gjones

Hmmmm, sound engineers do tend to put a lot of compression on bass. That's ok with the louder stuff but the last time I D.I'd and just used monitors onstage to hear myself there were no dynamics. However quietly I played all I could hear was bass guitar drowning everything else out. Of course that may have just been the sound guy being a bit heavy handed with the compressor but I do like a bit of control over my level onstage.

Yes I know exactly what you mean. One fell out of the machinehead of my Schecter about 15 yrs ago and I've never been able to find one that fits in any hardware store. The good news is that the screws from my Geddy Lee Jazz (which I believe has vintage style tuners) do fit the Schecter so they must be a standard size. I have an American friend who is an engineer (he builds simulated robot insects for Edinburgh Uni......somebody has to I suppose?) and after telling him of the problems I've had finding a replacement he has recently made it his sole object in life to find a screw that fits. After measuring them in minute detail he's now in the process of ordering them from the states. So IF they fit I will give you the correct size to ask for. Hopefully my long search will be over.

I always prefer to be on the hi-hat side of the drummer because usually thats the direction the drummer is facing most of the time and you can catch their eye easier for stops, starts, dynamics etc. Which means I mostly listen to the snare and hi-hat more than the bass drum. With most drummers I've noticed that they tend to sync their bass drum pattern to the bass line anyhow - except for the dodgy drummers I've played with over the years who tend to go off on their own tangent. By the way, I was just reading some previous comments and my idea of hell is to play with a drummer like Keith Moon who just wants to solo his way through a song. I don't know how John Entwistle didn't end up just thumping him. When Kenney Jones joined he must have thought he'd died and gone to heaven (no offence intended to Mr Moon......but his drumming sometimes sounded like a drumkit being thrown down a flight of stairs).

For the discerning bassist looking for that Road Worn look.

I always thought of Jazz basses as having a thin middy tone, more suited to soloing or snapping and popping than driving a rhythm section. Although I loved the look of them, I would never have actually bought one as they just weren't suitable for my style of bass playing. Then one day I went to audition for a band and the singer had his Squier Jazz Bass at the rehearsal room (one of the early 90's ones made in Japan) so instead of using my own bass I used his and to my surprise the sound was deep and punchy and clear and not at all the weak and nasal sound I was expecting (despite having 100 year old rotosounds on it). Next thing I knew I was on Ebay and bidding for a 2006 Geddy Lee some guy in California was selling for £320 (that was in the good old days when you could get $2 for £1). The only thing I think that could improve a jazz bass is if they had a knob that would allow you to blend the the input from the two pickups together rather than two volume knobs which would make it easier to adjust your sound onstage. Maybe there is an upgrade available already? If there is let me know, it would make a Jazz the perfect bass.

Looks like there's a brand new lifeform evolving under that bridge cover.

If you want something.........weird? This lot will probably do it for you [url="http://www.greasygroove.com/jbasspickguards.php"]http://www.greasygroove.com/jbasspickguards.php[/url] Pimp up your bass!

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='812025' date='Apr 19 2010, 10:41 PM']Thanks, that's a really kind offer! Unfortunately I'm in Edinburgh but one day in desperation I may well take you up on that, I do have family in Lincoln/Louth which looks like it's not too far from you. I have Black Beauties on mine at the moment which are probably not the best choice for what I'm after. I believe he used Rotosounds (which I hate the feel of but would be prepared to suffer for that tone!). Even left on for months and months his strings still had a phenomenal amount of snap and grind which makes me think there was something inherent to that bass (and the similar active one that I mentioned). On my previous basses Rotosounds would sound dead within about 2 weeks, though I've not tried them on this one.[/quote] Well I don't like the feel of Rotosound Swing Bass strings either when new but they make a huge difference to the sound when I put them on my Jazz Bass. I originally bought it strung with Ernie balls and they give it a smoother sound but when I string it with Rotosounds it really comes to life. Strange thing is I can only really get that growly aggressive sound when the strings have been played for a while. When they're new they're all bass and treble (and as you say feel horrible). So before you go out and buy new pickups try it with a set of Rotosounds. You may get the sound you're after.

[quote name='El Bajo' post='812266' date='Apr 20 2010, 09:43 AM']I find if I EQ my Markbass CMD 121H to how I like my bass to sound it just doesn't cut through, yet if I adjust it while the band is playing during sound check to get the levels right its sounds really good. However when I play the adjusted EQ without the band it sounds terrible on its own. Strange.[/quote] +1 I know the feeling It's weird, when I tell other musicians that a good bass sound on stage, when the band is playing at a decent volume, is a VERY difficult thing to achieve.......they look at me as if I'm an idiot. But sound engineers know exactly what I mean. It depends as much on the acoustics of the room as it does on the sound coming from the speakers.

