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[quote name='chris_b' post='1129868' date='Feb 16 2011, 04:47 PM']I think you've lost sight of the fact that the OP had a problem and he was asking advice about a fix for that problem. His problem won't be resolved by any of us discussing modes, syncopation or what ever part of music theory you deem to be of importance, or even cabbage.[/quote] What was the question again? EDIT: I just looked. His problem is solved. It doesn't really matter what the nut is made of. Anyway, the best nut on the planet is the Warwick JANIII in brass.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1129864' date='Feb 16 2011, 04:44 PM']Silly? You want silly? Results so far:- Raw carrot seems ideal for out and out rock sounds Broccoli - gives you the kind of twang suited to James Bond themes etc. Peas - OK if you only use the garden variety - the others make the sound a bit, well, processed. Beetroot - ideal for simple 60s stuff. Green onions - for the Duck Dunn tone. Swede - great when used with an EBS backline. Butter beans - makes the bass play like.....very smooth. Iceberg lettuce - very cool and well suited to jazz........bit like Bilbo himself.[/quote] Actually, one thing I didn't know until very recently is that one of Corian's constituents is calcified puy lentil.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1129831' date='Feb 16 2011, 04:13 PM']Right that's me off to the workshop to try some cabbage in the nut slot. I think a fair test would be to compare it with a piece of celery.[/quote] Would you kindly also note the tonal differences between the white, green, red and savoy varieties, please. Is curly kale an option? I've heard the heart is not as sturdy as the others, but it has a higher iron content.

[quote name='Rasta' post='1129786' date='Feb 16 2011, 03:40 PM']Cheers guys, i'll try pushing the poles pieces through and see if that yields any results. I've tried the eq earlier and no joy on that, perhaps i should try a compressor? It's strange because i want to play my MM more but keep coming back to my Jazz as it never lets me down. Flats could be a good option on the MM. Sildxx, i'm using Lindy fralin pick ups in my Jazz which seem to be well balanced with the tone roled off. I also have Lindy's in my 5 string too...really rate them. Does the J-East J retro allow for a passive option also or is it all active?[/quote] Here you go mate, EBMM versions specs from John's website .. [url="http://www.east-uk.com/mmsr3k2b.pdf"]http://www.east-uk.com/mmsr3k2b.pdf[/url] [url="http://www.east-uk.com/mmsr3k3b.pdf"]http://www.east-uk.com/mmsr3k3b.pdf[/url]

[quote name='sprocketflup' post='1129273' date='Feb 16 2011, 09:39 AM']Not necessarily the whole OP, but the first say 20 words or 2 lines mebbe? Seriously RedX, it causes you that much bother? I personally think it useful coz then I dont find myself opening loads of threads that have zero interest to me because the author has titled it as "This looks good..." or some other ambiguous toss. But yes, I do agree that it would be good if it was choosable in the options if you want it or not[/quote] It causes me bother on sites that have it. Bloody nightmare in some cases.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1129769' date='Feb 16 2011, 03:26 PM']When you add in the player, the strings, the wood, the room, the pickups, the on board eq, the amp, the effects, the speaker efficiency, the other instruments, the cymbals (especially the cymbals), the phases of the moon and the Lord of the Rings, I would see the material of the nut to be [b]less relevant than cabbage.[/b][/quote] .. and specially selected tone woods

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1128082' date='Feb 15 2011, 10:36 AM']I've just returned from the workshop after a little experiment. Had a neck with no nut fitted yet - played the thing 'as is' with the strings obviously resting on the first fret - sounded OK. Pushed a ready cut bone nut into place - sounded OK as above. Removed the nut and replaced it with a piece of folded cloth simply to clear the first fret - sounded duff on open strings but just the same as above on fretted notes. Kind of adds weight to the view that, other than open strings, the material of the nut matters not.[/quote] Good work doctor! I always thought that would be the case.

