GreeneKing

Maybe someone needs to tell him that life isn't always fair and that there are times that nothing can be done and you need to move on.

I know that Alan at ACG is making a neck for a customer at the moment. My ACG neck is amazingly flat and consistent.

A quick review of the MP-BT1 the MP3 player version of the Tascam CD-BT1. Basically its very good. MP3 player itself is great with more oomph than my Creative Zen. Size wise it's tiny and quite weighty. I believe it's a 1Gb device that should hold around 240 songs. The controls are more intuitive/menu driven than the CD version and the bass sounds much better (much less 'mickey mouse'). Basically plug in the bass and set up the input volume. Play the track and adjust bass/track differential rocker and output rocker. I haven't used many effects yet but so far its all positives. The battery is an internal rechargeable Li-on and no power unit is suppled (one is available) but the beast charges via the PC and USB cable. It's built to industrial strength with a thick metal case and the screen is monocolour but easy to read. Buttons feel good, a very important thing you know. Very pleased to put it mildly. Peter

There may be some with a huge number and who are still embarrassed

To follow Buzz's excellent review here's my more detailed take on the big brother, the VT999 Vintage Tube 'Monster'. [b]The case[/b] All metal construction with 6 screws holding on the thicker steel base that has the chunky rubber feet. They'd need to be removed for fitting velcro. Inside it's pretty neat and tidy and my valve was seated correctly. Inserting the EH Cryo valve was simplicity in itself. I didn't check but I suspect the pots have plastic shafts and I'm not sure how you would remove the plastic knobs. The bypass stomp button is supposedly true bypass and it lacks the usual clicky action that almost all pedals have. It always functions correctly and the 'drive' light that illuminates red when the unit is 'on' is bright and makes the click less than essential. There is a 3 band EQ being fairly obviously Bass, Mid and Treble, a gain control, a master volume and a noise gate with an input level setting control knob alongside it. It's possible to see the valve glowing gently inside the case through a grill in the top. So all in all a solid unit that is laid out logically and is easy and intuitive to use. [b] The zounds[/b] Very interestingly if the gain is kept to zero the unit simply works like a pre-amp with the EQ controls and the master volume. There's no stated specification as to cut/boost levels but the EQ is effective. Unlike Buzz's pedal I wouldn't describe this unit as a distortion effect, even with the chinese valve left in. I also notice no real difference powering it either from my chained Diago supplies or the supplied Behringer PSU. Bring the gain up to 1 and a noticeable valve 'crunch' occurs, albeit a gentle one. This increases pretty rapidly to an overdrive at levels 3 to 4 followed by a subtle increase up to lvl 10. It's being played via Ric 4003, Microbass II with unit in effects loop set to 100% and with a Unicomp on the way to my BBT500H or LM II heads through an Epiphone 2 x 10" cab. It's the best overdrive that I have used in my 'home' setting. I'd give it 8/10 because it's huge and because of the plastic knobs. If anyone knows how they come off I'd appreciate the heads up. Peter

[quote]We'll definitely hit the 1000 today..[/quote] That's scuppered that then

I can't see the difference I'm afraid. And both basses have an unseated B string which must be more than a coincidence? I agree about the 0 feedback, maybe ask seller to show pic of bass with today's newspaper? Peter

Les Evans has an amazing ability to create some really flowing curves on the body of my bass and this comes out in spades on this singlecut imo. Peter

Just to add that my Diablo power supply works fine daisy chained to the VT999. That's together with an EBS Microbass II, Unicomp and Peterson stompbox tuner. I will try it with it's own power supply tonight to see if it makes any difference. That is an excellent review by Buzz. Suitably prompted I'll update mine later.

That'll be Les Evans Robbie. He has some EBS pedals up for sale too. He builds them to last, mine has a U retro and an amazingly narrow neck too.

Well its a bass, and it's for sale and I wanted to highlight this fact, seems a good price for a 70's P if it's genuine.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unique-mid-70s-fretless-Fender-precision-custum-bass_W0QQitemZ330197144981QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unique-mid-70s-fretl...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

I like the original finish too, more subtle/understated perhaps?

Great review Matt. Peter

For those doubters among you the VT999 certainly does have a valve in it: In fact here it is: Wondering just how good it is I popped this'n in for comparison purposes: It's a Russian made Electro Harmonix frozen 'Cryo' valve. It's made the tone crisper and cleaner but the original aint that bad anyway. I'm really pleased with this pedal that gives everything from a gentle 'burble' to real overdrive. I may just have to repaint it though

I see that the total is actually higher as some people have done their sums and then posted but more have been added meanwhile. Someone needs to go through and check the whole thread when it's died down. Any volunteers? Peter

Thank you. TYes Paul you set me off on a quest for a Custom bass AND Incubus My ACG is a Harlot, and it is certainly unusual in the way the shape goes around the rear upper body. It balances perfectly and is light too. I love the look, really do

I'll give it a boost with my 14 Up to [size=7] 48[/size]

Probably not much use but you could try to live with a slightly higher action and then you may have a lot less hassle. Can't think of anything else that'd help to be honest.

Bleedin' Essex innit! I dunno, Canvey must be the centre of the Universe

Hiya Nick It's a peculiar story of Northwestern bass folk. I aquired the Bongo from Alan (Homer) and he aquired my Sterling from me, not at the same time though. Last week they changed places.

I'm from Mersea Island! Only get down to see my Mum occasionally nowadays.

I think that'd be right but not narrower methinks

[quote]Has the "Macca" ric really got a narrower neck than the other two, or is that just me.[/quote] I'm 99.9% certain that it hasn't. The neck is unvarnished though and has a zero fret. I would check but it's 10 min work to get them all out from the spare bedroom and 20 min to put them all away again, and I've not long done that The action is very low on the 'Macca' and the neck has just about zero relief like Ric recommend. It's definately a great neck to play. The neck on both the CS and the C64S does seem slimmer but then the newer 4003's are supposed to have the slimmer neck too.