glassmoon

Hey @NancyJohnson Yeah, I was not too happy with what Amazon spat out at me... so following on with @dustandbarley, I took a spin past Thomann and it's all there, including sipping, for under £60. I'd say that's a win. I really don't want to stop playing Elixirs... I've used them almost exclusively since 2000!!!!

Hey!!! I'd forgotten about them... with a tenner for shipping, it's under £60!!! What a win... that's awesome Thanks so much @dustandbarley - very good of you.

So no one seems to have them for less than about 80 quid!!!!! Even Amazon doesn't come cheap... Next question... for the XL players... La Bella, D'Addario or Ernie Ball < all nickel for me though

Hi all, As the title infers, where is the best place in the UK to get Extra Long Scale Elixer 5-string sets? It seems that XLs don't come in a 5 set any longer, but you need to buy the 4 string set and then the single 130 for the low B. Not a problem, you'd think, but hell's teeth... where seems to be the thing. Lots and lots of availability on standard or long scale, but for 35"??? I love Elixirs, and have used them almost exclusively for about 25 years, but at this rate, I may have to find an alternative for a long lasting string.... Any suggestions? Thanks all Julian aka Glassmoon

Last night... Corporate show for Hospice

I am looking at both Hipshot and ABM. I have had a particular liking for the ADM bridge - it just looks so "big" and "cool".... I know, it's not about that, but it is a little hahahaha I am open to anything that works, really, as long as it does what it says on the tin. Actually - on that point - anyone got any ideas around possible (quality) bridges?

Now that's very interesting... would be great to go again (it's a tube ride to Stratford and an overground to Camden thankfully). it's been a while, and I could ask concerning HW upgrades. Man, if it was as easy as dipping HW into paint, I'd coat all the metal black hahahaha Thanks @BigRedX: good idea!

It is only wood hahaha - a decent woodworker could also countersink it - I've had that done before, but a long, long time ago, in a colony far, far away

Hi all Question... I am looking at changing my MR2 matt chrome hardware (BTB556) to black. I have contacted Ibanez in Japan, and Ibanez in the UK, and I've come up with very little by way of "positive" feedback. I can't find any MR2 bridge units in black or even smoky chrome - anyone know if such replacement parts exist? I am looking at the possibility of changing the bridge for an ABM hi-mass unit. I found one on eBay which is for 17mm spacing - perfect. Buuuuuuuuuuuuut... has anyone ever seen, or heard of such a change? In theory, it's as simple as removing the monos and replacing it with a single bridge unit - taking into account the screw holes etc. Any advise? Any suggestions? Any ideas? Kind regards Julian (Essex, UK)

I am jealous

Damn, I've always had GAS for a Basswitch

Ah, now I understand. Yeah, I have no idea. Lots of Macbooks and shiny lights and all manner of software plugins, but at the time, I paid very little attention to anything other than, "does my bass sound good today?" I guess I should look at some sort of IR gear then hahahaha Thanks for the great response @Naigewron

Man, I'm clueless with this kind of thing. It's a very flexible system as far as you have described. But one question, I played in some very large churches in South, where IEMs were essential, and I just sent a DI to the FoH. I'm guessing the sound desk had IR capability? I don't know, and didn't even know about IR until very recently. Either way, great board.... I'm still intrigued by the HX. I've all but abandoned effects, I've only got an octave besides my compressor and preamp...., but I do miss chorus and the ability to "play" and experiment.

Out of interest, I've been interested in an Audere Audio 4 band for ages now, but their site clearly states that they do not ship internationally. Anyone have any idea how to circumnavigate that little issue?

Hey @moley6knipe Thank you so much for the great response. I'm kinda on the fence WRT the pickups. I know I probably should be cognisant of the pairing, but to be honest, I'm just not sure. I'm lead to believe that the MK1s are not actually that "bad", and that a good pre will enhance them. I'm also aware of putting a lot of money into a not-so-expensive instrument for what might only be a marginal bump in sound quality. Having said that, while I'm quite into the Nord option (had them in a SoundGear, and wow!), I'm really into the Bart idea. As I said in my original message, I had this exact bass many years ago, and tricked it with an all out Bart upgrade, which was amazing. Yeah, Barts add their own twist, but it's a great twist I believe. Sigh..... I'm so lucky to have all this input, but it's not as easy as I'd like, to reach a point where I can pull the trigger hahahaha

Thanks @Sibob - yeah, I am on the fence though, probably as this is not a simple, open my wallet and shell out money decision... this is ultimately going to need to be the "right" decision. I think, think, that I am leaning towards Barts - I know and love that sound

Hi all I'm looking at upgrading the innards of my Ibanez BTB (currently with Bart MK1 pickups and Ibanez vari-mid [which is failing a bit due to age]) with (firstly) a new pre-amp and (later) new pickups) I'm torn between two, the Bartolini system, which I know very well and a Glockenklang, which I know by reputation only. (prices are from Bass Direct here in the UK) Bartolini @ £155 (3 band, active/passive, 3-way mini toggle mid freq, 9/18v) Glockenklang @ £130 (3 band, active/passive, 9/18v) A big differentiator is the 3-way mid frequency selector, which is nice for getting 3 quite different tonal options (finger style, slap, solo (whenever that happens hahahaha) But all that aside, opinions are VERY welcome - shoot!!!! KR Julian aka Glassmoon

Many thanks for the vote of confidence @mcnach. I've spent a couple of days now reading through all sorts of sites with reviews on AE, and I'm beginning to think about using them more seriously, especially as I've received less than stellar (helpful) responses from the UK Ibanez dealers and distributors.