GreeneKing

Those who know a little of my bass playing history will also know that I've owned a prodigious number of basses, 4,5 and 6 string. I really only doodled with 5 and 6 string basses and to be quite honest my 4 string playing has always been elementary my dear Watson. Since deciding that 4 strings are where I'm at and regularly practising for the past year I finally feel as if I've made some progress at last. I'm able to pick up the bass and go through the set list of about 20 songs while concentrating on the feel, dynamics and timing rather than just the fretting of the notes. I'm slowly getting the ability to improvise within the song structure a little. Basically I'm enjoying myself and confidence is high. Russ came around with his 5 string Kinal a few weeks back and very nice it is too. It's narrow spaced (17mm at the bridge) with a 35" scale. Two Aero pups mounted in ebony (kewl or what) with an ebony board and 3 band Bart circuitry with a 3 pos'n mid switch and a passive active pull on the vol knob. I'd basically aquired a natural Marcus Miller to which I'd fitted a Sadowsky pre and mightily impressed was I. Russ suggested a trade and I went for it. Why? Honestly? GAS!! I reasoned that a 5 string would be a good idea. I also love the look of the Kinal and it sounded pretty damn versatile too. The revelation is that I can pick it up and play it easily - well fairly easily. This is a real surprise. I started off playing it as a 4 + 1 string with no real orientation problems and now I'm using the E on the B string regularly and shifting my position toward the bridge for some songs. I'm really surprised.

I'd like to add that my MXR is probably surplus to requirement (Boss ME 20B too?) since buying the TC Electronics Rebelhead with the pedal and 3 memory positions. The tube simulation on the Rebelhead works well. The Rebelhead has a separate headphone amp and an MP3 input, which is precisely what I was using the Boss for.

Having used an MXR M-80 D.I. for my passive P and Maruszczck Jazz to give that all important mid control and the switchable boost and distortion I'd strongly recommend it. The Tone Hammer was the other possibility.

All my basses are my favourite basses. That's why I own them

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='588037' date='Sep 2 2009, 09:53 PM']Yes, warm old school sound with a wide frequency range, high output, and sensitivity to what you do with your fingers (or pick).[/quote] That is a very good description of the sound. I replaced my P pup with the Dark Star and didn't have any issue with height so they needn't cause a problem. The wide frequency range is very marked with the Low Pass filter compared to the Wizard Thumper it replaced. Peter

I don't but I will have a go. Yes that's the one Mikey

I have one fitted to my Warmoth P bass with an ACG02 pre amp. They sound very distinctively old school - brilliant imo.

I've just lemon oiled the ebony board on the Kinal. Loosen 1 string at a time, np Clacton eh Mum's in a home there and I visit a lot Peter

I love that Blue Alan, sumptuously scrummy What's the 'lectricks'?

Leo made a mistake Wash your mouth out young man

+ 100 Look cool too

I've come a long way with my playing in the past year but I'm getting increasingly frustrated with our lead singer/band former who is gig shy and a complete plonker So, mid 50's (age is a number not an attitude), would consider most genres, into Blues/Rock/Punk and Jazz but can't play jazz Committed (or bloody well should be ) and reliable with a fair bit of my own gear Live in Kendal, Uni in Lancaster and willing to travel a reasonable distance. Peter

Darren is a great guy so I'm sure you'll have no problems if there is a problem developing with the gear. Trying another cab seems the way to go. Peter

Hiya Yes again it's of little help unless you tell us what the 'problems' were. Peter

The slots may appear to be a cross but I suspect that a flat bladed screwdriver is the correct tool. Yes clockwise to straighten

+1 on all the above, has great gear choice too, visit website with care

I use mine with a standard Diago psu.

Here's hoping that you get exactly what you want outta this Alan in terms of enjoyng yourself.

I think this thread is in danger of losing it's way. It's not photos of my bass time but favourite photos of other basses Otherwise this'd be here: The best coffee table I own

I spot a theme there BRX

Every now and again someone posts a photo of a bass that is so stunning I keep finding myself revisiting it over and over again to drool. Sometimes it's just one particular shot that appeals to the bass fetish in me. The most recent, that I've checked out 3 times just for the warm feeling it gives me, is this one: There are a fair few more. What's yours?