Fionn

OK, so the main issue would seem to be thus ... [quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1390695236' post='2348467'] not too keen on 240v /13amps in a puddle of beer! [/quote] [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1390808051' post='2349621'] Mains leads and pedal power supplies are all fully insulated on the 240V side. The average small amp is full of nice holes that help to keep it cool but will also let in beer and other fluids. [/quote] Fair enough [quote name='krysh' timestamp='1390760943' post='2349175'] it's just not really practical and more dangerous in many ways. don't do it. [/quote] I believe that if a solution was found to the resultant danger of spillage, then it might be worthwhile. If you could expand on the many other ways in which you think it's dangerous, I'm keen to be informed as to what they are. In terms of practicality, having my amp on the board still seems [b]more[/b] practical. In my case, at least. As far as I see it, the pro's and con's in the OP stand. That said, I'm open to be convinced otherwise. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1390757798' post='2349111'] Pedals are usually made to be stood on. If you or another stage person accidentally stands on your amp, then the amp might not be strong enough to cope with the weight & could cause damage to your board, amp & person standing on it. If you build a board with a slot to protect the amp, that would reduce the risks. [/quote] Fair enough, again ... and there's a good solution, no? If I was to make a protective cover to go over the amp, it would protect the amp from being stood on or things falling on it (beer, mic-stands, whatever). I work metal most days of my life (I'm a silversmith), so I could very easily make something functional and appropriate. The amp is small enough that I could build a sleeve around it with a good 3 or 4cm of ventilation space. This could be made of something light and strong (3mm aluminium plate, maybe), rivetted onto the board. I'm still keen to hear valid reasons why this isn't a good idea, practically or otherwise.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1390658873' post='2348017'] what files do you use for the fret ends? I'd really like to do mine. [/quote] This will do your bidding ... [url="http://www.swanseatimber.co.uk/shop//ck-t0124-2-file-needle-no2-flat/prod_2108.html?gclid=CJfo26H9nLwCFeKWtAodEFAAuQ"]http://www.swanseatimber.co.uk/shop//ck-t0124-2-file-needle-no2-flat/prod_2108.html?gclid=CJfo26H9nLwCFeKWtAodEFAAuQ[/url]

There are a few good octave pedals ... and a few shockers. Amongst the good ones that I know of, the Boss OC-2 gets LOTS of love here, the Boss OC-3 less so, but I really liked mine. The tracking is better (and it has a dirt mode, if you like that kinda of thing). The Aguilar Octamizer, MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, EBS Octabass, and EHX Pog/ Micro Pog are all decent and each has their strong points. The best thing to do is check out youtube demo videos of these to help you understand what each can do and what their limitations are. If you can go to a shop and demo them in person all the better. BTW, there are a couple of EBS Octabass pedals for sale on the forum here at the moment for decent money.

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1390728150' post='2348573'] You'd need a very long speaker cable made up. [/quote] Sorted. I've got a 5m speaker cable in a box somewhere. Beer spillage would be a concern, sure ... but with hundreds of £'s worth of pedals on the pedal-board is it not a concern anyway?

I had a thought earlier, about attaching my amp-head to a pedalboard. I'm just wondering if any of you have considered this, have done it, or if you can think of any glaring reason why I should abandon the idea? My amp is a class-D head (GK MB500). It's super light, has a very small footprint, and is slimmer than the average effect pedal. In playing situations I rarely touch the settings on the amp. I'm currently only using 3 pedals, but that will very soon be 5. I'll need to invest in a pedal-board, the size of which will be determined by the outcome of this thought process. Pro's[list] [*]Everything that requires a power source would be in the same place (less faff). [*]The amp would be in the pedal-board case during transportation (better protection than my gig-bag). [*]My cab can tilt-back to 45 degree. I would be able to utilise this feature (better sound). [*]Don't need an additional cable running across the stage for my amp's boost channel footswitch. [*]Keeps things together, less bits all over the place, less cables (tidier/ less faff). [*]Quicker set up time (less faff). [/list] Con's[list] [*]Slightly bigger pedal-board than is strictly necessary (not an issue). [*]Pedal board would need to be modified to include a protective sleeve for the amp, to negate spillage/ impact danger (I can do that, no probs) [/list] I'm editing the pro's and con's as the discussion evolves.

I understand how you feel about fretless. I've seriously considered reverting to my beloved fretless as my only bass. There is nothing that is more joyful (and, as you say, intuitive) to play as a good passive fretless strung with flatwounds. O choin, if only life was so simple. I need a poky-sounding fretted bass, with all the ringing and clang of roundwounds for the music that I'm playing. I also love that bass, but for other reasons. There is a world of difference between the two. Flatwounds sound great on fretted basses too. Put the flats from your fretless onto one of your fretted basses for a sound test, see how you get on and re-string if you like the vibe. It will never come close to the silky smoothness of your fretless though. Keep your favourite fretted bass, sell the Cort and some other fretted gear, then treat yourself to an amazing fretless maybe? ... and you know that you want an amazing fretless ....

