Dood

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1438182471' post='2832356'] The obligatory: [/quote] Yes! Absolutely - daft Dood forgot that he was writing the post on a machine that does not include his photo library!!

The very first bass I ever saw in a guitar magazine that I had a G.A.S moment for was back in around '89 time. The instrument in question was the subject of this thread. Strangely, for one reason or another I didn't get to actually have one of my own for some 17 years! But, this is it - and the bass remained stock (with the exception of a 'passive active' switch I installed about 5 years ago) up until this week. I've only a few pictures I can find of the bass 'back then' and I'll include some pictures 'pre update' too taken more recently. The new pictures you'll need to wait for as I've not quite finished installing the preamplifier. The list of jobs have been: 1. Strip and refinish the bass as the body had signs of wear, including the previous owner taking a chisel to it. Gaining access to the truss rod this way is just not cool! 2. Upgrade pickups 3. Upgrade preamp 4. New tuners, bridge and fixtures. 5. Fretboard TLC 6. Set up I expect that although the bass makes a super tone, the upgrade will give it a different voice and I've not tested the theory yet!! I'm going to see what happens when it is all hooked up when a new quality jack socket arrives tomorrow. I am pretty sure that the resultant sound will be great. The existing preamp is an interesting one and a little unusual. I'm going to save it and use it for something else I think. It's a Fender circuit that is essentially a notch filter - sweeping around the travel on the EQ knob allows for a massive range of tones as different areas of the spectrum are scooped out. Very useful, but I picked up a superb 3 band Glockenklang preamp from here recently so that is going in instead. I've had the absolutely superb Norwich Guitar Rehab do the refinish for me which also included filling some of the original control holes and then redrilling to replace the big three way pickup selector. I know have a master volume with pan, bass, mid and treble controls. There's an active/passive pull up switch too so the Fender can do passive as well. Pickups on this occasion have come from Dimarzio in PJ configuration. You'll notice in the pictures to come that this is one of the few P basses on the market whose split coils are round the 'other way' in comparison to what we are used to seeing. This is stock configuration for the active jazz bass special. The passive models did not include this. The PJBS also has an extra sculpted body, an extra fret and graphite strengthening in the neck. There's also a 'carbon fibre' headstock facing too rather than plain black of the passive JBS bass. Strings are D'Addario Balanced Tension XL Nickels, though I really like the FlexSteels on this particular bass - they sound ace! Locking strap buttons come courtesy of Dunlop as I had a spare set in black to match. That said, they are very good on my Dingwall bass so thumbs up there. The control knobs are temporary but I do like the idea of having a set of small controls for the EQ out of the way. I'll get on with posting pictures later on.....

Anyone had an opportunity to compare the Tecamp Puma 900, MarkBass LM800 / F500 and TC Electronic BH800 models?

[quote name='Ant' timestamp='1438095329' post='2831589'] mine has been great at practices, going to be using it at Y not festival this friday and will properly put it through its paces [/quote] Cool Ant, let me know how you get on..

I'm not sure it would - the Hartke LH1000 is capable of running bridged at 4 ohms and it's a monster amp for not much money. I appreciate it's an AB amp rather than D class but still, I'd expect that a little price hike was ok to swallow for the benefits.

Totally unexpectedly a polarity reversing adaptor arrived in the post! Brilliant, thank you SmoothHound!

I've just noticed that the mono version also has stereo line outputs - so worst case scenario, another amp could be ran as a slave for stereo operation. Interesting!

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1438019683' post='2830935'] I've just slapped my forehead - yes, you are of course absolutely right! I guess it doesn't stop me from *wanting* to throw the resultant bridged watts at a single cab It'd be rude not to! [/quote] [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438017824' post='2830901'] You can run one 4 ohm cab off one side and nothing off the other - and the unused channel won't care that although it's generating an output voltage there's no current flowing. The joys of solidstate amps! [/quote] I suppose what it'd need is to have a pair of high fidelity cabinets that can hang off of each channel...

