Boneless

Neat! Thanks a lot! EDIT: I was thinking, though, the cap on the tone pot affects tone even when the pot is maxed. Won't this be the case with the bleeding cap as well? I don't really want to lose the low end...

I read you can put a resistor parallel to the capacitor, for a "better" effect. What would be the difference? I haven't really understood. Plus, would you suggest me some values for resistors and caps (always considering I have humbuckers).

Hi everyone, just took my bass to a guitar technician, I told him that I kinda disliked the fact that the volume pots tended to cut off treble too much, and he said "I'll do what they do on Telecasters, I'll put a cap" (what I understood being a "bleeding cap"). Now, I have read bleeding caps aren't supposed to be effective on 500k pots (which is what I have on my bass, since it's got humbuckers): [quote]For other pot values, you unfortunately can´t use the "cap only" method because it would kill the mid frequencies. For this, you will need a treble bleeding network with caps and resistors in parallel or in series, depending on the configuration.[/quote] source: [url="http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Feb/The_Telecaster_Mod_Guide.aspx"]http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issu..._Mod_Guide.aspx[/url] so, I ask you, is the tech doing a good job? Plus, do bleeding caps affect tone even when the volume pot is maxed? Thanks

The Avalon U5... I'm no expert, but I've been going through an Avalon U5 in the recording studio, and it sounded pretty neat. Clear, punchy and rich tone. Could have recorded the bass only going through the Avalon pre, if I didn't use distortion (so I preferred combining it with my miked cabinet). And it costs 500€ new. Not tube though, I think it's solid state, but VERY good nonetheless. I don't think you should choose a pre basing on its technology, anyway

[quote]i play my ricky [...] with a behringer bass driver[/quote] *loud thump of an average Rick lover fainting*

Ah, just a question:has anyone ever tried out the GK Diesel Dawg? It sounds just like the thing I'm looking for: modern, aggressive, a bit fuzzy.

Loads of choices really... you don't have that small an amount of cash, actually (obviously, selling what you've got and looking at 2nd hand stuff as well) Ashdown MAG, or even ABM combos (2x10, not that big, come on ) mmmmmmmmaybe even the Markbass combos (very light, small, especially the 1x12" model... of course, used) or if you want to exaggerate, and you are willing to pay more, the Minimark (2x6" speakers, really small: [url="http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en&cat=3&vedi=86"]http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua...t=3&vedi=86[/url] a bit off your budget though, but it sounds really good, full and loud like you WOULDN'T expect... I would never buy it though, since it costs quite a lot, quite understandably, since it is supposed to be kind of pushing the limits of what you can do with a such small combo, and I wouldn't be able to use it, I play too loud ) If you find it, you could try the GK MB150 combo, I heard a MB150 head with its own 2x10" cabinet, and it was BEAUTIFUL, very tight and trebly (which is something I like, but considering you have a 15" speaker, you might prefer a bassier tone), but loads of volume, I remember that it could quite easily put up with a JCM900 + 4x12" cabinet and a loud drummer and still be heard clearly in the mix. Only problem, its EQ is actually thought for double basses, not electric basses, so the center frequencies are a bit off (low mids somewhere around 800Hz ) so maybe you might need to compensate with an EQ pedal. My personal choice would probably go over the Markbass combos or the MB150 combo (depending on what I'm going to play, the first one for a softer, warmer, more balanced tone, the second one for a more aggressive one). But I don't know how much they cost in the UK in the used market, so I've probably given you crappy advice

Heh, I was reading somewhere else where they actually class it a "top notch" amp. Since I am using a kinda "strange" configuration (I model my sound with the Hartke VXL, and then EQ again on my LM1, might seem strange but I get the tone I like... more or less, there is still something "not quite right", I'd like more treble, and a bit more beef, but I think the main culprit could actually be the cabinet, the ABM414, which is great, don't get me wrong, but very midrangey... I actually like the colour the head gives to the sound, combined with the VXL, kind of "warmish", but not muddled, still articulate), I was thinking if this amp could be a nice alternative. I am quite happy of my rig, and the LM1, never a problem, loud, dependable, clean and clear (although, I must say, a bit dark... but it's probably me, I like very trebly sounds), and with all the EQ pumped, only a very faint hiss (probably coming from the VXL), so... I'm not really thinking of changing amp, but actually, reading what you said, that it is "warm sounding" (so I must assume, a bit dark? Not exactly open on the highs, I suppose), and not very versatile... hmm, maybe I'd be better sticking with the LM

So, how would you compare it to a Little Mark? Same cabs, bass, etc. Would it be able to replace a LM? Or, while good, you consider it to be somewhat inferior?

