Davo-London

I maybe too late, but you sometimes find folk have rewired the bass and the tone pot is perfectly OK, just some goon as rewired it incorrectly.

Have a look inside!

Davo

I visited this week, which was a real pleasure. Again no photos, so this could could be pure fiction. However, I did have a nice chat with Alex and he got to thrash my 64 Precision. He has a very heavy RH technique does Alex. Goodness me. I'm the opposite - light gauge strings, low action. Alex likes moderate action and "proper" strings that make you work.

Anyways I got to try the:[list]
[*]Super Midget
[*]Super Compact
[*]Big Baby 2
[/list]
I had brought along my tone hammer 500 so there was no lack of power. I liked all three cabs. If I was regularly gigging I would have gone for the BB2, which I thought had the best all round tone. I wasn't getting a lot of subs but there was plenty of clarity and punch across the entire frequency range.

The Super Midget was in contrast equally clear and punchy without the rounded bass of the BB2. You have to see the SM to really believe it's diminutive size. I didn't go mad with the vol controls but there was oodles of capacity for making a nuisance of yourself. I'm not a dirty/pedal/grind merchant and so I was immediately drawn to all the Barefaced cabs for their transparency.

Finally, the Compact not surprisingly sat between the other two with again more rounded and fuller bass than the SM and similar to the BB2 with just a fraction less clarity that the BB2.

So overall for weight, size, power and sound I had to go with the Super Midget - the overall package was amazing. I have to say these were not hi-fi conditions as there was a lot of noise going on in Factory 4 so you can take my musings with a pinch of salt.

Best regards to Alex and the crew
Davo

Yes there is but let's not go there. Suffice to say I will never go to a U2 gig. I can stomach most nonsense but U2 is a step too far.

I can remember another band leader being preachy but I've forgotten who that was. It should get instant boos from the audience IMHO.

Let's get onto something cheery can we?

Davo

My mate went to see U2 this week and Bono did his preach about this and that including bloody sunday and this gig was in London! Not forgetting he is mega-rich and a tax exile. Words fail me. He is the in a league of his own in my humble opinion. I mean the brass neck and shear hypocracy! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Davo

Just listen to the whole session. Really both the band and the bass player are worth a good listen.

Thanks Jules
Davo

Full Ampeg rig obviously and the Precision maybe pre-CBS looking at the neck and headstock,

He has a very unusual RH and LH technique. And he use a plectrum ... ah throw out all the rule books!

Amazing - such a great URBy sound.

Davo

Great bass tone for Jazz. I'm guessing flats with a mid-rich EQ. It works superbly.

Thanks for the youtube reference.

Davo

Masterful Count Bassy.

Query: If a pedal has 2 knobs and say each knob has 10 useful positions then there are 100 combinations of sounds. If the pedal has 3 knobs then there is a 1000 possible sounds. So when I see pedals with 4 or more knobs I lose heart. Just saying.

Davo

The first time I heard Jaco it was on a cassette of Heavy Weather that was lent to me by a school friend. I was 15-16 and had been playing bass for a couple of years. OMG I still remember it to this day. I just couldn't believe it. Loved WR and Jaco instantly. That was about 40 years ago. Saw WR and Jaco about 3 times at Hammersmith Odeon (Apollo).

Happy days
Davo

I keep meaning to visit but haven't made it yet.

Good to hear you've seen some new prototypes?

Davo

Fab review, thanks for taking the time to post it.

Interesting that the 3rd generation Super Midget is able to hold up on it's own. I think if you were able to carry all your rig in one go - you should do it! Just to make the point. No-one will notice but it'll make you feel better!

Regards
Davo

Yes I agree - I noticed that. OMG it doesn't seem to bother him. I'd be surprised if it is intentional though. It may also be recorded at a slight angle and that along with the strings following the neck curvature may equate to what looks like a bigger gap between A and D.

His playing is effortless.

Davo

Maybe we need some instructions and troubleshooting guide?

I tried posting a photo last night and gave up ...

Davo

This is my fav Guy Pratt video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHVqOYjaDI

Davo

I had to get a '64P to cure my need.

Davo

Gilmour's bassist and drummer are exceptional. I agree that the tracks on Jools were so-so.

Nevertheless, you can't get bored with Gilmour - he is a master.

Davo

My own contribution is his drummer, Gary O'Toole, taught me to play drums. So I should be positive but it all sounds so dated somehow. His guitar work is fine but not memorable. I would say that Steve Howe made a greater contribution to the guitar repertoire than Hackett.

But that's just my humble view.

Peace
Davo

Check out the Bare Knuckle sound bites:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=bass&sub=vintage&pickup=60_hf&series=j_bass

Davo

Also note that pre-internet most bassists had 1 or 2 basses.

Post-internet it loos like we have an average of 4!

Davo

I have used professionally speaking 5 basses:

- fretless Jazz/equivalent - for that irresistible tone for use in church music
- fretless Godin A4 - used as the nearest thing to a URB that runs horizontally!
- precision bass - for nearly everything although you need two - one with flats and one with rounds
- jass bass/equivalent - for those moments when you need to push the envelope

That's 5 basses

That's all I need.
Davo

My list, which I iterate is about the bassists that I really enjoy:

- Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report)
- Bruce Foxton (The Jam)
- Percy Jones (Brand X)
- Linley Marthe (Zawinul Syndicate)
- Sting (Police + Sting)
- Chris Wolstenholme (Muse)
- John Burke Shelley (Budgie)
- Chris Squire (Yes)
- James Jamerson (various)
- Bernard Edwards (chic)

That's my starter for 10.

Davo

Had you thought of other tweaks?
[list]
[*]Could do a 50-57 headstock (lighter - reducing neck dive)
[*]Vintage bridge (cos they're better)
[*]You sure you want ash/maple? That maybe rather nice but might be a bit trebly?
[*]Gotoh - Res-o-lite machine heads? (Cos they reduce neck dive)
[/list]
Just thinking ...

Davo

Project bass?

Buy body and neck off ebay and then add components as you like?

Lots of black bodies available from £50 to £200 depending on wood etc. Select a neck of your choice and then enjoy creating your version of Walters bass. I like someone's idea of bare knuckle pickups too.

Davo

I replaced the Bridge on a 76 Precision with a Badass II back in 1979. Then in 2004 I did an A/B comparison and found the difference was small but I preferred the Fender!

It's not worth doing, the original design is fine.

Davo