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1438017824' post='2830901'] You can run one 4 ohm cab off one side and nothing off the other - and the unused channel won't care that although it's generating an output voltage there's no current flowing. The joys of solidstate amps! [/quote] I've just slapped my forehead - yes, you are of course absolutely right! I guess it doesn't stop me from *wanting* to throw the resultant bridged watts at a single cab It'd be rude not to!

Not a deal breaker, but it's a shame the stereo version doesn't bridge to 4 Ohms? - OR is there a way of muting an unused channel?

I'd like to see some real world testing similar to the reviews in BassGear magazine. Not just to find out which amps can deliver high peaks of current but comparing amplifiers to see which can deliver prolonged current output in the important bass frequencies. I'm thinking that sustaining synth bass notes would drain the power reserves a bit? What amplifiers on the market could deal with and deliver sonic girth throughout the evening. Just a question really, but one that interests me greatly.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1437687698' post='2828319'] Not to the OP - he's already bought one! But yes, you've got me thinking now... [/quote] Yes sorry, I didn't mean to the OP! heh! Sorry

I've found one, I'm awaiting delivery.. it's a law-suit P Bass!

There's one for sale in the market place too..

Is this useful: http://www.iguitarmag.com/magazine-editions/guitar-interactive-issue-30/reviews/ibanez-srf-700bbf-fretless-bass/

Yes indeed! The best way to explain it is to think of a grand piano. The lower notes are produced by not only heavier gauge strings but of a longer scale length too. The benefits include a much stronger sounding fundamental tone to the bass note but also the ability to balance the string tension between each string too. It's very easy to become accustomed to the Novax fan fret system too - it looks confusing but I am confident that it's easy to get used to for anyone. I have a Dingwall AB1 model; the fan fret system allows the B string to be a 37" scale length against a normal 34" for the G string. This translates to a great focussed sounding instrument - mine also has a maple neck and alder body. Harmonics just ring out of all strings, it's superb!

Ahhh yes!!!! I've reviewed one myself - loved it! Great fretless for the money and I'd add one to my stable if I didnt want so many other things first!

Sorry folks, we've had some family stuff to sort out so apologies for the delays in getting to you. I took the cabinet (and a large portion of my own gear too) to a rehearsal studio last night for some fun and games. I can quickly reply to the question above first before I dive in and talk some more about the cabinet. No, there didn't seem to be a great difference in tone out front of the cabinet on either side. It is pretty much a square-ish box anyway and the port positioning doesn't affect the orientation. I tired to take some photographs for you all but I am afraid that the studio 'mood lighting' really didn't help. I didn't have a 1x12 as a comparison cabinet, no. That said, I have had lots of experience with a wide range of 12's on the market. I'll be back soon with some information.

Shortcut to review videos: http://www.iguitarmag.com/reviews/?page=1&producttype=bass

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1437047529' post='2823092'] Thanks so much for doing this Dan, the maths and physics is easy but there's no substitute for the ears and experience of someone who has tried a lot of gear and played a lot of bass. Constructive criticism is welcome. Here's hoping you like it. Fingers crossed [/quote] Awww! Thank you for inviting me. It's great to be part of basschat and there's nothing I like more than bass gear! Usually, it's a case of just reading about other BCer's projects with great interest, but on this occasion I get to see and hear in the flesh too. I've been very lucky to have owned, played or reviewed a massive range of equipment and I relish the technical details too and if I can offer just a little bit of input or experience, then honestly, the pleasure is all mine! I actually can't wait to fire her up for a listen!

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1436867829' post='2821446'] More news, one of the cabs is to be reviewed by Dan Veall, bass reviewer of Interactive Guitar Magazine [url="http://www.iguitarmag.com/reviews/?issue=&brand=&producttype=Bass"]http://www.iguitarma...roducttype=Bass[/url] and of course Dood of this parish. At the present the Cab is about to wing it's way to Dan, or it will be once UPS collect it. It'll be great to have a professional and independent opinion of the cab and I'd like to thank Dan for taking the time to do this. [/quote] A nice lil box has arrived on my doorstep!!!