JamieBenzies

[quote name='captainhaddock' post='682871' date='Dec 13 2009, 11:15 AM']Has anyone ever fitted a aftermarket pre-amp in a Yamaha TRB series bass!
If so did you have any problems/what did you fit?
Any thoughts would be very helpful!

Cheers[/quote]

It's pretty easy! The only massive difficulty with TRBs is the pickups which are slightly bigger then everyone elses...it's rather frustrating. But yeah if you look for a preamp that comes with 5 pots it's quite a good starting point (unless you don't mind drilling new holes or anything like that).

A few days ago I went ahead and bought myself the John East U-Retro 5 Knob Deluxe bass preamp, as the name implies this is a good fit and not to mention apparently sounding excellent.

If you want I will write again when I have installed the preamp.

If you are willing to spend a little bit more try looking out for old Yamaha TRB basses. They often go for around the £300 mark and are really excellent basses for that kind of money... I still don't really understand why they sell on so cheap, the still retail at about £700! Just do a forum search on this site alone and you will see what I mean though.

Good luck! Once you fretless there's no turning back :brow:

Hehe...

My family got a load of 6 string funked up madness earlier while they were trying to watch a film 2 thin doors away. No mercy .

[quote name='The Burpster' post='692799' date='Dec 24 2009, 09:27 AM']Two Makes....

Schaller or Hipshot.

Both very high Quality engineering and Uber reliable.

I'd have anything out of either of thier catalogues.[/quote]

I know Gotoh make excellent machine heads, but do you know if their bridges are well rated? If so these ones on Ebay seem quite reasonable:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOTOH-201-BASS-BRIDGE-5-STRINGGOLD_W0QQitemZ120460769008QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0c0576f0"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOTOH-201-BASS-BRIDG...=item1c0c0576f0[/url]

I think I will stick with the more renowned with the trusted bridge makers if this isn't so good though.

Thanks!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='692673' date='Dec 23 2009, 11:13 PM']Kinda depends on the sound you are after. Heavy bridge is all about sustain and harmonics, but if its fretless, probably not what you are after.[/quote]

What alternatives to sustain and good harmonics is there that is considered beneficial to your sound? I thought in any case that's what you are after?

I am doing up my old Yamaha TRB5 fretless and the time has almost come for a new bridge.

So, I was wondering, what actually defines a good bridge? What factors improve your sound and how?

And finally has anyone got any first (or 2nd?) hand experience of a good bridge that they can recommend me?

Many thanks!

Jamie

[quote name='bubinga5' post='690737' date='Dec 21 2009, 03:59 PM']Yes i have the U Retro in my Sei jazz....tis very good..very comprehensive...sounds awsome coupled with the Bartolinis in it..[/quote]

Thanks for that, I have gone ahead and bought the U-Retro 5, should be arriving tomorrow to brighten up the day.

After consideration I think 36" either way is fine. So i'll take it and if it turns out I don't like it I will sell it on for the same price! Paypal? If so what's ya adress?

Cheers

Jamie

oh and what colour is it?

[quote name='XB26354' post='691931' date='Dec 22 2009, 10:47 PM']Apparently back in the days when he wore the bee top he used to sing "500 Miles High" in the original key sung by Flora Purim [/quote]

He used to cover Chick? I have new found respect for the man!

Why are you doing this to me? That is so beautiful... I'm tempted to propose a trade... fretless 5s and option at all?

[quote name='walbassist' post='691713' date='Dec 22 2009, 06:41 PM']Used but in very good condition. Adjustable from 36" to 52".

UK price seems to be £17. How about a tenner posted?[/quote]

Hi there,
Is the 36" from end to end or from the pin holes? If you get my meaning...I'm very fussy about strap length!

Jamie

Hello everyone,

I am on the hunt for a new preamp for my Yamaha TRB5 fretless after deciding through various reviews and forums that the pickups are less of a problem then then pre.

So far I have had a look at the U-Retro 5 Knob Deluxe by John East and that seems fairly promising with the whole tonal variation incl/the active passive functions. It's also convenient as it has the same amount of tone knobs as the TRB.

Does anyone own one of his preamps and know how good it is? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Jamie

I'm after my first double bass, if anyone is thinking of selling their's in the Devon area then please drop me a message. Despite this bass being my first bass I intend it to last a long time and so my price range goes quite high. However this doesn't rule out cheaper basses, which I would still definitely consider.

Just drop me a PM with any offers! All offers will be appreciated hugely!

Thanks

Jamie

I think that names are necessary if they somehow derive from the equipment's name.

