joel406

2 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

Due to their mass 5 strings become a lot more about user preference compared to 4 strings. There are so many variations that impact the B string; Scale length, string spacing, neck depth, body size, string trees, neck through vs bolt on, angled headstock and the list goes on.

 

I think you’re wise to start off cheaper and work out what you do and don’t like about it to better educate your choices in the future. I had 4 5 strings before going back to basics on a 4, and luckily the Sire V5 ticks a lot of boxes before I can afford a KS. 

This is sound thinking.

1 hour ago, DDR said:

 

As a drummer who used to frown at a bassist with more than 4 strings but now plays bass in many different contexts, it's interesting to note that the low B appears to be very useful.

 

Not sure why the subject is prone to debate 

I don't get it either. I was slow to make the move at first because every 5 I played had a floppy B string. But the Fender surprised me. Got one and never looked back. Now I "personally" consider 4 string useless. Without that B string it ain't a real bass. With that being said. I remind people that is how I feel. And doesn't reflect or intend to influence how others view the instrument. I just feel 4 string instruments are no more than toys. But there are people out there that can really make their toys talk. 

1 hour ago, DDR said:

An almost reluctant but inevitably enjoyable NBD. 

 

I have a gig coming up in October that I need a 5 string for... I could have probably got away with a 4 tuned DGCF but... I thought it was time to get to grips with this.

 

Of course I went to a nice store in Guildford where I tried all the 5s and the most comfortable and best sounding one was about 2K out of my budget so, after crying, I walked out the store kind of hurt inside and went home to ponder. 

 

I found that bass here second hand  only 1K out of my budget but I still couldn't justify it... 

This time with less outside tears but more internal turmoil I went and bought the cheapest-good 5 string I could find in Europe and this morning it arrived.

 

I have to say, I've been feeling pretty good about it so far. The plan is to learn and then, if it is that 5 strings is the way for me go I'll find myself in Guildford again with the holy grail of 5 that I'd tasted that day.

 

Happy learning days

 

Peace 🕊️ 

You got a good one. But there are better. People swear by MM basses. Necks kinda chunky for me. I've played a lot of 5'ers over the last 10-15 years. The Fender American Pro series did it for me. Just love the necks. But all that is subjective and what works for others may not be for you. I did find that when I moved to 5 string that 4 string began to seem obsolete. 5 is so much easier. Don't be afraid to commit. 3 months after I got my first good 5 string my 4s went on the block. Now I have nothing but 5s. 7 of em actually.

The GK MB800 (not fusion). Just sounded great through 10s.

Mesa Subway D-800+. Best tones anywhere. Having a HPF and mid volume control makes this a true Swiss army knife. Power to spare with 2 ohm capability.

Epifani UL901 v2. Off the shelve models will bring a smile to any bassist pie hole. That being said. 1000 watts. More clean tones than I knew there actually were. Still easy to get the bite. Through Subway cabs or Epifani cabs the results seem the same. Frank Epifani custom made 2 for a player you may (or may not) have heard of. Stanley Clark. Both with a custom tone stack. And the only 2 rated to go to 2 ohms. I was lucky enough to fall backwards into one of them as it was being tested by a friend of mine. Who let me borrow it to give my opinion. I replied with "name your price". He did, I paid.

While I foolishly let go of the MB800 I once owned. I now have just 3 heads. 2 Subway D-800+. And my Epifani. All run through Subway cabs. I keep a pair of 212s and a pair of 410s. 

Performances these days are ampless. 8 driver IEMs and the Quadcortex make all my amps useless. But I hold on to them. Just in case.

Email came this morning.

Shipped!

Had one. Maybe 10/15 years ago. Actually quite nice.

Enjoy.

Supposed to say Sweetwiter.

Sorry for the typo.

Plekked is the proper term.

Being done by Sweet water.

Ordered today. Getting plexed. Should be here in one week.

First 2024 I've seen.

Makes #7.

My EBS has arrived. Now to make a spot for it.

Who uses amps anymore?

On 27/04/2024 at 18:33, stewblack said:

I've been through a few and I have to agree. I really like my EBS too 

After watching the video I ordered one. Got their last one. Shipped confirmed. Landing Wednesday. 

10 hours ago, IanA said:

Fender Addict you mean…

Give the pickup a chance.

I have switched pickups on 5 of 6 of my bass's. I have a Precision that is stock. Original everything (strings being the exception).

The pickup just sounds amazing. My Dark Knight had a Quarter Pounder installed and a SD Apollo installed in the bridge position. It's a one of a kind now. Unique.

But give it a chance. 

Ahhhh...

The American Pro II

My favorite.

