chris_b

First thing I'd do is put a set of Labella flats on and a lump of foam.

If that doesn't work I'd replace the Precision pickup with Bartolini and disconnect the J.

You'll get such a great sound out of the Barts and you won't notice the missing J.

On 13/05/2022 at 10:36, knicknack said:

. . . .  Somehow lighter than any of my 4 strings. . . .

 

Do you have a weight?

5 hours ago, itu said:

The previous comment is drifting away from the original topic, so sorry for that.

These are conversations and can go where they go. Some people don't like that, but talking around the subject can make for a more interesting and informative thread.

Sad news.

His was a unique voice on bass.

3 hours ago, Phil Starr said:

It looks like you want to support your bandmate and that is terrific.

Just have the numbers of a coupe of good deps. . . . just in case.

If playing is causing you pain. . . . you're doing it wrong.

Play with a lighter touch and get a pedal.

Black

For a brief period, about 20 years ago, Stewart used to bring his amps (can't remember if they were production or prototype models) to our jam night to check them out on a gig and raise a bit of Session interest.

There is a similar thread over on Talkbass, and Letts and Eddie are posting!!

11 hours ago, Geek99 said:

Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel seems to have been switched off. As someone who has been really, really poor I sympathise with possible tunnel vision about debt but I do also think he could have done things, and treated people, much better 

. . . . so he's had a tough time and as a result hasn't finished @EddieG's bass, and hasn't refunded the payments and is not abiding by court judgements, but he's still making basses for sale on Reverb!!!

There doesn't seem to be any way to give Letts the benefit of the doubt. He actually has been able to make basses during this period, so choose your description, fantasist, con man, scammer, thief. . . . or maybe all of them.

If you have a bass and rig that you've used for "years and years" and you change one link in that chain, as you've discovered, you'll get a totally different sound. That was to be expected. The cab was probably limiting the sound of the amp. With it gone, you're hearing what the amp actually sounds like.

If you want a 60's "dull thud out of a modern lightweight neo cab, buy a bass and amp that gets that sound and the cab will faithfully reproduce it. Maybe buy a 60's preamp pedal.

I get a pretty good 60's sound out of a Mike Lull PJ5, with flats and foam, an Aguilar TH500 and 2 Barefaced 112 cabs.

I don't know if this has been posted before. . . . if so it's worth posting twice. . . . with the fabulously funky James Gadson on drums and wonderfully effective bass line played by Melvin Dunlap . . .

On 18/03/2023 at 21:59, TheGreek said:

IIRC a number of BCers were burnt after handing over money for basses which they never saw and arguments about having their money returned. 

 

I believe there's a thread somewhere. 

There are also threads about similar instances of customers experiencing difficulties and his "behaviour" on Talkbass.

14 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

I lasted a day on TalkBass before I was hounded off for asking a beginners question.

How do you manage that? I've been on Talkbass since 2007, have 742 pages of likes, PM'ed with people from 4 continents and haven't managed to upset anyone!!

I've also been a member of Ozbass for a few years.

It's like a big family. You can put up with most of them, as long as you don't have to meet too often, except for a couple of cousins, who you would rather not see ever again, and a mad uncle or two.

Hmmmm. . . . another technique I can't do. The list is getting longer!

I played a Long Horn bass for awhile in the late 60's and know 2 people who use them now.

I was disappointed to find out they don't make a 5 string version.

5 hours ago, Munurmunuh said:

. . . .  I've two G&Ls made from Empress. . . .

Which models?

2 hours ago, knirirr said:

. . . . other bassists would turn up and demand to use my bass and/or amp, supported by the MC because "you've already played for a while" . . . .

The band provides the backline, but on our jam night everyone brings their own bass, guitar and drum sticks. Since Covid some bring their own mics. Anyone who turns up wanting to "borrow" a bass doesn't get to play.

Everyone gets 2 songs and then the running order depends on who has turned up. For some reason we get a lot of drummers. The band leader is the final arbiter of who plays with whom, when and for how long.

Duplicate post!!!

I am house bassist for a well attended Jam night, now in 24th year. And many nights I never get back on stage after my opening slot is done. 

Anyone who tuns up can play. . . . even the people who don't know one end of their instrument from the other. We've had a 10 man drum troupe, Didgeridoo, unaccompanied violin, banjo player and one guy who sang sea shanties and recited poetry. Another regular is a 70+ year old who shouts (like a punk Rex Harrison) his way through 60's pop songs. They all get their slot and if they come back, they can do it all again.

If you put restrictions on who can play it's not a jam night.

The best strings for a bass depends on the bass and the sound you are after.

I've got flats on a PJ5 and the tone is always on the money. I also have flats on a "reasonably priced" Jazz bass but that's only because the rounds sounded a bit thin. Flats can beef up any bass. I also have a Jazz bass with the twangiest rounds I could find.

They all sound great.

I have back issues and I'm checking out 6 and 7lb basses. I wouldn't be tempted to buy a bass that was heavy enough to cause any more damage.

Buy the best gear you can find.

The stuff that just fits, feels right, looks good and sounds like a million dollars.

If it's expensive or cheap, just buy it. . . . be happy, and know you're sounding good.

8 minutes ago, adriansmith247 said:

Who would take a £2000+ bass out on a gig? 

 

I certainly wouldn't but it is all relative as someone has already pointed out. I regularly take a £2000 value double bass out to gigs. It's the only one I have so I don't have much choice there. With DB you have to spend more usually to get a playable instrument. Fitting a new bridge, a pickup and a new set of strings can run into over £800

What kind of gigs do you play? If you're playing at places where you are fearing for your and your basses safety, I would recommend not doing those gigs in the first place.

The cost of replacing my Mike Lull is about £4000. It has been one of my main gigging basses for 12 years.

IMO there is no point in owning instruments if you're not going to gig them.