xilddx

[quote name='basswesty' post='415171' date='Feb 20 2009, 12:05 PM']I'm in a Police tribute band so we play em all but Wrapped is also one of my faves too. [/quote]

Do you play the album version or one of his live versions? He plays it very differently on each live recording, I really like the Atlanta Synchronicity Concert version. Do you drop D or maybe you have a 5 string. I love playing it on a fretless, on headphones along with the record, with the lights off.

Have you heard/seen the version on the new Certifiable DVD? Glorious!

My Vette $$ is very growly, my Hohner Pro Jack Custom was also very growly. I suppose a firm definition of [b]Growly [/b]is required. What frequencies, or absence thereof, are the main factors in what we perceive as [b]Growl[/b]. I firmly believe growl is only possible with roundwound strings. I might put some flats on the Vette and see if it can still growl.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='414995' date='Feb 20 2009, 08:39 AM']Except for the Status Streamline, of course...
Assuming that it counts!
I [i]think[/i] it does. Just.[/quote]

I came so close to buying a Streamline, gorgeous. As for any other single cut basses, I would rather see my granny naked, and she's been under ground for thirty years.

I had nine at one point, now I have two basses, three electric guitars and one acoustic. They are all very different from eachother, for different situations. That's why we need so many! That's why I have lots of fishing rods and reels too. And shoes, ask her about how many shoes she really needs, that should kill off the argument

[quote name='basswesty' post='415109' date='Feb 20 2009, 11:21 AM']Driven To Tears, The Police [/quote]

Great number!

I am perfectly happy to play along with Wrapped Around Your Finger all day and night. I adore that bassline.

RUSH - Freewill - live versions are always interesting.
YES - Tempus Fugit.
Elvis Costello - Big Sister's Clothes.
Linton Kwesi Johnson - It Noh Funny, Wan Fi Go Rave and Licence Fi Kill.

I do most of my own servicing so I have only been there once (with what I thought was a crack in the neck of my Warwick) and they were incredibly helpful and accommodating. They certainly know their stuff too. Warwick recommended them to me.

Now you can do the nasty! Mind telling how much that cost to get done?

In addition to Chedd's wisdom, a DI allows for a "balanced" XLR (three pin connection) cable to be used. This can carry phantom power from the desk (to power condenser mics, active DI boxes, etc.) and also prevents signal loss/degradation that you get from an "unbalanced" cable, eg. a 1/4 inch jack used for line in/out connections.

That probably sounds confusing, sorry!

Bloody hell! Mine was £299 from Digital Village last July, they're doing it for £359 now. Bizarre, that's also taking into account that VAT is now 15%. Must be exchange rates, falling value of Sterling, etc.

I still think it's the best value considering what it can do for you. The POD is really easy to use and extremely versatile. You need to tweak your sounds a bit but you'll be rewarded. I've used it live, going direct in stereo, and she really behaved herself and sounded ace. It's taken my playing, and my approach to playing, to a whole new level. The idea of playing a whole show with one basic tone seems really weird to me now!

Rats!Rats!Rats!

Probably the most awe-inspiring heavy number I have ever laid ears on.

No-one's mentioned Stevie Hillside! I love him.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='411978' date='Feb 17 2009, 02:04 PM']Lol, I've been blind ever since I MET NUNO AND TOUCHED HIS HAND!![/quote]

I think he's lost his way a bit, technically brilliant though. I met him and Dweezil once, both were miserable f*ckers to be honest and I was very polite and slightly starstruck. Shame.

Have to add Randy. Love Zappa too of course. John Sykes is the sexiest player by a country mile though. His vibrato is utterly, meltingly bollock tighteningly gorgeous. Listen to the solo (but for god's sake don't actually watch the video) on Whitesake's "Is this Love". I guarantee you will closet yourself immediately afterward.

I also know some pansies who have been playing for donkey's years and are petrified of playing with their own truss rod, they're not catholic either.

Assuming your bass is in decent nick, the neck's not warped, and the truss rod does not need much force to turn it, try the following.

