Dood

That's true - the EQ I have is a half rack and I was hoping to find something smaller - the only thing that concerns me with an EQ is whether or not the EQ centres on a 7 band pedal are going to be close enough for fine 'editing'. I do have a basic graphic pedal here and it don't sound that great! That said, MXR do a graphic pedal which might work well. Berme, thank you - yes I'd thought about Max already actually. Just wondered if I'd missed anything on the market that might suit or possibly easy to tailor the filter shape (hence the thoughts about an EQ)

I'm integrating a new drive pedal in to my set up which I believe is designed with tweeter-less cabinets in mind. My system is quite the opposite, which at times is more akin to a personal PA rig. (It doesn't like drive pedals plugged straight in as you can imagine!) So, what I would like to do is to be able to switch in both the drive AND a speaker emulation when needed. I've tested the theory with a 30 band EQ and I have been really happy with the results, but it's way too bulky I feel when sat next to this drive pedal. The only thing I don't want to do is to touch the low end frequencies at all. I know that many emulators do a great job of rounding off the top and low end for guitarists but I want to just achieve the 'going tweeterless' effect without having to reach round the back of the cabinet. Other than a custom design, is there anything on the market (small as possible I guess) that could fulfil this task?

That sounds promising - I'm not too fussed about the drill holes for the screws, more whether or not the plates fit side by side. Did the 60's keys hide the previous holes? Thanks so much so far!

Hey all! Happy New Year to ya! So you may have spotted I have pangs to recreate a P bass I used to own many years ago - and whilst the budget is tight I am exploring ways to get exactly what I am after. This may be finding a stock Fender Precision or a Pbass to customise on a budget. I'll no doubt be searching BC for answers to my questions but the first is this: I really like those reverse Kluson tuners from 60's P basses. Are the mounting plates on them such that they will drop straight on to a bass that may have the more familiar 70's keys? (Not the smaller MIM or deluxe keys)

I'd like to try one of these too - I kinda like the idea of a big fat P bass neck!

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28ga-V3aQ45WmulstjNaNkuCTphx0D2J I've just created a quick playlist of some videos of my work.

Gearing up for 2015! Expect updates soon!

The TD650 is a favourite of mine (well demo'd, never owned) - I'd love to give the 350 a whirl at some point. I also agree - as much as I live D Class and the amp I currently use is superb, I do love the depth of tone from a big ole AB MOSFET and hefty power supply! My back however does not!

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1419406131' post='2639568'] Dood, if you're ever in NW London you've got to pop over! I have a CS 55 P Bass, chunky maple neck, superlight ash body and stacked pickup. I have NEVER heard a bigger sounding Fender bass than this one! [/quote] That's a really kind offer! Thank you! - I tend to end up more East London but certainly if I'm round your way I'll endeavour to find some time to check out what sounds like a superb instrument you have!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1419169922' post='2637146'] the stingray man is right... [/quote] Looking at the Sandberg and the 'ray in you profile picture, it looks like the Sandberg MM is closer to the bridge isn't it?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1418924721' post='2634958'] Isn't that Aptitude + Attitude = Altitude? [/quote] That's what I said! lol lol lol!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1418912966' post='2634766'] Mike Dirnt - additional bonus of the tele headstock, or Steve Harris. Both fairly chunky deep necks. The 50s necks are wide, but not too deep. must admit though, the 50s ones have a certain sound that I`ve not encountered from any other modern Precision. More bite/aggressiveness. [/quote] [quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1418914249' post='2634783'] Plus the Roger Waters bass. Very well made. [/quote] Excellent! Excellent, thank you so much! Just need to find a few of these to try out then maybe treat myself in the new year!! Thanks guys! Any other ideas welcome!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1418904440' post='2634633'] Hey Dan, I reckon you're the extant personification of the definition: 'One who does whatever is necessary to make a living out of bass guitar-related activities'. Not too far from the truth, I bet. [/quote] I think you're right there! Thank you!! Being a musician isn't just about playing - there's an incredible breadth to the opportunites that can be undertaken in that 'role'. Lots of which form my income and make up just one definition of 'being professional'. I work hard to make sure work is coming in yes, but as has been noted above, there's 'being a pro' and 'being professional' - and this is where my favourite mantra, courtesy of Mr Nathan East comes in: Aptitude + Altitude = Altitude There is plenty of music related work I have done in the past that didn't directly result in payment but having the right attitude meant also meant I was re-employed.

Not that there's anything wrong with that I must add, it's why we're all here

So after much discussion and opinion, it's still the dictionary definitions of what makes up 'being (a) professional'.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1418737421' post='2632809'] It's especially important to have presence at Xmas. [/quote] Ahh yes, the Thiele Small parameter 'they' never specify!

