dave_bass5

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1045208' date='Dec 2 2010, 03:25 PM']Every single gig i've ever done, they have specified that the sound check is at least 2 hours before we play, and the sound check never ever happens on time. Even for the decent venues around here with great sound guys, they ask you to turn up at 5pm to soundcheck and the soundgy turns up at 6:30.[/quote] The guitarist in my old band was a sound guy, a pretty good one at that. He used to be the resident sound guy in a couple of big clubs in the west end years ago, and he told me that bands were never on time, and even if hey were they would take around 45mins + to set up so he never bothered getting to a venue until at least 45mins after the band had been told to turn up, and still he would be kept waiting. Im not saying this is the norm, and i get hacked off as well with waiting around, but i can see the reasoning behind the sound guy getting there after the band are due.

[quote name='MythSte' post='1042344' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:39 PM']I really cant wait for the SBMMs to start popping up second hand. I really cant justify paying full whack at the moment but boy do I want one...[/quote] Ive only seen a couple on here so far, plus mine. I sold mine for £350 (IIR) and that was with a Nordy in it so that brings it in line with the price of a SUB. I know what i would buy given the choice (and having owned both).

I dont think ive posted this so here's one of me at a sound check a few years ago. No idea why i was smiling as it was a holiday camp gig :-(

[quote name='silddx' post='1043388' date='Dec 1 2010, 09:43 AM']Haha! That's what I do with the Black Beauties, a dab of permanent black marker. Sorry, I don't know why I didn't suggest that to you in my post above, I meant to.[/quote] Yeah, god bless the marker pen. It really was only a small area. Even i couldn't see it when the bass was strapped on. Just getting a bit anal i guess

[quote name='silddx' post='1043170' date='Nov 30 2010, 11:44 PM']Yes, it does warn you about such things on the packet, they are not indestructable or whatever.[/quote] Yeah, im more annoyed with myself for doing it. Still, a quick dab with a Orange Highlighter sorted it out

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='1042982' date='Nov 30 2010, 09:19 PM']Mine arrived today, after 2 weeks. There are a couple of pics of them on my green Yamaha in the other thread about them![/quote] Yeah, just saw the pics. Lovely bass. What do you think of the strings? Im pretty sure this will be the only set i get. Nice strings but i think ill miss my XL's.

Another vote for CTS pots. These are the pots i got recently [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/Premium_250k_Solid_Shaft_Pot_10%25_Tolerance_CTS250SS"]CTS solid shaft[/url] and [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/Premium_250k_Split_Shaft_Pot_10%25_Tolerance_CTS250"]CTS Split shaft[/url] Both the same pot but different shafts. Basically if you want to keep using your original knobs (yeah yeah ;-) you need to get the correct Shaft. Normally split shaft takes the push on knobs and solid takes the knobs with the small grub screw. Just pull off your old knobs (why does this keep sounding wrong) to see what you already have. Good choice on the Wizards.

Well im not sure about wearing gloves but im getting used to mine now, and plan on using them this Sat (if i can get to the gig).

[quote name='MythSte' post='1042310' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:20 PM']I tried the 4 string version and its been the only bass to really blow me away all year Felt so solid and ready in my hands![/quote] I must admit ive only ever played two MM Stingrays but my Ray34 felt better than both. could be a set up issue as both were in shops but straight out of the box my Ray34 felt very comfortable.

[quote name='martthebass' post='1042281' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:59 PM']Only got SLO made MM's meself, but I would have been all over a Sterling MM if I could have got hold of a fretless Ray34 recently. Nicely made - definitely give a US one a run for it's money.[/quote] I would love a SLO SR4. i couldn't find one when i was in a position t afford one. Spent all my money then found the perfect one and couldn't afford it :-( Im hoping to get a SB14 next year though. I wouldn't hesitate getting a SBMM again.