Fret the low string at the first fret, use a capo if you've got one. at the same time fret the same string at the twelfth fret. there should be a tiny gap between the string and the 6th, 7th and 8th frets. If it's more than about 0.5m you could tighten your truss rod a 8th of a turn at a time until the gap is tiny. If there is no gap, loosen an 8th of a turn. [b]Righty Tighty / Lefty Loosey[/b] looking along the neck from the end you are adjusting the truss rod at. DO NOT FORCE IT! If it does not want to move, take it to a good music shop with a good repairer. When you've got the gap right you'll probably have the right relief on your neck. Sight down the neck from the body end, in a playing position, the neck should have a slight concave bow in it, away from the strings. Bolt-ons can develop a slight S shaped relief due to the rigidity near where they join the body. To get a very low action you will probably need a fret level in this case. Even my Warwick 'vette has this.

Then adjust the bridge saddles until you can play all the strings at all the frets without getting more than a little fret buzz when played firmly. Any proud frets should make themselves apparent by buzzing more than others. Remember it will be the fret above the one you have fretted the string on. You could then try leveling it with a stone or a fret file but take it to a good shop if you're not confident.

Disclaimer: if you force the truss rod when it doesn't want to move, and it breaks off or you damage your instrument in some way, it is not going to be my fault

NO, I definitely do not enjoy listening to Jaco.

I had a serious problem with a brand new Strat Plus I bought in 1992. In rehearsals I would break up to two sets of strings a session. I took it back to the shop, they sent it back to Fender who said it was fine. Got some Graphtech saddles, same problem. Took it back again and said I want it looked at properly. Back it went to Fender again. They admitted there was a problem in that the neck was out of alignment. Fender eventually replaced it after a protracted argument.

Completely agree with older Jap Fenders, and Squiers. They are brilliant. The two Squier Silver Series I've had and the Jap Fender are/were all lovely.

[quote name='Pookus' post='411042' date='Feb 16 2009, 01:29 PM']Useable tone?[/quote]

Yes, but not for me I'm afraid. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40138"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=40138[/url]

The Status Hot Wire Black Tapewounds I just tried and got rid of have less tension than an episode of Last of the Summer Wine, so I'd give those a go if I were you.

My Vette $$ is heavy but I don't feel it at all when playing live, it's so well balanced. Got a great dub sound, great slap sounds, etc., etc. brilliant all round. I am a complete Warwick convert.

Excellent!! Budgie were brilliant! Sort of the original RUSH, in a way. I also feel a Spotify session coming on, haven't heard them for years!

Speaking of icons, I played a little benefit gig on Friday with Mick Jones as a special guest. I didn't bother speaking to him. He seemed like a really nice bloke though. There were many people there sucking up to him, bit embarrassing to see really.

[quote name='silddx' post='409402' date='Feb 14 2009, 01:47 PM']OK, taken of the Status black tapes, didn't get on with them.

I've put on a set of roundwound DR black beauties, job done. Shame they don't feel as nice as the tapes or flats, but bwoy, they sound good!

If anyone fancies trying the Status black tapes, PM me your address and I'll send them to you. They were on a Fender 4 a-side long scale peghead so they should fit most basses - .045 - .105.

Cheers.[/quote]

Strings now passed on to a good home.

Used to use elites and have used Rotos, hate them both now. DR BBs for me now, fabulous strings. Last a long time too, but at thirty quid for a set of four, I need them to!

Get a second-hand Hohner Professional Jack Bass Custom. Headless, active with bypass switch. Superb sounds for the money, incredibly stable tuning, great for all styles, easy to play, small and sexy, very nice neck. Mine sold on ebay for a ton a few months ago (usually go for around £150 though, should be pretty mint for that) so you'll have so cash to spare and you'll have an ace bass that stands out in the crowd.

I don't do this "best" business. What do you mean by best?

I think people get a bit too concerned with this sort of thing. I do it sometimes, as long as it sounds clean and in time, I have no issues. I've always had my thumb over the neck, I find it more comfortable but you want a good ergonomic position most of the time to help prevent tendon sheath and carpal tunnel inflammation, you have to maintain good blood flow through your wrists. Keep them fairly straight with your arm as often as you can.