Kongo

[quote name='XB26354' post='465719' date='Apr 18 2009, 12:07 AM']One other important factor I forgot to mention - strings! I have used DR HiBeams for about 7 years now and they have the best sounding B I've come across. I tried tapered strings and while there is definition, the meat of the string is missing, plus palm muting is really difficult...[/quote] I'll second that. I use D'addario as I find they have the best tention foe me and I have used Taperwounds in the past...WHilst they do give more clarity they seem to flop a bit more at the bridge and palm muting is almost impossable. I'm interested in a Stringray 5-string now actually...is the Low-b particularly bad? I've used a Jazz Bass 5-string...in fact it's a squier and the Low-b's not the bad...but again, strings, I did use a .135 non-taper.

ONe of my warm up basses, a Yamaha RBX375 has the action set...quite high...I used to use high action all the time when I didn't need as much speed and didn't tap and when you come down your fingers are too strong so you will build STRONG digits. It's close to half to 3/4 inch off the last fret (24th) and I use it to warm up on because everything else feels so easy afterwards. I Still only use medium-low though...I cannot play if it's too low as like yourself I dig in to hard. I also find for slapping if the action is too low the string doesn;t build up enough velocity before hitting the last fret and doesn't sound as big. So I'm kinda in between. Think my P-bass has the lowest action so far but that's a given and even that's higher than most do. Can still play Billy Sheehan stuff on it fine.

I used a Traben Array 5-string LTD in my band for a time. We were doing stuff between Prog and Mathcore and it certainly cut through! It's got a MM humbucker @ bridge and Sopabar at the neck. Didn;t like the feel though but it certainly cuts through. I don't use it no more and it collects dust...unfortunatly.

[quote name='Bobo_Grimmer' post='479244' date='May 4 2009, 07:14 PM']Hello dude, That was an interesting read Love to see a pic of the 6 string. Glad to hear your wanting a trace. Many hug's. [/quote] Thanks man...Not too good at introductions...or short ones...LOL! I'll post pics of all my gear (that I use obviously) eventually. The 6-string looks beaut and plays like it too but doesn't do well in my current band tone wise. It'll be used at home for Primus tunes and self composed tapped songs once I find a suitable band bass. I think it's the last of the Bolt-On BTB's as they are all thru-neck now. As for Trace Elliot...well after trying a slew of amps (currently using a studio's Mark Bass SD800 with a 1x15" and 4x10" cab) the Trace is still for me. Everytime I plug into one I cannot believe the response from the graphic EQ and the way the speakers hold the low end without farting but yet retain clarity. A MUST for 6-string bass. Mark Bass are extremely light...the head weighs less than my Boss ME-50B!!! But I don't like the tone as much as Trace Elliot...or the price!!!

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='462965' date='Apr 15 2009, 01:31 PM']On the cheaper front, the Spector Performers are 35" as are Ibanez BTB. On the higher end of the scale, Mark Pulcinella basses are 35". My observation is that some 34" necks seem longer and less easy to play than some 35". I used to think my old Thunderbird was 35" but it's was a 34". I guess it's to do with the neck's integration with the body, and also neck-dive balance.[/quote] I've played 2 BTB's for a long time. One 6-string and one 5-string and the 5-string is an early BTB. They are very good and have done me well. Problem I have with 35" scale is not enough cover for strings. They do less gauge options in super long scale and most normal long scale won't fit. There is a degree in difference for Low-B in 35" scale but I find 34" scale isn't as bad as some say. The difference isn't felt much by the hands though. My 2nd bass was a 6-string 35" scale and going to that from a Yamaha RBX170 34" scale wasn't as hard as you'd think. So anyone worried about the length affecting them need not to. You hardly feel it. Also got a Traben Array, that's a 35". The only thing you need to watch for is a longer neck = more tendancy to dive. BTB's have HUGE bodies so no pros there but others I've played dive like crazy.