[quote name='icastle' post='1041863' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:12 AM']I really don't believe this! I tried to logon to the Bass Centre site about 45 minutes ago and struggled to remember the password I'd set. I clicked on the "Forgotten your Password?" link and it responded by telling me that my password had been sent to my email address. Guess what - it hasn't arrived! I guess that's on back order as well! :lol::lol::lol:[/quote]

I had a Ray34 for a few months earlier this year and it was outstanding (IMO). I sold a SUB to get it and i found the Ray34 to be better in every way to the SUB (ok, bring it on;-) No, they aren't Real SR's but they sound like them, they play just as well, and are cheaper. I really like the matching headstocks. You would pay a lot more for a SR5 with that. They are made in the same Cort factory they Lakland Skylines and a few others are made and when i had mine and a Duck Dunn i could see a very similar build quality. Give it a few hours and this thread will be full of "buy the real thing second hand" posts

[quote name='bumnote' post='1041258' date='Nov 29 2010, 03:17 PM']I expect they run it a virtual shop with little or no stock holding. When someone orders they order the item from the manufacturer and expect a quick delivery If the manufacturer doesnt have stock, thats when the problems start Good way of doing business. little cash tied up, and maximum profitability, but a disaster when it goes wrong[/quote] IME its always been like that, at least, the last few years of them having a shop. "It will be here next week" was the standard response you would get when you order something. They would tell you this without even picking the phone up and calling their suppliers. I know its not always down to the shop when things are delayed but they should be more honest with customers, or phone up and find out first without making false promises.

[quote name='kirk' post='1039436' date='Nov 27 2010, 11:57 PM']Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent soldering iron? I noticed 40w was recommended in one of the threads Dave posted links to.[/quote] I ended up getting a 30watt iron from Maplins for £9.99. [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=32909&C=Froogle&U=32909&T=Module"]Soldering Iron[/url] It seems to work well enough. Although i have a old 25watt and the 40watt draper that i mentioned in my thread the 30watt seems to be a doing a good job. Its not the best but i didnt want to spend a lot of money on something i wouldn't use a lot. After getting all that good advice i found i got much nicer looking joins, and changing from the lead free solder to the 60/40 made it a bit easier as well.

[quote name='WalMan' post='1040493' date='Nov 28 2010, 09:42 PM']I have to admit the first time I used mine at a gig I took it out from under the rig in the break as the bass disappeared, but I persevered and made some level changes and wouldn't be without it now for the lack of boom particularly on high/boxy stages. Whilst castors might help I would have thought a pad would still be better as in most instances the castor is still a more solid affair that will connect with a boomy stage where the pad creates the break - at least that's the way I understood the pads to work[/quote] There is also the foam underneath the pad. Im sure that must do something that just using the 4 corners (casters) doesn't. Ive always thought the foam stops the underneath becoming a bass trap and keeps the boom down. Not sure it works like that but its obviously there for a reason.

Blank page at home, dpreview at work.

[quote name='steverickwood' post='1040137' date='Nov 28 2010, 05:22 PM']It's a shame the Bass Centre didn't survive as a physical shop - always fantastic stock and staff. Always found their staff knowledgable and helpful to the max.[/quote] LOL, thats the two biggest complaints about the BC over the years. I also used them first when they were in Wapping, and quite a few times after they moved to Liverpool st area but they did seem to go downhill by the end. Rude staff (certainly not all but some of us know who im talking about) and a lack of gear to buy on the spot. Nearly all my gear that was brought there was ordered in, even though they had demo gear. They did lend me a couple of amps to tide me over due to late deliveries so they weren't all bad but this was becaude their delivery dates were nevwer met.

Ive always found Soundslive and Reidys to be pretty swift updating their websites. Personally i will always phone the shops first (other than Thomanns), even though i prefer to order online. Any issues with orders are always worth a phone call IME. Email is too easy to ignore or genuinely missed. As far as the BC goes, ive had good experience's with the shop but lesson learnt and i would never order anything that was out of stock from them.

[quote name='charic' post='1028761' date='Nov 19 2010, 01:05 AM']How do these hold up to heavy pick usage?[/quote] Other than whats already been said about how they test these strings i just wanted to point out that while i was adjusting the truss rod in my HW-one (at the body end) i happened to force the Allen key against the D string, bending the string slightly, and It took the finish off. I now have a small silver patch. Maybe i should have been more careful but it does show that they are a bit delicate.

Cheers guys. To be honest I don't reallly want to spend money on this. I've ready spent enough on the pots. I'll ask around and see if any of my mates have anything I can use.

[quote name='chilievans' post='1037695' date='Nov 26 2010, 12:49 PM']How do you rate these bridges?[/quote] They go great on shuker jazz classic's :-)