Count Bassie

Still lugging my head/cabs, and probably will until I just can't anymore. Maybe by then I'll have grandchildren I can drag off to gigs!

[quote name='drewm' post='1129907' date='Feb 16 2011, 12:12 PM']I have a old pre-Gibson 715, and it's lovely. Albeit chunky (which you struggle to get away from for a 15" combo). It's a great format if you can cope with it. For my money, I'm not enamoured with the new TE stuff... all the charm has gone. [/quote] I had a beat-er version of the same combo- nice sound and a surprise for the size. Yep, kinda heavy, a tad awkward. Bug a little wheel cart and a bungee will get it around alright. I don't know what the currency equals for me here in the states, but I got mine for under $200 US and it was a fine deal. Great sound, kept me happy until I could work out what I really wanted. I used it on top of an 1153-T cab and it was plenty for the small rock/pop gigs I was doing.

I didn't think it would, but that looks pretty cool!

[quote name='thatgrantboy' post='1122649' date='Feb 10 2011, 09:09 AM']Looks lovely yep! However, the chopping it down is somewhat regretful. I've got an empty 15" cab coming from another BCer to drop the speaker in, and already have a rack unit for the head part, so I'll see how it goes![/quote] Cool!

[quote name='thatgrantboy' post='1122601' date='Feb 10 2011, 08:40 AM']Speakers aren't new nope, all original The small combo is a beaut, sounds lovely, but just not powerful enough for me now. The green one doesn't cut through much =/ I think that may be to do with the volume of the new cab, which may've gone tits up and thus out of 'tune'. Sucks a bit really, but its a nice amp otherwise![/quote] I had an old 1518 years ago and cut the cab down. I remember it as a mistake- I should have added a 210 to it and it'd have been a champ. I've had a lot of 'live and learn' episodes, myself. Looks nice, at least!

[quote name='thatgrantboy' post='1122558' date='Feb 10 2011, 08:15 AM']I'll get it on this then! Be great if someone could possibly help identify how old both of these are... GP1115 combo - GP11 pre into a 15" speaker. Originally looked like this: But due to how stupidly heavy and obtusely large it was, not to mentioned how beaten up it was, I made a new house for it myself, like so.. And this is mine too, which I'm trying to sell! [/quote] Looks like the same AH250 GP11 I have, a MK IV. Early-ish 80s I think. Is the new speaker there a Peavey Scorpion? How does it sound, that small cab?

[quote name='BottomE' post='1120397' date='Feb 8 2011, 01:34 PM']They are greaaaaaaat players! I am lucky enough to own a Stingray and Jazz Bass but my Cruise comes out as often (if not more) than the others. (Don't tell them though). I am keeping my eye on this thread Count. Cannot wait to see it in its next incarnation.[/quote] Thanks for the enthusiastic vote of confidence! I'll post pix probably from the next outing, this weekend. Won't be nitro'd yet, as I'm in the dumps for work for the moment. But it'll be interesting (for me anyway) to see it in context. Jonesing now for a color...

[quote name='tippbass' post='1117808' date='Feb 6 2011, 11:15 AM']Hi .... finally got round to putting up a couple of pics.......I know I know ....!!! whats with the Markbass 4x10 99 % of the time my rig looks like this [attachment=71378:183.JPG] But I've just bought back an old friend 1524 [attachment=71380:151.JPG] mmm......a nice 1048 would be nice !![/quote] I'd love one of those 1524s... but I'm looking for another 1153, with Tolex covering. But I didn't think I'd love the 1048... it's ok to be wrong, sometimes!

I'll stop it after this one! But this is a shot a little more worthy of a thread entitled "____ Porn Thread": Thanks for putting up with it. Oh, and that's the Hamer I modded up top. Still no lacquer... it'll show up when I can do it.

No real news, except that I thumped on it awhile waiting for my kids to do choir practice. This is a wonderful player, I'm very happy with it. I do think it looks just a tad disarming... but I'm good with it. This is my new full-time player. Pic when something very new and different happens! Like nitro!

