JohnDaBass

On 13/01/2021 at 00:45, BillyBass said:

The Three Reverends, sounds like the name of a band.

What they called ?

Gold, Frankie & Murrrrr.😂😂😂😂

2 hours ago, funkle said:

I’ve owned 2 EBMM Sterling HHs with the 3 band EQ, in the past.

@owen the only way to get a Stingray with a Jazz width nut rather than a Precision type width is to order a USA SLO Special Stingray. £££. None of the SBMM models have 1.5” nut width either EXCEPT for the Ray4. 

I own a USA  EBMM Sterling (late 90s when they first appeared) , single Pup, 3 band EQ, maple neck ash body and the neck is Jazz width and very skinny. The 3 position switch gives, series,  single ( with phantom coil ) and parallel. So the basic Stingray sound is easily dialled in but with the addition of a much broader range of pleasing tones. I have Fender Flats on it and is a very versatile,  easy to use bass. Best of luck with your project, I'm sure will achieve a bass that's very special.  

2 hours ago, LeftyJ said:

Our previous queen was driven around in one of these, until she had it replaced with a stretched Volvo S80 of the first generation:

I would prefer the estate version. Oooops NO!!! it's called a hearse.

12 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Always liked their JJ bass, again, instead of the current horrors.

This really appeals to me, what scale length were they? It's a far more sensible offering rather than those horrible Bitsa efforts. Did Jackson offer a YTS scheme at anytime? 

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/gibson-acquires-mesaboogie-amps

I am not sure if this is good news.

Gibson don't have a good track record of successfully running acquired businesses. They appear to be struggling to run their own business properly how on earth can they develop Mesa.🤐.

I really hope this acquisition does not go the same way as some of the other over ambitious purchases. @agedhorse you have my very best wishes for your future. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-01/gibson-files-for-bankruptcy-with-deal-to-renew-guitar-business

1 hour ago, mcnach said:

 

I'm assuming that what the label says on the box is correct  I haven't opened it yet, waiting for my girlfriend to finish work.

Oh come on open the box and show us some photos and sound clips.

Chop, chop get on with it 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I have used Warman PUPs from Warman guitars. They are fantastic value for money and deliver a huge range  of tones using AlNico magnets. Couple it to a KiOgon loom and you won't be disappointed. Current price is around  £22.

https://www.warmanguitars.co.uk/product/mm4-4-string-bass-humbucker-13-09kohm-4-wire-overwound/

2 hours ago, nilebodgers said:

Tom Jones was surprisingly good though, his voice has held up really well for 80.

Yup, he's had his first Covid 19 vaccination jab. Marvellous stuff this vaccine hope it improves my singing. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I have for sale my TC-Helicon VoiceLive play it has only been used at home and is now surplus to my needs in the future.

Great features and comprehensive online library of studio quality effects. 

Complete with original box & manual £125 plus shipping at buyers choice.

Specification

https://www.andertons.co.uk/tc-helicon-voicelive-play-vocal-pedal-(blue)-996356061?msclkid=012b8e2fd20e19e69f49d1c7a2c87557&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=IMP-1 || Main Catalogue || PLA 3 [Model]&utm_term=4576236124598387&utm_content=tc helicon

On 26/12/2020 at 14:48, Basscabman said:

Will any Fender neck fit that pocket John?

 

The heel of my Fender MIM Stu Hamm Urge neck is 62.7mm and fits the neck pocket with some slight clearance.  The MM 84A SB has a 34ins scale and 24 frets, this means that the bridge is fitted closer to the neck to accommodate the 24 frets of the 34ins scale. You need to compare photos of the MM 84A and the MB-4 side by side, you will see that bridge is mounted in different positions. This was one of the reasons why I chose the MM 84A because the bridge was fitted at a position close enough to accommodate my 32ins scale neck( only had to purchase extra long 70mm bridge piece screws). I believe if you tried to fit a standard Fender 34ins scale 20 fret neck to the MM 84A you may have to move the bridge back towards back end of the body to allow for correct 34ins scale intonation. That shouldn't be be too much of a mod as the existing bridge mounting holes would be hidden under the bridge.

