basshead56

Are you using your amp´s effects loop?
why not run the first distortion/fuzz pedal with the rest of your pedals in the effects loop and use the second, thicker sounding distortion through your normal input on the front?
The difference being that the activation of the first shouldn´t really impact on the gain or volume too much, whereas the second (front input) one might increase the gain and overdrive of the amp.
Just a thought as have tried similar with my Rust Ride and Bass Big Muff
Cheers,
Colin

Update.
Ok guys, I am now the proud owner of a wicked if somewhat worse for wear 78!
It sounds great though.
First off, the neck is straight and smooth as the proverbial baby´s.
Frets seem to be in good nick and loads left in em.
No dead spots or buzz of any kind, anywhere.
The paintjob was a little surprising upon opening the case. Was expecting what I saw in the pics (obviously an LED flash camera makes everything look pale and interesting-worked for my ex...baddumm-tsch!) not what I got though- the only Olympic White bit left on her, is on the butt of it above the bridge. The rest has turned to that most interesting of finishes bongwater/nicotine yellow! Always wanted one-it worked for DeeDee and Glen Matlock!
Few nicks and dings, but not as bad as I thought it would be! phew!
Machine heads are tight, no rattles or buzz or anything
Bridge and screws, saddles etc are rustier than the Titanic, but are saveable-unlike the Titanic (had my tech look at her already and he´s going to work on her tomorrow!)

Never mind the aesthetic Bo****ks, Here´s the sound bit.
Tried it out through an Ampeg SVT450 and classic 410He.
Lovely warm, round sound. Sounded way deeper and mellow than I thought-was expecting a more buzzy, twangy EMG sound. nope, pure P bass!
The Jazz pup needs lowering on the treble side as the G string was insanely loud with that pup run solo.
Still trying to decide what I´ll do pup-wise. Since they are not originals, i can strip em out and add either passive Duncans or try and source original 78´s.
Weighs a tonne and think my shoulders have seperated carrying the bloody thing around all day yesterday and today (had to brave icey roads, snow and a total of 13hours on busses-thank god for iPods,newspapers and Guy Pratt´s literary genius!)
Original case included-proper 70´s Fender one with orange plush/felt.

And all for the paltry sum of a cup of coffee, 40 odd euros in travel and 500 euro for the guitar.
i´m well chuffed

I started with a Laney richter rig. it had a 4x10 and a 1x15. I always thought the 15 was a bit flabby.
I then upgraded to a similar setup from Ampeg, but again the 15 lacked depth-at least to me.
I areplaced it with a second ampeg 4x10 and robert turned out to be my mother's brother!
8x10 all the way!!!

I have one of the original pink ones. love it!!!Don´t have another bass that sounds anything like it-even the Dirnt I modded to the same pup spec.
The pickup location and pickguard on this new one look very different. Read somewhere that he made similar mods to the one he actually uses. Think he reversed the pickups or something?
like the 70´s kind of headstock too.
Interested to hear what they sound like and how much more expensive they will become!

Hi Thorny.
Thought I´d ask you first, before starting a thread, as you seem to have a fairly comprehensive knowledge of Trace gear.
I had a Trace amp last year but couldn´t figure out what model it was.
It was an 8x10 combo (very old). All original drivers were there. The head section had the familiar Trace faceplate, big red and green knobs, eq,- GP11 written on it and a UV unit. I thought GP11 was a preamp, not an amp?
The cab didnt have any red lines or any other unique Trace features, but did have the chrome speaker brackets (4 per speaker- Hall if I remember right).
Anyways, Do you know what model this was? its killing me trying to figure it out.
Cheers,
Colin

Looks good to me.
If you can get that for under 500, I rekon you are doing quite well indeed!
Get a black p/guard though-if you´ve got a black P bass with maple board, you HAVE to get a black guard too!!!
Best of luck.

thanks lads for all your input.
Yeah, the battery compartment under the bridge is my only real concern.
It´s actually very close to the 500pound mark, which I don´t see as being extortionate.
And yeahBurritobass I do have a thing for 78 P basses - the very first bass I ever saw, touched or played was a 78-my mates dad´s one when I was a kid.
I plan on maybe un-doing the jazz pup from the wiring and just leaving it in the body (not a huge fan of the PJ config). But thats after I have a whirl on it and see how it all sounds and feels of course.
Cheers guys

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What do you guys think?
Does it look all there?-aside from the mojo and EMG'ing thats gone on.
From the picks I gather it is all proper anyways (78)
I hope to pick it up on Monday, and it won't be costing the world, by any means.