[quote name='tippbass' post='1114586' date='Feb 3 2011, 04:43 PM']OOOOOO !!! Nice Looks in great condition too, I must post a couple of pics of my 2 'Green Machines'... Oh Sorry 3 !! now following last weekends purchase from a fellow BassChat'r AH400smx Interestingly enough you seem to set a simular shape on the graphic to myself .... what bass are you using most of the time ?[/quote] Heh, thanks. I'm pretty pumped to have it- I walked in the house tonight, having brought the young'uns back from choir rehearsal and looked at it sitting there set up in the basement. I actually regarded the thing sitting there, dormant. I felt glad to have it- sort of quietly psyched... I never do that. But I don't think it represents an imbalance... I use an eq shape more or less like that generally, it changes a bit from room to room, like you do probably... I've been using a MIM Fender Jazz strung with LaBella FL760s (I think that's the number). Also, until now because it's going away, a Yamaha BB400. The Jazz especially, through the SMX and both cabs, really likes that setting. My Hamer Cruisebass is getting back into action now after having come through a mod episode with me ([i]thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=113142"]here.[/url] I have to warn you though, it has been borderline upsetting to some people! But man I dig it- I could swap out the Jazz for an Epi EB-3 now, if I found a nice one... but you sort of have to keep a Fender around[/i]). The Cruise has got an old DiMarzio PJ jig, with an Artec SE-2A preamp on-board. It's strung with Rotosound Tru-Bass strings, and it's a lot different than the Jazz. More 'boxy' and lo-mids heavy, kind of old-timey Geezer Butler. Dark with some bark, which I like. I might go get some D'Addario Half-Rounds and try those. I used to use them all the time with the EB-0 I had as a kid, and it was a nice combo. Anyhow, sorry to digress! Mostly used the Jazz with that eq so far. Works nice.

I just got my MK IV Trace head back from the shop, and boy do I like this amp! Probably the best-sounding solid-state head I've ever owned/played. It's actually right up there with my old Blue-Line SVT... different, yes, but the 'top-shelf quality' thing is right there with it. So now I'm selling my AH250SMX: ...which seems to have consistent, small issues. I tend to obsess on that kind of thing and it ends up clogging my head! I'll be using my trusty old GK 400RB as rehearsal and back-up head. Fine, I like that one too. Don't get me wrong, I like the SMX! It's got great engineering and very useful features, though it does push the limit for me on 'Bells and Whistles'... but it just keeps 'coughing', a little, once in a while, and I have to bring it back to the bench. I'm thinking it's perhaps not made of the same solid stuff that the MK IV is. But boy howdy, I do dig my MK IV. Played it jamming with a drummer after getting it back last weekend through a rugged old 1048 cab. Monster. I'm all done for amps now- I'm kind of thinking this old TE tank will never die. After being around for 27 years, +/-, all it's apparently ever needed has been a uv bulb and a new starter for it. Never seen the likes of it. I'm a believer- in the old stuff! Sometimes, newer isn't better.

[quote name='tippbass' post='1111837' date='Feb 1 2011, 06:51 PM']Did ya see this..... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trace-Elliot-GP11-Pre-Amp-Biamp-/280622168421?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item4156627965#ht_500wt_1156"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trace-Elliot-GP11-Pr...5#ht_500wt_1156[/url][/quote] Wonder where that's been! Looks well used by someone.

[quote name='tippbass' post='1111778' date='Feb 1 2011, 06:08 PM']This is a super rare piece of Trace kit....These date to about 1979 and from what I know we're only offered as a prototype and it was later in 1979 that Trace GP11 Mk1 pre amp appeared ...... and thats we're our obsessions all began !! [/quote] So this is sort of like the fertile crescent! Oooooohhh...

[quote name='lee650' post='1109149' date='Jan 31 2011, 05:22 AM']i thought it might have been set to self destruct- reriously though this thread has made my morning i nearly spat y coffee over the screen!!, there is a small place in hell reserved for people who use mobile phones during gigs, woodwind players are terrible for it, sat in the pit between numbers texting away it drives me mad!! especially when it makes that ticking sound through my amp [/quote] I REPENT!!!

[quote name='jogi' post='1108328' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:13 PM']I have some older Trace stuff, but you know most of that already, like the pre-MK V GP11 or the AH250 heads to go with that. But I never seen another one of these: The PP33 offers three parametric bands of EQ for bass, mid and treble, each with frequency, cut/boost and q-factor. If you turn the q-factor all the way counter-clockwise on bass and treble they become shelving filters. Clever, huh? It also sports the mandatory pre-shape switch. There´s no date anywhere on this unit but I think TE didn´t offer the PPs long. Serial number is 2119.[/quote] That is the deal right there. I would love that kind of simple control in a pre. I wonder why these good ideas that come from solid thinking don't stay in place? I want that with a power section. And a uv light! Lol!

