Dood

I'm a huge fan of Positive Grid's BIAS and BIAS FX apps for all of my guitar tones. BIAS is an amazing app that allows you to also 'profile' any real amplifier and use that as your sound without having to keep borrowing your mate's 5150mkII all the time heh heh! BIAS FX I'd say is the one to start with as it has a range of pedals in too. Any 'studio processing' I do outside of the plug in, such as 'room sound' delays and reverbs, but PG nails it for drive pedals and amp tones.

Oh and Frost's Experiments In Mass Appeal is just brilliant too.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1475851362' post='3149249'] Actually there isn't much more Frost* to listen to. They all do other projects and bands so there are only 2 other authentic studio albums and an 8 year gap between second and third (which only came out this year)! [/quote] You answered what I was going to say anyway about the 'other projects', so it seems like there's way more to listen to than just the main releases from *Frost. - And I'm not just talking about Jem Godfrey's hand in writing 'Whole Again' by Atomic Kitten (selling over 1 million copies). John Mitchell gets a mention already above and I suppose if one has got as far as *Frost then John's other band It Bites will have already been spun many times. I love The Tall Ships album. Very cool. Previous member Dec Burke has a few releases to his name under past band titles, he's just releasing 'Book Of Secrets' right now. It's a great album, I'm really enjoying it. Some awesome musicians on board that one too. I was just reading he'll be gigging next year! Audioplastik's 'In The Head Of A Maniac' is one of my [i]favourite[/i] albums, also featuring Dec. He's one half of a dynamic duo! The other half being the insanely talented Simon Andersson who used to play bass in Pain Of Salvation. He plays guitar, he plays bass, piano and programs like a beast! Craig Blundell is just an incredible session/clinician drummer. I'm not sure if he is adding more to the Dr Oktopus material, but again another branch to the big *Frost family tree. Nathan King.. There's a tough one. His brother is I suppose more used to being the low-ender in the band, but I gotta say Nathan is one tasty M***cker of a bassist. I like his playing [i]a lot[/i]. The right balance of groove and tech. Great work on a Status 5er. S2 Classic I guess?

If you really must keep exactly the same gauge, you could talk to a boutique string winder who will know how to adjust the core(s) in order to create more tension. It will of course be more expensive than just going up a gauge or following the advice above, but it is do-able. Case in point, Newtone Strings actually would me a very special set of strings for my 7 string bass (tuned down to F#) BEFORE any of the 'big' companies were making them available in the Uk - this was of course over ten years ago though. It worked and they managed to get a string not much bigger than a heavy B string to sound out an F#. Needless to say, now the materials are more readily available, then that particular string can have the big gauge it needs to scare guitarists away. Have a chat with D'Addario on here, they will no doubt be able to help in your quest

I know there are one or two preamps out on the market that have them but I'm just seeing if there are any I haven't seen. Just looking at that age old problem of swapping between basses that have different level outputs. Given the I prefer active circuits in my basses (mostly) I'm looking to 'level' all the basses at source rather than faff with switch boxes and other pointless gubbins. Having a trim pot on board to add boost or maybe cut back a bit (I'd rather not attenuate) will make life a bit easier.

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1475777192' post='3148731'] I have a Warwick Streamer Stage 1 which came with MEC PJ pups. I swapped these out for an EMG PJ-X set, hoping to find a bit more bottom, more punch and the elusive "warmth" that you refer to. Unfortunately I didn't find any of these and after about 6 months changed these for a standard EMG PJ set. Comparing the PJ-X to the standard EMG PJ, the X series J is a lot lower in output and very neutral in character - no extended bass or highs, just flat and boring. The X series P is a louder than the J but still not as big or as full as the standard P, it's a little brighter than the standard one but lacks its punch and heft. Overall I'd say the standard series is a lot more compressed and "full on" than the X series which to me sounded weak and unexciting by comparison. [/quote] Ahhhhhhhhhh! At last! Someone with actual experience! You are a gem! Thank you! Funnily your comments do support my feelings about the non-X versions. I think I'll look out for said PJ set and not worry about the X series. Cheers!

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1475594776' post='3147219'] Does anyone use c# tuning on a 34" scale 4 string bass? I usually prefer 40-100 Sadowsky blue label steels and love the feel on my standard tuned 33" scale Xylem ( not too much tension and bright and zingy) but I'm setting up a bass in [b]standard[/b] c# tuning and wondered if anyone can help many thanks. [/quote] I feel I missed an important word as I jumped to the assumption you were in Drop C# rather than up in fourths... [quote name='D'AddarioUK' timestamp='1475747846' post='3148365'] In my best Bane voice "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" Your best options in ProSteels would be either EPS160 (.050 .070 .085 .105) or EPS230 (.055 .075 .090 .110). The aforementioned EXL160BT (.050 .067 .090 .120) is part of our balanced tension line which is currently only available in nickel plated steel. We've got a great tool at [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url] for working out string gauges and tensions. [/quote] ... that said, I'd still be inclined to but a 120 on the bottom for a C# through experience to get the tension back up to the same as standard tuning. What do you think Andrew? Using Pro Steels EPS 165 as a starting point, dropping each string down three semitones for C# standard, I make the new gauges as .125, .100, .080 and .055 to get the tensions back up again so they are the same as standard tuning. The next set of gauges down, so slightly less tension than standard are: 120, 95, 75 and 50 in the Pro Steels. That seems to be a good place to be and is also very close to the Balanced Tension gauges mentioned earlier. Unless I've missed something, is that still not the best set for the application? I call upon your expert knowledge!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1475672098' post='3147801'] If they do I'm converting... I love prosteels and I'm running out of my custom sets from Newtone from my ACG in Drop C [/quote] They do, see above. Tons of string choices available and all listed on the D'Addario website!

