Count Bassie

[quote name='fatback' post='1052740' date='Dec 9 2010, 08:47 AM']Can't let this pass, being a big fan of the old BBs. Relevant to this thread, too, as I think it may prove that it's not the neck width that makes some people unhappy with the P, but the radius. I find my BB400 flatter than the P's I've played, and that may account for how comfortable it is. And you get the benefit of wide-ish string spacing. The impression I get about Fender Ps is that they vary a lot in profile, rather than width, and that may account for people's differing feelings about them. You will love that BB [/quote] I hadn't thought of that, but yeah I really do like the BB. Better (way) than the Fender Precision I swapped the Jazz for. I had a 5-string I hated for the string spacing, and have gone through a couple basses here to get that and the neck profile right. I am in fact almost torn as to which I now like better for the neck, the Jazz or the Yamaha... Thanks for the good word there.

Ooookay. I have a Trace 1153 which I like a lot. I have an AH250SMX which I'm on the fence about... so do any of you venerable Makers of the Thunder have a savvy recommendation for a head to go with this cab? SWR SM-400s? GK 800 RB? 700 RB? Eden?... Etc.? Thanks for your time and thoughts!

[quote name='Busterrabbit' post='1052529' date='Dec 9 2010, 05:53 AM']You've hit the nail on the head there Dave, 99% of the audience won't notice the difference, and probably 99% of the band won't either!! lol Just play what you're happy with.[/quote] Here's the logical end to most of these discussions! No surprise this thread's gone on for 5 pages, it's one of those classic, eternal 'arguments'; but it's fun to get one started! Good to get a new look though at the scope of players and points of view... for me, after several weeks of having come back to a J with LaBella flats, I'm totally at home. If I have another Precision, it'll be after I get settled in with my regular 'quiver'. I'm still refinishing a Hamer mod, and found an old Yamaha BB400- a "P-Bass" really, which is very much a P-Bass... so shut my mouth, I guess! It's actually a really nice plank, a low-priced Japanese entry-level bass from around '81 or so. Doesn't sound like your standard Precision though. But I found it for $80 US, so it's in rotation as a BEAD bass while I finish up the nitro on the Hamer (another thread)...

I played my 715-S combo at rehearsal last night, and finally had the stones to turn the Output Gain up! She broke up very nicely as I pushed the Jazz through with some muscle, and now I wish it had more speakers and a bigger power section! By contrast, the AH250SMX through the 1153 sounds, especially with the open E and A strings, a little like there's a blanket over it. Mid-neck, closed position, etc sounds pretty good, even a little bit 'toppy'. But it's doing something strange to the sound now with the Trace cab. When I had a pair of Bag End S15-Ds this wasn't really the case. I'm concluding that it's a side-effect of the famous Trace-Elliot 'color'. I've thought, for a long time now, that the speakers one uses are a notch up from the amp in order of importance to one's sound, and I like the 1153 cab better than the Bags- it goes deeper and has a nicer, more friendly, rounder sound to my ear than the Bag Ends. But I don't like what's happening now with the SMX powering it... I'll be trying out a few other things as opportunity presents itself I guess. Change something, open a can of worms. But I know that...

[quote name='redstriper' post='1049888' date='Dec 6 2010, 04:17 PM']I know what you mean about carrying heavy rigs after gigs and I've got rid of my Trace rig now. I use a Markbass LM2 with one or two Flite 152 cabs - it sounds great for reggae or anything else I do and those Flite cabs are f...lite alright ![/quote] Oh yeah! I'd forgotten about Flite- those are made in the next state- Connecticut. I'm in Rhode Island. I wonder if that guy's even still making them?

And thanks for the reminder on the foam under the bridge... I used to do that...

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1049555' date='Dec 6 2010, 11:49 AM']I think your rig will be fine. I use a flatwound strung Precision with foam under the bridge which although not used for reggae is ideal for that sound. Really thumpy.[/quote] I think so now too, thanks Burrito. I ran it today (home from work- boss says it's too cold! Yes!) with the AH250 SMX and it sounds pretty huge actually. Works with the combo also, but the SMX has that compressor, which seems to do a nice thing for the lows. Anyhow, squared up for now. And the reggae gig got cancelled! But at least I know I can do it... thanks all!

[quote name='redstriper' post='1020851' date='Nov 11 2010, 06:57 PM']I used a Trace 150w combo with a single 15 for ages in a reggae band and found it plenty deep and loud enough for most gigs. It's what I used to record all the tracks [url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]here[/url].[/quote] Hey, nice tones! Dig the horn line copping "She's a Woman" on "Happy Within"!... Good playing man.

