GreeneKing

An alternative to laquer on a fingerboard (I notice that some folk are talking about necks and confusing the issue) is acrylic impregnation of the wood. With acrylic impregnated wood you can use a whole host of woods and they remain very tough. It's pretty much invisible too. Alan at ACG uses it on just about all of his instruments. A step on from lacquering methinks. It definitely gives an acrylic like tone. I checked, the OP is talking about necks and not fingerboards

I see from your link that even ESP sell them discounted for under $2,000. Not so keen on the headstock myself. And bolt on? Neck through would be more in keeping

Looking very nice Matt. How do you rate it alongside the Jack Casady, more versatile? Peter

I love Statii and coming from near Colchester originally that's a good thing. My Empathy was great but a Kingbass is the only bass I've played that just didn't work ergonomically. Not true actually, Epi Bird and NT Thumb 6 both had too much neck dive for me, not an issue with the Kingbass.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1390140544' post='2341811'] I've had Mac's for about 7 years, I've never been able to plug straight into one. [/quote] Me too

Passive vs active isn't black and white. It's a voltage signal. It's amplified somewhere. Onboard or outboard the signal ceases to be passive at some point.

Smartphones can be great, but not when you're trying to sort quotes while at work

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1389635862' post='2336388'] No you are right. It's not the B that has the highest tension. That's why a bass with less rigid structure causes problems as low tension plus greater compliance leaves you with a floppy B. The difference is relative and you don't need to dig in to notice it. Do you really mean the B string? Looking at the tension figures (for those manufacturers that actually give them) the highest tension string is usually the D followed by the G and then the others in order of thickness. This IMO is partly why it's difficult to get a decent sounding B string on many 5-string basses as the standard strings used simply aren't heavy enough for the tension to match the E string let alone any of the others. And why none of the manufacturers making "balanced tension" strings are making sets with low B. Therefore the basses with the best sounding and feeling B-strings are using tricks (like through body stringing) to decrease the compliance of the string to make it feel as stiff as the others even though the tension is lower. [/quote]

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1389213590' post='2331543'] Well the physics of it dictate that there is a strict linear relationship between length mass tension and pitch, so I think this idea of "better compliance" is more psychological than real (as it probably is for many things about instruments and gear). [/quote] Just because you don't understand something is no reason to say that it doesn't exist methinks Yes tension is a calcuable constant given a number of factors that are themselves constants (scale length, string mass/unit length, pitch). Is every B string the same on every bass for the same string, pitch and scale length? No it isn't. This is because the structure of the bass itself and it's readiness to move under stress (strain) is a real issue that can't be ignored. I've owned American basses with one piece quartersawn maple necks and bridges made of bent steel and the B string in particular (the highest tension string) has been 'floppy' and unpleasant to use. The same strings and scale length put onto my ACG with a 7 piece wedge and bubinga neck, Hipshot bridge and very rigid neck joint are very different and the string feels much more taught (the tension however is the same). This is compliance, or relative lack of it in the case of the ACG. The force applied to the fixed points of the string when its plucked are considerable and structures, including bridges, necks and joints will move significantly, some more than others. Back on topic, to the subject of stringing through. The tension won't be changed as, as is given above, scale length, string type and pitch are the only things that effect this and they are unchanged. Anchoring the string in the body may provide a more rigid anchor and therefore less compliance. But, as you will discover if you read the above references, added string length between the bridge and the body doesn't effect tension because it doesn't change any of the factors that govern it. Added string length actually increases compliance unless the string is locked at the saddle and that negates the very benefits that through body stringing provides anyway. It's my opinion that through body stringing is only worthwhile if your bridge is not as rigid as it could be. It does look good and it takes the strain off your bridge screws as well but if your bass is well put together and made with decent components it shouldn't matter any. As to how the bass sounds. If a less rigid bass with more compliance produces the tone you like then all power to you. Peter

Tension and compliance are probably the same if your bass is totally rigid. A bass with a weak neck will have greater compliance in my experience. A Fender bent tin bridge likewise. The tension is derived from the vibrating length. As those articles allude, any greater length of string from the nut to the tuner and from the bridge to the anchor point won't effect tension. If the string is allowed to move over the nut and bridge then the greater length will cause the string to be more compliant not less. If a Fender seems to have reduced compliance strung through body then I'd suspect the bridge is flexing when the strings are anchored in it. I'd say that if you have a well mounted and rigid bridge stringing through is little more than aesthetic.

I bought some Schaller strap locks from Paul. Excellent communication, great locks and prompt delivery. Top class

The LM tube 500 and 800 are very different beasts too. By no means is the 800 merely an unrated 500. Many on TB seem to prefer the tone of the 500 with its analogue amplifier

Alan has owned a Wal. He doesn't copy Wals but I think it's fair to say that some of his favourite bass lines were played on one. I've a new Uber spec that has the multi coil pickups and the latest filter pre. The pre has been developed with Alan's needs put into reality by John Easts technical expertise. It's not a copy of a Wal pre having markedly different and wider parameters but it is extremely versatile. With the adjustable mid range boosts and the 3 filters plus a passive tone the possibilities are huge and the tone from the MC pickups is pretty amazing. Alan will happily discuss the differences with you I'm sure. http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0148u-finn-5/

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1387793332' post='2315611'] Yamaha basses are great. Well made and capable of incredible sounds.. they don't feel right to me though so I'd never own one. [/quote] Given their vast and varied range I find that slightly amusing

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1386870805' post='2305777'] Trouble is, some people are gonna say'its not heavy rock.. It's too metal' etc. some bands like priest, started out heavy rock, but are metal only now Still, it is impossible to say only one album , so I will list a few; ac/dc powerage. .. Their best imho Sabbath vol4 Rush- 21 12 Priest-sad wigs of destiny Ted Nugent-double live gonzo Queensryche-rage for order Led zep 4? Excluding stairway to hendon Hawkwind - do re mi Groundhogs -split Atomic rooster- death walks behind you/ in hearing of Purple- made in japan/ in rock Stray - suicide The doors ?? UFO - obsession Some albums (sabotage/ Montrose /rainbow )had a few poor tracks on side 2 which prevented them for being great. Side 1 would be awesome, and an ep would have been best ever. Imho of course;) btw forgot the rods first album.. Awesome [/quote] Some great stuff there. Stray! Bloody brilliant Groundhogs - a personal favourite. Sabbath went downhill after Vol 4 imo. Master of Reality and the 1st album were my rock birthright

Don't confuse the Bass Centre Comfort Strap with the real thing, a Comfort Strapp. The latter is good and a real cure for slight neck dive. I've a Mono strap too and rate it highly.