[quote name='Johnny Wishbone' timestamp='1475673459' post='3147819'] I await this response with interest! I still prefer the sound of the Pro Steels but the tension on these is so good I've been prepared to make the sacrifice for now. A steel version would be a win/win for me! [/quote] Well, Pro Steels have always been available as single strings and those gauges are available, so it looks like a win/win day! You can also use their string choice app if you want to adjust tuning vs gauge vs tension too.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1475671545' post='3147792'] They're nickel though [/quote] It's ok, I think it'd be possible to have a Pro Steel set made up with similar gauges! Maybe D'Addario will be along to chime in shortly

I'm trying to find reviews and quality video/audio clips of these sets of pickups to actually hear the difference. The only descriptive offerings I can find so far talk of 'added warmth' and 'headroom', which is pretty meaningless. Needs review videos I've a set of 'non-X' PJ's in a bass as a starting point and would love to know how these compare.

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1475651564' post='3147578'] i was thinking of trying 45-105's but was a bit concerned about them being too light with dropping 3 semitones, thanks for the input folks i do prefer light gauge strings so i might try them and if im not happy going up to some kind of 50 - 110/115 set, a 120 i think might be too much for me. [/quote] 120 won't be too much, honestly if I had the cash I'd send you a set as I'm that sure you'll end up liking them after giving them a thorough try out

[quote name='Johnny Wishbone' timestamp='1475655367' post='3147617'] Yes, these. Will even handle going down to Bb if that's your bag. [/quote] They are a pretty awesome set!

ABSOLUTELY these for a four stringer: http://daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=380&productname=EXL160BT_Nickel_Wound__Balanced_Tension_Medium__50_120 They are gauged 50-67-90-120 There's the added tension to allow the A, D and G string to be dropped a semitone and the 120 works very well for the C#, giving you a nice solid feel to the low notes. No need to buy specialist sets or leave strings off. Oh and they're D'addario.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1475582553' post='3147054'] Young Mr Dood recently sold me a Fender Japan 62RI Precision that I am rather enjoying. [/quote] I'm a huge fan of Fender Japan basses! I'm trying not to think about selling that one it's quite a peach! I still have a pair of 80's PJ's that will keep me busy though!

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1475587487' post='3147114'] http://barefacedbass.com/product-range/FR800.htm Something like this would do the job nicely... I think there is a bergatino version as well.. [/quote] I'd love a pair of those, but for now I am using the Barefaced Big Twin II and the Bergantino B-Amp which is like having a top spec PA behind me!

Before D'Addario made them I have used Kalium for a massive 190 gauge to go down a tone lower the F#. I think Newtone would be a great option for big gauges as unfortunately Kalium is expensive to import.

D'Addario do up to 170 gauge, so you could make up a set to suit using a standard 6 string set with a 170 for the F#

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1475577309' post='3146998'] Oh, now I'm not sure... [/quote] Let me help you. You are buying a Shuker

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1475576508' post='3146988'] If money wasn't a issue then a Shuker JJ Burnel Carbonlite... For around Fender American price range I'd be looking towards Shuker again... If I had the money I'd be on the phone to Jon ordering an unlined fretless PJ right now... [/quote] So let me get this straight, in case I've not understood.. You're shopping for a ... you know.. a Shuker!?

Good lord! That's a peach, yeah I would like to dabble with one of those!

If you're staying on British soil I think it'd be hard to beat the Shuker JJB. I'm yet to hear anything but rave reviews of them. On my shopping list for sure is the Carbon-Lite JJB; or rather a custom version that Jon and I have dreamed up recently.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1475521922' post='3146641'] Agreed Pete, but that's not the deal, the deal is that they are so f*****g good and SO cheap. These two beauties together cost me less than a used MIM Precision with enough change to buy a fair few sets of strings, and bot blow the socks off most MIAs This baby had without doubt the definite flatwound/pick tone I've ever come across [url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_5526_zpsiliorfb5.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] A great contender!! I have the Aria Pro II alternative from the Matsumuko factory. it's a great bass and cost very little in comparison to the 'real thing'. A fifth of the price if you are very lucky. Love it.

That goes for any courier.