[quote name='redstriper' post='1020851' date='Nov 11 2010, 06:57 PM']2 x 15s is perfect for reggae, I don't think you'll have any problems unless the drivers are not up to the job - which phat cab do you ordinarily use that's so much better? I used a Trace 150w combo with a single 15 for ages in a reggae band and found it plenty deep and loud enough for most gigs. It's what I used to record all the tracks [url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]here[/url].[/quote] Didn't mean to let this go unanswered- sorry! I had been using a Peavey 215-D loaded with Black Widows. It was a great, deep, hefty sound. I've had a few other cabs too, but all too big for my weird logistics at home. We have rough stone steps going [i]up[/i] to our basement, and in winter they're a drag to traverse with any significant burden. I've bit the dust pretty hard a couple times at 3 in the a.m. after a gig, carrying some big bastard of a plywood box up those icy perils, and finally got sick of it. I've had an 1153 for a couple weeks now, and you know I think it'll do the deal. I'm just now tuning in to your tracks... thanks for the link.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1049099' date='Dec 6 2010, 06:01 AM']to be honest, I've listened to Mk II, IV, V, Series 6 and SMX range side by side and the sound gets progressivly worse. I really did not like the SMX at all, I found that it strangled the sound. I'm sure others will disagree but I lusted after one for years only to be disappointed at it. The Mark V is the best Trace amp I ever used and even the GP7 2x10" combo I had was good as well. I used a 1153 for years with a Gallien Krueger 800RB and loved the sound - I use quite a trebly sound and the cab was good at producing exactly what i was looking for[/quote] I can see why you'd say that about the SMX, actually. I have a MK IV going to the shop, and when it gets back maybe it'll make a difference. Thanks for the comment.

Does anyone who uses Trace Elliot cabs find them dark-ish sounding? I have a single 1153 and find it so, using it with my SMX250 head. Fender Jazz Bass w/ LaBella flats going in. The Series-6 715-S combo I'm using for rehearsals I find not nearly so 'closed' sounding. Will the 1153s 'open up' some if there are two of them? Or should I find something else if I want a more open sound- with a little more 'air' or top-end? Am I being pretty clear here?...

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1045893' date='Dec 2 2010, 08:22 PM']Will cutting the body change the tone? If you expect to hear a difference you will. No difference will be detectable in a proper double blind test. Look at the bright side, it may make it sound better You could also just get another cheap body for the Jazz and save the collectors value. If you later find out you love the midi thing cut into the original Fender body and enjoy it.[/quote] +1 again here.

[quote name='Stu-khag' post='1044664' date='Dec 2 2010, 04:05 AM']I had one of them with original case. I wonder if they'll ever be popular again? sold it to one of my best mates for 200 quid. He's doing loads of gigs with it [/quote] Nice colors! Well I don't know if you'll find another like this with quarter-sawn Rosewood fingerboards (I think, yes?)... It seems like it was a transitional model, replaced by the newer Cruise, which is not as sleek. The new one is too much like a Fender in my book. The older one was more its own beastie.

Depends on the shape/style of the bass, fingerboard (Rose, Ebony, Maple,...), and hardware. But I've always like natural Walnut, and deep reds. I think they look sort of classic- not like "toys" (bursts, bright colors, etc. No offense!). Now, brighter finishes are cool too, and some are even classic as well in their own right. But in my gut I always hit the bulls-eye with the darker tones- woods and dark reds or maroons. I'm in a band that does large shows, and have a Midnight Wine Jazz Bass with a pearly pick guard and chrome hardware. Looks nice, and shows up alright with lights and a black drop behind us. I'm sort of looking for something with lighter colors for the show thing though; but my most personal preference is not for flash, but what I perceive as more 'soulful' colors.

[quote name='civictiger' post='1044571' date='Dec 1 2010, 08:51 PM']Interesting points.. I will be using both pick-ups, yes, so a clean tone and a MIDI tone And I will be keeping this bass til the death of me, it has a bit of sentimental value to myself. Clean tone for two of my projects Clean+MIDI for another project I guess I'll use my yamaha, I'll see if I can build up some love for it - it just feels so strange to play as om so used to my fender now! Maybe I'll get a cheap copy or something.. I'll see how my money pans out![/quote] You could get a cheep junker, play it a while. Then cut into it and install the MIDI jig, note the difference. Evaluate, "To cut, or not to cut". Also Squire makes some pretty good stuff if you've a mind to do something like add a MIDI triggering system. If you don't like the 'Squire' thing, rub off the decal on the headstock and replace it with a nice girlie pin-up water-slide decal!

[quote name='umph' post='1044464' date='Dec 1 2010, 06:05 PM']before you get spraying, i think you should get a bit more of a contour going on in the horn to match the other side, it'd look better. Looks quite good though![/quote] Not the first like comment I've had on that, and I agree. I've just come back from a friend's shop where I put it to a spindle sander. I added a little more 'scoop' to the inside of the upper horn and took off a bit of the lower, from the outside of the curve; a little visual "eq", if you will. Pix again before colors... and for the sake of immediate functionality I'll probably do a sealer coat and just leave it 'natural' for a while. Time is a thief, and I need to play the thing! Also this will give me time to get my courage screwed up for a run at a burst finish. Thanks for the comments all!

