spongebob

On 02/07/2021 at 13:41, redbandit599 said:

I have literally just received and fitted a plate today from Brian (earlpilanz) it was custom cut from my original and returned by Special Delivery in super fast time - also very reasonable, good quality and a perfect fit. I dealt direct with Brian via this email [email protected] - he's quick to reply too. Definitely recommended.

Ordered a black one from him just now. Thanks for the heads-up!

Very sad. I'm not really aware of his work outside of the MH - but that's enough alone to be mind-blowing for eternity.

RIP RIck.

I've been looking online for a decent walk though of how to change a MIA P bass pickguard.

Can't find a decent one.....any suggestions?

I'm a total novice at this, and as such, I'm a bit worried about the power socket, etc. Don't want to break anything!

I'm after a new one for my P.....just looked at the eBay link....deffo going to get one once I decide on the colour....

About 10 years ago, covers band I was in took on a new female singer, replacing our departing male lead.

Her job was as a freelance singing tutor....great on paper......

In fact, all great until she sang with the band. She had no sense, at all, of when to come in, to stop.....anything really.

We persevered for a short while, did some gigs. and she seemed a little better - until we had a go one week at 'Fell In Love With A Girl', by Joss Stone.

We'd barely got through the first two bars, and she'd already exhausted every inch of the entire lyric, leaving her with nowhere to go. Or us for that matter.

No surprise, I departed soon after.....

Is the.Ashdown OrginAL an idea? £249 for the 500w.

Not sure what I could pair to to get the most from it?

The is a TC 500w head in Andertons for £199! I've no experience of the brand.....and can't see a good small powerful cab to match it with?

I did look at the Ashdown Studio 15, 300w. 

However, you can't attach a cab if needed, and I have read some stuff about it being a little underpowered.

Andertons are selling the OriginAL 500 off cheaply.....think its discontinued.....but leaves the problem of what to pair it with. Shame the combo is only about 300w as well.

Apologies for the lengthy post in advance - hoping this will all make sense.....

I've been playing around 25 years, but have owned very little in the way of amps/cabs. My knowledge is poor in this area, hence I've always found what worked, and kind of stuck with it!

Started out with a Trace 715SMC. Think it was a 150w 15" combo - weighed a tone, but the output was massive. Kept it for years.

Moved on to a Markbass rig, latterly on to a Fender set-up. Had a mix of combos primarily, but some experience of separates when I was driving a convertible!

Had a year of so off, now getting back into playing - new band on the go - so need some new amplification.

Lightweight is a priority.......

Power-wise, I guess I'd like around the 400w mark. This is the hard bit - I've read on here recently about how wattage figures aren't the whole picture. I've always based previous purchases on that! I did run a Little Mark 3 into a Traveller 2x10 just before I quit - the 4ohm 400w one (that's where I got the figure) - and that seemed powerful enough to cut through a loud band. Any more than that, and I'd want to be DI'd and use it as a monitor - like to keep some level of hearing!

My style has always been with a pick, probably still will be - new US P bass. Like a nice crunchy tone, I guess classic P bass is what I'm after.

Looked again at getting another Rumble 500 combo - used to run one with the 1x15 cab - although TBH, the cab was nice, but not essential. Hoping it may do me again, wouldn't really want to start adding extra cabs again if I could help it. 

Rumble 800 combo lists at 400w, compared to the 350w of the 500. Not sure if there's much of a difference, or if I'd ever get used to the fiddling around with the numerous settings - or if they're actually any good.

That's it, really - I have got a budget, and I'd like to keep it down as much as possible! I'm not fussed about brands - so long as it's the right stuff for the job. 

Small, light, powerful, either from a single combo, or maybe a head and cab. Please feel free to educate me, and correct any inaccuracies. Perhaps it's nostalgia, but I always remember my 150w Trace being way more powerful than subsequent, higher outputting amps!

15 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

As far as I know the US Geddy Lee has a fairly chunky neck. And is reputed to be one of the best Jazzes around as well.

You're quite right, Lozz - I briefly owned a US Ged, and the neck is indeed chunky for a Jazz. Total opposite of the older MIJ ones.

Hard to find at the mo - and the new prices, when they arrive, look to be well over 2k. Nice bass, but that's a fair chunk of cash!

Amazing player, amazing songwriter....and what a monster tone.

Even though they had 'that' song, it's a bit of a shame, as the rest of their catalogue always gets a bit forgotten IMHO. All of their albums are brilliant, even 'Heartbreaker', the one without AF.

Such a shame someone of his talent never really got the breaks afterwards....I know he wrote the Robert Palmer track, but the stuff with Sharks, The AF Band.....never really connected. At least he's still a big name in the bass community, as he absolutely deserves to be forever. 

Good call.....I really like the look of those. Great choice!

Tort nice, black looks killer!

