johnny_b

Wow - you got a serious bargain there - congratulations! - I'm only a bit jealous cos I just paid £549 for one - still its a great little amp. Re the manual - its not hugely informative - You have probably seen you can get it online at Genz Benz. FYI the only thing which wasn't totally obvious (to me anyhow) was that you don't have to have a speaker load on the amp if you want to DI it. J

Fabulous indeed! I love the way he uses just occasional slaps/pops for emphasis in his lines - and as you say, he couldn't be more in the pocket. thanks for the link.

Hi Josh welcome! J

The chance to A/B them is a really good offer - but for those not luck enough to be able to try one first heres my 2 cents. I have a Shuttle 6 and which I use most often through a MarkBass 210. All in all a very light rig. Main bass is a passive Shuker JB with Delanos. The amp seems very well put together, the controls have nice knurled alloy knobs which feel positive with a 'notched' action to them. It is quiet - it has a fan but the noise is not intrusive - similar to a computer fan. The 3 preset signal shapes - bass boost, mid cut, high boost are useful ways to get into a tonal 'area' quickly. The tone controls are clear and straightforward. The semi-parametric layout lets you tune out - or enhance between 150 and 2kHz and is very effective. It is a very clean, transparent sounding amp when you need that, but warms up nicely when you drive the preamp a bit. The headphone and AUX inputs are nice additions if you travel or need a simple practice set up I use it to DI a lot - the pre out does not need a dummy speaker load, which can be handy. I emailed Genz Benz with a question about the unit and got a reply almost straight away from Jeff Gensler himself - so customer service seems excellent so far! I think its best to be a bit more careful in live situations than with old fashioned amps - as its very light it could be dragged off its perch quite easily - if you are in a band where people jump about I would anchor your lead or the amp somehow, to be on the safe side. I haven't owned the amp long enough to comment on reliability. I have not used the optional footswitch, but if you change your sound often in performance, its probably worthwhile considering. I find I don't need it as I can dial in sounds very quickly on the amp if needed. ITS LOUD. but controlled. There is, IMO definitely no lack of bass! My only problem has been with the single tube. The 12AX7 can get some nice overdrive tones - but I have replaced the tube in mine with an old Mullard one - which I prefer. The stock tube is probably fine but I found that at low volumes, if sitting on a cab I would get occasional 'farting' noises - not loud, but noticeable. I took the amp off the cab and the problem disappeared. Figuring this might be microphonic or other tube-related noise, I changed tubes and have had no more problems. I wrote to the Bass Merchant, (who have it at the best price so far as I know) who supplied it and they said that there had been no other reported problems, but changing tubes would not void the warranty, btw. Overall, if you want a versatile modern lightweight amp give it a try - I was all set on a MarkBass but the Shuttle gives me a few more options at a better price. I'll post some clips soon if anyone is interested. J

Congratulations - thats a fine looking bass!

OH NO - just when I thought I had enough gear this comes along...

+1 on the Genz Benz - I have a Shuttle 6.0 and am very happy with it - light as a feather, 12AX7 tube and LOUD - build quality seems good. Couple of nice things - especially if you are used to older style amps; you can DI without a dummy speaker load, plus headphones and aux in are handy - overall well worth a try IMO.

[quote name='JohnSlade07' post='475333' date='Apr 29 2009, 06:25 PM']Has anyone got any good tips for approaching walking bass lines? I'm aware of the following ideas (although I've only touched on the first few so far): 1. Root. 2. Root and fifth. 3. Root, 3rd, fifth. 4. Arpeggios. 5. Chromatic approach notes. 6. Mixture of the above obviously. Apart from these I realise the swing and feel is foremost, just looking for a few more ideas to get my teeth into. I'm odd admittedly, but I find all this stuff fascinating (God I feel ashamed saying that!). Cheers John.[/quote] Great thread - some really useful pdfs - cheers! I wondered - and maybe this is too obvious, but have you gone through walking round some major and minor II V I's as a jumping off point? works for me as a first pass, then thinking about all of that other good stuff, esp yr #5 above to get to the next scale tone - as I say, apologies if this is crass, but nobody seems to have mentioned it. j

Met up today, picked up a nice cab, had a chat - I got to check out a couple of excellent basses too - all good! Thanks Chris J

Nice job - looks great! I'm generally a fan of butterscotch Fenders - but that tone looked well odd - good colour choice. I'm not sure about the whole relicing thing, but it looks like you have done a pretty tasteful job on the brightwork - are you going to do anything else? btw, is it a nitro or poly finish?

Hey Major - welcome! I'm pretty new round here too - but it seems like a good crowd! If you get fed up with that old Jazz I expect someone round here will be willing to take it off you hands...

