hrnn1234

so, as an update: I installed the preamp. just can't get to solve a noise/grounding issue. probably just me, but I'm still sending it back. I realize now that I actually don't care at all about the eq. I like the "preamped" sound but I can do without the eq as I never use it really. I'm trying to find options for a preamp with no eq but it's really slim pickings. so far I found a very interesting a dual channel bartolini which could work perfectly in this case but it's impossible to get anywhere a polish one guy shop made G-501 a NOLL electronics can anyone add any other candidates to the list? any experiences with any of these?

well yes... I have to admit that every now and then I find insane deals on the local market. like that time when I got an old Ampeg BA110 for 30€

After all the woes with my Cort B4, although still waiting for the preamp to arrive, I saw this thing posted locally and decided to go for it. Clearly some kind of emergency sale, the guy posted it for €140 and went down to €120 by himself. Thinking that's what you pay for an affinity these days, it can't be that bad! Especially after reading so many good things about the guitar in talkbass. They guy came by my office to drop it (delivery included!) so I haven't had a chance to try it. I'll get around it this weekend for sure. I just hope it doesn't go through batteries too fast as it uses two. As far as I could understand it actually has active pickups, not only the preamp. The other thing I'm curious about is the 35" scale. Here are some pics of the wild finish it has... roar!

well... the artec pre is in the mail. should be arriving any time now. with any luck I'll do the swap this weekend. fingers crossed...

I might try this. I've read about artecs in the past looking for alternatives but I didn't find any consistent opinions about them. Thruth is tough that I could do without the pre. I've noticed that I rarely touch the on board eq- I fiddle what the amp offers and leave it at that. But for 30, why not...

The problem exactly! I looked into this as well. The mk1s are sealed. I cant just use the cover to put whatever beneath them. And other soapbars besides batrs, nords have different measurements. I'd to route more roome for the new ones and I'd have a gap in another dimension. Im interested in this! Could you show/tell a bit more about the end product?

Ive been playing a Cort B4 for the last couple of years. Before that it was an affinity precision. I really like the dimensions of the neck, the frets, the feel of the finishing. I've struggled since forever with the electronics. Runs through batteries too fast, pre is a bit noisy and the pickups too quiet and just don't like how they sound (for reference, I already check if they didn't came switched bridge/neck and they didn't). I paid 250€ second hand for the thing. The only possibilities to upgrade the electronics are other bartolinis, nordstrand, aguilar... All of them costing over 100 per pickup plus the pre. There is no mid budget alternative! Do I really have to put almost the cost of the bass to upgrade electronics? (Not entirely fair, I know I got it second hand but still) If the thing came with p/j or emg format pickups it would be an entirely different scenario. /Rant off

So, just for the fun of it I want to have my very own frankenbass. Pbass choice because of simplicity and coolness I have a neck lying around at home that seems decent enough, although not from a p type bass. But regarding finding a body, I'm not sure about how "easy" it is to mix up different builder's parts. Neck pocket is the main thing. I should aim for a close to perfect fit and sand out (symmetrically from both sides) as much as I need? How variable will the scale be mixing like this? Most likely a body will be second hand and have holes drilled already. Are these discrepancies salvageable with a proper set up or will I have to re-drill (likely next to the existing holes) to be able to get a usable result? What else am I missing?

another thing you should keep in mind with "so few" mics, is how your drummer plays, if at all, fills. nylon tip sticks and sand coated heads can help compensating for a soft hitter and save you time editing (ie, editing less).

thanks everyone for the replies! although I see the appeal of having a B3 and using it as individual stompboxes, in all honesty I don't think I would benefit that much from it. I mostly use two sound per song - so far only once I've used three, and sometimes I think it's a bit too much. if the engine behind it is the same as the B3 - so it should sound as good - I think I'll go with the B1on. I can spend an afternoon programming sounds and laying them in sequential order as they will be used. Even using the multiple single pedals setup I had, never had to do too much tinkering live, so I think it's not an issue on that side either. the only thing, is that I have yet never seen one on the second hand ads (I'm in Vienna, FYI) so I'll have to buy new - which makes me feel at loss every time but for 60€ it shouldn't be that bad! Thanks again everyone for the input - it was very helpful!

