Gamble

[url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bassguitarpartsdirectuk"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bassguitarpartsdirectuk[/url]

I just had a Badass V bridge for £58 to my door, not sure what other bargains there are to be had but it could well be worth a look!

I'll agree that upgrading for the sake of it is a bit daft, it's also just dawned on me that my road tax is due 2 days before the studio visit - which I still need to pay for! And the new bridge, and the fretwork, and the setup......
Like I said, I'm not even sure if the p'ups in there already are of any kind of standard so maybe waiting to see what difference the bridge makes first would be a plan, but I'm still really interested to know what's an option for me. Been reading up on SD's and it seems the Quarted Pounders have a bit of a mid-scoop in their output signal, I'm not sure it that would smooth out my sound a bit too much but I guess I could always boost the mids a bit on the amp.

I never actually hear anyone giving Warwicks a hard time on here, just people asking why they get a hard time! (that's not a dig by the way). All I've ever really heard against them is the neck profile, the price and the dreadful factory setup. The only one of those that's a problem for me is the price!!

I'm overhauling my Mexican Fender Jazz 5 string for my next studio visit and new pickups might well be on the cards.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum or if I'm asking a very tired question, I had a quick go with the search facility, but I'm sure you can imagine how many threads have the words "Jazz" and "Pickup" in them on here!

Firstly, does anyone know what the standard pickups in my Mex J5 would be? I spoke to a guy who's going to be doing some other work on my bass and he said they might be the same spec as on the American made Fenders. If they are likely to be a decent quality, I may leave them in for now as I'm expecting the new bridge and frets to make a notable difference to my sound as it is.

If they are poop, what should I replace them with? Seymores, EMGs and MECs were suggested, and the choice between active and passive came up. Obviously active pickups would mean I'd have to have the body routed for the battery compartment which is going to add to the cost, but if it's the way to go then it's the way to go.

As far as sound goes, I keep the bass controls turned up (vol,vol,tone) and my preamp fairly flat. It's an Ampeg SVP Pro through an SWR 6X10 so it's pretty crisp but coloured by the valves. I don't slap in the band, but I keep a fairly slappy tone with plenty of gain so it's nice and bitey and cuts through the mix. I'm fairly happy with the sound my bass provides at the moment, but was thinking that there's probably room for improvement - even if it's just in component quality and not that noticable tonally.

So what I'm asking you guys is, what should I really be looking for and taking into consideration? Any suggestions are very welcome, as I'm a bit dense when it comes to pickups and what's actually avaliable! I'm hoping to find something that will drop straight into my bass without any extra work on the body.

Cheers guys!

I'm still semi-gassing for one of these, kinda tried to put it to the back of my mind while I've been weighing up my options. Keep us updated as you get used to it please!

Oh yeah, and it was great to put so many faces to names - really good to meet you all!

Many many thanks to Nick and Martin for getting it all together, all the guys who gave workshops and everyone who let a cack-handed ape like me near their basses! Had a great day, just looking forward to the next one now.....

While we're on the subject, could someone in the know let me know what a reasonable price for a s/h 2006 HH 'Ray 5 string would be in the current climate?

Many thanks!

[quote name='geilerbass' post='280927' date='Sep 10 2008, 09:56 AM']Are there any music shops in Norwich that have anything worth trying in stock? Last time I was in Cooke's, it was pretty dire. Admittedly, it was a while ago - I didn't think there were any other music shops in Norwich, since Academy of Sound closed.[/quote]

Not in stock I'm afraid, I was going to start a ranting post about the lack of basses in Norwich a couple of weeks ago in fact!
Academy of Sound has re-opened as PMT, but it's still exactly the same in there - right down to the Lakland they've been trying to sell for ages! Thinking about it, I guess that's probably why they don't stock much in the way of basses. I think all the other music shops have closed, apart from Crack-Converters.

Somebody did mention a music shop in Watton that I was unaware of in another thread recently though, that might be worth a look.

Peted:

My GAS is usually much better after a days treking around music shops, I don't usually find anything that I can't live without and it leaves me feeling better about the situation!

[url="http://www.myspace.com/thestanton"]ARCH STANTON[/url]

Norwich / East Anglia
I can't ever find a pidgeon hole to fit us in, but I guess it's high energy rock.
Could headline shows around Norwich area, but would always prefer to support a local act when we're out of town.

[url="http://www.myspace.com/draglineband"]DRAGLINE[/url]

Norwich / East Anglia
Progressive, melodic heavy rock / metal.
Could headline shows around Norwich area, but would always prefer to support a local act when we're out of town.