Erm... sorry, I didn't notice Although, for a Rick, I'd suggest a Sansamp or similar (a Behringer BDI, for a cheap alternative, or a Hartke VXL, for a somewhat "cleaner" and more open one) rather than a M80, since the latter sounds quite "modern", and probably a more vintage-y kind of colour matches better with the general idea of the Rick sound even though an M80 probably would sound just fine as well, even better if you like a harsher kind of sound (like me, by the way),

Some say that a Rick plays best with a bit of overdrive, or anyway a saturated amp. While that may be probably true, this doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to get a good tone out of a Markbass amp. You could buy a preamp, anyway, if you feel like having a bit of drive

I have a Little Mark, which doesn't really saturate... I already have the gain up high, and I'm pushing the mids. My sound though is modeled with a Hartke VXL Bass Attack preamp at the end of the effects chain, so I have a "beefy" sound anyway.

[mode Italian Brotherhood ON] Toh, guarda chi si vede, fede207987259872359872378234 [mode OFF] I must say, Squiers (but not only Squiers, lots of other Chinese/Far Eastern Fender copies) are faring quite well lately. A beginner, today, can spend very little and get a much better quality bass than what you used to get even only 10 years ago (I remember starting with a Samick bass, which was absolutely AWFUL). An SX bass, or Chinese Eko bass, or a Tokai bass will play nicely, and won't let you necessarily feel like playing a cheap bass. There are some issues, though. First of all, how the bass sounds when playing in the upper part of the neck (from the 8th fret onwards), especially on the E string, cheap necks tend to kill the note's vibrations a bit too much (and you can hear it a bit in the video as well). Intonation starts to get weird. Then there's the feeling, I usually notice that on cheap basses there is an overall "cheap" vibe to it (of course, I know it's just obvious, but still...), and I'm not just talking about the wood selection (as in aesthetically pleasing) but also the finishes. Usually the pickups aren't that good, although they are pretty decent. This said, I play with an Eko bass (MM copy). It pleases me in (nearly) every way (it sounds a bit too muffled after the 6th-7th fret on the E string, it seems like I can't achieve a low action, cheap tuners which won't keep the tuning for too long, plastic nut, etc. but still plays great, better than many more expensive basses), it has undergone a pickup change (Seymour Duncan/Basslines SMB-4a), and it plays just great, cuts through the mix, tight on the lows and jangly on the treble, great with a pick, and it only costs about £100 (you can buy it in Italy for about €120-130). I have also recorded with it successfully. I just got a Peavey T-40 because I felt I needed a more "fat" bass for some songs, but, minor issues aside, that Eko bass has been one of my best buys. And the problem is, I have found these issues in expensive basses as well

I tried the silver one, I thought (by what I read around in the forums) that both versions sounded the same... well, anyway I heard the tone of the pedal in the sample, and although it's not bad, it's not what I'm looking for, it still "overdrivey", and I'm looking for something more modern The Ashdown Hyperdrive, I heard some samples (direct in the mixer input, so not miked), and it sounded good, could be what I'm looking for (some of the harshness will probably be tamed by the speaker, plus adding warmth). Anyway, I rehearsed with the Ibanez PD-7, even though I didn't have the chance to try it out extensively, it seems like a VERY good buy, especially for 45€ (which will be... erm... about 35 quid, yep, the pound's gone down lately ), a bit harsh maybe on the mids (it seemed to have SOMETHING of a Big Muff on the mids, to my ears. But the two pedals are nothing alike, bear this in mind, completely different planet), but it retains the low end wonderfully, of course, by adjusting the Bass control (I must say, quite heavy on the low mids, when boosting the bass, it may be something you don't like, but I'm OK with it). The Treble control is not very effective, though, or so it seems (but I have to try it out further). Plus the harshness on the mids helps it cut through the mix. It may be not the best pedal you can buy, but for the price, it's really good, far better than the ODB-3, which I found useless (although kind of "bigger", for some things it may be spot on, such as big heavy low notes), which was low-bassy, but lacked any hint of punch I will stick to it for a while, but I know myself, I will probably end up frantically searching for an even "better" drive

I tried a Guv'nor, hated it. It sounded harsh and squawky. Colorsound Bass Fuzzes are... I'd say "enticing" but too expensive for me

I am seriously crap. sh*te. Merde. Scheisse. I cannot slap, nor tap. I cannot play fast lines, plus my playing is seriously limited by my mediocre knowledge of musical theory. Still, I do my job in my band, mind you, doing "our" stuff. My opinion is that, unless you are musically hopeless, if you have enough musical sense, and you can play on tempo and cleanly enough, and you understand what your limits are, then it isn't really much of an issue. Obviously, you may have limits in creating really nice stuff, or music that sounds fresh and interesting and not just something blatantly copied off someone else. The most important thing is not to try to do something you aren't able to do. If you know you're not a very good bassist, then why bother with hard lines, or something that requires you to play at the most of your "competence" (uhhhh, horrible word, but couldn't think of any better one ), most probably you won't play them fluently and with enough groove and/or feeling. Of course, being a sh*t bassist is a bit worse when you plan on playing in cover bands exclusively

