brianthebass

Hello all - I need some help - My Zoom B3n Multi Effect foot pedal has started to cut out intermittently - it is not a cable problem - sometimes when in a patch the signal cuts out completely, as if it was back in Tuner mode. If I switch to Tuner and back to patch occasionally it returns to signal but last night not even switching on and off would restore the signal. And when I switch to Tuner mode it does not register a note for tuning. It is very disruptive - I do about 100 shows a year and use 10 bespoke patches I have prepared in the B3n. It is about a year old and I do not want to factory reset as I would need to rebuild those patches I think. I have not yet updated the Firmware but that would be my first option - has anyone had this problem and can suggest a solution - I have Emailed Zoom customer support but no reply yet. Hoping someone can help before I gig again tonight - thanks Brianthebass

There are loads of Bartolini 5 string pickups available - given that I play rock and blues can anyone narrow the choices for me ? Thanks

Thanks very much - I will check out BC for those parts - and you are right - anything through the Hiwatt 200w valve head sounds deep and punchy - I have had it for 30 years and apart from carrying it in and out of gigs it is a real honey - thanks again

the Vester is already an active bass with all the wiring in place

typo - active circuit upgrade

Yep - I have seen good reviews for Bartolini's - can you define a "decent active circuit pickup" please? Thanks

Hiya all - I have a Vester Clipper II 5 string bass - they are cheap and cheerful but I love the fret board, action and lightness of it - I am wondering if a pair of new pickups would improve the tone and overall sound of the instrument - I have a more expensive 5 string which sound deep and rich in tone but keep going back to the Vester for it's feel - I play rock and blues through a Hiwatt 200w valve head and a 2 x 15 enclosure and have around 50 gigs per year - any ideas please? Thanks

In my opinion - the best drummers are the ones who watch the bass players fingers and time their drumming strikes to those fingers, and the best bass players are the ones who watch the drummers sticks and time their bass playing to those stick strikes - if you both watch each other then the groove will impress everybody - no need to do anything too fancy.

All - great help and advice - I'm going to take my time and try plenty before buying. Thanks again Brianthebass

Yep - a trip to the store is called for - but they may have a limited stock - thanks for your input - I shall bear Ibinez much in mind - thanks for your help - keep it live - brianthebass

Hiya Woodinblack and thanks for your input - my current bass is a Vester V5 which is a copy I understand - it was well 2nd hand and not expensive - I like the thinness of the neck between fingers and thumb but it has some electrics problems and some of the frets are worn - I have re-dressed the worst of them and re-set the truss rod and action as low as I can and re-strung with lighter gauge strings for speed- however it is a well worn instrument and I am looking to buy new - my budget would be around £1,000. maybe a little more - would you recommend I try an Ibanez then?

Hiya all - I have been playing 4 string basses professionally for many years and a while back started on a 5 string to enjoy the extra low notes. Once I came to terms with the fact that it is a completely different instrument and that the B string feels like something that should tether a ship I re-learned all my shapes and key positions and, after about a years practice, I have come to think of the 5 string as my main instrument - the 5 string I have is a competent but inexpensive 2nd hand model and I am now thinking of buying new and am looking for some input from 5 string bass players out there - I have a decent budget and my preference is for something relatively light in weight as my rock band regularly plays 2 x 1hr+ sets - also I favour a thin neck between the fingers and thumb on my left(fretboard) hand to enable me to traverse the frets quickly. My Genre is rock from the likes of Led Zep, Floyd, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, AC DC, ZZ Top, Dr Feelgood etc and we play around 50 gigs a year through a full touring PA - my own rig is a vintage 200watt HI Watt valve head and 2x15" cabinet and no pedals - miked up through the FoH - reading reviews from the manufacturers is of no use to me so I am looking for some homespun advice on what is good or no-good out there - can anyone help before I waste any money? Thanks in advance - Brianthebass