Dood

I have two PJBS basses that I have modified, the third is still stock. I love these basses! They really are fantastic and, even better with custom electronics, they can really come to life if the onboard pre isn't your vibe.

There are many drop in solutions, you're in luck! 

I am running an EMG active PJ set in both basses. They are currently tied to a 3 band preamplifier but they are a little different. The first bass is using the included pan control, the second I retained the three way switch set up that we'd have on the stock PJBS. 

It might seem an odd choice, but it was down to having the first bass refinished and I was in the lucky position of having the existing holes resized to suit the preamplifer I wanted to install, whereas the second I have had to stick with the current lay out. I did use a tool to very carefully widen the hole that had the (small) switch in so that the final control pot could fit in. You could do the same of course.

So, I have, Master volume, Pan, Bass, Mid & Treble. The pan is a 'zero drop' type, so there's no change in volume in the 50/50 position. Bass number two doesn't have the pan as mention, I bought a high quality three way and installed that too. The current set up for both has a pull-up switch on the master volume to bypass the preamplifer, an alternative to using a separate toggle, but, a good suggestion for utilising the small hole without drilling. 

On the subject of EMG, they do offer a wide range of preamplifer configurations including two and three band types, stacked controls and even 'bass and treble on one pot' (EMG EXB) that could be a useful too. https://www.emgpickups.com/bass.html?cat=324

Here ya go then!!

https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-cort-space-5-headless-bass-guitar/

Full video review included

Dooooooood...

It's finally here, my full video review and write up for the new Cort Space 5, this one's a peach!! 

Like all Bass Gear Magazine reviews, here's the free to read review :- https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-cort-space-5-headless-bass-guitar/

https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-cort-artisan-c5-deluxe-bass-guitar/

58 minutes ago, MrDinsdale said:

Yeah, the deeper parameter control (assigns on the GT1000 or Control Voltage emulation on the Dwarf) is a tricky one, it's cool to have that deeper level of control but if the effects were better then I'd feel less inclined to need it.

I do love the interface and the blend of touch, form factor and rotary controls seems perfect for me. It's also pretty overkill considering I'm not in a gigging band so it's just home use for the foreseeable.

In all honesty, given that the bass side isn't so catered for as the guitar side of the QC, and I am only using it live for bass, currently in a band that doesn't need monsterous effects, maybe it is overkill here too. However, I need to spend some time dialling in some fat bass-pedal type sounds, in which case it will be very useful!

QC has a basic tone generator on board too, so it's possible to also create a very rough Taurus pedals 'thing'. (There's a fun default patch based on the chords of Shine On You Crazy Diamond intro on QC)

I'm using QC alone in a set up that, like my previous Helix and other gear has replaced silly amounts of rack gear. The signal path now is relatively simple outside QC. I'm in the luxurious posiion that the sounds I have created on QC are "FOH ready" and my backline and IEMs, when I use them receives exactly the same signal. (There's some tweaking that goes on around my IEMs but that doesn't change the output of QC). 

The path inside QC is based on a template that I edit per needs as there are some aspects that I don't change much, so if I switch from one patch to another, levels are relatively the same. Top rows are for "preamp sounds" and the bottom rows I like to use for modulations and time based effects (except when the preset has to be wildly different like, building a 3-4 band multiband compressor - which leaves little space for much else ha ha! I guess at the moment I'm not doing much experimental stuff, but its nice to know I can if I want to.

Using QC is a breeze, no issues there and for me, the form factor is important. I love Helix LT, but QC fits in the same bag as my amp, which is bonkers! Touch screen and rotary controls is a big yes for me too as I like the tactile approach and hate scrolling through lengthy menus.

I've not much to add in terms of manipulating CC's and other parameters, I've had QC for a while, but I still haven't got that far yet ha ha!! 

I’ve just added all my reviews from Guitar Interactive issues 5 (when I started there) through to 40 to my playlist. Yay! Loads of very young Dan ha ha!

I will update the lists and links above when I get time. For now, get cracking with checking out some really cool gear!!