[quote name='Andy Blowers' post='683021' date='Dec 13 2009, 02:33 PM']Marshall VBA 400 for me now... Sounds even better. The Ashdown cabs are going soon...[/quote]

+1
Just got a VBA400 and VBC4x12 and love em. Stands up to my old SVT in a BIG way, and weighs less!
just wish I could have a second VBC4x12!!!

bought one in Dawsons when i was in Liverpool last month.
There are 5 or 6 in the amplug range. The bass one comes in a slightly larger packcardboard and plastic package, which has a bright red background (the guitar ones are typical vox blue/green cardboard backgrounds)and has the word BASS in bold red/white below where it says VOX.
Great idea but you really need a decent set of headphones with good low end response. I´ve blown two pairs of em so far.
Still, in terms of the actual unit, keep the gain down and the volume up and your in decent sounds-ville.
it has an aux in for connecting your mp3 or whatever too, so you can play along to songs and all that.
There re also effects but again, pretty pointless really, unless you have AMAZING headphones.
It cost me 38pounds, which isnt incredibly cheap considering Fender and Dean have pelt pack versions for around 25pounds, but I like it cause its small and plugs straight in.

Definately try and get a look at
1) Dean stylist
2) Eastwood Classic 4 (very similar to Gretsch in looks)

Have played both and really liked them.
I´m a big fan of the 335-type body (pure Chuck Berry!) so the Classic 4 wins on looks for me. great woody sound with a tiny top end bite. great for pick playing!
But if you come across the ltd edition Cabbie version of the Stylist-happy days. The PERFECT rockabilly bass (guitar). They sound lovely and warm and also are great for pick playing.

Thanks very much for that Gareth, very much appreciated.
I have been looking at some of the options from Thomann in the last day or two.
I may be up around your neck of the woods early in the new year (like every second person in the South, )
Thanks a million
Colin

Hi Paulie,
I am in Ireland too and would be interested in this.
If the deal with Beedster don't work out, let me know. Cheers,
Colin

Hi guys.
Been offered a true/proper 1978 Fender P in faded oly white.
Lovely bass.
Only problem is the owner EMG´d it and modded it. He fit a battery box, new knob on the pickguard and an EMG jazz pup in the bridge.
Im much more a fan of the vintage P bass sound (and single P pup), so is it possible to return it to the state it left the factory in (glorius)?
Could just refuse, put im a sucker for a good priced oly white/black Gaurd/rosewood-boarded 70´s Precision

Thanks Jake.
After reading some posts from other BC users, I will definately take your word for it.

May I ask if you know of anything somewhat similar but less pants sounding?
Many thanks
Colin

Thanks Jez.
You´re spot on though, as the one I started on was pretty crap. I was lucky it had strings!
Managed to somehow sell it though and did alright on the price I got for it
I only want something I can abuse in a rockabilly type context-slap and twang and all that.
If its pretty light, even better.
Just kinda liked the look of this one.

I have two B series 4x10 Hlf´s (one is a BSE)
Both are 4ohm.
I love them, they are fantastic cabs.
The BSE sounds a little clearer in the top end department.
Both handle 5 string very well and loads of thump out of them in all ranges.
I got the hlf´s because I wanted to bring down the imp. to 2ohms to get the most out of my B500DR head.
I have to say that they are great value for money!
Havent had a single problem with either. I also have a classic hlf and there honestly isn´t any difference between the BSE and it. Though my classic HLF is asian made and the BSE is US made so build quality may be a factor there, though not positive about that, as I´ve never played a US made Classic HLF.
Either way, I can´t fault them. just wish there was a B 1x18 40hm cab

Hi all.
looking to upgrade my DB and a mate sent me this link
Aesthetically its pretty much what Im after but anyone know anything more about these?
Thanks

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Double-Bass-red-with-white-flames-3-4-size-new_W0QQitemZ370303195565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments?hash=item5637ca59ad"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Double-Bass-red-with...=item5637ca59ad[/url]

Apologies for that.
My inner nerd thought it was hilarious!
I shall stick to reading comics in my own time and watch The Big Bang Theory instead

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='681938' date='Dec 12 2009, 09:20 AM']I don't usually like that sort of thing, but it's so tastefully done that it's seriously cool. Well done! [/quote]

+1

Also, coulda been made a hash of-good thing you didn´t use Jean Grey!

