dave_bass5

It was also on BBCHD at the same time. Great gig and yeah, great bass player. shame he wasnt featured more.

[quote name='faceman' post='836743' date='May 13 2010, 11:44 PM']The pup change would just be to give it some extra beef. My mate in college has just bagged the £550 pre-EB StingRay that was on sale here and in comparison, the SUB just sounded like water. The Pre-EB have balls and guts, although not as much as his 5-string 3EQ StingRay. However, I have just done a quick recording (as it seems to express a better sentiment than I can say in words) about the G string on the SUB. Dave, how did you change the poll pieces as they are on springs and can't work out how to lower them? What are the general thoughts on this one? [url="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1480908/SUBStrings.mp3"]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1480908/SUBStrings.mp3[/url] This is with the bass knob around half way, and the treble dialled a little back from this. Can someone explain, are they both boost or boost and cut?! Trebble past half way is too much me thinks. I'm looking for a tighter growl sound with a deep low end.[/quote] Seb. I believe the bass knob is boost only but the treble is cut and boost (although ive also read its boost only, im guessing its not). It doesn't have a centre click so you just need to use your ears. I used to run mine bass up almost full and treble about half. I had a listen to your track. Nice tone. I did think the G sounded a bit weak on Money (im guessing you was using the G string). I really only notice the G string issue when the band are playing or im playing along to music at home. I do tend to go for a deeper tone than you have in the recording so maybe im boosting the low end too much and its effecting my G string. As i wrote last night, its now very loud, at least with pick playing. It could be the lack of certain freqs in these strings. Who knows. I used a hammer to knock the A and D pole pieces down. It only took a few gentle tap ( i took the pup out and covered it with a towel). You cant adjust the E and G pieces apparently as they are too tight. If i keep my Ray34 as my main bass (likely as its all i have now) im thinking of getting a J East pre put in it. he does a nice 4 knob one that works both as a pre EB 2EQ or 3EQ. I just looked in the basses for sale section, it seems strange not seeing a few SR's on the first page. Looks like i missed the boat on getting a cheap SR5 :-(

[quote name='faceman' post='836612' date='May 13 2010, 09:02 PM']I've got my SUB back today I'm debating getting my electronics wizard friend to rewire the pickup. Does anyone know if it is do-able or how easy it is? I'm debating getting a Nordstrand pickup but if I'm going to spend £100+ on it, I'm wondering on whether trying to bag a second hand EBMM StingRay instead...thoughts on the difference between a SUB and a EBMM? Either way, going to get a black pickguard, the gunshell metal is awful. Any suggestions on where to look?[/quote] Can i ask why you are contemplating a pup change? Going briefly back ot the weak G thing. Ive just put my EB group III flats back on my Ray34 and the G string is very loud lol. Before anyone says anything, it wasn't a duff set of strings i had on before (these were the 3rd set of stings ive had on the bass before the flats). Hmmm, might need to change my strings to something else when i take the flats off. Might try some chromes next.

[quote name='Marvin' post='836017' date='May 13 2010, 11:29 AM']I see, the practice amp I use has a 'shape' control that scoops the mids, so similar to that (but not exactly).[/quote] Yeah. I know it sounds silly to use a mid scoop but it does seem to counteract the mid hump in my cab a bit, leaving me to then boost the low mids to taste. I only use my ears so if the figures are all worng who cares, it sounds good, thats the main thing. And i do tend to boost the low mids a bit more rather than turn up once my drummer starts to get louder as the night goes on.

[quote name='Marvin' post='836006' date='May 13 2010, 11:15 AM']That sounds terribly painful. Have you sought your GP's opinion? Sorry I just couldn't resist. I'm ignorant and don't know of this VPF.[/quote] Its ok, im getting over it ;-) The VPF is a mid scoop knob on the MB heads. I only use it on about 1 or 2, just to give a bit of boost around 35hz and a slight cut at 380hz, im not even sure if it makes a big difference but it seems to do the trick.