{EDIT} 312 videos in the playlist now, so I have a bit of admin to do!!!

3 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

Thanks for including the frequency centres of the eq, the Markbass preamps always seem to sound better than the Bart MkI which has some odd choices RE frequency points. Weird that the C series is outspecced in this regard (for me anyway) compared to the more expensive models.

Thank you!

I think because it's a Deluxe C series model they have added some extra touches, a bit like the Fender Player Plus jazz has noiseless pickups, active preamp and a satin neck with rolled edges, yet i think the next model up doesn't? Either way, it makes it a solid purchase at the price point. 

Just published, Cort Space 5 coming soon too.. 

New version of the play through track: 

Here's my full written review of the new for 2024 Cort C5 Deluxe 5 string bass! Let me know what you think!

https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-cort-artisan-c5-deluxe-bass-guitar/

1 hour ago, tom.android said:

Tried these myself. Too heavy on the rest of the strings!

 

I’d do 42 60 80 110 for drop C#/Dflat. Or just try adding a single 105/110 to what you’ve already got.

 

I really like the D’Addario EXL170BT for a ready made set

For sure, those used to really light gauges will find these both a higher tension and, if a bass has been set up for light, it will most likely need adjustment. My geometry is pretty flat with a low action. Lower tension strings tend to flap and rattle about, whereas for faster picking I don't want the string bounding about too much.

On 24/05/2024 at 15:35, JLG said:

What bass(es) do you use these on?

I have a Spector Euro and I'm very reluctant to adjust the nut (filing was suggested) because it's a gorgeous beast!

I used them on my Fender Power Jazz Bass Specials, but I'm back to standard now and haven't touched the nut at all! Maybe I was just lucky as I ahven't tried them on another bass - that said, one of my other basses I had a second nut made and it clips in when I want to change from F#BEADGC to BEADGCF ! 

I’m slightly embarrassed to say that I have been meaning to put my thoughts on a Monza in to words on these very pages, alas I have been weathering some persistent health obstacles.  

Although it wasn't a bass I'd owned the longest, it was definitely one I regret letting go. I'd love to know where it ended up, the last time I heard about it was when I tried to buy it back and it ended up in a studio in Suffolk somewhere... I just don't know which one! 

On 08/05/2024 at 13:14, chris_b said:

I still own the Fender Precision I bought new in March 1969.

 

It went through a serious modding in the mid 80's and hasn't been used since 1996, when I switched over to 5's.

 

I'll never sell it. I'll be buried with this bass.

 

 

Oh wow! That's a peach! There's just something about it that screams YEAH to me! I guess also being a TV Script '69 is all the more John Deacon too, which I have a soft spot for! 

2 minutes ago, Dood said:

THESEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely BRILLIANT!

 

https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/bass-guitar/xl-nickel-bass/exl160bt-nickel-wound-balanced-tension-medium-50-120-long-scale/

 

120-90-67-50 

 

 

That 120 is perfect and, I found on my basses I didnt need to adjust my nut to fit the heavier gauge. (Which may just be lucky) 

(I have noted that you're in Eb standard to begin with and drop the 4th string down to Db)

You'd also get Drop C out of this set too if your bass creates a good  tight string feel to begin with.

THESEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely BRILLIANT!

https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/bass-guitar/xl-nickel-bass/exl160bt-nickel-wound-balanced-tension-medium-50-120-long-scale/

120-90-67-50 

That 120 is perfect and, I found on my basses I didnt need to adjust my nut to fit the heavier gauge. (Which may just be lucky) 

1 minute ago, PatrickJ said:

Thanks @Richie_b .. I ended up ordering the one @Dazm66 tipped me off about,.  £597 from Peach Guitars, it seems crazy they are selling them for that price, free next day delivery and is scheduled to arrive tomorrow before lunch :).

PS. @Dood - I hope your health starts to improve!

Thank you, that's really thoughtful  this bass fam'   Love

13 hours ago, PatrickJ said:

I stopped into Stompbox Northwood at lunch today and gave the Space 5 they had a go.  I really really liked it , I’m looking for a five string and this seems like a lot of bass for the   money, even at £750.