I only play 5 strings. But I have 4 of these. A Jazz in 3 tobacco sunburst. A Precision, also a burst. A precision in Dark Knight. I replaced the maple neck with a proper ebony. And the neck from that went to a custom build that has become my #1. I also have 2 American Pro Jazz. One a burst the other natural. Needless to say I'm a Fender guy.

Get a Quad Cortex.

Problem solved.

You're welcome.

I am using the Revolt (bass) and the CABM together on a board with a Keely Compressor Pro. The online interface made setup easy. I have the Mesa Subway 212 in the cab sim. Very powerful setup. I also have a Le Bass setup that is great. Two Notes is awesome. But look at the Revolt.

10 hours ago, Garsi said:

Unfortunately, due to price, Quadcortex is out of the question

Really?

I got two of em.

The Quadcortex has so much for bass (and guitar) it's not funny. With all the Mesa and Darkglass stuff on hand as well as a Noble preamp package out there the tones are right at your finger tips. And the Cortex cloud takes it even further.

Interesting match up.

I've always been interested in Pre Amp DI pedals. I run ampless with IEMs. But I have Mesa Subway cabs. 212 and 410. I prefer the D-800+ and the Epifani UL901.

But after listening to the clips. 

You should check out "Two Notes". The Revolt is something you should hear. And, if you can find one. A Le Bass is amazing.

But a Quad cortex takes em all out.

Best clarity by far.

Just use a good DI or pre map pedal and run IEMs. It's not that hard. What your asking for is just wrong.

Amps are obsolete. Good IEM's and a Quadcortex will sound better any day. Don't forget your wireless.

4 hours ago, BigRedX said:

I've just spent about 15 minutes scrolling through the Quad Cortex page and I have to say that as a Helix user I'm not particularly impressed.

 

1. Touch Screen. Guaranteed to go wrong at the worst possible moment. Sometimes I have problems getting my phone or iPad to recognise my fingers; and touch screens at supermarket checkouts? Forget it. Unless all the touch screen functions can be duplicated with the front panel controls this is a non-starter.

 

2. They dedicate far more time and space to amp and cab models than they do to effects. IMO amp and cab models are red herrings. They are things that get in the way of your sound, especially if you are using effects. Ever since I got my first multi-effects unit 35 years ago I have been fighting against the additional colourations produced by my amplification. Now I rarely use any amp or cab models on my Helix. They don't do anything I can't already do with EQ and drive modules. On the few occasions that I have used amp and cab models they tend to be ones that should be aimed at guitarists but happen to produce a sound that I want. As I have said many times before there are no rules when it comes to modelling devices, you can't break anything like you could with the actual amps and cabs. Also remember that many classic bass amps are the same as the guitar amps but with a different badge on and maybe the EQ frequencies slightly tweaked.

 

3. External PSU without a locking connection. For me on stage this is a disaster waiting to happen. For individual pedals on a pedal board it doesn't matter since everything is fixed in place and if you've built it properly nothing can become disconnected. However devices like Quad Cortex and the Helix Floor are the pedal board. I'm thankful every time I set up, that the power for the Helix is supplied by a proper IEC mains connecter on a chunky cable, and which can be easily replaced should it go wrong. Both the guitarists in one of my bands use multi-effects pedal boards with external PSUs and both are on their 3rd PSU since I've been in the band due to the weedy cables becoming irreparably damaged.

I've had my QC for 2 years now. Run ampless. IEMs. The sound is unmatched. Compared to Helix. Line 6 is done. Touch screen has been flawless as well. Amp modeler is amazing. IR's amazing. Effects are off the chart. External PSU is NOT a problem. My unit is on a pedal board and power can be handled in many ways. But if you have those kinda problems you should probably stay away from pedals entirely.

The Quad Cortex has the most dedicated to bass stuff of them all. Darkglass, Mesa, Marshall, Gk. All the effects. Even a pog that I keep in line. The ir's are great. And amp and pedal capture. Not to mention all the stuff online. The Nobel preamp is in there and I so love it. Helix is fine. But the QC has the tone.

I've tried a lot of compressors. All of em most likely.

While I still have an Empress and a couple of MXRs around I fell in love with the Keeley Compressor Pro. So bad in fact I bought 5 of em. In fact Sweetwiter is delivering #5 anytime in the next 2 hours. I even use one with my Quad Cortex. My Revolt and CABM board. One with each of my Mesa Subway boards, my Le Bass board. I ordered #5 as a floater to use when I have to use an amp.

Warning! 

Subjective comment coming.

Keeley Compressor Pro is the best compressor.

8 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

Coke & Hookers

Happy birthday to me.