benebass

Hi all - been messing about in the house with an old Westone Concord I bass recently that has a 32 1/2" scale. It's a pretty nice bass for the cash & I really like the shorter neck, but it definitely sounds different to a 34" - much more punchy to my ears. Just wondered if anyone else is playing a 32"ish scale bass round here & how you were finding it. Cheers, B.

Just sold Alex my Status Groove 5. Smooth transaction & a great guy to deal with - cheers! B.

[quote name='mep' post='999236' date='Oct 24 2010, 08:03 PM']In this months issue of BGM there is an article about their project Freebass. Their debut album [i][/i]It's A Beautiful Life[i][/i] was released on 20th September. Live dates will be announced, although Andy Rouke joining them due to his recent moe to New York. Check out www.freebassuk.com You heard it here first! Watch this space, although there wont't be many of them with 3 bassists![/quote] Unfortunately they've already split up! More news [url="http://www.neworderonline.com/News/News.aspx?NewsID=1448"]here[/url]. We actually caught one of their few gigs a few months ago. Andy Rourke didn't show up so Mani was playing bass in the traditional sense (i.e. down the bottom end) with Peter Hook doing what he usually does up top on a 6 string Shergold, which really worked in my opinion. There was still a lot of regular guitar going on so it wasn't a massive departure from stuff they've both done in the past. Cheers, B.

+2 for The Bass Doc

[quote name='Stu-khag' post='930680' date='Aug 20 2010, 10:38 AM']hey peeps, what's peoples thoughts on this? I've always wanted a bass vi but alas they are way out of my budget. I'm quite tempted by it [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Danelectro-Custom-6-String-Bass-Guitar-Fender-VI-Jaguar-/150479800075?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Danelectro-Custom-6-...ents_Guitars_CV[/url][/quote] Hi Stu - these Danos look pretty good, but I'd check one out in the flesh - the only thing that I'm not sure about is the bridge being non-adjustable for intonation, as it's a block of rosewood stuck on a tremolo arm. Might be fine though - if you get one, tell us what it's like... Cheers, B.

Bought a Status Groove 5 off James - lovely instrument, a really smooth deal & a great guy to deal with. Cheers! B.

I had a really bad back for a while & my workaround was to play a five string for a bit. This is similar to Andy's BEAD tuning idea, but you keep the G - for standard four string lines you never need to go down lower than the fifth fret & string spacing is tighter so there's less of a stretch between strings (think the scale you're actually playing on is something like 27" when you work it out). Might be a bit of a change if you're not used to a five, but could be a good alternative to a short scaler - especially if you're after a more modern/active sound. Wayne's right that many do suffer from bad definition. I think the main problem is that most 30" basses are aimed at beginners and/or people on a tight budget - if the build quality's not there then it seems to be more obvious when the scale is shorter. I've recently bought a 32" scale bass & I find that a good compromise between sound & comfort so that might work for you too. Cheers, B.

Hi - think this is an old Encore model. Seem to remember it from a John Hornby Skewes catalogue when I was a kid (back end of the '80s). Think originally it had a Burns-style three piece scratchplate & a guitar-style humbucker, which certains fits with the screw holes in your bass. Never seen one in the flesh though, but always thought it looked a bit like a Hofner solid body. Sure someone with a bit more knowledge than me will be along in a bit to tell you more... Cheers, B.

Cheers - I've fancied checking out a medium scale bass for a while (30" scale is a bit small & 34" can be a bit of a stretch) - when I saw a pic of the neck I couldn't resist! Had some info back from the Aurora project on a plate & they seem really good value, so think I'll order one in black. Think I'll take the plunge with a Gotoh-style high mass bridge (I think it's the 201 model), but just measured up & the bridge as fitted is a bit bigger than a Fender bridge, so it will probably leave a couple of holes exposed. What's the best way to fill them? I've heard some people use tooth picks & wood glue for this sort of stuff, which makes sense. I'm considering stripping off the finish if I get round to it, so it needs to be a decent job. Not decided on pickups yet... Cheers, B.

Here are some pics - never seen another one with a neck like this... [attachment=54265:IMGP1341.JPG] [attachment=54266:IMGP1339.JPG] [attachment=54267:IMGP1337.JPG] Cheers, B.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='894556' date='Jul 14 2010, 11:13 AM']I've not used that particular one as far as I remember but I've had a good few far-eastern bits & pieces over the years - pretty good quality stuff, delivery sometimes quicker than UK sellers & obviously, great prices. I'm sure there are exceptions but on the whole most of these places have massive positive feedback which I'd say is a reasonable reflection. Top tip for your warped scratchplate - take it off & stick it on a dead-flat surface (kitchen worktop for example) then blast it with a hairdryer on full heat until the plastic goes soft. Then stick a heavy, flat object of your choice on top of it & leave until cold. Presto - no more warping. Jon.[/quote] Thanks for the tip Jon - will be giving this a whirl with my other half's hairdryer I think! Cheers, B.

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='894530' date='Jul 14 2010, 10:49 AM']Axes'R'Us.co.uk do a 'G&B' 10K P pup at a reasonable price which I used on a project before...it was great, very punchy. Here, and about 11 or 12 down..... [url="http://www.axesrus.com/AxeBassPup.html"]http://www.axesrus.com/AxeBassPup.html[/url] G.[/quote] Thanks Geoff - looks good, but I'm after something with no exposed pole pieces. I was thinking of buying some covers like [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRECISION-BASS-PICKUP-COVER-CLOSED-BLACK-SET-2-/260588140578"]this[/url], but if the pickup's designed to have the pole pieces exposed then they will be lower than they should be i.e. quieter. Might be worth experimenting for a couple of quid though! Cheers, B.

[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='893600' date='Jul 13 2010, 12:10 PM']Yeah, I bought an Artec system several years ago, and it was okay really. They do say you get what you pay for, and the quality was acceptable for the money - it's not going to be amazing, but it was okay. The Chinese however are industrious and the stuff worked. With good shielding installed on your bass, there is no reason why an Artec system wouldn't work very well. In fact, most electronic components are manufactured in Asia these days, so who's to say that this is any different from what you're buying on the Varitone system for example? I know what you mean about passive basses, I enjoy them too. But an active EQ, rather than active pickup does open up tonal possibilities at little extra cost. Just a thought.[/quote] Hi Derren - don't think my last post was very clear - apologies. It's not parts made in the far east themselves (some of the stuff coming out of China is amazingly good value for money), it's buying them directly that I'm a bit wary of, as it could be a right ordeal if things don't go smoothly... Will keep looking for something that fits the bill. Rather than a preamp, I am considering putting in an active EMG pickup like [url="http://www.basscentre.com/bass-guitar-pickups/emg-p-set.html"]this one[/url] - not too keen on having to take the plate off to change the battery though & routing for a battery compartment could be a bit of a chore. One cheapo alternative might be a passive EMG-designed pickup like the HZ or an old Select pickup. Will keep looking... Cheers, B.