carlsim

I have a gig tomorrow night and I’m going to use the sire… that will determine if I pull the plug. If I walk away frustrated, I’m on thomann’s website in the morning!

18 minutes ago, BassBunny said:

Pretty sure the passive tone only works on the 3 band, 5 pot option.

I've 2 of the ones you've highlighted and don't think there is a passive option.

I'll check tomorrow but as I mentioned, you can easily add a passive control to any pre-amp.

 It states on their website that the stacked treble and bass doesn’t have a passive tone, but the one with the separate bass and treble pots, the treble acts as a passive HF roll off which I suppose is a tone control. 

am I wrong in that one then? Would rather confirm before buying as a passive tone would be desirable…

Anyone used them? I posted previously that I want to change my Sire V7 Jazz electronics into a much simpler 4 pot system... volume, blend, bass and treble with a passive tone...

Glockenklang have a pre-wired system: https://www.thomann.de/gb/glockenklang_2band_electronic.htm

Is seems to have everything - volume, blend, treble and bass with the treble acting as a tone control in passive mode...

Anyone tried one or is familiar with their systems? I was heading for a sadowsky drop in but they don't seem to be available for the foreseeable, so I am looking for something cost effective. I would need to get knobs and a new plate, but that shouldn't be too expensive... 

I’m definitely heading that way…. Providing I can get one.

I have also decided I want to keep some active options so the volume, blend, passive tone and stacked treble and bass is a good way to go it seems for me....

There isn't any denying the quality / sound - it's purely a practical application that I can't seem to get on with. I have been reluctant to take it on gigs for that very reason and I took it to a rehearsal the other night and realised I need to sort it so I can use it and feel confident when doing so...

2 minutes ago, Marvin said:

I'd want to be certain that a new plate would fit properly. I don't know if maybe John East could send out a cardboard template of the J-Retro Deluxe to see if it fits, could be worth an ask.It may also be worth asking about the John East Rear Mount pre-amp...and fit that onto the existing plate.

I hadn't thought about that to be honest, I watched that video of LE Lobster installing the sadowsky one in his Sire and he didn't mention anything about fitting issues... I think I will contact John @ East to discuss... I quite like the idea of the J-tone - I will see if he can do it with a separate vol and pup blend to then have a side mounted jack... it has the 2 band eq with passive tone which is what I am after...

51 minutes ago, chris_b said:

So are you saying you like the sound of this bass?

 

Perfectly happy with it... it's just too cluttered. I do like to add/change sounds/make minor tweaks during gigs but I really don't need the level of control which is on the Sire. I think that is what I liked about the Sadowsky setup, Treble and Bass stack, VTC, pup blend and volume. Plus it has the passive bypass.

I just wondered if anyone else had similar thoughts and what are considered to be the good 'drop in' jazz preamps...

17 minutes ago, LeftyJ said:

Yes, you can drop in any other Jazz-style control plate. Keep in mind a traditional Jazz Bass setup has 3 knobs and a plate-mounted jack, so when going passive VVT you'd have one hole too many because of the sidejack on the Sires.

 

I've tried an Audere JZ3D in my Jazz Bass (not a Sire) once. They offer various configurations, but mine had volume, 3-way impedance switch, stacked pickup pan / mids, stacked bass / treble and a passive tone knob. I liked the versatility, but couldn't stop fidgeting with it and eventually switched mine back to passive, but with a rotary bass boost switch in the 4th position. 

I will investigate the Audere... I hadn't considered those to be honest!

13 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

J-Retro deluxe doesn't

You are correct sir! My mistake... it still seems a bit much with 3 stacked pots though... I have sausage fingers which are the root of my issues with the Sire...

I think it's basically that there are 5 pots there... I will have a look at the east stuff, although the J-retro has a plate mounted jack... i suppose I can contact John for a amendment...

Hi all,

I have posted this elsewhere but have been rethinking... 

I have a SIre V7 which I really like - playability is amazing for the money! However, I really dislike the compact nature of the controls... 5 pots and a switch is just too much in my opinion. I have been looking at other preamps, and like the idea of the 4 pot sadowsky preamp with the VTC, but i am now thinking, should I / can I just put in a passive loom and run it as the traditional VVT jazz setup? 

Do you think I would miss the active controls? I do like having, and have always had, active setups, but I do find myself tone shaping on my amp and leaving things flat or making minor adjustments on the bass. 

Any other Sire owners feeling the same as me with the control plate? too overcrowded? I want to change it, just not sure what for! Any Sadowsky VTC fans out there? I did watch the LowEndLobster video which has sparked my interest in this...

Hi everyone...

I have a Sire V7 which I actually really enjoy playing - balances nicely and feels nice and for the price - an absolute steal! However, I really can't get on with the control layout. It feels so cluttered. I do like an active/passive setup, although am not that fussed about mid boost / cut and swept controls. 5 controls and an active/passive switch is just too much.

Anyone else feel the same as me? Has anyone made a positive change? I saw that LowEndLobster changed his for a Sadowsky VTC system which looks interesting... I have used the East J-retro and that is an option although that still feels a little much with 4 pots and 2 switches...

Any thoughts would be most welcome...