[quote name='Rasta' post='1129558' date='Feb 16 2011, 01:04 PM']Hello, Hope someone can share their pearls of wisdom. I scored an 88 MM Stingray on here a few months back and i have to say i love it to bits, plays like a dream and easily my favourite bass........however: The bass itself seems to have a lot more treble than i'm used to. It's great i guess if your a funkateer and want to do the Louis Johnson thing, however i'm not that talented to do Louis. I guess i'm a dub man who likes a warm phat sound so i have the treble pretty much all the way off. When playing like this the G & sometimes the D gets lost, the E & A strings notes dominate the sound. I've tried raising the pick up towards the G and dropping at the E end. I've also fiddled with my amp eq to see if i can balance the strings more....no luck. I have owned three MM's rays in the past and don't remember having this issue - is it an 80's thang?. Any suggestions? I'm considering maybe i need to change the pre-amp (one day as skint) to a John East - i used to have one on a Pre EB ray and had no issues. Or should i consider the pick up, maybe a Norstrand or any other suggestions? Are there any modifications i can do to the MM pre amp? One thing i have not considered until now is turning the bass EQ down on the bass and then up on the amp, maybe that may work ??? Any thoughts ?[/quote] Exactly the same with my new Jazz. It's getting an East J-Retro 01 in it tonight. Its standard tone is the only thing I don't like about the bass. I get strings disappearing too with the tone rolled off.

[quote name='fatback' post='1129507' date='Feb 16 2011, 12:29 PM']Great. Apart from the educational side, I've found singing can be really useful when trying come up with strong bass lines for original songs. Amazing how often the part you sing is so much better than what you get noodling.[/quote] I never sit down with an instrument to write anything. I listen to myself and feel what's right, then I learn to play what I came up with. Singing is the voice in your head and it's a true reflection of your influences, experience and imagination. The art of improvising is being able to do that instantaneously and seemlessly.

Fantastic! He's ripping! I think that illustrates the principle perfectly, the solo was human, not mechanical, and therefore was so enjoyable to listen to. Thanks Jake.

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1128518' date='Feb 15 2011, 04:17 PM']I've had a Steinberger ZX2 for some time - recently rediscovered and put back into use after cleaning the strings. Advantages: lightweight, rarely goes out of tune and has a nice low action. In the 80s I thought that this was probably the way to go and that all manufacturers would eventually employ a similar system..A few have taken this on board and customs often have this option but the"big" manufacturers -[b] Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Warwick, etc - have yet to go down this route. Maybe when the copyright/patent runs out on the Steinberger bridge..[/b] Other than looks not being everybody's Cappacino and string availability I seen very few disadvantages...can't wait to see Neepheid's Thunderbird when it's done. I've often thought about a Fender type headless - I've got a headless sytem waiting till I've got the cashflow and I find somebody who I can trust to do it right..[/quote] Hipshot very recently brought one out. I'd be very interested to see if it's an improvement on the Steinberger system.

[quote name='jonunders' post='1128105' date='Feb 15 2011, 10:59 AM']What, if any are the advantages or disadvantages of playing headless basses. I have been playing about 18 months and I have seen many examples. Are they worth the investment or do they just look good? Jonathan[/quote] There are no disadvantages with the headless system as far as I'm concerned. They are fabulous. The one exception I might add is that it can occasionally be tricky to get the strings you like. I didn't like the D'addarios and Labella Steinbergers are hard to get hold of. Also, the E string wrap on them is sometimes too long and extends beyond the zero fret. I've had a few headless basses, and tried a remarkably good full bodied Sei in the gallery. I would always get a full body headless, the titchy cricket bat ones don't appeal to me anymore. If you need a cheapy, go for the active Hohner Professionals, they beat the sh*t out of the Steinberger Spirits. I've had both, guitar, bass and double neck. The Hohner Pro Jack Bass is a great bass. Punchy and growly and capable of a good low action, they are built very well too. They also have a passive bypass switch if your battery runs out. Headless basses stay in tune forever, they are the ultimate travel bass, and despite what some people reckon, they do look very cool. I've even had a group of pretty young ladies asking me about the lack of a headstock after a gig, they seemed quite fascinated, mind you the gig [i]was [/i]in Whitby

[b]First Bass Owned:[/b] Squier Japan Silver Series 62 Jazz Bass - £90 [b]'Go To' Bass: [/b]Warwick Corvette $$ - I sold it last week, I fancied a change. [b]'Your' Bass:[/b] Warwick Corvette $$ - I sold it last week, I fancied a change. I now have a Fender Japan 62 RI Jazz Bazz that's getting a J-Retro 01 soon. That should get my mojo up.

