all due respect - bollocks. The instrument in the picture was built over 30 years ago, by a long-defunct Japanese manufacturer I guarantee you've never heard of. Furthermore, it isn't a "fake" - none of the copy instruments from this era made any attempt to pass themselves off as the genuine article. At the time the young Mr Hall was off having failed business ventures that were nothing to do with the family business or guitar building at all, while his dad ran Rickenbacker - or Electro-String Instrument Corporation, as it was at the time. Rickenbacker International Corp didn't exist until Hall Jr took over the business, and surprise surprise, [b]none[/b] of the design elements were registered as trademarks until the early years of this decade. Which is why the vintage copies piss off Mr Hall so much - their very existence threatens the validity of his trademark registrations (note - [i]not[/i] copyrights) and this is probably why he's quite happy to leave builders like John Birch - who have been making a very high-end, hand-built Rick lookalike since the early 70s - alone. [i][b]Now kindly explain to me, utilising a few facts, if you can manage it, quite how the existence of a few cheap, rubbish modern copies, and a handful of vintage collectables are causally connected to a 40% price hike. My point (since you plainly didn't read what I said) was that making real Ricks even more unaffordable will simply make the demand for copies higher. And we all know how markets respond to demand, don't we? Unless they're Mr Hall.[/b][/i] J.[/quote] Hmmm well let's see..you come out with a song. It's copyrighted and published..and someone buys your cd (song) and puts it, (a copy) on the net....without your permission of course costing you income for something you created.... There are more than "A few" copies of Rics out there taking away income from a company that created the instrument. That makes the company file lawsuits to protect their copyright, and image, likeliness..etc. and that costs money. And the market will respond to the demand just fine for those that buy fake, Illegal products. People will always look for a fake product to fool others or just to try and say they have the real deal. Rolex watches for example. Human nature. Gotta love the internet and all it brings with the touch of a button. Ebay even has credit payments now for your items. You do seem to have a dislike of Mr. Hall, at least I get that feeling from your post. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='107646' date='Dec 21 2007, 02:09 PM']A message, then, for Mr John Hall of RIC. It is this: If that's what you want, then that's what will happen. And those who can still afford, or aspire to the real thing will import, because no doubt US prices will remain about 45% lower than UK ones. And UK, and other non-US dealers will stop bothering to try & sell Ricks, and probably sell copies instead. Rickenbacker International Corp won't be very "international" any more. Not that it really is, anyway. Jon.[/quote] Well thanks for showing us what some of the rate increase is about. All those who buy the fakes.....Mr. Hall has to pay legal fees for his copyrights> Well done sir.