Must be the most expensive bass on here by now!🤣

4 hours ago, tom1946 said:

That's a great looking bass Iain,  going shopping for one now, fantastic colour! 

Good call, Tom! It's a colour which looks even better in the flesh....the camera doesn't really do it justice. Nice and ight as well.

Turns out my bass 'retirement' didn't last quite as long as I thought.....!

Hope things are better for you now.

Looks really nice, and congrats on the fiver challenge!

I struggle enough with four......😫

When I thought I had a problem yesterday,  I found giving GG call a very quick solution. Main reason for me, buying from a chain, was the returns policy without dispute. 

As the customer, you have the power.....if you're not happy in any way,  get a replacement.  As has been said, what irritates you now will only serve to annoy the heck out of you later on.

....and if you ever sell? Not a risk worth taking.

Lovely bass....sorry to hear of your issues.

If you can feel the problem in the neck, that alone would make me return it...or maybe negotiate a discount?

My mark couldn't be felt - and my mind was put at rest with the help on the thread. 

We're in the same position....these things aren't cheap, and for 1k, it should be faultless.

Reason for my post yesterday,  was in the past I've always accepted all issues as one of those things. They aren't - and if it bothers you, address it. 

18 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Time for amp shopping he says……,

Well spoiled for choice methinks, but imo the following all work really well with a Precision:

Fender Rumble, Ampeg, Ashdown, Markbass

All will do a fantastic job, I’d pick Ashdown due to not only being excellent amps, sound great & super reliable, but both being UK based and their customer service being amongst the best around.I'm 

I'm sure I'll he posting in the A&C section soon about this!

It's probably Ashdown I'll be looking at. Appreciate some of it is made outside the UK, but I'd still like to support one of our firms.

.....and I wouldn't like to disagree with the great JJ Burnel, either!

Now that's a blemish! 😉

Many thanks for all the responses - appreciated.

Guess I am being a little picky. I've owned a good few Rickys, and iffy QC on those I used to chalk up as a regular thing! I've only had a couple of P's, so no real idea of what's okay and what's not.

Taken a few shots with the phone - it's quite a hard shade to catch correctly, as in every light it seems to look a little different, Everyone who's seen it has said how nice it is, so I'm hoping it's a good decision. Plays really nicely.

 I honestly thought I'd never play again - I was sick of everything around bass, including the instrument I was playing. In my lay-off, I started to get the bug, then a couple of people contacted me about working together, and here we are (again!).

What was also needed was a total break with my old self, if that makes sense. No more Rickys, Markbass, and dump the picks if poss! Just want to tackle the instrument in a different way. After 25+ years of playing before, I was still emulating influences and tones that had long since left me. I needed to connect to where I am now.

Hence the P. Became aware that more of the records I love had them, whether rock, jazz, soul and so on. I no longer wanted that clangy mid-range, that on so many occasions, meant I struggled to hear myself. Time to actually play bass frequencies, rather than a million notes a minute on the mids.

I always thought a P was too 'obvious'. Like my first Suun Mustang P,  However, I came to the conclusion that it would give what I need without any hassle. Easy to EQ, sound like thunder, 

I've either had an epiphany, or reached a certain stage in life! Either way, it appears a good place to be.

Now for amp shopping.......

First NBD in ages today, following my 18 month lay-off from playing.  Didn't turn out permanent as it turned out.....

Grabbed a lovely Miami Blue P-bass. I was wanting class, and simplicity - and this is just the job.

One issue - it's got a blemish under the lacquer of the third fret. Nothing over the lacquer, so it's a wood thing,

I spoke to Guitar Guitar straight away. They were very helpful - their explanation is that due to the current environmental laws in the US, when a tree is felled for manufacturing purposes, they have to use every part of the wood. Years ago, they'd use the best bits, and chuck the rest....nowadays, not the case.

He did offer to get pictures of all of the other in stock, and I could have it replaced. However, this being a factor in modern production, others could have similar flaws, if not more. The chap said even the Fender press shots have them at times!

He's going to send details to Fender for their take, but I can guess what will come back....

It doesn't really bother me - it plays like a dream, it's faultless. Quarter turn of the truss rod, and the action is just where I like it.

Just looking for thoughts on this - anyone had similar experience? The shop seemed genuine and helpful - I guess I'm just looking for validation from the BC community! 

It looks worse in the picture than in the flesh.....am I being over-anal here?

Got the P incoming today.....went for it as it's a little different,  but not to OTT.

I've got Credit Card ache just reading this.

Good choices.....happy playing!

Much deliberation, but I've opted for a Miami Blue Pro 2 P....should be here tomorrow. 

Main reason was ease of maintenance,  returns policy, and an easy bass to sell if all goes wrong!

New AM Pro 2 P's are tempting me at the mo. Looks lovely.