Soulfinger

Enough with the pleasantries - what basses did you buy and where are the pics?

[quote name='51m0n' post='523492' date='Jun 25 2009, 12:59 PM']However I think if I don't get it for definite after this one I'm out of energy to continue endlessly putting in week after week of really full on practice unless I'm in the band. What would you lot do?[/quote] If they still can´t make up their mind after two auditions I´d let it go. They should know enough about you and your playing by then to decide whether you´re in or not (unless it´s a clever plan to train a bunch of subs to fall back on in case the new bassist doesn´t cut it ).

Peter Gabriel - Digging in the Dirt. Quintessential 5-string performance, one where the low B-string is an integral part of the song.

[quote name='LeftyJ' post='519615' date='Jun 20 2009, 10:16 PM']What's your opinion on the effect on the tone? I hear some bassists who think the somewhat bell-like resonance of the bridge cover influences the resonance of the body and is picked up by the pickups, but most think that's pure rubbish and you can't hear a difference. And there's also bassists who say the pickup cover influences the flux and magnetic field of the pickup.[/quote] Can´t say I hear a difference in the amplified sound. Unplugged however, my P is noticeably louder with the covers on. They seem to act as some kind of resonance chamber. It´s not a huge difference but I can hear myself better when practicing in front of the TV .

[quote name='Rich' post='518287' date='Jun 19 2009, 01:32 PM']Pretty much everything Bernard Edwards ever played.[/quote] Beat me to it. Also Paul Jackson had such a unique feel that´s impossible to get for me.

Sorry for the delay - here´s what he did (it´s in German but at least it has a link to the buffer schematic): [url="http://klaas.homeip.net/wb/pages/diy/amps/ashdown-little-giant-350.php"]http://klaas.homeip.net/wb/pages/diy/amps/...e-giant-350.php[/url] Hope this helps!

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='515578' date='Jun 16 2009, 07:39 PM']I feel such a twit - I've owned 3 basses that were ex-John Entwistle and parted with them... ...a 1966 slab bodied P-bass (£165)... ...Wish I could press the re-wind button.[/quote] Damn!!! I´m sure you do. That one would be on my list, along with the P basses of George Porter, Freddie Washington and Raphael Saadiq. Failing that I´d gladly take over WaterOfTyne´s collection.

[quote name='samej' post='512043' date='Jun 12 2009, 01:44 PM']I have a LG 350. Sound wise it is fine .... My only problem is it's lack of volume.[/quote] According to a German amp tech who has one, the LG´s pre amp is a little bit on the weak side and doesn´t fully take advantage of the power amp´s capabilities. He built himself a booster to go between pre and power amp and says it´s much louder now. Please don´t expect me to go into any more details, I know nada about that kind of thing.

Graham Maby (Joe Jackson).

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='493168' date='May 20 2009, 01:20 PM']Years ago when I bought my first LMII from Electromusic in Doncaster, the guy handed me a Sandberg to try the amp with and I turned my nose up at it. Boy was I surprised when I plugged it in and played it - it was fantastic and I've wanted one ever since. A coupla weeks ago I bought this off another BCer and I love it - it's a superb bass. Hope the person who took the photo doesn't mind me using it. [/quote] Wow, that is sexy! I´ve played a couple Sandbergs and liked every one of them. The California PM is probably my favourite.

[quote name='bumfrog' post='485124' date='May 11 2009, 04:14 PM']i'd also take an acoustic guitar over a bass in that situation.[/quote] + 1.

With 4 grand you are entering Fender Custom Shop territory. That´s where I´d go with that kind of money, although I admit you´d probably be better off elsewhere if you are set on active electronics. Sadowsky?

Mexican Fenders still are a bit hit and miss, and most shops obvioisly don´t feel the need to adjust them to be actually playable. But IMHO they made a big step forward with the 2009 updates. I especially like the improved shielding on the new MIM Standard Jazzes - they are dead quiet even in single pickup mode (unlike their American siblings ). The new look and the maple board options are nice too.

FWIW, since this year Mexican Fenders are available with a maple board as well. And bloody nice they are too.

I had a passive Rockbass Corvette (until I decided I no longer need a fretless bass). Apart from the silly plastic adjust-a-nut it was a very good bass (and I´m not fond of Warwicks really). Much more growl and mwah and character than all the other basses around that price range (including Fender). Very well made too and less than half price compared to the big W Corvette. If you like it, go for it.

Well, it´s about time you browse another manufacturer´s page, don´t you think?

Bernard Odum - bass player with James Brown before Bootsy. Played some groundbreaking and seriously funky stuff in the 60s, but Collins got all the credit... Wilbur Bascomb - incredibly creative guy who is responsible for the über-groovy bass lines on the original "Hair" movie soundtrack, Andy Bey´s "Experience and Judgment" and Jeff Beck´s "Wired" album. Byron Miller - top flight session player in the 70s, played with everyone from George Duke to Herbie Hancock. Freddie Washington - "Forget Me Nots", "Just Around the Corner"... nuff said.

[quote name='urb' post='474619' date='Apr 28 2009, 10:52 PM']I left most of the controls flat by the way.[/quote] Just curious: Did you have the filters (VPF and VLE) off? "Flat" with these controls is all the way counterclockwise - both on will wreck your sound.

[quote name='JPJ' post='470484' date='Apr 23 2009, 12:07 PM']I have tried most of the string tension ideas on my 34" Fender Jazz V and my home built PV with some success, but the biggest secret to a good 'B' string tone is pickup height. Too close to the string and it sounds thin and weedy, too far away and it sounds quiet but flabby. I'd recommend that you play about with the height of the pickups before you go to the expense of changing them.[/quote] + 1. Pickup height adjustment is a very efficient way to alter your sound (not only on the B string) plus it won´t cost you anything. A little goes a long way - a half turn may be enough to get you where you want. Rule of thumb: closer to the string - more mids, farther away - more bass.

She´s good. No, strike that, she´s really good. They all are. But I don´t dig the music. Kind of fusion-era Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock thrown into a blender with some prog rock, drum´n´bass, classical and a line of coke. Technically impressive but musically not very interesting to me.

Just got a reply from the seller: Serial # is MN627753 = Mexico, 1996.

Guys, you are making the matter more complicated than it needs to be. It´s a bog-standard MIM, just like the seller states. No mods, no replacements, no false logos, no anything. Why not ask the seller for the serial # - I bet it starts with the letters MN (M for Mexico, N for 1990s). No need for conspiracy theories here.