AinsleyWalker

Some interesting conversations going on, I've found my current favourite use for my Graphic EQ pedal is as a high end clarity booster for when I'm creating 'prettier' lines higher up, especially when using delay and chorus. Just removes a bit of muddiness and is quicker than adjusting the EQ on the bass itself. Boost 62, Cut 125 + 250 and 500, Boost 1k and 2k, Cut 4k. (all varying degrees of cut and boost to make smooth curves of course) Slight boost on the Level so that the overall volume doesn't change much.

[quote name='ProfFrink' timestamp='1460315442' post='3024620'] A. subbed. B. I keep finding new uses for my Empress ParaEQ. E.g. boost mids and cut low/highs for better slap-tone, or just to get a more modern "cutting" sound, or to tune my fuzz (the big-miff in my MS-60B) to sound "just right", to dial out some low-end for a less resonating E-string (that's before I got my Broughton HLPF), etc. (Personally, I've always found parametric to beat graphic, but it's a matter of taste of course) [/quote] Yeah, I was looking for a parametric bass eq actually, the Boss PQ-3B in particular I've heard good things about but they're quite pricey and hard to come by, and saw the GE-7B going cheap on Ebay so thought I'd give it a go. I can't compare it to any parametric EQs but it's a decent pedal, very responsive.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1460310162' post='3024572'] I used an MXR ten band EQ to boost 62.5hz a few dB but cut 31.25hz to the max when I was using 15" speakers. This way I kept stuff from resonating to any sub lows in the pub I was playing. Cutting mids seems nice solo but makes your tone drown in the total mix. [/quote] Yeah good point, at the moment I'm just writing stuff on my own so perhaps best to try things out when I'm next in a band environment.

I've got an old Boss GE-7B that I have at the end of my chain for a slight mid cut/low end boost to round off the tone of my Stingray at times, but I was wondering what other applications it could be good for? Any suggestions?

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1458875001' post='3011795'] Fair point you make there. This juror totally accepts the defence plea. In which case I'd say, if you like the bass for playing off stage for enjoyment and you'd prefer it another colour, why not go for it, or sell and buy another similar bass. Something I find frustrating with MM Rays is that some many of them are I great finishes and look great, but I can't get to like that sound myself. But each to their own. As others have said though, be prepared for a naf piece of wood if you do it. Actually, I remember a member of this parish having a GW Ibanez in black. He stripped it and the wood was less then exciting. It had a big knott in the wood. He continued to enjoy the bass himself but when he came to sell it took forever to find a buyer. [/quote] Yeah, I think I'm definitely against the idea of stripping it now. If I ruined it, it'd be a real shame. I get what you mean about the stingray sound though, it's not for everyone. A lot of stingray players use too much treble in an attempt to try and cut through more but it just makes the bass 'clack'. I tend to roll the treble knob almost totally off if I'm playing something on the lower strings . I've gotten used to it though and can get quite a good range of tones, including a fairly round sound but not [i]quite[/i] as warm as I'd ideally like. I like to write a lot of ambient/spacey melodies up the fretboard, so the clarity of the Ray's sound and the ability to really shape/scoop the high end is good for that. I think really what I'll do is just keep my Ray as it is, I'm not in any bands currently so it's more than good enough for home use/practice. It'd also be a shame to get rid of it as it's my first high quality bass and I've had it a long time, plus what I'd get for it probably wouldn't make selling it worth while. As I said the chips are very minor, but will of course affect re-sale price. So I think I'll keep it, and if at a later date I find myself in a situation where I can financially justify buying a Jazz for a specific application, I probably will. Cheers

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1458804309' post='3010945'] I know I'm being a cynical old git here, but am I right here? You're fed up with your old bass because you've managed to chip it 15 times when gigging. I you change your bass, how long before you're fed up of that because its chipped just like your Ray? Have you sorted out how you handle the bass at gigs to avoid damage? [/quote] Haha I can understand your viewpoint of this situation but that's not it. Let me explain. I bought the Ray for a very specific sound I wanted when I was 18, and five years later I prefer a rounder sound at times, that's all. So a Jazz Bass, for example, would suit my need for versatility. It's how I've felt for a fair portion of the time I've owned my Ray to be honest. To play standalone, Stingrays are probably my favourite bass tone, but in band situations they can be limited. My desire to change it isn't based on the chips, they just prevent me from actively seeking to sell it, the chips were done around 3 years ago and I haven't put any more in since then. They were done through just not using the hardcase in certain situations and it getting knocked while in a softer case. Oh, and I've gone off of sunburst a bit.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1458772278' post='3010856'] It's always best to do anything like that when you change strings, especially adjusting the intonation at the bridge. [/quote] I know absolutely nothing about how to do any of that, do you have any advice or links?

