GreeneKing

I seem to remember this coming up before Factually, the only passive bass is an acoustic bass. All basses that generate a voltage are amplified, some at the amp, some at the instrument as well (and some at the instrument, pedal board x X, and the amp etc....). So that lovely passive signal that some folk rave about gets amplified just the same. I don't think anyone has mentioned this but the main reason that basses themselves had a pre amp fitted was to boost the signal because of degradation through the cable. EQ came along a little bit later because it was an obvious development. The other big difference is that active EQ allows you to add as well as take away. I've got one passive bass in my herd of 9 and as it's a 4 it doesn't get used anyway (which is a bit sad as it's a lovely double cut LP with T'bird pups). I know what the EQ does on all my basses including full fat ACG filter equipped so I don't fiddle with it, I use it. In the range of onboard pre-amplification there is a vast choice of options, settings and prices. Things like sweepable mid control and a high pass filter to remove the cab threatening lower rumbling are invaluable to me. The John East pre-amps in passive mode retain proper passive blend and tone control btw. Those that struggle with any more than a single tone control had better keep away from my full spec Uber ACG Finn 10 coils per pickup, 2 Low Pass filters each with a resonant peak control and a mid boost pull switch, a sweepable mid control and a passive knob too (hooray) that is actually very useful as it works in active as well as passive and is great for rolling off some tone easily. So the best of both worlds. I'll happily go through it with anyone and once set I use blend and passive tone to change my sound - just like a passive 2 pickup bass. Each to their own, I'm a very average ability player and there's a lot of you guys that have a passive Fender P bass and would knock me into a cocked hat Peter

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1484585769' post='3216533'] Me too. He recons £400 to strip it and refinish it? I'd be happy to do it for half of that. But his price is a bit optimistic I would have said. [/quote] I agree. If it had been nice condition okay but who knows what horrors might lie beneath that finish. A project bass and should be cheaper.

That's what happens when you try to lacquer over an oiled finish Taking it back to original would be the only way methinks.

I suspect that some posters aren't reading the entire thread. It's interesting when you see both sides of the story. Initially I'd have said that the buyer was a chancer but on actually seeing the strings with much corrosion and apparently no life I've changed my opinion. I usually fit new strings to an 'incoming' after cleaning and lemon oiling the fretboard. I then check the action and intonation. I wouldn't have asked for a refund but I would have been less than chuffed with those strings as it is an indicator of a lack of care towards the instrument imo. Peter

Many thanks, much appreciated.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1483999188' post='3211910'] It would be better if you had started a totally new topic away from someone who wanted to make an obituary about someones death. You dont know him, but that doesn't mean to say that no one on here does. I take your opinion as a valid point, but I would just have preferred it as a seperate topic. That is all I am saying [/quote] I understand. Rest assured if anyone here is effected by his death then as I said, my condolences go to them. I would join in the celebration of his life and respect the loss felt by those close to him.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1483994399' post='3211850'] The only options to appease you are either we let the death of admired fellow musicians go unspoken of or the people in question refrain from dying. [/quote] It's not the notification or the celebration of an artist's death that I remarked on but the 'oh here we go again' theme that I perceive both here and in the 2016 thread. So your reasoning is flawed I'm afraid Pete, at least from my perspective. The notification is done better by mainstream news anyway and while I liked Peter Sarstedt's 'where do you go to my lovely' in its day it's not a song that was probably formative for most of us. The cult of the celebrity grew exponentially from the 60's so in terms of an increase in notable deaths it's something we may as well get used to. Disrespectful? Let me just say this. I have worked in a profession where dealing with death in the immediate sense was everyday. I can't think of any colleagues who did more to ease the process and facilitate healthy grieving (no I wasn't an undertaker). So I resent that crass suggestion. I didn't know Peter Sarstedt. I don't know any of his friends or family. If I did I'd offer them my condolences and support. I'm no Christian so RIP would be inappropriate. Peter

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1483989775' post='3211788'] I guess you can skip the topic if you don't like to read about it [/quote] Or one could also be entitled to express an opinion..... Peter

We are mortal, people are dying all the time although our culture tries to hide the fact. We're all going to die. People age, they suffer pain and disease, they die. It is the nature of life. So I get a tired with OMG, 2016, somebody we know of has died, OMG 2017, people are still dying! Is it just me that finds this obsession with celebrity death unhealthy? Peter

Simple enough but lovely

[quote name='Musashimonkey' timestamp='1483606644' post='3208552'] The neck relief is spot on, it was already very good and just a smidge off straight. Fixing first and 16th fret spacing is about .012 (0.3mm) over the 8th fret = ideal in my book. [/quote] Good, you need to get rid imo.

How is the neck relief? That could be exacerbating your problem.

I don't know but suspect that Poland will have a lot to offer in a different way. All the best with it. Do you know Roman Koc?, the man behind GMR basses. He relocated to the UK and I see he's back in Poland now. You could try to make contact. I hope you get some help. What is your band called btw? Peter

[quote name='paulo m' timestamp='1483368920' post='3206562'] EBS Microbass II is streets ahead of the designs ' talked about here & has a multitute of applications.. Superior Built Quality' & Sound Quality. [/quote] I've owned 2 EBS Microbass II over the years and they are twice the price. I'll comment when I have used the Palmer

Given that I've owned and failed with 4 Ric's.... I'd try a preamp pedal. A passive bass with a mid scoop may benefit from boosted low mids. Peter

Thank you. I've been looking for a DI that also functions as a practice tool with aux in and headphone amp. I foolishly sold my 3 Leaf Enabler before a circumstances change I"ve this on order... http://www.palmer-germany.com/mi/en/Products/Pocket-Amp/POCKET-AMP-BASS-Portable-Bass-Preamp-PEPAMPBASS.htm It does more for less money (£125 from Thomann). That doesn't make it better of course as it depends on how well it functions as a DI and EQ.

Basses 9 Amps 2, a LMII and a LM Tube 500 Combo TC Electronics BG 250 1 Cab, EAD 212 - one cab to rule them all

I did a search and couldn't find any comment. Has anyone tried them? I received my GMR with a 40 to 118 set fitted. I really like them, nice feel to them and they are like normal rather than coated strings that I'm not keen on. They are expensive but if they last 5x longer as quoted I'll be both surprised and happy. http://www.labella.com/vapor-shield/ A fair bit of sales banter in there. Peter

[quote name='josie' timestamp='1482860127' post='3203119'] My first bass was a 5, initially "because I fancied it", and I loved it, and still do - it kept me motivated when the learning got hard, and still does. It was a while before I started using the B string to real effect, but it was there to ease into, rather than at some point deciding to make the switch and struggling with it. I do have two 4s, a Jazz Aerodyne and a GMR fretless, and I love the sound and feel and look of both far too much to get rid of them just because they're missing the B string I don't have a problem switching between them now, although I did at first. Just out of curiosity, what model of GMR and where did you get it? They're a bit like hen's teeth, and not as widely respected as they deserve to be. [/quote] Hiya Josie Mine is an older Polish made one, some say late 90's others early 2000's. It has Warwick hardware too. I traded my lovely 91 NT Thumb 4 for it (GMR + cash) and it has a bit in common with the Thumb which is all good. Lovely bubinga and MEC's (passive as opposed to active). I have 4 ACG's and I know how underrated they are/were. The GMR is a real growler and I've fitted a 4 knob East Uni-pre preamp in that retains the passive in the original VVT with a passive/active pull switch/tone control that works in both active and passive modes. It is immensely playable with a great neck and fretwork and looks rather good in a Warwick sorta way. Peter