GreeneKing

Hi I'm Peter and I posted a polite reply about my experience with EMG and John East pre-amps on your TalkBass thread that you rather pointedly ignored Welcome

MrThumb has one (Paul). I've a 500 and interestingly it hasn't got the oomph of my RH450. Cleaner sounding though, less warmth although it has a multitude of variables. Peter

Brilliant, the buzz is great at any age, my 1st gig was in the Summer, about 2 weeks before my 55th - Hehe

I can't access those Sean. Peter

Yes it's not easy. The basses are different but not by a huge amount. The white Euro has I believe alder wings yes. Just caught your edit Sean and you are indeed the wrong way around, 1st NS 2nd Euro. So the U-Retro has indeed become a leveller Peter

Spot that tune? The same line repeated on the NS5XL and the Euro 5 LX. Both basses fitted with a U-Retro with identical settings. Recorded direct into an Edirol R-09HR and saved as a .wav file. Guess which is which? [url="http://www.plunder.com/Spector-Comparison-download-790b8f7a65.htm"]http://www.plunder.com/Spector-Comparison-...-790b8f7a65.htm[/url] Peter

Definitely a great idea Sean. I've found that the Euro has added 'depth' to the tone now. I will back to back the two basses later to see what I think, record them too perhaps for comparison. With my low standard of playing I get a little embarrassed putting up sound clips, but I still do it knowing that being a bad bassist doesn't make me a bad person Peter

[quote name='Toasted' post='657992' date='Nov 18 2009, 12:23 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/spector-NS-5XL-Water-Cured-Redwood-Walnut-Bass-NEW_W0QQitemZ230393918429QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item35a48c33dd"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/spector-NS-5XL-Water...=item35a48c33dd[/url] *drool*[/quote] Definitely rather nice I put the U-Retro Deluxe into the Euro yesterday and it's totally transformed it as a bass bringing it closer to the NS5XL.

[quote name='Mr.T' post='657863' date='Nov 18 2009, 09:51 AM']Hmmmm... Anyone fancy a quick game of 'Let's stereotype the Biker'?[/quote] Me too on the tongue in cheek, biker for over 35 years.

Sounds similar to recent events with myself. It is a great buzz and highly addictive, all the best and enjoy. If (when?) you make a mistake don't do a knowing smile or grimace and no one will notice.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='657823' date='Nov 18 2009, 08:56 AM']I was asked to do a dep gig on Friday night - playing 'classic rock' (yawn) at a biker's do. We rehearsed last night and it was absolutely dreadful - we were all over the place and the noise was excrutiating. We'll go down like whaleshit. Never again [/quote] All the best with it Al, you never know. What's the worst that can happen? (you could end up a 25 stone hairy bikers 'bitch' ) Got me thinking, seems my band are qualified for biker gigs

Have you been watching the Victor Wooten DVD by any chance ? Peter In A

Dislexia rules KO

I recorded them via Audacity and did it in mono. I should have combined the two tracks somehow. I'll investigate.

Okay, I can, probably just as well I'll investigate.

I've already replaced the 2EQ 18v Hazlabs cut and boost pre-amp in my Spector NS5XL. I have to own up to using a pre to get my tone to a greater extent. It works for me. I like the low mids to be emphasised and seldom use bass or treble boost so the Euro was always vulnerable for some similar surgery. The standard U-Retro fitted the 3 hole NS and I tucked the two switches away into the cavity (it'll only be used in active mode anyway). I got John to combine the separate volume and blend on the U-Retro Deluxe 5 knob to give me 4 knobs to fit the Euro and to include a passive/active pull on the added passive tone control (effectively a Sadowsky VTC). So I now have vol/blend, mid cut and boost with sweep, treble cut and boost with bass boost and treble bright 'pull', passive tone with passive only pull (passive tone works in active too. Here's some photos of the switch done today: The box: U-Retro: The very neat purpose build HazLabs 9v circuit, $500 dollars worth of upgrade. The U-Retro connected and checked for functionality, as usual a 1st time is right occurence: And ready to be tucked away. Not as neat but solid and it works: Done: Please forgive my awful playing but before and after: [url="http://www.plunder.com/Haz2-download-03bfccdf23.htm"]http://www.plunder.com/Haz2-download-03bfccdf23.htm[/url] [url="http://www.plunder.com/East2-download-42d3946447.htm"]http://www.plunder.com/East2-download-42d3946447.htm[/url]

Oh and I think Chris is spot on. It's not just about tone. To me my RI oozes something that a standard MIA didn't. It's partly the nitro finish and the vibe of the unusual scratchplate tortiness, the headstock button and the great rosewood but if you're looking for that worn in feel then however good the tone is you'd maybe not appreciate something like it in the long term. It's strange but as the 1st owner from new it also has something special about it, it's not 'someone else's' bass that I've aquired and it's a bit special too and I chose it because of that. I don't know if that makes any sense. All the best in your quest Clarky and patience is a great thing if you re-phrase it as foreplay.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='656886' date='Nov 17 2009, 12:32 PM']Aww, that's a pity Peter - Both of my 5's have 18mm string spacing. Shucks! [/quote] They are also keepers I suspect Rich. I find 17mm just wide enough I suspect the P will be a keeper, once I've mastered 5 strings (perhaps that should read murdered) and am comfortable to switch it'll be a delight to return to.

Hehe, thanks for the appreciation of the P. It's certainly a P bass that persuaded me to part with my Overwater and I didn't think that possible. You're right Alan it's not getting played as I've moved to 5ers. Now if Rich wanted to part with a Status

[quote name='urban Bassman' post='656658' date='Nov 17 2009, 08:29 AM']I've posted stuff about TC in the past. But since the topic is specific, I thought I'd add my bit. Been using a RH450, RS210 and RS212 plus the foot controller for some time now and I'm totally happy with, I play mostly rock covers and it seems to handle this music with ease. It has oodles of power and the three switchable presets are very useful. The built in tuner is great and the footswitch, which also has the tuner makes everything very easy to control. It's true that the cabs are a bit prone to damage but I now have some covers for them so there shouldn't be any more. All in all the best rig I have had so far. Prior to this I've owned Trace, Mark Bass, Gallien Krueger and Peavey rigs and the TC set up beats them all IMO. Hope that helps.[/quote] How do you find the cabs themselves compare with others performance wise. I'm already chuffed with the head. Are you happy with your 2x10, 2x12 set up or would you change it. Peter

[quote name='Sean' post='655550' date='Nov 15 2009, 11:02 PM']I'm going to put some Wizard Gems in my NS-5XL just to see what they're like and how they get on with the U-Retro. I'm really intrigued by some of the reports I'm getting from CK and being a fettler I just have to have a go. There might be toggles on this bass yet, who knows I'll document the transplant for all to see and do some before and after sound files too. I don't know when the Wizards are arriving so please be patient.[/quote] I'll watch this one with interest Sean. I'm loving the tone of the EMGs myself. Not at all harsh. Modded U-Retro Deluxe arriving tomorrow. Peter

[quote name='Duarte' post='655155' date='Nov 15 2009, 01:38 PM']This thread. So depressing.[/quote] That's the least depressing post too

A bass built as cheap as possible with readily available materials that has become an icon. Realistic price £35 Likely price £3500 Funny old world.