dave_bass5

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='1021426' date='Nov 12 2010, 01:56 PM']I can't think of a bass-related topic that hasn't been done [i]at least[/i] twice here. [/quote] Im not sure i agree with you but im going to post a great video just saw on Youtube called "drummer at the wrong.........;-) I love my Gramma pad. I got one when someone posted about a discount and a lot of us placed an order, and have used it at every gig since.

We went all the way to Wales (from London) to play a small wedding reception at Caerphilly Castle on Sat. Its pretty much a ruin other than the main hall and we just managed to get the gear in before the rain hit. With stone walls and floor, plus being in the corner we expected the worse. I didn't eve both with my BDDI as i though it would complicate things freq wise. As it happens we had a fantastic sound. This was the first gig ive done with my upgraded Squier CVP and it sounded exactly as i had wanted it to sound. More P sounding than my old Duck Dunn's or my Fender P5, not that i didnt like them, its just the CV P has that earthy tone (big thnaks to Andy at Wizard for producing such a good pup). It might have been the venue's acoustics that helped but im very happy to use the Squier as my gigging bass now. As i was so wrapped up in the new bass i played the the intro and first verse to Walking on sunshine in A rather than E. It threw the band out but i dont think the audience noticed.

I got a JV P when they first came out and sold it a few years ago. Ive been through loads of basses both during the time i had it and since i sold it any to me a lot of the basses ive had were better. Nice necks and a very good retail price at the time but i think they are over priced second hand now. Worth it if you like the feel etc of a specific one but silly money to buy just because its a JV. IME of course.

I must admit that i dont really use the Korg much, and certainly not at home. For reheasing and learning songs i dont really need much hardware. My setup is Bass (sometimes BDDI) in to the line in on my M-audio 24/96 and then either run A guitar sim like Ampeg SVX or GR4, or just straight through using the BDDI. I then play along with iTunes etc. The line out gets split between a cheap set of Speakers and the Headphone amp i posted about above. If im in another room i use a M-audio USB interface in to my Netbook, with either the BDDI connected or SXV and use Itunes to stream the MP3's from my main PC over WiFi. It works really well. My Headphones are closed but i find they still let in quite a bit so im on the lookout for something more sealed.

I was really looking forward to using the irig setup but just couldn't get a good clean tone and sent it back. For now im back to my trusty Korg Panadora for mobile rehearsing.

Playing the bass

I came in here to see what headphone recommendations there were. I always use my PC for practising and as its in the living room im always on the lookout for a good set of enclosed cans as the TV is normally on at the same time. My current ones are Senheiser HD215's and i dont really rate them so i need something fuller sounding, with good isolation. I use a tiny headphone amp called a FiiO, cost about £15, that i find has a very nice signal, for the price. Its about the size of two Compact Flash cards on top of each other and improves even my ipods. Its powered by an internal battery thats charged using USB. Ive got the notepad and its great but i rarely need to use it. Its a bit overkill for just playing along to MP3s etc. Ive also got one of those small Behringer Xenyx mixers.. These are dirt cheap (of course) bu ti prefer this over the Spirit. The Sony's that OBBM mentioned look good. Ill have to investigate those next week.

I think you can get extra large covers off ebay that might fit the higher mass bridges, although ive never heard of anyone getting one to fit a BAII. I actually replaced the pups in my HW-one Jazz with Wizards and it transformed the bass. I just love the tone i get from it now, and it was good to start with. I guess im just agreeing that Wizards are a great upgrade and very cheap.

[quote name='philipleonard' post='1020956' date='Nov 12 2010, 08:00 AM']I've fitted the Fender chrome plate over the bridge and want to keep the look but I'm not sure which bridges (Badass,Gotoh,Hipshot etc) will fit under it. Have you guys got any tips? Phil.[/quote] Badass definitely not, cant comment on the others.

Agree with London Calling and Baggy Trousers. I learnt them a few weeks ago (just for my own amusement). Nice and simple once you know how. Ive also finally learnt Tears of a Clown (the original). For some reason thats eluded me for ages, although ive never HAD to learn it before.

Well, after all that soldering i think im going to change the volume pot again. Compared to the Squeir pots both the new CTS pots feel scratchy and cheap. Ive only put the one in but have tested both. The Squier pots are very smooth and feel really nice when i turn them. There are no sound issues, no scratchy noise or anything like that, i just expected more from a £4 pot. As both are like this i think ill try another brand. Maybe im being a bit too fussy now but when a "quality" item feels cheaper than a budget one it bugs me. Ill also give the blade idea a go, cheers for that.