At the moment, and for a few years, I've played Ibanez BTB. Ibanez BTB556MP - Natural Ibanez BTB405QM - Red Trans (even though Ibanez records say it wasn't a finish I'm sure this is stock) My first bass was: Yamaha RBX170 - Played to the ground! 24 frets, PJ pups...does everything you can! Learned everything on this bass from my first Iron Maiden tune to Billy Sheehan to Victor Wooten. Got a Yamaha RBX270 that I lightly modded with a Basslines 1/4 pounder but I never use it if anyone wants it. And a Yamaha RBX 375 which I still use...though not much. Second bass was a Peavey Grind 6 and yes that's a jump from 4-string 34" scale to 6-string 35" scale. Nice bass...not badly built for price but tone heavily woody...Want's to be fretless for sure. Also got a Traben Array 5-string LTD edition with a Spalted Maple top...the spalt is quite picturesque but the bass just wasn;t right for me...More wasted money! Powerful tone though thanks to the EMG style MM humbucker. Needs a new owner actually. Then my Squier 5-string Jazz bass...Bought it cause I never saw a Squier Jazz 5-er before. It's nice and ripe for modding. Then my current favourite my P-bass I put together. The body is from a Squier and NOTHING else is lol! Got DiMarzio Will Power pups, Hipshot tuners, Maple figerboard, Pearl scratchplate, BadAss II bridge and Black controls...Everything else is chrome. I'll post pics sometime it's so loud! So yeah...quite a lot there and not all good...or even being used... I'm thinking about saving up for a Musicman Stringray 5 HH...but it's a lot of money if I grow not to like it over time. Basically I'm tone chasing and GAS doesn't help. These are my BASSES not guitars and what not...there's loads more!

I've been looking at this forum and others for a long time and thought I'd register here. Been on ActiveBass for a long time but it's a little old (if full of informative members) and there's not enough scope for different playing styles. OK here goes: I am 22 years of age. I've been playing for about 7-8 years. I have played in a slew of bands from Funk-core, funk-rock, funk, hard rock and metal. Nowerdays I concentrate on rock and metal from 70's to modern. I was influenced by my dads records, mainly Iron Maiden (whom I still love), Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy but in my teens go into modern metal and have loved it since. I know a lot of people think bass has no place in metal but I disagree and my new band is one example. (ever had a guitarist tell you to turn up even though your loud enough?) From Fear Factory to Sikth to Architects...I even play some Slipknot tunes lol! I just LOVE bass! Bassists I am influenced by include: Les Claypool, Stuart Hamm, Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, Marcus Miller, Phil Lynott, Victor Wooten, Ryan Martinie and MANY more! I am influenced by many styles and other instruments too. I play mainly with fingers using 3 fingers going ring, middle, index, middle (repeat) back and forth. I also slap, double thump, tap and when the time comes, use a pick...It's another tool in my eyes. I'll play anything from a walking bass line to the silliest shred bass, whatever is needed. I don't like to drop-tune much...I find bass strings thick enough and they don't tend to play well de-tuned. I've been as low as F# and TBH anything below B isn't worth it. I have MANY basses...too many in fact. Some good...others not so. My current main bass is an Ibanez BTB556QM, a discontinued 6-string partnered with an Ibanez BTB405QM (trans red) which is even older. I love the range and playability of 6-string but my BTB no longer has the tone I need for my band. I have in the past played: Yamaha, Squier, Traben and Fender. I love the Fender feel and comfort but I'd prefere modern pickup systems on em. I currently use a Laney 300 Watt head and Cab but that's soon to change as I'm saving for a Trace Elliot. Basically I'm here to listen, learn and give advice where I can and to buy and sell as need be. I have many basses I don't play any more...Nothing grand but I'm sure someone could use em. I have bought WAAAAAAAAAY too many and still have a lot of luggage to rid of in time. Sorry, there's no Stringrays in there...I wish... So hello guys, I hope I'll be welcome here and er...see you in the forums I guess.