[quote name='ray_6ao7' post='511060' date='Jun 11 2009, 11:58 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Bass-Guitar-limited-Edition-Blonde-5-string_W0QQitemZ180366645918QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item29feb09a9e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1688|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Bass-Guitar-...93%3A2|294%3A50[/url] title says 5 string but pictures are of a 4 string, it seems a decent price but i'm a bit reluctant to have a bid...what do you guys think?[/quote] The seller has zero feedback, which is a big warning, IMO. It might be an honest mistake putting 5 string in the title - I'd start by sending the seller a message, ask for clarification, plus maybe a few more pix. If you feel its legit and decide to bid and win it, I suggest you pay on collection - I just wouldn't risk sending that much money to a zero feedback seller - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Take care - I bid on something rather rashly - now I'm in a PayPal dispute and its pretty tiresome! J

Answer the call - you have seen the light - do not be deflected by stingrays or other blandishments... From the tone of your post you clearly have a bad case of JAZZ GAS...Best just to give in - you really won't be disappointed! I know I wasn't

[quote name='phsycoandy' post='509444' date='Jun 9 2009, 07:48 PM']I'm liking your taste, she's a beauty, love the Leo Fender thing but like the modern take and sound more that the vintage vibe, hence my RV and Spitfire, active would be a nice addition perhaps, I love the urgency of a few volts behind you! Sweet well done.[/quote] Thanks - I haven't played a Spitfire - heard some good things, though - nice look too - on the electronics, yes, I'll live with the passive set up for now - looking to get a new rig - maybe Markbass or Genz Benz - once I have that sorted, I'll see how everything works together and take it from there - i quite like not having to put batteries into EVERYTHING, though :-) . [quote name='OldGit' post='509467' date='Jun 9 2009, 08:01 PM']Nice one.. Congrats and welcome to the Shukerillos club ..[/quote] Cheers! [quote name='eude' post='509711' date='Jun 9 2009, 11:00 PM']Very nice dude Eude[/quote] Thanks - I'm well chuffed. [quote name='Jobiebass' post='509746' date='Jun 9 2009, 11:39 PM']Not sure on the Bridge but EVERYTHING else looks amazing! That neck looks fantastic!!!!!!! Love the colour too. Id be well stoked with it![/quote] Funny you should mention the bridge - I talked to Jon about it - its a Gotoh - works well enough, but I have a Hipshot fitted on something else, which I really like - I'll wait a bit though. The neck is the best I have ever played, btw.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='509442' date='Jun 9 2009, 07:47 PM']Very nice Johnny..Congratulations bro!!!! Bet it sounds awsome.. And welcome to BC.. [/quote] Thanks guy! - I was looking hard at that Jazz you're selling - man that crack in the finish...how did you avoid extreme violence!!! good luck with the sale, btw - those are sweet basses. j

[quote name='Clarky' post='508801' date='Jun 9 2009, 08:34 AM']Photographed from a distance, one photo only, strap obscures bass, blocks on neck but red body, zero feedback bidder, yeah right [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-USA-w-Bertolini-Pick-Ups_W0QQitemZ250440348457QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a4f687329&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Jazz-Bass-Gui...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url][/quote] I think its [url="http://www.gumtree.com/london/89/38224589.html"]this one[/url] OK caveat emptor and all that - but maybe its just under described - the gumtree add has more pix and a phone number...just sayin' - I don't want it though!

[quote name='OldGit' post='509420' date='Jun 9 2009, 07:32 PM']Snowballs > Hell[/quote] I feel this is a little unfair - remember the guitar uses the HIGHEST QUALITY components- sounds like a bargain to me...best see if I can sell the Shuker quick....

Hi All, Thought I'd share no, show off some pictures of my new Shuker J Bass - made a year ago and for some reason unsold until I got it about a week ago. Many of you will have seen it on Jon's site, but believe me it looks better in the flesh - when I'm not playing it I find myself just looking at it.... [attachment=26801:close.jpg] [attachment=26802:body.jpg] I had been in the market for a Fender 75 reissue Jazz, almost bought a 'Shukified' Geddy Lee from Mark (mcgraham) from here, but played a friend's Shuker and took a chance - though Jon said if I wasn't happy a return would be no problem - but its not going anywhere. Low action, comfortable neck, nice scooped Jazz sound with the 2 pups together - controls are volume, balance tone - passive - I talked to Jon about maybe putting active controls in sometime, but I'm happy for now. The Delanos are fine - output a little lower than I expected, but good tonal range - quite 'hi-fi', which suits me. I really like the vintage vibe of this bass, medium frets, Swamp Ash body - not too heavy, good sustain, great tone, Nitro finish, which Jon said was unusual for him - a very light cream, really - I was going to go for the maple/black block thing, but the mix of white/off white and maple really works for me - if I have not been clear I love this bass...oops - must calm down...anyhow, as a newbie round here, thought I'd best pitch in - btw when searching for this, I pm'd a few people here about potential purchases - everyone was really helpful - so thanks! Bonus : turns out this is number 1 of this shape too - which is somehow incredibly satisfying. [attachment=26805:signature.jpg] All in all, I have had some good chats with Mr Shuker and intend to visit next time I'm up North - great guy to deal with. Another satisfied customer! Now I clearly need a nice, new lightweight rig to do justice to it....