[quote name='icastle' post='1020267' date='Nov 11 2010, 03:39 PM']Watch it Dave - I have a vague idea of where London is and will hunt you down, replace your solder with a coat hanger wire and watch you suffer... [/quote] Sorry, no offence meant. I wouldn't want you travelling all this way [i]up north[/i] with your coat (or kagoule) hangers ;-) I actually threw my lead free solder out last night as i felt the new stuff was easier to work with. Im glad i started this thread now. Ill impress the rest of the band with my new soldering knowledge on Sat.

Cheers icastle, that's sort of put my mind at rest over the dullness issue i thought i had. You learn something new everyday. At least when i put the bass that ill never sell up for sale the buyer can rest assured the joints are good. I was going to ask about National railway route numbers next........;-)

[quote name='Bigwan' post='1020000' date='Nov 11 2010, 01:12 PM']In my experience lead free solder produces a duller solder joint than leaded solder. I hate the stuff myself, as do most high volume electronics manufacturers. Just doesn't do the job as well as the real thing.[/quote] This is what i was thinking. I know my skills aren't great but compared to the other joints in the bass all my joints were dull. I was thinking it might be the solder, that one of the reasons i started this thread. Looking at the new joint with the new solder there is a bit more shine to it now. Its all good now. Bass sounds great, looks exactly the same and plays like a dream. Job done.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1019724' date='Nov 11 2010, 09:22 AM']Cheers chaps. In the end I had my USA P and I also was testing a kindly loaned J copy project bass from Conan, (much appreciated). I didnt have my own amp or cabs, but now I wish Id at least just taken my LM3.[/quote] You cant go wrong with a P can you. Even if its not the most ideal bass it gets the job done.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1019478' date='Nov 10 2010, 10:51 PM']Still have them? Maplins type ones? Apparently fit my solder station, so I can paypal ya if they are no use to you. Proper hardware stores do lead solder, make sure it is flux cored, it is a joy to use after being used to fake solder.[/quote] No sorry, i got them exchanged for the correct ones, even though i didnt need them tonight. The solder i got was flux cored and a bit easier to use than the lead free stuff. And yes, it was from a proper hardware store. Cheers icastle, i think i might open the HW-one up over the weekend and see how its looking. The big difference between the CV P and the others is the new pot. Normally when i change pups the back of the pot is already primed.

Fender might. They do have tapered B's in the 7250-5 sets but im not sure if you can get singles. Might be worth emailing stringsdirect to ask them. just an idea.

I took it apart again and re soldered the ground wires. It didnt seem as bad as i thought but i took all the advice posted here and re done it and it is indeed better, and a bit shinier :-) I used the 40watt and the new solder and it seemed a lot easier than last night. Im probably going to re do my other two basses now. Im sure i can do a better job now ive had a bit more practice and proper guidance. Cheers all.

[quote name='lojo' post='1019132' date='Nov 10 2010, 06:25 PM']Glad you had a good gig, thats why you spent all the money on gear [/quote] And not take any of it ;-)

Never trust a man in a suit :-)

Cheers for coming out publicly lol. That all makes sense. My 25watt is a Antex and the 40watt is a Draper. I did tin the 40watt before using it but i guess i didnt do something right. Yes, i can see some copper and its the iron thats breaking up. Ive got some of that tinning/cleaning power stuff Maplins sell but didnt use it that on that iron. Ive just got the correct tips for the 30watt so might stick with that for now, and picked up some 60 Tin/40 lead solder to see if that helps. Its funny but this is the first time ive worried about all this, but not the first time ive changed pups in a bass. And its the cheap bass.

[quote name='icastle' post='1018800' date='Nov 10 2010, 02:04 PM']The tip corroding is due to the rosin based flux used in multicore solder - it's why tips are replaceable. It's not a perfect solution, but you can take a file to the tip and get it back to a point where you can see copper again.[/quote] Thanks. The iron has only been used 3 times so i was very surprised this happened. My old 25watt iron is about 7 years old and its tip is fine.

Cheers guys. The only reason i got a new iron (and didn't use my old fluctuating 25watt) was the coating on the tip of the 40watt seems to be melting, or breaking off. Ive not seen a tip go like this before and was worried it might be getting hotter than it should. Its fairly new as well. So more heat, more mass and less contact time seem to be what's needed.

Thanks for that. As im having a "buy the wrong thing" week i did get the wrong solder tips as well. I brought a new 30watt iron but it only came with a pointed tip. I really wanted a chisel tip so brought a packet of tips but of course they were for the wrong iron (in fact for a solder station). I must be getting old as i definitely checked they were the correct ones before i picked them up. I do have a 40watt that might be better for the back of the pot, and this has a thicker tip so maybe ill give that ago tonight.