Cheers, good thread Charic!

I might have just got lucky, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! If I'm honest, I'm pretty unlikely to ever buy from anywhere in London unless it's something rare or a second hand bargain, as I've got a pretty good relationship with the music shops in Norwich and they'll more than likely pricematch and order things in for me if I ask nicely. It's just nice to be able to go to a shop that already have things in stock to try out, which is what pi$$es them off!

Hands up.
I'm guilty.
Sorry!

Well.....

I payed our chums in the Cellar a visit on Saturday with my good friend Peted and my sister. I was wearing either a hoody or a t-shirt and camo shorts, so I probably didn't look minted.
I don't believe we were greeted immediately apon entry (which I'm not really bothered about) as I think there was at least one other person at the counter already. We got to almost a whole lap of the shop before one of the guys in there asked if we wanted any help, we declined. After a little while I asked the same guy (quite tall, ear length curly hair) if I could try out the 2 p'up OLP Stingray they had in, probably one of the cheapest basses in the shop, but he obliged with a smile and as good a service as I expect from any shop. I played it for quite a while, Pete had a go, I got it back again, shop assistant asked if everything was OK. Yep thanks, kept playing.
Took it back to the front eventually, asked for the price and what the genuine MM version would set you back and had a quick chat about how good the OLP is for the money. Then I gave it the old "I'm goinna go have a think about it" which I'm sure they hate and would rather you were honest and left.

Got to admit, I was happy enough with the service. Sorry for not showing solidarity guys, but maybe they have started to take notice! I did hear that as most of Denmark St is owned by the same company the staff get moved around a bit, so perhaps they've moved the surly tossers out and split them up amonst the other shops. It was 2 chaps probably around their mid to late 20's working there this weekend, does that sound like new blood to anyone who's been visiting more recently?

Fingers crossed for a brighter future!











*although it was still rather pricey!*

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='280072' date='Sep 8 2008, 11:32 PM']4. Norfolk Guitar & Bass Centre (Watton, nr Swaffham)[/quote]

WHAT?!!


*gets map, plans weekend*

I'd have thought you'll have to play softer with with a low action, or you will get some rattle. My basses tend to buzz a bit but I play pretty hard too and quite like to effect it gives. It's a balancing act I'm afraid!

I might be going straight to a gig so I could well have my rig regardless I'm afraid, plus you've missed my pre-amp out of the description! I thought it might be interesting to compare my SVP-PRO to one with stock valves and see if I can actually tell the difference!

Cheers!


*edit*

Obviously I can leave it in the car if there's absolutely no room, didn't mean to sound pushy!

HOLY CRAP!!!

3,148.6 MB removed.

No wonder it took a bit longer than "under a second"!

Cheers for all the net-n00b help guys!

Cheers for that!

That's the right one, cheers! I've found "delete cookies" in my internet options from the tools dropdown, but that'll lose all my saved passwords etc wont it? As long as you're all seeing the right one it's fine. Cheers!!




*computer n00b alert!*

I don't anyone should abstain from the place until it's personal, I'm going on a jaunt around London on Saturday and I'll be going in there (to see what treatment I get as well as what basses they've got) so I'll make up my own mind. It's not as if it's going to be out of my way to have a wander around the shop when I'll be down Denmark St anyways.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='273733' date='Aug 31 2008, 02:40 PM']...stay tuned Fen folk and midlanders - there's gonna be a show early next year - DOTB Events are currently planning a `Peterborough Bass Event' and everyone is welcome. There may be a couple of star guests there too!

Will keep everyone informed etc.

Nick[/quote]

WOOT!

I should be going to the SE bash on the 27th, but one closer to home next time would be great!

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='272819' date='Aug 29 2008, 08:41 PM']Crucial strides dude! [/quote]

Eh?!

Can someone just let me know, which side of me is the gu!t*r!st on in that pic? I put one up pic then changed it, but I keep seeing the first one in the thread. I think it's probably just in my 'pooter's memory or something so hopefully you're all seeing the one I wanted you to.

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='273838' date='Aug 31 2008, 05:13 PM']Final some 'action shots!'
[/quote]

BIG POINTY BASS!!!! GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!









*that's a good thing, by the way*

It's not a huge ammount cheaper that you can buy new off the 'net, but they're not what I'd call expensive new and I think any cheaper might be leaning towards giving it away. I'm tempted, but gotta play one first!

Cheers guys! Only just got back to the net today so cheers for not disappointing me!