[quote name='DangerDan' timestamp='1507107629' post='3383298'] I would consider one of the older zoom B3 units. Has a tuner and three effects at a time etc, with a di out as well as stereo out etc, and can be run on batteries It is bigger and heavier than your other current choices though. Can get them cheap enough second hand these days. [/quote] forgive my ignorance: you mean the B3 as old and the B3n as the new one? or was there another B3 before the actual B3? It's on the candidate list as well. every now and then one pops up second hand. [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1507110253' post='3383320'] BassPod. Any version from the BassPod XT onwards. You will need a separate foot controller for some models if you want to change patches mid-song but you can pickup the FBV Shortboard for under £40 second hand [/quote] thanks! but although interesting, I'd have to be carrying a floorboard, plus the effects unit, plus cables, plus power source... again in some sort of carrying case, which I'd pretty much like to avoid completely.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507101712' post='3383257'] Would a Tech21 Bass Fly Rig fit your requirements? [/quote] I thought about getting one when it came out, but I find it way overpriced. even if it weren't there is still something that keeps me from going to an effect stripe like this (or the valeton) [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1507101790' post='3383260'] I used to use a zoom 506II (still got it) but was worried about it's reliability so I've got a Zoom B1on does the same things as my old Zoom and loads more, it's on all of the time for very mild distortion and other settings for Stranglers and Motorhead sounds, you can get it for around £50 [/quote] the B1on is actually one of the strongest contestants... I'm seeing now that buying from amazon uk would be even cheaper than from germany. thanks for the replies! please keep them coming. also interested in underdogs or older models that are still relevant.

It finally happened, I got fed up with single pedal effects. After almost two years of buying and trying different stuff I had to accept the reality that I wasn't getting the sound I expected, and clearly it was way too much overhead for so little use (pedalboard case to carry a tuner and two distortions - nonsense). As I mentioned in another thread, I recently played a laid back pop gig, straight into the amp, and enjoyed it so much more than with any combination of pedals I ever tried before. Still for my rock band I need at least some grit. No intention of going wild and stacking effects, where it seems to be is where all multis start suffering. Approaches are:[list] [*]single pedal, always/almost on - could be a preamp type pedal [*]ms-60b type, kind of one effect per song (I've been seen videos of the korg pandora stomp, and has a function to scroll through patches) [*]an old school multieffects with up/down selector. (PREFERRED) [/list] as of right now I'm using a very old zoom 506ii so I also have a tuner there, [u]an eventual fuzz[/u], and pretty much all I need. but as said, it is very old and from the design perspective, it cuts the sound whenever I change a patch. big no no. [u]HUGE PLUS[/u], it fits in the small compartment of my gigbag. is there anything that comes to mind that would be reasonable? I'd like to keep costs down, so please don't advice on getting an eventide or whatever thanks! addendum: I'm quite light footed, and besides the cigarette smoke I don't think my gear will be near any physical danger - I think plastic casings wouldn't necessary be a bad thing, as long as they are not overly fragil.

I recently joined the live band of a teenage singer/songwriter. She usually performs solo, but she recorder her debut EP recently and wanted to present it with a backing band. She's only 16 and sings incredibly, writes good songs too. The gig was fun. I double her in age, not so much the drummer and guitar player, but we got along very good. Actually, I had a very good time. It was a nice contrast to the bitterness on my goth band. Just straight joy for music. Also playing with dynamics instead of trying to bring down the house It was nice to see they have a MB200 head at the venue, same as I normally use. They also had a 4x10 with some EV on the bottom. Lots of lows, very nice sound- nothing that normally happens to me. There was a hiss on my bass (Cort B4) when using the preamp- went away just by switching it off (battery? maybe). Missed a fair amount of notes, but kept a straight face. Hope to do it again soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruTfC5v9Z2Y this one has so much information crammed in that it can take weeks to digest. I'm still trying to figure it out.