Seriously though, that looks very cool!
A mate once did something similar with his black ray. He put the white spider logo off the venom/spiderman black costume on a 3ply black pg.
Looked great, but I have to say, your one is much better!
Good job!

Hi,
I bought a Gibson Thunderbird Studio V. When I got it, I didn´t like the whole low B thing, found it too deep and dark sounding for the stuff I play with the bands.
So I decided I´d restring it and go with a High C instead. Asked the tech if I´d need a new nut/where do i get a Hich C string?- and he kinda laughed and said get a set of D´Addario 6 string bass and only use the first 5.
He was bang on-no messing with the nut required.
Didn´t need any real tweakng of the truss rod either- was pretty much ready to go straight away (though he did set it up anyway after that)
Hope that helps

Thanks guys for all your help.
Being the curious young soul I am, I drove to the other side of the country (CO. Wexford) with two Marshall guitar halfstacks (we had a gig on Sat in Cork) on Friday afternoon
Took forever to find my way to the place where the VBA400 was. GPS was no help at all! Pulled into a lare, scary farmyard (was dark by 4.30) and was greeted by a this bloke´s younger brother (who was the one that the swap was to benefit) who ushered me toward a porta-cabin-esque building which had the lights on. Walked up the steps (fashioned from breezeblocks) and there she was, A VBA400 atop a VBC4x12, atop what looked like the bottom half of a cab case (on castors)
Plugged in my 78 P, let the valves warm up (all present and correct), clicked standby and had a noddle-a life changing moment!
Gorgeous tone!!!
I was sold after about 5 mins!
He powered up the TSL and was happy (he didnt seem to know much about these amps).We agreed the deal, I declined the offer of a cup of tea, went back out to the portacabin, put my bass in the case and took it to the car. I came back and he had put the cab AND head into flight cases, not covers! Proper cases, made for the head and cab! The TSL didnt even have covers.lol.
getting them into the Megane was a pain, but well worth it and driving down the laneway on the way out, i got that feeling I sometimes get when i know I´ve done better out of a trade than the other bloke-get "outta there before they realise they´ve made a huge mistake!"
Gigged it saturday and did not want to get off stage after, I´m in love.
Everyone should have a VBA400 (and 2 roadies!!!)

Now looking for a 2nd VBC4x12!!!

Here goes:
Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year. I´ve been nice to my family, I´ve been kind to my girlfriend, I´ve eaten all my greens and even done the washing up. I´ve walked my dogs every day, I´ve not bought as many basses or amps as last year and I´ve only smacked my guitarist twice.
I hope you think that i have been good.
For christmas, i would like:
a Kate Beckinsale (ala Underworld) (I know another boy asked for her already, so if you can´t get her, I would be happy for Jenna Jameson)

a book on introducing the above to a relationship, for my girlfriend (but I am only good with Lego manuals at christmas)

a Fender Coronado II (In CAR)

Some nice Twin pups for my Double Bass

another Marshall VBC4x12 (my VBA400 would be much cooler if it was running through 8x12 at 2ohms and the other boys would be jealous)

a Marshall Powerbrake for my VBA400

A new Ampeg SVT CL VR and 8x10VR

An Ampeg Baby Bass

A Gibson SG Junior guitar in polaris white wth black pg

A remote control that turns guitar amps down

And for my stocking, some cds, some EHX pedals, a Retroman LOLA pedal and an original Korg G5

Thank you santa,cant wait for Christmas morning!!!

[quote name='William James Easton' post='673017' date='Dec 3 2009, 11:51 AM']ken casey hardly plays a note live with the dropsh*te murphys whilst singing! not saying i could do it but if you listen live it can be pretty ropey, that said he has some good lines on the old LP's there.[/quote]


Well, I´ve not had a chance to see them live yet. Been listening to them for years and like most of the albums (earliest ones are pants though!)
Having said that, our guitarist saw them in Dublin last year and said pretty much the same-bass was missing for half of it, so your probably spot on there

If you are going to use any store-bought guitar cleaning agents/polish, stay away from anything that isn´t Martin!
Our guitar tech (who´s about the same age as the sun) swears by it and wont use anything else as, apparently
it is the only one around that doesn´t have even a trace of detergent in it. This is harmful to lacquer, especially older or thinner finishes.
Oh, and it shines up anything a treat!