bassbora

How old is the bass? If not sure you can see it from the serial number. I have both a 5 and 6 string Thumb 89 and they have EMG and Barts. They both have just bass and treble (no mids) so yours sounds a like a newer model. So I dont know if the following is applicable for yours or not. The Thumbs with Barts used to have Bart preamp (almost sure about that) and in the control cavity you could change some frequency settings in there. Its just a small pot you change with a screw driver. But maybe this is just something to change the mids and since your bass has 3 band Eq it wont have this option. Maybe worth a look inside it. I have read somewhere that this minor change can drastically change the sound of the bass. Never changed mine since I have always been happy with the sound.

Whats your budget? Do you have any fav shapes (Fender/Stingray etc) or pickup config (P or JJ)?

[quote name='M-Bass-M' post='850543' date='May 28 2010, 06:56 PM']You know what, I did see that Warwick and was very tempted! As you say, it looks like a great price, but I think for me it's the wrong time. I'm pretty sure that there's a Squire VMJ fretless at my local music shop, and possibly a Vintage, so I may see if I can try them out with a view to seeing whether a budget fretless cuts it for me personally. I have to admit that there seems to be something special about a Ray fretless - I think I've officially fallen in love with [url="http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=4111"]this[/url]! Bit out of my price range, but if a second hand one came available... While we're on the subject of fretless, my experience is that there seem to be more 5-string than 4-string fretless basses. Why the love for the fretless low B string? Also, what views do people have on fretboard woods? My preconception is that rosewood is better than either Maple or Graphite, on account of it having a warmer tone. Finally, many of you have recommended Jazz style basses - be they Fender, Vintage, or otherwise. Now I can't help but think that the Jazz suffers from the Jaco effect, and that other style basses are equally suited (if not more) to fretless. For those of you who have played both Jazz and non-Jazz fretless basses, what are your thoughts? Does the Jazz win out?[/quote] Sorry for the late reply but I just wanted to answer your question about 5 string. I have been playing 5 string for around 14 years or so. I found the range just more flexible and I played more vertically rather than horizontally. I also have been playing Thumbs and they are 26 frets. I used to play quite a lot of jazz and I found that range would suit both for walking bass lines and then to be able to solo up in higher register. I had always wanted to see how a fretless Thumb 6 would be in that setting and to me its just perfect. I know its all just personal preferences but it just suited my style of playing so well. And playing a 6 string enhanced the vertical playing even further (more string crossing though) and gave me more options for solos as well. With a 6th string, the tone can be is very singing like so it does not sound like a bass at all and more like a wind instrument to my ears. Sorry for the rant but hope it answeres some of your questions and gives you possibly some more options to think about when you choose your fretless.

What is your budget? I seem to be replying to every thread on this board today recommending Warwicks. Thumb and Streamer Stage 1 or 2 are great. They are not going for too much used. They might be outwith your budget I dont know. When I bought my 5 string I looked around for a used bass because I felt I could get a better instrument for my budget than buying a new one of lesser quality for the same amount. There are loads of good basses for sale on this forum so you might find a bargin here. But I would just keep my mind open, read reviews, try as many as you can in shops and make the final decision on that. You might also want to think about if you dont like the bass how easy will it be to resell it. If you be something not so main stream you might find it more difficult to sell. Hope this helps at all reading it back feels like its not really answering anything.

You should be able to find a used Warwick Thumb or Streamer stage 1 for that price. I have both 5 and 6 string Thumb and I personally love them to bits. Some people find them heavy and maybe not everybodies taste but a Streamer Stage1 should be up there as well.

I could not resist to add to this thread. Have you maybe considered a Warwick? Did you see the Streamer going here and its now on Ebay for £700. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=87914"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=87914[/url] I dont know this guy at all but I have been playing Warwick Thumbs for 15 years or so and I can not recommend Warwicks highly enough. I listened to the sound clip the guy put on and this bass sounds lovely. I think the price for that Warwick is a steal and if it was a 5 or 6 string I would have bought it myself. I used to have a 4 string Stingray. Lovely instruments but since I was hooked on the Thumb body shape that Stingray never had a chance also I prefer 5 and 6 strings. But if you are still thinking about buying a bass for up to £800 you can get some serious instruments here on the forum. I would be quite interested to hear what you will go for in the end. Cheers

Well funny to see this song here. Brings back the memories. Bought the cd back in '90 as a teen and rocked out to it. I have to say I think this transcription is all wrong. The notes might be right (cant be bothered to check but I did plug the bass and dug out the cd) but the tab is all out of place. Also the indication that this song has one note sharp is on the wrong line (sorry cant remember all the theory names for this) but this is indicating that this song is in G (1*#) which should be the F# but it does not indicate F. But anyway. Warrant tuned down 1/2 step on this album (cant comment on any other since I only bought this one) like so many bands do. From that time I can mention Guns N Roses and Alice in Chains to name but 2 big ones. There is no low D in this song so the lowest note is the open E (Eb) when you tune down 1/2 step. I would forget this tab and tune the bass down and just use your ears. Good practice if you like. Hope this makes sense but I felt like i had to comment on one of the old songs I used to rock out to as a teen. And also I would just echo what the two guys recommending reading say. I have been playing 20 years and learning to read is the best thing I did. You can learn more difficult songs easily. Thats how I got Jaco and Jamerson nailed. Can not recommend reading enough. Cheers

[quote name='JPS' post='828579' date='May 5 2010, 04:02 PM']Have children and a poorly paid job. Has done the trick for me.[/quote] One of the best replies I have seen ever. So true

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='787477' date='Mar 26 2010, 11:02 PM']It might be one of transistors that doesn't work as it should or a capacitor that is at the end of its lifetime. I'll be happy to have a look for you if you want. Please feel free to send me an email (the address is in my signature).[/quote] Thanks for the offer. I might look into fixing it in the next few months so I might get in touch then. Cheers

I have an old Sadowsky outboard preamp which I bought in '95. I stopped using it probably 10 - 12 years ago after buying a Warwick which I felt didn't need the preamp. I recently plugged it in and it was not amazingly sounding like it was before but had kind of buzzing sound. Does anyone have any idea what might be the problem? I have in the passed fired off one or two questions to Sadowsky and got a quick reply from Roger himself so maybe I should just be doing that but I thought I might see if anyone has come across similar problem with effects or preamps which have been lying around unused for few years. And yes I did put in a new battery. Cheers