[quote name='BottomE' post='1108213' date='Jan 30 2011, 10:17 AM']Thats insanely cheap for that quality of bass IMHO. Good luck with the build i'll come by and check yer progress.[/quote] It'll be at least a week away from starting lacquer, but thanks for the interest! I'll be posting the spray job...

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' post='1092210' date='Jan 17 2011, 05:10 AM']Never forget to turn the cell phone off when on stage! [/quote] Ha! I just 'got' this! Uncle Sam... me a yankee...

No, not at all. That 3D was on my old Peavey Dyna-Bass Unity also, in the attractive "Black Chrome" color (I think that was Peavey's name for it). I think if I do a build this year (Fender-Bird type deal, likely) I'll be putting one of those 3Ds on it. Keep the weight down! I do remember playing a 2-Tek-loaded Hamer Cruise, the newer one, in a store and it was a little on the hefty side alright. Anyway I'm all yakked-out about my bass (and dodging the occasional bullets) so I appreciate the diversion! And thanks to all for the remarks. Lacquer next...

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1106929' date='Jan 28 2011, 08:55 PM']That bridge is a Schaller 3D. Jon.[/quote] I was referring to the Hamer 2-Tek that BottomE mentioned- quite a massive piece. But you're right, I actually emailed Schaller for a new saddle piece for my bridge a few months ago- after 30 years it's still the same! Pretty cool.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1106424' date='Jan 28 2011, 11:52 AM']As an aside how much are Hamer Cruises with 2 Tek selling for in the US these days?[/quote] At a glance they look around $500-$800 US. [quote name='BottomE' post='1106424' date='Jan 28 2011, 11:52 AM']They are like rocking horse sh*t over here - almost impossible to find. I am lucky enough to own one and it is one of the finest basses i have ever played. Truly amazing build quality. I'd buy another one in a flash if i could find one.[/quote] I agree that Hamer has put up some real nice work over the years. That bridge is quite a piece of hardware. Ever look in the US craigslist? Might be a longshot for shipping, etc., but it's out there. I ran into mine just by chance- and the mod idea came quite a bit later, after gigging with it a while. [quote name='BottomE' post='1106424' date='Jan 28 2011, 11:52 AM']btw - I love your project. Its a bit mad but appealing.[/quote] "Mad"! I can deal with that- thanks! Hope to get it finished soon...

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1106214' date='Jan 28 2011, 08:59 AM']I like the new shape, nice![/quote] Thanks! What I actually like about it is that it's a little weird-looking in real-life/when playing it, and that you can't tell what it is. Kinda like me...

Here's the total poop so far... Before: After: Amazing?! Well, thanks. The only major difference is the horns. The upper is mostly gone, the lower has been shortened to 'match'. The rest is musing and sandpaper. I haven't had the cojones to post it on Talkbass yet... I bought it from a kid from off that site. He wanted to get it back from me shortly afterward, but had nothing that I wanted to trade for it, and no bread. I'm afraid it might bum him out! Never mind the bashing I'll get for it! Might after it's lacquered. Then it's just plain done, and will be itself.

[quote name='Gust0o' post='1106015' date='Jan 28 2011, 06:16 AM']Looking good, Bassie. So when are we onto the lacquer?[/quote] Thanks. I do think it looks a little "unexpected"- almost a little bit of a challenge to the mainline sensibility. The lines of the horns are sort of a surprise to look at, I find. But the language of "play it for a while" is really a way of saying "need a paycheck"... probably a couple weeks.

So here's where I'm at so far... time and resources are a challenge, but really the fact that it's taking so long is fine. I'd just come up with something less than I'd like if it had been done by now! I'm waiting on lacquer, and I'm not even sure if I'm done with the shape yet. Have a look-see (pardon the laundry, etc.): I may take a little more scoop out of the upper horn's hollow, being thoughtful to leave plenty of 'beef' by the neck joint. Those are Rotosound 'True-Bass' strings on there, which I like a lot. LaBella makes a set like it as well, which I used to have on a Peavey Dyna-Bass Unity. Great strings- I got Rotos this time because they were cheep! Got 'em through a friend on clearance. Anyway, I'm going to play it this way for a while, see some pix of it, see how I like what I'm getting out of it for comfort, sound, etc. Thanks for having a look...