I'm waiting until they bring them out in sunburst. They've brought out the Fiesta Red Precision so I reckon it's a sunburst Jazz next.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='811964' date='Apr 19 2010, 09:53 PM']Ooh, I see you've got the TV 15 listed in your gear. What's it like? I don't need one, but they are uber-cool! [/quote] Well, I've only recently had it delivered and have only been able to play it live at a decent volume a couple of times with a band. The EQ is very different to what I've been used to and I'm still learning which settings work and which don't - the Ed Freidland video explains that quite well [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93b2V7ymf8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93b2V7ymf8[/url] . It has a very vintage, rootsy, bluesy, Motown-ish sound which personally I really like but which may not appeal to others who may like a more versatile type of amp. I'll post a review at some point when I get to know it a bit better. The downside is, it's VERY heavy.......with just one handle. But the upside is..........IT'S COVERED IN TWEED!!!!!! (and makes a very nice bedside table).

Ooooh.... Y'know, I know I shouldn't. I've got a very nice Jazz Bass already. And anyway I've always hated all that fake relic business. And I've already set my mind on buying a Ray 34 next month. But....... It would look awfully nice sitting next to my Bassman. Get behind me satan.

I have a Geddy Lee and It has a very in your face funky 70's sound. I've tried the Road worn as well and it has a much warmer 60's sound. Both are very nice basses but I agree with the Prev post that the necks on Geddy Lees are a bit sensitive to temperature, which, if you like a low action, can result in the notes choking (which can be a pain in the butt if you're in the middle of a gig).

I've had two guitars stolen from me in the past and both of them turned up for sale at my local pawnbrokers 12mths later. I wouldn't have a problem buying stuff from places like cash converters but I'd be afraid that one day the guy it probably got nicked from would see me up on stage with his guitar and want it back.

I'm in two bands at the moment (one more active than the other) but I have been in your situation before. When I was bandless I kept the faith and guess what a band came calling. If you've been in the same band for 10 years you obviously know your stuff so don't worry. Sooner or later your new band will come calling just like it did for me.

I know what you mean. No need to buy a 51 Precision though, if you like that sound try a set of Rotosound trubass strings. They're black nylon tapewound strings which give a very full round vintage sound. Originally they were designed to emulate double bass strings and are very easy to glide around on because of their smoothness. I thought I was the only person who uses them but a quick search found out that they're Herbie Flowers strings of choice. They come in a very heavy gauge but actually feel very supple and easy to play and sound great when playing melodic bass lines. I've tried them on my old 70's custom P/J bass and on my Geddy Lee Jazz and they sound great on both.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='793985' date='Apr 2 2010, 03:48 AM']oh and I still do ride my bike regardless [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DgSwMZliM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DgSwMZliM[/url][/quote] Wow! Adrenalin rush or what! You're my hero!

Great amps for the cash! I have an early one, made in the UK, which I bought 2nd hand for £150. They're loud, light, have a great EQ, has a speaker out if you want to add another cab, are tough as old boots and the DI out is post EQ (which means you can get a great sound if you want to record with it). I've recently bought a more powerful combo but the Ashdown will still be used at smaller gigs as it has a great sound (and is a lot lighter).

I do highly recommend Rotosound TruBass strings. Which are black nylon flatwounds. Not a fan of the Rotosound flatwounds (or any others really) but this string has a really deep smooth authorative vintage character which is not a bit woolly or indistinct. Sound great with a damper, especially when recorded.

I hate new rotosound swing bass strings all they're all bass and treble and feel gritty on my fingers. BUT when they've been worn in (ie about 3 or 4 yrs) they sound great. Once they start to get too dull sounding, loosen the strings for 24hrs then tune the bass back up and the zing is back. It's just wearing them in that's a pain in the ass. p.s. of course I'm exaggerating, it usually only takes a couple of years to wear them in.

[quote name='guitarglenn' post='703367' date='Jan 6 2010, 08:00 PM']Must have, or be willing to equip yourself with the required gear and transport to do the job.[/quote] I've got the Geddy Lee bass..........but I'm not kitting myself out with a whole load of washing machines.

I have a geddy lee and when I played the squier vintage vibe it sounded as good as the geddy. But don't take my word for it read this [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=63093&hl=vintage+vibe"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=vintage+vibe[/url]

[quote name='Tee' post='778289' date='Mar 18 2010, 09:22 AM']I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on it, after you've played it a bit, perhaps at volume too. I'm possibly looking for a naturally deep/warm/round vintage sounding 15" combo and arrived at either a TV 15 Bassman or an Ampeg Blue Diamond B100/200R.[/quote] I haven't received it yet but I'm playing a gig on the 26th where I can give it a bit of welly so I'll report back then. I was also considering the ampeg b200r but I heard some scare stories on harmony central (a very good review site) about the build quality being pretty poor and fuses popping when you disconnect the horn in the speaker cabinet - although everyone says the sound is excellent.