For example I call my lead singer's synth keyboard 'Synthia' (which I'm pleased to say has caught on, even after being caught drooling on her...don't ask), the other fine example is calling my Trace Elliot bass head 'Tracy' but that's just obvious... I'm yet to think of anything fitting for any other gear, but I'm sure with the amount of time spent alone and in recluse from Christmas this year I will have some good'ns :brow:

[quote name='urb' post='675971' date='Dec 6 2009, 06:46 PM']Yeah that'll be that really souless, crappy singing, really awful bass and voice duet - I hate that too...

No idea why anyone would enjoy that at all [/quote]

I couldn't agree more! Bobby Mcferrin is just so stale and souless (apart from in 'Don't Worry Be Happy' of course, that's a well funny song).

(beaut of a bass by the way)

[quote name='7string' post='673790' date='Dec 3 2009, 11:57 PM']Over-rated should be defined as whatever you think it should be.

Personally, I reckon that Jaco, Wooten, Marcus Miller and Richard Bona are all over-rated. I have Jaco's solo album and I've heard Heavy Weather. Didn't do anything for me I'm afraid. The Beetle (VW) sounds the same everytime I hear him. I have the Yin Yang CD and some Flecktones stuff and play them every now and again. I end up turning it off after about 5 minutes. Marcus Miller has a great tone with his slap style but then the compostions are all a bit vanilla. I've heard that Bona makes people cry with his playing, but personally does nothing for me.

Each of these guys has a legion of fans and is highly respected it's just that their music doesn't move me at all.[/quote]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimMKWF7SK0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimMKWF7SK0[/url]

Oh yeah.. and Stu Hamm anyone?

Everyone who mentioned their dislike for Jaco just listen to the last track of Heavy Weather named 'Havona', his playing in that is excessively good and his solo is simply beautiful. If you don't like that then... you don't like it, and fair 'nuff!

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' post='664368' date='Nov 24 2009, 09:26 PM']Jamie - I needed a rough and ready upright for bar gigs as my carved bass was taking a beating, plus carved bass + loud amps = feedback, so I took a punt on one of Thomann's basses. I bought this one - [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_22_02.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_22_02.htm[/url]
I specified the string height I wanted, they set it up, it came well packed (with shipping included in the price) and I was AMAZED at the quality of tone and playability. I honestly haven't needed my luthier do any work to it to improve the playing or sound.

And to put it in perspective - I've been playing upright professionally for 11 years, this is my fourth bass and my last one was a fully carved, costing £3500, so for a £750 bass I wasn't expecting a whole lot but I am honestly gobsmacked at how good this thing sounds and plays.

I know buying this way is sight unseen but I think it was worth the gamble - I can't say enough about the quality of the build, or the in-house set-up Thomann do. So if you got something like that you'd be able to invest in a good pickup, a bow and a decent case with the rest of your budget.

Feel free to PM me if you want to ask anything about it. Gareth[/quote]


Thanks for that, sorry I misinterpreted at first! I will definitely will consider this.

Price drop to £150!!

[quote name='richardcoughlan' post='665579' date='Nov 25 2009, 08:44 PM']how did you guys get on?
had mine at 10AM Monday morning.......not the hour for jazz![/quote]

I had mine due for 5:30 but ended up having it an hour early. I was pretty nervous and ended up playing way too busily, and I'm pretty sure I wont have got in. But this happens just as lots of other things happen which make me reconsider the idea of ditching a gap year, so if I don't get in it wont be a big loss.

10am is quite unfortunate! I was glad to to have mine so late, I hung around all day to try and observe/obsorb the atmosphere a bit. Seems like a good ol' place.

Hi everyone,
I am after a double bass in Devon and possibly London (It would be less likely for me to be able to go and try it in that case however). I am open to any offers and am up for trying out and potentially buying any basses costing from £100 to £1500, it all depends on how it feels and sounds to me.

Please get in touch if interested. I can guarantee that the bass will be well used and treated with a lot of respect.

Thanks

Jamie

Sorry I just realised that this should be in the items wanted thread. Can some one please move. Sorry!

FENDER

That video is awesome and I would love to do it but I can't find a free or affordable score of this arrangement anywhere. I could arrange it myself but I don't have much time left.

Thanks for the link though, I am a huge fan of Patitucci he is awesome!

[quote name='richardcoughlan' post='652182' date='Nov 12 2009, 01:00 AM']hey guys

im auditioning for jazz at trinity also, plus the royal academy of music (on electric)
for the academy audition we have to play the heads... just wondering if anyone knows whether this is expected at the trinity audition too?? or whether we're just walking and they supply a horn? im guessing we solo though

good luck all
Rich
x[/quote]

Mr head of jazz said that soloing was the most important thing in the audition. I think it's probably a good idea to join in on the head just once to show that you have really explored the tune, but by no means is that a requirement. They do supply a band to play with with one horn.

Good luck!