Thanks for the all the tips and advice, I think I'll probably leave it. To those who suggested I sell it, I would like to actually but from being gigged the bass has a few chips and marks around the edges, around 10-15 bits and I feel like that would decrease the value to the point where it's not worth it. The chips etc aren't massive they're just small bits of average road wear. (I'd probably swap it for a Jazz though if anyone wants pics..)

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1458769731' post='3010807'] It's hard graft but yes, it can be done. You might be disappointed if it's not an attractive piece(s) of timber under that finish though. [/quote] This could be another dumb question, but the translucent parts of a sunburst finish that show wood grain, is that the actual wood underneath or just part of the print?

For a few years I never bothered to get my bass set-up or check the action when I changed strings, mostly because I didn't know how to or didn't know much about set-ups at all. I got my Stingray set-up about 3 or 4 months ago and I'm going to change the strings because I need a brighter sound for something and I was wondering if now would be a good time to learn some basics of what to do and what I'd need, should I need to check/adjust anything after I change strings? Any idea? or should I just change the strings

This may be a dumb question.. I have a sunburst Stingray and through a few chips I can see the wood finish underneath, is there any way to remove a finish like this?

ACCIDENTAL DOUBLE POST PLEASE DELETE

Tbh the only 'bass' specific pedals worth getting are usually gain based pedals. Most chorus pedals will sound good with bass. I have an MXR Analog Chorus, I don't use it much but it's good. I used to also have a EHX Neo Clone which sounded really nice too.

Anyone have any experience with the Mooer ReEcho? I'm looking for amother delay with an effect similar to its 'tape echo' mode. I know the Boss DD7 has a 'modulate' mode but not sure how similar this is.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1454865030' post='2973684'] Does it work when its the only pedal in the chain? If so, it may be a power supply issue that happens when everything's plugged in. I remember having a couple of reverbs before that liked an isolated power supply. [/quote] Na wasn't that, I tried it alone and it was still happening. But then I changed which cable supplying the ReEcho and it was fine. Just didn't like that one specific cable it seems. The cable isn't faulty though as it's working fine with the pedal next to it

Never mind problem solved. Just didn't like a specific cable coming from the power supply for some reason.

So this issue has happened before but resolved after unplugging power supply and cables etc.. but this time it's being persistent.. The ReEcho is at the end of my chain, when disengaged sound passes through as normal, when turned on, the light comes on but the sound is killed. I've tried turning everything on and off, disconnecting the power supply and leads, not sure what the issue is. Was fine last time I used it... Any suggestions?

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1453410359' post='2959361'] I would be surprised if you ended up using a B3K and a Rat for similar sounds once you use a B3K I reckon, it has a kind of baked in sound all of its own, that some people love, some don't, but I very much do. Is there nobody near you that has one you could try before you fork out the cash? [/quote] I guess I need to try it out for myself really to see what I think, I never seem to see it in any shops I go round, but I'll keep an eye out for sure

Thanks for all the info! [quote name='ProfFrink' timestamp='1453407666' post='2959324'] I'm not sure it's a RAT replacement... Why not keep both? [/quote] Well I have my Rat at a really low gain, and get close to the type of tone most people seem to use the Darkglass for. I have a Pork Loin after it which is used for a cleaner low end boost and when paired it gives me something close to a Karnivool tone. I think my uses for the Rat and the Darkglass would come into a territory that's too similar to really have them both. But I could see I guess

So the B7K gets a lot of love, but how good is the B3K? In the future I'd like to replace my Rat with something a bit higher end. Not sure I need the B7K really as I have other drives I like to stack, just need an overdrive/distortion pedal that crunches while maintaining low end and the Darkglass offerings seem spot on.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1452982909' post='2955370'] Carefully [/quote] Yeah it's all good. Someone on the Ernie Ball forums suggested using a piece of paper to get it off the surface of the bass, it worked Quite enjoying the look of sunburst with no pickguard (for now)

Never mind, sorted

So I've taken the screws out but I can't seem to move the guard... What now? I've changed pickguards in the past and only had to undo the screws..

I tried one of these out the other day, sounded amazing. But I didn't get to try it with an expression pedal as they had none in stock. Without an expression it of course affects every note you play, much like an envelope filter/auto wah would. What I was wondering is, with an expression pedal can you control when the effect kicks in, or will it still affect every note but with a different resonance pitch? Looking at the pedal it has an 'amount' exp input, could that perhaps be it?