[quote name='Mr Fudge' post='830057' date='May 6 2010, 09:25 PM']I have my markbass SA450 flat. You can hear everything. Might give the mids a whirl though as ther are the extra ones? I wonder what they would do?[/quote] The only control i really adjust at gigs is the low mid on my SA450. I have a slight (used to be more) touch of VPF on all the time but boosting or cutting around 100hz seems to work well with my Schroeder cabs. These already have a mid boost anyway.

[quote name='4 Strings' post='835782' date='May 12 2010, 11:22 PM']I thought we were artists.[/quote] LOL. Yeah whatever. In my case im employed to entertain people. I cant see many wedding bands turning around to a bride and groom and telling them you wont play their first dance or requests because the bass player (or whoever) doesn't like the song(s). You're bloody lucky to be in a band where you 100% enjoy every song you play.

[quote name='jezzaboy' post='834546' date='May 11 2010, 07:12 PM']Do you know what I remember about Nena and her bloomin 99 balloons....She was on some other programe and she had some kind of shirt on and she had hairy, and I mean seriously hairy, armpits!!! Jez Ps Tried to find a photo of said armpits but couldn`t. Just for old times sake.[/quote] IIR her armpits got more press than the band did back then. [attachment=49548:30297087...998cdefb.jpg] This was the best i could find in a quick search.

[quote name='faceman' post='834375' date='May 11 2010, 04:35 PM']And the Bass Gallery is posting my SUB back to me as I want to give it another ago. The 2EQ-G String thing has been bantering around so much. It seems to vary from bass to bass, string to string and hands to hands [/quote] I knocked the A and D pole pieces down and that certainly helped a bit.

[quote name='cameltoe' post='834281' date='May 11 2010, 02:56 PM']I'm fed up of this post now. I'm GASSING for a SUB! Someone let me trade my Fret King for one! I'm getting a GAS headache[/quote] Im now gassing for a RAY35 :-(

[quote name='Musicman20' post='834235' date='May 11 2010, 02:07 PM']I havent looked into it much, but does the 2 band have the reported issue? If not, SR5 is calling you [/quote] Well as my SUB had it (to my ears) and its a 2EQ im guessing they might. And if this "weak" G string is a MM thing wouldn't a SR5 also have it?

[quote name='Musicman20' post='834218' date='May 11 2010, 01:51 PM']Agreed its an EQ/Freq issue. Some notice it and some dont. The amp/cab/technique probably reveals things. Personally, It doesnt put me off Stingrays at all.[/quote] I would say it doesn't put me off stingrays, as im happy with my Ray34 and not about to give up on MM but it does make getting a "real" SR4 a harder decision.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='834190' date='May 11 2010, 01:22 PM'](Slightly OT but) I'm not sure what to think about this weak G phenomenon. When I first got my 'ray I was showing it off to a fellow bassist (who was very well informed but had little first hand knowledge) he loved the sound of the bass but commented that it had a quiet G string - it so totally didn't - but because he'd read about it he then thought he could hear it. Also, I've just built a bass using a genuine 'ray pup (2006 I believe) which was take out of it's original home because of it allegedly having a quiet G (the replacement Nordy fixed his problem) but when I put it in my project bass, you guessed it, no quiet G - in fact sometimes I think it's too loud when popping. I've had 2 Fender '51 pups with weak E strings but to date no probs with MM pups. Maybe I've been lucky. [/quote] Im convinced its a EQ/Freq and technique thing. Ive done all the set up adjustments and changed the pup to a Nordy in the Ray34. To be honest i didnt notice much improvement. The Sub was a bit easier to fix as i leveled the pole pieces. It seemed to do the trick. Still not as loud as my Duck Dunn but better than it was. When i play with a pick (most of the time) and dont cut the mids or highs its fine. It doesnt jump out like my previous basses (P's and Jazz) but its there. when i boost the lows or cut the mids, some notes on the G string almost disappear, normally at the first 5 or six frets. I only ever hear this when im playing along to music or gigging, not just playing on my own. Just doing the usual root octave thing is when i notice it more. Im not a slapper (not on bass anyway ;-) but when i pop the G occasionally its pretty damn loud so no, i dont think its a volume issue as such. I've also check the levels using the input on my PC and all strings seem to read about the same, with everything set flat. I have gig recordings that do prove its not just my imagination. I do think that if everyone else can live with it then i can. Its not a big deal.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='834109' date='May 11 2010, 12:17 PM']Those are entirely my thoughts too. The SUB will be extremely sought after in the years to come, and in less than 10 years it'll probably reach legend status, can you say the same about an Indonesian SBMM?[/quote] All subjective so ill not get sucked in to that one. I do see more SUB's for sale now than i do SBMM. Make of that what you will ;-)

I think im going to go for the free version and add in the bass amp. That should do me. Not interested in the stomp boxes. Im also hoping to pick up a iPhone 4 when they come out but might keep the iPod Touch for this sort of thing.