I don't know if this resembles what you're looking for, but I fiund it interesting and might give it a go myself http://electronicmelodist.blogspot.co.at/2014/01/one-evening-project-easy-midi-bass.html?m=1

[url="https://www.facebook.com/crowheart/videos/1667102649984638/?hc_ref=OTHER"]https://www.facebook.com/crowheart/videos/1667102649984638/?hc_ref=OTHER[/url] here I am again. got the 7th place on a speed contest (out of 20-something). free beer, so extra fun

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1497145563' post='3316151'] It's the string most likely - not wound properly. That 'oscillating' sound is why I don't buy rotosound strings anymore as I had A number of sets like that a couple of years ago (although the last few sets I've heard/played didn't do this) [/quote] Could this also be the reason for a super wobbly E string? It also sounds much more prominent than the others and it's not the PU height as I tinkered with it already and the problem persisted on three different bass guitars. I started to think it was the gauge and I'm about to try a thinner one for that string alone. So far I've used d'addarios and a set of fender strings.

makes sense! I think I'll just pay a bit more and go with what I found on amazon warehouse deals. it's a very not special item to go through the trouble. Thanks for the input!

so, yes. very unrelated to the board's subject: I need a rook rack. second hand market in Vienna is awful, ebay didn't show anything good, but I checked out gumtree out of curiosity and there are a few sellers with what I need. the question is: is it customary at all to just send the cash and wait for the seller to ship the stuff? It is here in Austria, but it was totally new for me when I got here (I'm from south america). I still don't know if it's something more specific of these parts of the world or just a developed country thing. have to say: the box on gumtree itself telling me to meet in person and bring a friend to the exchange is not the most inspiring thanks in advace!

well, I think it couldn't be clearer. dispersion is important only if the conditions of how you usually gig make it important.

I see I agree with many here. I can't remember the last time I played without a PA. Regardless of the size of the venue, the bass is run always through the DI (maybe it's because of a strict rock type of event background). Also, having worked as a sound technician many years, it was always a blessing when I could convince the musicians to place their cabs 90 from the audience, only covering the stage. As stevie says, you can only hope someone did a proper design of the PA system- but it will get worst if the cabs are pointed at the audience and the sound guy can't arrange any volumes in real time (and even if, not affecting how the guys hear themselves on stage). I know I'm an extremist in my views, but I don't see why must the backline fulfill any PA tasks when it can be avoided.

I think the difference in sound (or timbre actually) is only there because of the tension on the strings. it this was done with an electronic keyboard probably there wouldn't be any major difference other than one feeling out of tune when he changes to the other tuning.

I'd second what markstuk said. I've studied music production, and I've produced a few bands myself and it's not entirely clear to what you want from a producer. the basic sound of what you are trying to accomplish should be there. otherwise would not be time or cost effective to get one. as for picking one, there isn't much standardized here, so you should first sit down with any candidates you may have and see if you like each other, if he has a way of conveying bad critic that works for you and if you can agree on a work schedule. it's all trial and error. enjoy it while you can.

I guess now is a good time as any for an update, in case anybody was wondering... long story short: I didn't leave the band. I ended up going to the meeting. before that the singer wrote me a very personal email saying how much I mean to the band, and from all the bass players he's had so far I'm the best (poor guy!). He's cancelling the controversial gig as a token of how he'd rather have me in the band than any gig. he wrote some other stuff too, so I felt that although we won't be always of the same thinking, any friction will probably be due to failed communication than just bad blood. the day of the meeting the drummer was late, so we chatted a bit among the three of us, and it was clear this was the case. the drummer will keep being himself, he can't help it. I guess I should learn not to be bothered by that, same way you can't be mad at a child for being childish. nevertheless he scored some big points by opening up and lowering his guard. he said that he felt somehow threatened by me and despite his attitude and appearance he is a guy very insecure of himself, and if anything that's why he's been giving me sh*t, although he doesn't thing it was very serious whatever he might have said. it was a good thing to do. plus, it'd be a pain to look for another band- the listings here catalogue me as too old at 32, which blows, but that's how it is. next chapter will be our manager, but I'll get to that in its due time. thanks everyone for the support! I know I'm like that guy that goes back to his ex after you said lots of nasty things about her- sorry about that [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1488566879' post='3250157'] They do seem, however... 'a bit precious'. A lot of what you said would be huge red flags to me *if* I knew all that when joining. The band dynamics are not great, although you have an impeccable taste for dresses [/quote] that old thing??