Pirellithecat

Ha! Taken it apart to check! This is an extremely well made bass! Anyway, the second rotary knob does appear to be a Pan/Blend knob . Without the centre detente its tricky to gauge where you are on the Pan - but I guess that all good as it's the ears that decide! Whilst there are comments about the pickup outputs being fairly low, they seem quite high compared to my new Sire V5, but that's using headphones so I'll check through a rig later. Going to try to understand how to get the best sound from this before any modding, especially because the paintwork is a bit "worn" so I think it's a DIY refin at some point, so might do everything at the same time.

Thanks Dood! If anyone can help demystify the controls, that could save me lots of potentially expensive "upgrading" ( ..... possibly ....). There are two large rotary controls. The one nearest the neck is the Master Volume. Anyone know what the one adjacent, but towards the Bridge does? It changes the tone, but not in any obviously predicable way - I can't convince myself that it is a Blend control because I would expect clockwise rotation to give a more mellow, Neck pick-up tone, and counter clockwise the opposite. If anything it's the reverse effect. Moreover, if I use the use the selector Switch (Larger Black one) which predictably switches between Bridge, Neck or both pickups, and select the Bridge setting, one would expect there to be no sound when the Blend control was rotated Clockwise to favour the Neck pickup. The smaller rotary dial is the TBX dial and that does what it says on the can, with centre detent and all. Any insight greatly appreciated - within this "recovering" instrument I suspect there's a lovely bass pining to be released!

So no takers for parchment then? I'll check out the options mentioned above . Thanks.

And now I've gigged it, and started to think what I'd like to do to it ...... the first thing is ..... "UnBling" it - probably a new thread, but any suggestions on colours for a replacement Pickguard? I'm leaning towards "Parchment" or similar, but hard to envisage from pics on't internet. Any suggestions welcome!

Well - went for the Sire! Pros The neck is great - in terms of being able to navigate it, despite the extra frets, it works really well. The body cut out also works very well in terms of points of reference and easy access.. - very nice feel and profile, not sticky, sits really well in the hand and is very comfortable and "fast". - sounds powerful with lots of bottom end - it'll take me a while to get the EQ predictably right, but it's a lot more powerful than other (PJ) basses I have. It's also quite different - more so than I imagined vs a PJ. - gets noticed! (my other basses are all black). This could be good .... or bad! It's VERY good for a budget bass - to the extent that I'm glad I didn't go for a Fender at a similar price (or similar spec at twice the price). Cons - some of these are not Sire related - just the difference between J Bass/P Bass Arrived with a "scuffed" Headstock - just cosmetic but am having a conversation with Thomann. The set-up is OK - action a little high, and there's variation in String volume/feel so maybe need to get the string heights sorted +/- pickup heights - otherwise good. The body really is noticeably different to the P Bass styles I've always played - bit clumsy in comparison and BIG - and of course it doesn't really want to stand up straight in a stand. It's little bit heavier than I'm used to, but OK (used it last night for the first time in a 2.5hour gig and no problems.). More neck dive than I'm used too - so maybe lightweight tuners called for? The Headstock isn't better in real life! (Predictably) - Insertion loss on Pup Controls (very noticeable live and difficult to predictably change the sound on the hoof). So, it's very good and a great introduction to a J Bass, albeit with 24 frets and a bigger cutaway (which work very well). It doesn't feel cheap, but it certainly doesn't feel "high end". It's probably a keeper in which case it'll probably get a few mods which will bring it up to a great gigging bass!

Having recently bought a Power Jazz Bass Special as a Project, I find the controls too complex to use when gigging so thought I'd "upgrade" them! ... Can anyone suggest suitable replacement electronics/pickups? Preferred configuration would be; Master Volume, Blend control, Bass and Treble tone controls (not really used a mid on an instrument) There are three rotary controls and 2 three way switches so could probably use on of the switches as an Active/Passive Switch or a Mute Switch? Suggestions welcome Ta!

The CQ range looks great - very tempted to replace my Mackie ProFX16 v3 with one! Anyone know if there's a phone app so that individuals can control there own monitor mix?

Thanks everyone! All working now - via Left input or Splitter so all good! It's not a Mixer issue it's just that the gain is way too low on the feed from the Trigger - live test tomorrow evening ..... 🤞 Hadn't twigged that the gain adjustment on the channel ONLY adds gain to the MIC input and not the line input (unlike the other mono channels) - now I realise this and have checked it with other sources it's clear it's the trigger output itself that's the problem.