Both my Ray and the weak G thing and i did fix it on the Sub but cant on the Ray34. Ive even changed the pup. Its not bad, and i can control it but its still bugging me and putting me off getting a SR4 in the future. I know what you mean about having to have Made in USA on it. I was quite proud that my Sub had this on it. Sad i know. They do come out of the same factory as the Skyline range by Lakland though, thats encouraging as well all know (except Gareth;-) how well Skylines are made.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='833830' date='May 11 2010, 12:22 AM']Isn't the new price on a SBMM a fair bit less than what the SUBs were selling for when they were new? I'd agree that the finish could be better on the SBMM (only seen photos mind) but I can't see how they could be built better - I had no quibbles with mine in that respect at all. I'd go as far as saying that my SUB was put together better than any Fender I've had and equally as good as my 'ray.[/quote] I didnt know there was a new price for the SBMM, ive not noticed any price drop since Christmas. I know the Subs are well built, so are Squiers and loads of other cheap (and expensive )instruments. My comments are really only comparing my SUB to my Ray34, not Fenders or any other bass. Im not talking about how well they are put together, but how they feel, play and look. I didnt like the painted neck at all. And i found the non contoured body a bit strange. I've not seen many second hand Ray34's but if there is less than £100 difference, and im basing this on a SUB for £350-£400 and a Ray34 for around £400 then i dont think the SUB is the outright winner, just because its made in the USA and nails a certain tone. I made my choice because, to me, the Ray34 feels like a classier instrument, i much prefer a glossy finish, the matching headstock (in fact the whole look of it is just perfect to me), the neck feels smoother, i prefer a contoured body and im getting to like the 3EQ. The last few posts give me the impression that people are assuming the Sub is better and have not directly compared them to the SBMM. Maybe ive been a bit harsh on the Sub as i did like it at the start but im much happier with the Ray34, i even sold off my Lakland because i use the Ray34 all the time. Sorry to the OP if this thread has gone too far off course.

[quote name='Kev' post='833758' date='May 10 2010, 11:07 PM']Lets not get into a fender type arguement. As the SUBs are made in USA you would expect they would be better quality instruments, but as with fender the cheaper built SBMM may produce the odd gem.[/quote] But the SBMM range aren't cheaper than the SUB. They arent budget versions of the SUB, they are budget versions of the SR and Sterling. For around £300 they are nice basses, im not denying that, but i still think the Ray34 is built better and has a better finish. Just my thoughts (again).

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='833379' date='May 10 2010, 06:23 PM']I am afraid but I have to disagree... If we are talking playabilty and sound the Sub are superior in my views. To me Sterling By MM is a bit like mutton dressed as lamb. the few I tried loked nicely polished and pretty coloured but playing them they eventually felt like copies, I didn't feel like jumping up and down about them. I still believe that if you succeed in getting a decently priced SUB you will own a better instrument.[/quote] Most of my negatives are based on looks, feel and the fact that people are asking too much for some Subs. Im not saying that the SBMM is better, just that for me it is. For me the Ray34 was just an all round better instrument than my sub, as good as that was (is).

[quote name='Musicman20' post='833225' date='May 10 2010, 04:42 PM']Oh heck, I hope its alright Tony. Im sure the redesigned version should be. I want this one: [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=990&category_id=2"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.ph...p;category_id=2[/url][/quote] I know some people use the 151P as a one cab rig so im sure Tony will be fine. I just needed something more full range and louder. I A/B'ed it with a Epifani UL15 in the Gallery when i took it back and it was like a thick fire blanket had been taken off the cab when we plugged in to the UL115.