Aye, a lot of the clanging and rattling is hidden by other instruments. It doesn't hurt to practice a clean playing technique though. It makes you articulate.

Aye, great stuff. Love the dancing!!! Somebody has put a video together, syncing up Daft Punk to Soul Train dancers. It works so well. Loose yourself to Dance ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBXv37PFcAQ

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1390518197' post='2346472'] I have a MIM Fender Bass VI and it's better made than my 1974 Fender Jazz Bass or any other 1970s Fender i've ever seen. [/quote] That doesn't surprise me. Fenders are such a lottery. In terms of quality, the only consistent is the inconsistency.

Strictly from personal experience ... I've played only two Mexican basses, both jazzes, both pigs of things. I would never think about buying one of these without playing it and looking it over first. That goes for any Fender though.

You'll find this interesting ... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ARZGwfhC_U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ARZGwfhC_U[/url]

The bass player in the picture doesn't get the females only because he plays a drab p-bass. If he played a Warwick he'd be a total flange-magnet.

Light, compact, powerful, good-sounding, value for money ... As a 1-unit solution you could go for the Gallien-Krueger MB212. It puts out a mighty 500w @ 4ohms through its twin 12" neo speakers. Uber-light too. It only weighs 41lbs. Or as somebody mentioned previously, you could go for the MB210 which is even lighter, cheaper, and more compact. It still has the 500w amp, but it's rated at 8ohms, so you'll only get 350w of that from the combo alone.

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1390056527' post='2340977'] [size=4]If you're going to play with drums then go for the bigger set up. The GB stuff, as you say, is being given away at the moment. You will only rattle windows if you turn up. One thing to bear in mind is that if you do commit to a bigger rig you’ll try harder to find some band mates, if only to help justify your purchase and one more Bassist making music has got to be a good thing.[/size] [/quote] Good answer. Your practice amp is not suitable for a band situation. The Genz Benz contour combos are suitable, and when you eventually get into the gigging you can boost the output with an extension cab, if necessary. For £299 these are a bargain. I don't know of anything better and more suited to purpose that you could buy new for that money. I would say go for it!

Check out the Afronauts. I defy anyone to listen to this and not feel the urge to shake it down. SOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! ... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jMq3bIpo0s"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jMq3bIpo0s[/url]

I've been listening to Bootsy Collins at work all morning, working through his early albums, lovin it, and just thought I should post this so other folk might benefit from some bargain Bootsy funk. I bought a box set of his first 5 solo studio albums a while ago. The 1970's stuff, straight off the back of Parliament Funkadelic. A heavy host of p-funkers play on these albums, Clinton production, groovelicious stuff! Anyway, the box set costs less than £15 delivered That's less than £3 per album. Yeah baby ... [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Album-Series-5-Pack/dp/B003097AFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389788685&sr=8-1&keywords=bootsy+collins"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Album-Series-5-Pack/dp/B003097AFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389788685&sr=8-1&keywords=bootsy+collins[/url]

My first bass was a Sunn Mustang P-bass copy. Obviously not the Strat that you're asking about, but this info might give you some kind of impression ...It was a surprisingly nice feeling bass, great neck, solid wood body. I sanded it down and found that it was three pieces of a light and relatively soft wood. These instruments were made in India. There's some kind of Fender association although I'm not sure what it is exactly. Someone will probably be along to clarify.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1389623212' post='2336200'] Seeing the above, here's another fretless beaut, that may not be to everyone's taste: I've just done it up as a refin and done a build diary, if anyone's interested its [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/225195-wishbass-refinrebuild/page__st__30"]here[/url] The body is poplar with "go faster stripes" in purpleheart. The bridge and nut are new and made of ebony. [/quote] Oooof! that's lovely!

Hmmm. I'd be miffed too. It's a bad show, if their website is still stating the lighter weight and Italian manufacture. naughty naughty

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1389292960' post='2332533'] Too high and it looks like you're stroking your beard, too low and it looks like you're scratching your nuts. [/quote] Brilliant!!! High slingers = Beard strokers low slingers = Nut scratchers Anyone in the middle is either a beard scratcher or a nut stroker!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1389484465' post='2334776'] I also recommend the Jazz Bar. Lots of Jazz and lots of other stuff too.[/quote] +1 It's on Chambers Street, same street as the National Museum of Scotland. That's well worth a look too. Entry to the museum is free and it's AMAZING.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1389488742' post='2334826'] i know i over post music. but i will say hands down this is the best soul album i have ever heard. they are so so good. from NewYork, without doubt my number 1. the harmonies are just fabulous, the bass playing, the horn section. [/quote] You don't post too much music for me dude. You've got really good taste. I love the Rebirth