dave_bass5

I definitely have no inclination to go back to 5 string as such, and as I’ve said a few times I doubt I’d buy an expensive one now I have the 425. I like messing around with 5 string basses, but always end up back with 4. No point spending a lot of money when I know I’ll not play it much. Thanks very much for the offer though, I assume you mean your P35 and not the KS? 😳

Well once the P34 has gone I’ll probably use the 425 a lot more.

I’m not sure it’s the radius, as the P34 is 10” and my Fender/Squiers are 9.5’ so not much in it. Could be the frets though. I find they are more noticeable than on the other basses, even that is not really the reason. I loved this bass when I first got it, and really, i do still love it, but having had the Fender out recently I just feel there is no point having a £1000 bass sitting around not getting used. The Fender has less life in it, less punch and has a warmer tone. I really, really prefer the P34 over the Fender tone, but it just sits better in my hand. Harder to play, but more comfortable. Been going back and forth between the two tonight, and each time I plug one in I feel this is the one, then I plug the other in and feel that’s the one. One has the tone and more playable neck, the other feels more comfortable to play. Bugger lol. My 5 string basses have a narrower string spacing, and yes, are flatter. In fact I like playing 5 string basses because they do feel more comfortable to play because of the string spacing, but I really don’t want to go full time 5 string.

I really can’t put finger on it. I’m not suggesting it’s a chunky neck at all, but I’m very comfortable with my jazz neck, and just as comfortable with my P, but P34 just throws me a bit. Really, if it was the only bass I had I wouldn’t complain, the issue is i do others that I can see me going back to for the comfort. its funny but for some things I find the P34 so easy to play, I guess having the nut end of the neck slimmer helps, and the tone is way ahead of my Fender, but it’s just the comfort side that is the issue.

Back of neck to fretboard.

When i play at home i lean over the bass, its not the height.

Well ive given up with my P34. Love the tone, love the feel, but when i stand up to play it i find its awkward. Set up is fine for me, but i have a feeling its the depth of the neck. Tried all sorts of strap heights etc. it plays ok but i feel slower on it. I had a rehearsal last night and i kept fluffing the lines. Im going to go back to my Fender for now, or maybe give the 425 an outing.

Sorry to hear that but i think its for the best. It might put the band back for a while but less stress for you and maybe a more harmonious band going forward. My guitarist turned up to rehearsals last night carrying a guitar without a case. 'guess what i forgot' he says.....'your guitar case' i replied....'nope, my guitar, just had to hire this one from the studio' 😂 He only lives about 15mins away, drives, and has at least 8 guitars. The mind boggles.

You are right, but as someone who spent almost 2 years trying to find a capable guitarist it’s easier said than done, especially if you have gigs booked and need to honour them. Another attitude I’ve come across is to just tell the agents we are busy when they call up. Ok, that’s fine with the agents, but ive not invested all that time and money to pretend I’m out gigging and to be sitting at home on a Saturday evening.

I have one of the hanging stands but dont really use it.

Dan, you arent getting me to spend more money this time 🙂 I love Sires, especially the Gen 2 V7 and P7's, and i have tried a M7. Lovely neck, as expected with all the Sires, feels nice to play and with quite a nice meaty tone (coming from a mainly P and Jazz background). I too was very happy to find the Sire preamp to have a sweepable mid, and yes, that magic 80hz is in all the Sires, BUT......it bugger to rest against an amp. it just falls over lol.

Totally get this. Ive been agonising over getting the action just right on my Yamaha P34. I can get 2mm on my Fender P, but only 2.25mm on the P34. Nothing in it at all in the real world, and yet it feels difference, or at least i think it does. In my case its probably two things. I Shim all my necks, the the strings run parallel to the fret board. I haven't done this with the P34 so visually it looks 'wrong', and the necks feel different anyway, so that too will contribute to my string OCD.

Been rehearsing for too long, couldn’t face starting again with a new guitarist. We are at the stage where we can gig, but getting someone new in could put us right back to the start. Until we have done a few gigs and have gigs to offer it’s not easy finding someone that is both good and committed.

Yes, very frustrating. I look on musicians in bands as being in one of two categories. Playing in a band, where you put the effort in, realise you are part of a team and have an obligation to deliver what’s needed. The second is playing at playing in a band. This latter category pretty much includes all my band other than me. Likes the idea of being in a band, likes occasionally rehearsing so they can play extra loud, but on the commitment scale the band is nowhere near the top so will fit in when it suits.

I’m having issues with my guitarist. Joined last Nov as he wants to gig etc. Away with his wife almost 3 weekends out of 4 every month over the past 6 months. Just keeps booking weekends away. Not flexible at all, and yet keeps asking when the gigs are coming in. Ive turned down 7 since June because he isn’t available and it’s really hard to get motivation to try and get gigs knowing I’ll probably have to turn them down. Now I know it’s not the same thing, if we had a gig he would hopefully honour it, and I’m not going to book anything where he says he isn’t free, but he randomly adds these weekends to the Callander and must realise it doesn’t leave us much room to gig.

Sorry, can’t talk about them 😂

Totally agree. If you have a gig booked you are booked and not free to do anything else, within reason.

My Sire bass has the original batteries in it, and I got it when they first came out. I got in to the habit of always unplugging it when not actually playing it, even at gigs. As I use a wireless system it made it a bit easier as the lead would just hang from the strap.

Ok

It only takes one slightly high fret to cause a string to buzz.

Yeah, my 425 sounds a bit more aggressive compared to my P34. Aggression can easily be added but its a bit harder to take out IME. Either works fine for me, and to be honest in the recordings ive got from rehearsal with both i cant tell what bass was used unless im playing the low B-D, but i can appreciate the smoother tone will work much better for some. If i was to sell my P34 id definitely be looking at a 435. Blast, i want to get my 425 out now lol.

Ive always hated the sliver surround that Yamaha used. Although only cosmetic Yamaha were a brand i wouldn't really consider when looking for new basses because of this (although i did have a TRBX which loos great). Now i have one i cant say it bothers me, but i do prefer the more mainstream look of the newer basses.

Same as mine. I would have no hesitation taking just that to a gig. In fact i will at some point. Lovely bass to play, and with a bit more 'edge' than my P34.

We used to do similar for wedding gigs. We used to have print outs of our 100+ song play list and leave them at the front of the stage. Worked well most of the time.

Had a gig a few years ago ni a pub. Guy came up to us mid first set and asked for a Rolling Stones song (cant remember which one). Singer told him we had already played it. Guy said he was out having a fag, so can we do it again? Singer said maybe, in the last set. Guy says he isnt staying till then, can we do it now. Singer says No. Guy shrugs and says that song is s$$$ anyway and walks off. He was still they as we were packing up. Other times we get asked 'are you doing any more songs?' as we are curling leads up and drummer has mostly dismantled his kit.