[quote]If you look for a nice set of distorted sounds I recommend you the Digitech Bad Monkey.[/quote] Already got it, I use it for creamy overdrive, but it's too dark and warm for what I want in terms of distortion. I was thinking about Tonebenders, there was an eBay seller making "Bassbenders", supposedly a modified Tonebender circuit, have you got any samples of Tonebenders and the like? About preamps, I already have a Hartke VXL Bass Attack (which I greatly prefer over Sansamps, much clearer and brighter, although not as warm - more modern, I'd say, I recommend it if you think Sansamps are a bit too "boxy"), and I don't really want to spend the money for a bass preamp since I don't really need the added features (I'd only consider the M-80, but only 'cause it isn't that expensive on the 2nd hand market, but anyway, it doesn't seem to be what I'm looking for). Anyway, I'd like to point out that I probably am actually looking at something many of you would describe as "fuzz", I personally call it "fuzzy distortion", as in modern distortion, not vintage-warm, but more aggressive. I don't have really any Youtube videos to show you... I heard the Scul Hazzards... yeah, something like that, but more trebly (but it's probably a rec thing, the songs seem to have a kinda dark sound overall). Anyway, that's the kind of sound I'm looking for

I actually prefer panettone There is a never-ending war here in Italy between pandoro and panettone lovers, but pandoro always wins Anyhoo: [url="http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics/10222/IMG_1043.JPG"]http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics/10222/IMG_1043.JPG[/url] [url="http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics/10222/IMG_1052.JPG"]http://www.gospel.bo.it/albums/userpics/10222/IMG_1052.JPG[/url] ...and yes, it IS heavy, but, yeah, 'till I'm still young...

The problem isn't really low-end... I have a mid-treble high kind of sound, not many lows. What I'm actually interested in is: - note attack (erm... maybe I'm calling it wrong ) and punch - mid frequencies (I don't mean I am not bothered with low-end loss, but I need my distortion to have both full lows and strong mids ) - character (many distortion pedals may let you cut through the mix, but don't sound "distortion-y" enough, they only add like a hint of aggressiveness when heard in the mix) I was also thinking of getting a RAT (don't know which one though... RAT, RAT2, Turbo RAT... I don't really understand the differences ), and blend it with the dry signal to preserve lows, but I'd obviously prefer a bass-dedicated pedal

Hi everyone, this is my first topic I have a problem with distortions: I can't ever seem to achieve what I really want I need some heavy distortion (or quite heavy anyway). Modern, not vintage sounding (so Muffs are out of the question, probably). My biggest concern is that it must sound good (thick, aggressive, etc.) both with fingers and with a pick (many distortions, such as the one in the MXR M-80, only sound great with a pick). I have a BOSS ODB-3 at the moment, and I don't like the way it sounds, it may be thick, but it is very scooped and it doesn't cut through the mix. I am getting a Ibanez PD-7 now, which seems to sound better than the ODB-3 (despite costing not even half as much! ), but is kinda "dry", it isn't bad actually, but I know I can do better, what would you suggest? I was looking at the MXR Blowtorch, which looks exactly what I'm looking for, having EQ control for the mids as well, but I don't know if it sounds aggressive as well or just "thick", if you get what I mean. Is there something else I should look at? Not too expensive, maybe (not more than, let's say, €150, which is about £120, but still, I could consider more expensive stuff, if it's really worth it). Sorry for my weird English, I think I did a good job, but I'm still Italian

Erm... actually, it's quite crap really It's probably going to rain every day from today to New Year's Eve, and it's quite cold as well

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a bit, and I must say, a very interesting forum. Anyway, I'm Adriano, I'm 20, and... well, I'm in a post-rock instrumental band (by the way, check out my Myspace: [url="http://www.myspace.com/labibliotecadeserta"]www.myspace.com/labibliotecadeserta[/url] ). I hope I can be useful for the forum My equipment [b]Basses:[/b] Eko MM300 Peavey T-40 Jim Reed (just another far-eastern brand) 27X4 or something like that [b]Rig:[/b] Markbass Little Mark (1st version, the yellow one) Ashdown ABM 414T (...and, well, a small sh***y Roytek practice amp) [b]Pedals 'n stuff:[/b] Ashdown Dual Bass Compressor BBE Optostomp Digitech Bad Monkey Yerasov GT-2 (cheap russian copy of the Sansamp GT-2) BOSS ODB-3 Ibanez PD-7 Rockman Stereo Chorus Hartke VXL Bass Attack Behringer BDI cheap volume pedal