[quote name='Gust0o' post='1044402' date='Dec 1 2010, 05:07 PM']Can I get the knee-jerk out of the way, please, and then we can have some sensible comments? Good? Ok: HOLY f*** WHAT THE f*** DID YOU DO TO THAT POOR HAMER?! Thanks, Tim, here's your Caps Lock back. Can you please now commit yourself to the only option left open to you, and go for Gold Sparkle? That sh*t would be boss. I buy your comment on the thumbrest, and it's good to hear the adjustment to the shape is working out for you. Perhaps a lesson for the less daring, myself included, about being will to look at some fundamental rather than cosmetic changes.[/quote] I'm glad we got that of our chest! As far as daring and cosmetics, for me the horn is not only cosmetic, but proved a fundamental issue- and as meaningful as the thumb rest. Anyway I have considered gold sparkle, but I... dunno. That would have to be top-notch work, and it's kind of too [i]California[/i] for me. I'm not a splashy dude, and prefer red earth tones. I prefer Mountain (Leslie West) over Mot the Hoople... if you get my drift. But I appreciate where you're coming from. And the conversation isn't closed.

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1043608' date='Dec 1 2010, 06:51 AM']that thumb rest looks frighteningly close to the e string. is it?[/quote] Thanks for the good word, lettersguitars. The balance is great, the new shape actually effectively negates any weightiness forward of the neck joint, pretty much. It's become more 'invisible' as an item to carry around, which is interesting. I'm only playing now, not carrying. Different, but seems good. The most advantageous difference physically though is that the upper horn no longer rests into my body. That was a bother. The thumb rest is close to the E-string but at a distance consistent with the string spacing. It's like resting your thumb on a rigid B-string, if it were a fiver. It's also close enough so that my "non-piano-player" fingers can easily cross string from that resting point!... And the little scallop in the thumb rest near the fingerboard is perfect for playing up on the neck (dub-style), the bass inclined at a sharp upward, near-vertical angle. More pix after adjustments to the shape, and I'm still interested in hearing color suggestions...

Thanks! I'm looking at a minor further adjustment on both sides, but this is "the look". Much better for playing now. Next is getting some color on it.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='1042372' date='Nov 30 2010, 08:56 AM']If this were any other bass than a Hamer, I'd be saying cool mod, the SG shape is the way to go. But being a Hamer-phile - aaarrrgggghhhhh! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! [/quote] I do understand I'm not going to get 'kudos' from everyone! But it was a move based on functionality for me. I like the bass, I just 'adjusted' it... Also I have a low level of reverence for the conventional. Want a rule broken, I'm the guy.

Got an '83 Cruisebass- original model- a few months ago in relatively beat condition. Still integral and playable though, and cosmetics aren't usually my first criteria for a bass. But due to my 'special ergonomic needs' and the fact that I strap the instrument up differently than most, I've opted to lose the top bout/horn, pretty radically changing the look of the thing. Before: After, so far: Still considering the final line where the upper bout was, and color. I'm liking the suggestion of an SG shape here, and thinking about a deep red tone for color. Maybe a new pick guard shape, and I might even reduce the lower horn also, for balance' sake. Any thoughts?...

[quote name='flyfisher' post='1032041' date='Nov 21 2010, 05:56 PM']Thanks for that lead. I looked it up but the the commando 12 doesn't have a sliders for the tone controls, whereas the one I used did have. But searching a bit more, I now reckon I was using a 715 combo as it looks the closest to what I can remember on Google Images. The 200W rating would also explain why it put my 70 Ampeg combo to shame. I may have to start raiding my piggybanks for some gas cash![/quote] This one? 200w, w/ ext jack and DI. This is a later, upgraded model from the original 100 or 130w combo.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1035728' date='Nov 24 2010, 05:50 PM']I much prefer a Precision! Mine is dead lightweight, has the skinniest neck and is never dull and thuddy... Oh and did I mention it was a thru-neck and is active! OK I'm extracting the urine but it begs the question 'What defines something as a 'Precision' bass'? Does it have to be by Fender? Is it compulsory to be passive? Have the name Precision written on it? Is it the outline shape that makes it a Precision or the pup mounted on that body? Is it still a Precision if someone makes it in the classic P bass shape with the appropriate pup but makes it neck-thru? Answers on the back of a postage stamp. [/quote] Well, the original post was out to compare the Fender Precision and Fender Jazz. Beautiful bass though!

[quote name='mcnach' post='1034648' date='Nov 23 2010, 07:58 PM'][/quote] I'll be here all week...

[quote name='Mr Rabble' post='1034891' date='Nov 24 2010, 06:26 AM']One can prefer either a P or a J, but as a matter of fact the P-sound isn't dull by itself.[/quote] True. The sound of a Precision has a bulkier character, and it's not as 'lithe' a quality- not as nimble a delivery- as a Jazz. But the J doesn't have that hefty girth, or not as much of it. They both have the ability to put out a wide bandwidth of frequency, and I've often said "you can get anything out of a Precision". But they are different... Perceptions also will come from amp settings, strings, other context from personal experience.