Apologies for such a long answer.  ( I normally try to avoid taking up too much space on threads with endless drivel)😂😂😂😂😂

26 minutes ago, stewblack said:

The twin has a richer sound, compared with some active basses it's a fairly subtle, natural sound.However what the Stealth Bass can never get close to is the neck pick up on the other bass. That's a beast! 

All swings and roundabouts though. If you ever get called to thump and pull that pick up is way too close to the neck, the Stealth on the other hand has plenty of space 

I replaced the neck with a Fender MIM Stu Hamm 32ins and added some longer bridge piece screws  (70mm) to achieve the correct 32ins scale intonation. Even though the tone controls have centre detent the mid point is not really "flat". I prefer to back treble, mid & bass right off and then just add to achieve the tone needed. The range of tones on offer is very broad indeed. My upgrade plans are to install Warman PUPs and CTS pots.

12 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Yeah, acoustically louder, more depth to sound - more robust.

need to do a full set up when new strings arrive.

also, weighs about 4 times more than standard 3 point, so alleviates the neck dive issue these basses are known for.

What strings did you decide to use?

10 hours ago, mcnach said:

 

Are the pickups cleanly routed under the pickguard? I think it would look really good without the pickguard.

I should stop checking this thread... I'm still waiting for the MB5 (Christmas present so it may be at home already, hidden away... hmmm, maybe it's time to pretend to sleepwalk, although it didn't work when I was 7, I don't think it'll work now  )

The routing for the Pups is over sized so great for changing to a wide variety of Pups but not possible to remove the pickguard. Maybe tort pickguard sometime in the future. 

On 13/12/2020 at 11:18, DarkHeart said:

Quite a bit, much more aggressive sounding which is more to my taste but not everyone's and they've good balance across the strings.

I am really impressed with the range of tones on offer with the Harley Benton MM 84A body, but the control pots are your typical low cost Chinese variety. So I sent an email to Thomann Service department ( cheekily) asking for a copy of the circuit diagram or parts list for the Bass. Within 24hrs I received a PDF of the circuit with the values of the pots clearly shown. They reminded me that I would invalidate my 3 yrs. warranty if I did proceed to upgrade the pots. I did some Tinterweb  searching and discovered that the company supplying the preamp for the MM 84A designs and supplies preamps to C F Martin for their acoustic guitars. Another good endorsement for the quality of the parts used in the some of the Harley Benton basses.

I have used Warman Pups of other Bitsa projects and from Jeff  @DarkHeart  feedback I think I will be replacing the current Pups with Warman.

On 28/11/2020 at 13:15, JohnDaBass said:

Fender Stu Hamm Urge Ray

 

 

 

I am really impressed with the range of tones on offer with the Harley Benton MM 84A body, but the control pots are your typical low cost Chinese variety. So I sent an email to Thomann Service department ( cheekily) asking for a copy of the circuit diagram or parts list for the Bass. Within 24hrs I received a PDF of the circuit with the values of the pots clearly shown. They reminded me that I would invalidate my 3 yrs. warranty if I did proceed to upgrade the pots. I did some Tinterweb  searching and discovered that the company supplying the preamp for the MM 84A designs and supplies preamps to C F Martin for their acoustic guitars. Another good endorsement for the quality of the parts used in the some of the Harley Benton basses.

3 minutes ago, karrlander said:

Setup for some late rehearsal. Christmas show coming up tomorrow. Me late? Nah...

Nice, but my eyesight would not be able to see the cord charts at that distance 😂😂😂😂

11 hours ago, EBS_freak said:

 

This really appeals to me,  I have been considering a Line6 POD Go but I'll wait to hear what others think once the bass version is released in the UK

On 29/11/2020 at 17:13, DarkHeart said:

There you go. The Warman has a slightly bigger casing and needs a little filing to make it fit but it`s worth it.