 

the one thing that put me off was the volume control , it seemed to be either on at full volume or off within a very small range of movement in the master volume knob.   There was no tapering.   The guy at the shop told me this wasn’t a problem and the pots could always be upgraded but it didn’t feel right to me. 
 

@Dood did you do your test of these, was it something you noticed (or anyone else who owns one, or spent a bit of time playing one) or were the electronics on this one a bit dodgy? 

Hey @PatrickJ

I have completed and submitted my full review of the Cort Space, yes! I have been delayed (pretty much all year so far) with on-going poor health and I've been struggling somewhat. Expect the review to go live soonish.

Honestly, and, maybe this can be a hint towards my review in general, I didn't notice any volume taper issues with the example sent to me. What amp / set up were you plugged in to? Could it have been an input impedance issue? 

Overall, I am pretty pelased with the bass Cort sent me to review (along with another I have covered) and, if it were the green version, I'd have been thinking about selling a body part to hang on to it a bit longer!

I’m looking to find out who is *currently* doing pro instrument refinishes in the Norfolk area. I wouldn’t be adverse to sending an instrument away for refinish but preferably a bit nearer to me for now. 

2 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

How good are your IEMs?

 

Many cheap drivers exhibit harmonic peaks which make some notes sound out of tune. The last place I worked had a nasty radio/CD system with terrible speakers. Some CDs just sounded horribly out of tune when played on it.

I'd echo this. I think it seems like I rag on cheap IEMs on BC, but, there are many reasons why I'd not suggest buying cheap universals and generics anyway. There's also the rest of the chain to take in to consideration too, like that of the cheap radio, what is being sent to your IEMs? is the mix just tsraight out of the PA or do you have the luxury of being able to high pass / compress / EQ and, even go stereo? I maintain that the reason most people feel isolated and find IEMS dificult is becuase it costs money, time and a bit of understanding to do it properly. I have endured some truly painful in-ear mixes over the years, especially as like you @GoodShowSir, I suffer from Tinnitus and have an ENT on speed dial lol. I'd highly recommend to any musician getting your ears checked out regularly anyway, as you can plot hearing damage history and find ways to help protect those very delicate lug-oles! 

4 minutes ago, jrixn1 said:

They are both quoting Jimi Hendrix, Third Stone From The Sun.
https://youtu.be/Zts332Y-nyg?t=42

It's one of those cool phrases that has turned in to the musical equivalent of a meme, like 'the lick'. Musicians all nod knowingly with a smile when they hear someone shoe-horning it in to their solos. I know I have squeezed in my favourite nods to my favourite musicians more than once! 

2 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

I’m also a big fan of DaVinci Resolve. I brought it when i was doing our demos last year, and while i started off in FCP i found DR so much easier to use. 
I do have it on my iPad Pro as well but that’s a 2020 iPad so hasn’t got an M

chip in it. 
What with that and the new features in LP on iPad needing an M chip i guess tomorrow I’ll be right up to date 😀. 
 

I've got a Speed Editor for Resolve and I've just picked up a cheeky deal on a secondhand StreamDeck. (I've been using a demo of the iPad version and it has massively sped up my workflow). I'm loving the tools I have at my disposal right now! 

- Not to mention many of the plugin deals I have picked up here or in FB groups, it's absolutely bonkers to think what we can do 'in the box' now versus when I first started as a'recording artist'. Blows my mind and I love it! 

I've used the 'archive' method so I can run both 10.8 and 11 on the same machine, just to be on the safe side. I've just upgraded the 'main copy' to 11 and everything seems to be working as it should do. I'll have more time to play with the new functions over the next day or so. On description alone, I can't see anything that won't be a benefit to my job in some way. I SO used to hate LP9 and now between this and Davinci Resolve, I feel incredobly fortunate to have these tools at my disposal every day! 

I suppose my review videos are just gonna have to get even better now! ha ha!!!