Cheers!

Aah!! Top man…. Certainly does. It’s quite nice to have that stuff…. Just wondering if strings and things might be able to help…

HTH?

I have a lovely sr5 special…. And always wondered what is the current standard ‘case candy’ these days and has it changed much?

i did notice recent ones have a very nice EB embroidered bag included (I didn’t get one of those)… and wondered if I might be able to source one!? Silly, but there you go…

so… can anyone fill me in?? I will double check what mine came with - I know I have some wipes and a cloth but I think that is it…

i did email EB in the US but haven’t had a reply yet… any thoughts on who I could contact?? strings and things??

7 minutes ago, Gareth Hughes said:

Shameless plug - you could stretch the budget for this fine beastie - 😜

 

 

I have looked longingly at this one I must admit… has everything I am after except a lower price tag! 
great basses, I had one of Adrian’s basses a few years ago and true workmanship…

do talk to me if there is leeway with the price though… 😉

26 minutes ago, TheLowDown said:

I quite like the Harley Benton B550FL for about £148.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_550fl_bk_progressive_series.htm

Is this an "Ibanez design"? I don't know what is meant by that.

I guess I would consider that design to be more modern… I have looked at those…. I even started looking at the stuff on Aliexpress…. Never bought a guitar from there but perhaps with some fettling, it could be good??

It is a weird statement - Ibanez design… I just mean a more modern style design… I guess the best thing to say is either jazz or musicman styling….

30 minutes ago, ead said:

 

Interesting questions.  There are certainly plenty of options in that price range both new and pre-loved.  My criteria were broadly sub £1k, jazz bass style, and something I could gig happily (ish) without taking along my treasured ACG fretless bass.  I looked at few Fendery things but they were all boat anchors, a bitsa nice enough but ultimately not quite right and a few things like Ray 34s - but I have a mixed relationship with Stingray style basses.

 

I took the plunge despite the lack of love on the interweb as for the price the spec looked good with quality hardware etc., and I knew it would be a good modding platform.  When the bass turned up I was delighted it with every aspect with the exception of the ultra hot preamp.  In went the J East Jazz Deluxe preamp I had in the drawer and that was transformational.  It's a cracker now and I not touched anything else on it at all.  It is a bass that is always on the stand in the practice room and that gets taken to rehearsals and will be gigged.  I suspect a passive Kiogon loom would be another option as it sounds good with the preamp by-passed.

 

The neck is outstanding, very like my Sandberg bass.  Tuners, bridge and p/ups are of good quality too.  The pickguard tort is a bit red and at some point there's a possibility it may become BWB but that's not near the top of the wish lit atm.

 

@mr zed of this parish came around to try it out and we were able to AB it with his MIJ Will Lee Sadowsky; it faired very well.  Mr zed has subsequently bought one himself I believe.

 

It's a pity you are so far from here otherwise you'd be most welcome to try it out.  Is there anything else you like to know.

Thanks for the information and it is much appreciated - as well the offer but as you say, a bit far for try...

I will mull things over but I could well plump for one - not sure if they do different colours though?? I'm not a huge fan of black basses... I may contact Warwick and ask if there are more coming in the future...

Thanks again.

17 minutes ago, Joe Nation said:

If you like the HB, is it worth getting a new fretboard made instead?

I did look into that - but it is a trifle heavy and if I am paying someone, I would rather put that money into a newer and hopefully, better quality bass. I did look at doing that myself but time / effort and skill seem to be lacking at something so complex as replacing a fingerboard!

8 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

There is the sadowski, maybe a bit over range:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/sadowsky_metroexpress_21_5_vin_bk_fl.htm

 

or the sire marcus miller, that is 5 string, jazz like, unlined and underbudget

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/marcus_miller_v7_alder_5_fl_awh_2nd_gen.htm

 

The metro express is the one I am definitely considering - the sire is a lined board - they don't do unlined from what I can see which is a shame as I would love an unlined fretless in burgundy mist to match my fretted!  

Possible but honestly not really a fan of Yamaha design if I’m honest… I had a lined TRB yonks ago and that was great, but as I say, after something a bit more jazz / MM looking…

Hi all...

I am after some advice... I recently bought and successfully de-fretted a cheap HB musicman clone - the stealth black one as I have been after a 5 string fretless bass for a while. However, I REALLY want an unlined neck... just looks a bit more 'fretless' to me... anyway... i tried to disguise the infills on wood I glued in but you can still see it is a lined fretless - something I really wanted to avoid... Oh well...

So - I am looking to purchase a mid-range (£500/£600 ish) bass - 5 string unlined fretless. Any ideas anyone? I am much more of a traditionalist so not overly keen on Ibanez style designs and am partial to a Jazz / MM setup... I did look at Sire as I already have a v7 but they only do lined necks... I have been looking at the RSD MetroExpress basses but they had such a bad press on release...

Anyone got some wonderful ideas or anything they might like to sell!? 🙂  

I am considering one of these as I am after a mid-priced 5 string fretless with an unlined neck. I have a Sire V7 which I really like but they only do lined necks in fretless...

@ead - is it worth it? They are around the £650 mark on Thomann... anything else worth considering?