How much of an improvement did the Warman pup make?

13 hours ago, ead said:

I certainly like a two single coil P pickup bass.  Recently got this Alpher that I find hard to put down.

Do you have to use Brasso to keep the pickguard clean 😂😂😂😂😂😂

11 hours ago, Basscabman said:

I really fancy one of these, Anyone tried one?

Purchased one last week , as @stewblack said great variety of sounds on offer the 5 way switch is very effective to change tone mid-song.

See more details on the Bitsa thread.  

11 hours ago, Woodinblack said:

I have the warman pickups in my own build guitar and they are so hot I have to wind them in a bit

+1

OMG that's absolutely awesome. 

1969 thro 1974 Antoria were the very best main brand copies.

While at Uni in Cardiff I worked part time in a music store and tried loads of Antoria guitars & basses they were head and shoulders over everything else at that time and to see one in such good condition today is a real joy. You are a very, very lucky guy. Congrats on your find.

Harley Benton P/J Bitsa

So the Harley Benton MM 84a SB Deluxe arrived safely last Wednesday. The reason for the purchase was to graft the body onto my MIM Fender Stu Hamm Urge 1 neck. I have tried in vain to find a suitable, reasonably priced body as the Stu Hamm is a 32ins neck.

 Having followed the various threads of the Harley Benton basses the MM 84a SB appealed to me as it had a 24fret neck on a standard body which had the bridge mounted closer to the neck to maintain the 34 ins scale length. From the photos on the Thomann site it seemed quite a cost-effective solution for my Stu Hamm neck.

Fitted the Stu Hamm neck and I was incredibly pleased with the outcome.

SO!!!!

What to do with the spare HB 24 fret 34 ins scale neck??????

Well, about 25(?) years ago while visiting one of the musical instrument shows in the NEC I purchased an Alder P/J body for the princely sum of £5 from one of the bigger retailers who was having a “Fire sale”.

I used the body, with some extensive “fettling” to a Squire Bronco neck, to create a “Mustang” short scale P/J. I chose to use the Seymour Duncan Pro-Active P & J Pups with the active preamp to match. The result was a decent short scale bass but alas it just did not get the use.

I was so impressed with the quality of the neck off the MM84a that I grafted it onto the alder body and created a very versatile 34 ins scale bass.

Fender Stu Hamm Urge Ray

So the Harley Benton MM 84a SB Deluxe arrived safely last Wednesday. The reason for the purchase was to graft the body onto my MIM Fender Stu Hamm Urge 1 neck. I have tried in vain to find a suitable body as the Stu Hamm is a 32ins neck. The history of the neck is another story that I may share on a thread of its own.

 Having followed the various threads of the Harley Benton basses the MM 84a SB appealed to me as it had a 24fret neck on a standard body which had the bridge mounted closer to the neck to maintain the 34 ins scale length. From the photos on the Thomann site it seemed quite a cost-effective solution for my Stu Hamm neck. I managed to secure a “B-Stock” which cost only £149 delivered.

Having checked the bass over when it arrived it was in first class condition, sounded great and had a fantastic finish. Sure enough, the neck pocket was to the Fender standard and I fitted the Stu Hamm neck. The screws on the bridge were not quite long enough to allow for perfect intonation so until I source some longer ones, I temporarily added a Squire bridge to accommodate the 32ins scale length.

The pre is “Okay” and produces some very familiar StingRay tones and the Rosewell Pups are really good, however the plan is to upgrade the Pups to Warman MM in the near future and maybe one of the fancy active Preamps that are around.

All in all a fine outcoming having spent hours & hours trying to find a reasonably priced P or P/J body for the Stu Hamm neck.

So here we have it my Fender Stu Hamm Urge Ray Bitsa.