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hubrad

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Posts posted by hubrad

    Metal Fretless board

    in Repairs and Technical

    Posted

    I had something similar about 25 years back, when a local luthier got some rolled brass (3mm thick iirc) fingerboard blanks and fitted one for me. It was great, but not actually as fret-bright as I had initially expected.

    Be interesting to hear whether a 0.1mm thickness steel will be enough, but great project either way.. Good luck!

    • Like 2

    Gig bag recommendations

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted · Edited by hubrad

    On 07/10/2023 at 20:52, NickA said:

    Call David at Bassbags.co.uk.   They have been supplying bass bags for decades  I have one from them and it's ... just perfect.   Sturdy, well padded, lots of carrying handles (which are in the right places for me!)

     

    this one I think; but they have other options

     

    https://www.bassbags.co.uk/product/westbury-double-bass-bag-11mm-padding/

     

     

    I just visited that very emporium today, on the way to tonight's gig East of Nottingham. 

    Spoke to them a couple of times on the phone,  and you know how some businesses sound like they'd actually like you to visit? Well, that. Great advice from start to finish,  and they had exactly what I was looking for out ready to try. 

    As I walked in with bass in old (15-20 years) gigbag, David said "How long have you had that? We made it!" Brilliant.

    Got the Gewa 4/4 as it ticks all the boxes. If I get a similar lifespan out of it to the old one, I'll be well chuffed. 

    Heartily recommend both the bag and the shop.

    https://www.bassbags.co.uk/product/gewa-pure-bs-25-double-bass-gig-bag/

    • Like 3

    String Advice

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted · Edited by hubrad
    Edit: if it was of interest, I'm not going to be at Dorking or Hedingham now.

    I'm a recent (about 5 years ago) convert to D'Addario Helicore after playing a friend's bass. They make 3 versions, Orchestral, Hybrid and Pizzicato. If I've understood their blurb correctly, they're the same construction but with more or less damping depending on what kind of playing/sustain you're after. I've just gone from Hybrid - Brill generally- to Pizzicato- all the sustain and growl you could want, in fact I have to keep it under control sometimes! Still grand for bowing, but I'm doing that in a song context rather than Orchestral. I don't do the rockabilly slap, but for the bassline with percussive accents they're spot on.

    If anyone fancies a go ill be playing at Norwich, Bristol and Bingham over the next couple of weeks with Steve Tilston. 

    • Like 1

    Cort Action Junior Pickup Mod

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Rayman said:

    I would imagine something like the EMG HZ would work well in there, if the dimensions are the same?

    Yup, check the dimensions to make sure, but it looks about right. EMG are pretty logical.. 35 are 3.5 inches long, 40 are 4 inches long. More info and dimensions on their website:

    A few quid more but the furthest upgrade would be to go EMG active, Mark Hoppus sig has a P pickup, so a 35P4 - soapbar with P internal configuration - would be great, so long as the battery will fit in the control cavity.

    I'm a big fan of EMG, some folks aren't.

    https://www.emgpickups.com/35p4.html

    Calling Trace Elliot experts

    in Amps and Cabs

    Posted

    I have had my AH250SMX since new in early 90s, which is probably all you need to know(!) Not actually heavy, extremely versatile head and can be very loud depending on cab choice so good for practice through to gig. I mostly leave it turned fully to valve preamp, but you can blend them.

    The one modification I made was a TE-supplied transformer to balance the XLR DI out, which was originally not balanced.

    Still love it and use it.

    Fretless pedal board for a minimalist?

    in Effects

    Posted

    The tc corona chorus is great, especially if you liked their tone print. Also tc, sum'n'up for octaves up and down plus some really interesting things.. I get an almost organ-like tone from mine!

    Sounds like you're sorted for reverb.

    I can't comment on drive, as I never use it.

    Phaser, I use an oldish mxr phase 90.. perhaps a tc to complete the set, or even one of their multi fx boards? Iirc there's no drive, but an insert for that purpose.

    Good luck and fun in your quest!

    • Thanks 1

    Chasing sound - new pickups vs preamp vs bass

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by hubrad

    I have a Cort A5, which presumably has a very similar or same preamp, deffo the MK-1 pickups. I agonised for ages over getting some USA Barts into it, but at a fair old price(!) Then a secondhand Aguilar OPB-3 pre came up on here in Marketplace at a good price, so I went that way instead. Transformed the bass!

    I've since seen on reading round that the preamps in Cort and Ibby actives are often considered less than musical in their operations.

    My vote is get a good pre first. Alternatively, completely remove the current pre so you can hear the pickups alone. If you're happy with those then go  for the new pre.

    • Like 2

    Weird finger cramp in gig - dystonia?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    If you're seriously concerned, deffo the above. Get someone who knows hands to look at it.

    Even before the current state of affairs and waiting lists, however, I rather doubt you'd be getting to see anyone that knowledgeable in the two weeks before your next gig, so for the time being plan on it being what we all hope, just a one-off or a bit unfit. Do exercises and warmups before playing (actually a good plan for us all, especially as years advance) and analyse just what's going on with your hands and arms while you are playing. Can't do any harm, and you might help yourself in the long term.

    A mate of mine carries a hair dryer to actually warm his hands up pre-gig. Sounds unusual but works brilliantly for him.

    I hope it simply doesn't reoccur!

    • Like 2

    When Music and Politics collide

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    16 hours ago, SteveXFR said:

    Our bands new song has gone political meets conspiracy. 

    Weirdos such as David Ike believe our leaders have been replaced by reptilian aliens. As you may have noticed they keep f**King up, especially when it comes to hiding their dodgy deals and affairs. So we now have a song about aliens who have the tech to cross galaxies but are a bit thick.

    Attack of the incompetent alien lizard people. 

    Hilarious! oh, wait..

    When Music and Politics collide

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Every now and again someone will suggest to Steve Tilston that he should steer clear of politics in his music.

    His most usual response is that if they're just complaining about such a thing now then they obviously haven't been paying much attention to his last 50-odd years of songwriting.

    • Like 1
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