I have tried this but with no success - I'll have another go tomorrow - I'll double check the leads too. Thanks

Drummer just added 4 drum triggers so I need 4 extra line inputs (Jack). It would be handy to use the Stereo Line in Channels - but as a mono line in feed. Won't work just plugging into the R channel, nor with a splitter I have which splits a single mono Jack into two mono jacks (for left and right channels). Perhaps the splitter isn't right , but surely there's a way of doing this? The Mixer is a Mackie Pro16 FX v3? Anyone know ?

I'm teetering ......... How's the Monza vs the Monaco in the live setting? Any noticeable differences in terms of Bass frequencies, overall volume? Or anything else?

I'll check the Ashdown out - 38mm nut?

Shallow, float, boat .... where's this all going ....... (boat anchor, rocks , changing like the tide ......) You're right about the Headstock though!!

Well it's getting closer ........... maybe this or perhaps this .........

Good advice ......... I like my Sandberg, but it has a specific "sound" great to play and rock solid in terms of gigging - in terms of a Jazz I was thinking of a pretty skinny neck AND a classic Jazz sound (if that's really "a thing") - the Silver Series and my Sandberg are pretty much the same neck width and both nice to play but not "jazz skinny". Having said that, the Electras are skinnier than the german Sandbergs I think ....... Ummmmm ........

Thanks Alain, You might recognize this (one of your "old" P's) - although I've swapped the pickguard and tweaked it a little! It's very nice! Couple of questions if I may ..... Are the Silver Series Jazz's a skinny neck profile do you know? (62 spec??) How do the Electra's sound vs a typical Fender Jazz? Cheers Ian

Anyone used a Sandberg Electra vs a MIM fender or Sire? My main bass is a Sandberg VM4 so might either be nice, or possible a bit "conservative" (but I do rather like Sandbergs!!)

That's the MIM one???

Hey Ho .......... If I stick too my budget I guess that leaves me on the second hand Fender Player, or if I'm really lucky a 90's MIJ, a Sire (of some description, new or used), a Squire or a G&L? If not for the weight the Sire would probably be the likely winner methinks ...... Anyone able to comment on how one of the Bass Centre Jive Basses (or Betsy) stack up in this context?? Thanks for all the ideas.

I use the Stereo channel at live gigs. If the "Recording Input" is ABOVE 0.5 to 1.0 the output distorts and the Red LED flickers. The unit is "top of head height" on Mic Stand towards the front mid right of the stage. To minimise additional wires on stage, I do not add anything else into the unit - I just take the headphone out via a very long 3.5mm jack to jack to a little mixer by my feet. (cable adapter at mixer end to a stereo channel.) I power the unit from a Battery Powerpack at the base of the Mic Stand. (lasts for several gigs). I use the H4N via a small mixer which also accepts my bass - at least this is by my feet so I can adjust the mix to my wireless IEM's. Our live gigs don't provide the luxury of set-up/sound check in an empty room, prior to kick off. It's set up, make sure it's all working and there's no feedback, and do a sound check number just prior to our first number and hope for the best. Needs work!!

Are these made in China? ...... seems probable but i really can't find a country of manufacture (which might suggest they are .... ) If not they seem ideal.

Thanks for the info. I do like the idea of a Sadowsky - I've played a MIJ one and the neck is perfect for me ......... but, as the MetroExpress is made in China, and I'm trying to reduce my reliance on all things Chinese , it's not for me. I find the Fender Players a bit heavy, borrowed one and it didn't really "inspire" me. My Squier Standard P Bass Special Standard has a nicer neck profile (not a mile away from the Sadowsky) so maybe i should get a second hand Squire Standard Jazz and mod it ???? Anyone have experience of the neck "feel"/profile of a MIJ Fender Jazz vs Sadowsky (or indeed Squire Standard) neck profile?

After playing basses with a P pickup for years, I fancy a try out on a Jazz. It's not only a nice narrow neck that I fancy, but also to see the difference in the sound. What might be a good model to go for for this budget (ish)? Are the Sire's really that good? Better than a second hand Fender Mexican Jazz? Are the Sandberg Electra's close to a trad jazz bass? Or might a second hand MIJ 62 reissue be worth a punt? I'm miles away from stockists and would either risk a second hand example or go new from the likes of Thomann. Any guidance appreciated.