I think that's why I am more likely to go with series OR parallel despite liking the idea of having both. I too have a preamp on board thus impedance changes are less of a problem. The configuration I am probably settling on will mean that only two of the three pickups will be in series with each other at any one time so I'm not expecting too much impedance changes between settings. My main problem actually is selecting a suitable switch ha ha!

I've got some 'photos of my very first Precision that I've recently uncovered. Sadly the pictures aren't great but I've found a bit of paper with the pictures with all the serial information on. I'll try to get the photographs up online - I'd love to know what happened to the bass, but I suspect in the twenty years since I last saw it, the poor mite is probably long gone! That, as mentioned above, had a chunky neck on it but I'm that the neck was a reissue on a very old body.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1418831383' post='2633820'] Dood, may I point you in the direction of my 75? see below Plenty of neck chunkiness. [/quote] It's a beauty for sure! I'd need to save some more pennies!!

Can I ask a question to the P bass collective? If I were looking for a precision with a great big chunky, fat sounding resonant neck, would I be looking at the 50's versions mainly? I've reviewed the Fender Cabronita and actually, I liked what that had to offer, though I'd probably change the pickup! I'd love to hear your thoughts and of course, pictures always welcome! I love the look of the Tele headstocks with the reverse kluson tuning keys and maple boards are a big thumbs up too!

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1418828557' post='2633766'] Going from 250K to 500K is not going to make a lot of difference, certainly not a big remedy for muddyness. What is happening is the series configuration doubles the inductance, which will significantly cut treble (lower the -3dB point to half the frequency). Pickup manufacturers tell you that inductance is important, then don't specify what value their pups are. DC resistance, which they seem to like, does not tell you much (although it may imply a bigger/smaller winding, but you don't know the wire gauge - usually. [/quote] It's good that you bring that up actually as I found that the pre and pickup combination on my bass was a little on the bright side prior to trying my first series configuration. I'm pleased that actually running that series setting, the bass has become more touch sensitive through the mid range and actually the EQ sounds more 'musical' and smooth through the top end. That may also be something to do with my 'test' rig as well, which is akin to a great big studio speaker right now! Lots of clarity! Totally agree with you about DC resistance. I posted on a thread elsewhere that it makes me laugh to see (especially ebay) sellers referencing the resistance reading as a way of classifying a pickup!

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1418805724' post='2633446'] Tricky decision, I have found that some of the combinations sound very similar to each other. Are you in a position where you could try the 6 way switch as a test then if you don't use certain settings re-wire those ones or drop down to a 4 way using the best sounds? [/quote] Well, I have seen some rotary switches that have a little metal ring tag that allows you to limit the turn positions of the switch but I'm not sure if hey are available as guitar pickup selector switches. You are right though - if too many are similar then there's no real point doing it - other than the fun of finding out!! [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1418806538' post='2633460'] If you manage to test this it would be great to hear some sound clips. Particularly the multiple series switching options as I've not seen these offered on any other stock bass. [/quote] Ok, I'll get some clips together of my bass before the customisation.. but even now it has a different configuration from stock, so maybe worth hearing anyway!

[quote name='Bottle' timestamp='1418736265' post='2632794'] Dood, just to throw a rubber duck in the ring, have you considered a different approach? Dingwall do a four-position rotary switch pre-configured for humbuckers. Position 1: Bridge Humbucker only Position 2: Both pups in parallel Position 3: Both pups in Series Position 4: Neck HB only IIRC it's called the 'super switch' or something. This [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/1117-rim-custom-5-string-for-alex-claber-36-inch-scale-finished-with-soundclips/"]thread[/url] may help ATB, Ian [/quote] Funnily, it's my Dingwall with this arrangement that I am undoing!!! [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1418743145' post='2632878'] I have a passive bass with 2 hunbuckers each connected to a 4 position rotary switch. 1. Off 2. Single Coil 3. Parallel 4. Series Lots of combinations producing a huge variation in tones from a passive set-up, it's a bit different from what you are after doing I admit. [/quote] I think with the configuration I have, the single / parallel / series options would all live rather well together and that's cool - but obviously there's a limitation in terms of switching components and not wanting to dig any new holes in my bass, especially if the plan doesn't work. My best hope at the moment appears to be a 4 pole 6 way switch that would give me 6 different pickup configurations. In my mind I think I would like 1+2 1+3 2+3 1-2 1-3 2-3 and maybe either 1+2+3 which would be insane I am sure but who couldn't resist 1-2-3? (+ = Series, - = Parallel) But it's a case of picking the best out of all of those! Choices eh!!!

Well the dictionary definition says it can be either, but like you I treat it as the former definition.

I've chatted to Kalium and Chirs has been super helpful. Originally we talked about getting some decent strings for my 7 stringer. I'm very impressed with a 183 gauge I have for a low F# and I'm yet to try the 190 he also sent over for an even lower low E! Sadly my usual string supplier is unable to help with the Dingwall string situation so I will either go with Dingwall strings (naturally) that Bass Direct get in or indeed Kalium.