[quote name='funkygreega' post='1128512' date='Feb 15 2011, 04:15 PM']Maybe those with John East pre-amps can help. I want to fit an East preamp into my Fender Marcus but I am not sure which one will work well. I think the factory preamp sounds a bit bland and I was looking for something with a bit more thud and crisp. Excuse my choice of words....[/quote] He makes one specifically for the Marcus. Have a look on the Products section of his site. Link in the OP, mate.

Ahh, I see a few of us had the same idea

[quote name='obbm' post='1128489' date='Feb 15 2011, 03:56 PM']For those interested here are a couple of things Johns made earlier. [/quote] Mmm, You wouldn't get one of those in a Jazz Bass. Are they the outboard preamps he made in the '60s? He makes them a LOT smaller these days, the advance of technology I suppose. Like the original Apollo spacecraft could actually be the size of a wristwatch now, but you wouldn't be able to get the people inside it you see.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1128462' date='Feb 15 2011, 03:37 PM']That's blown it Nige [/quote]

What a lovely thread I've started

[quote name='Sibob' post='1128415' date='Feb 15 2011, 02:59 PM']You know I'm into my passive basses Nige, but the only bass i've had in the past where I thought the preamp was genuinely a worthwhile addition had an 18v 2band East Preamp. If I went down the active route again, I'd be using another 2band East! Si[/quote] And you sound great for it mate! I am so used to actives that passives sound thin to me. I think this J-Retro will turn my new Jazz into a bloody monster!

I have just bought another pre from John, and I simply can't say enough about the quality and design of his products, and his incredible customer service. He gives Basschat members 10% discount, although I refused it this second time as I consider it an introductory offer, his prices are perfectly fine anyway. His communication, attention to the customer's needs and the advice he gives are testament to the very best intention to provide exceptional customer service and support and products. It seems completely natural to him. His aftersales support is ace too. His preamps are built to the highest standards and sound fantastic. I can't wait to get my new J-Retro 01 into my new Jazz Bass! We really need people like John running businesses in the UK. [url="http://www.east-uk.com/"]http://www.east-uk.com/[/url] EDIT: I just found this recent thread which proves my point [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=118830"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=118830[/url]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1127688' date='Feb 14 2011, 09:46 PM']Have you researched this or is this just your opinion. I've done some basic testing with plastic, tusq and brass nuts and have experienced the tonal difference for myself and that difference is still audible fretted although to a lesser extent.[/quote] Really? I find that amazing. Personally, I think it's all bollocks and the nut should be made of a material similar to the frets. Brass is probably best. I find it hard to understand why most basses don't have zero frets. it makes perfect sense, Patrice Vigier has the right idea. He also believes through necks are a bit stupid. He's right I think.

Just got some more cables from Dave. They are the usual superb quality and reliability, amazing price, and they look really cool too! Dave is a lovely bloke to deal with too.

[quote name='DaveB' post='1126522' date='Feb 13 2011, 10:42 PM']Thanks for pointing out the feedback section Nigel! Loving the fretless Warwick :-) Really nice bloke to deal with and thank you for being so accommodating[/quote] It's a pleasure mate, really. I'm very glad it's gone to such a good home.

I feel communion with my new Jap Fender 62 RI Jazz. After a few years of Warwicks it weird, and I don't really like it's sound (it's getting a J-Retro 01 soon), but boy, it's lovely to play!

Dave bought my Warwick Corvette Fretless today. Dave's a super cool fella to deal with and a lovely bloke. Great to meet you and D mate, hope you enjoy your new bass All the best, Nigel