Conan

Delighted? Maybe that's slightly too strong a word, but I am happy with my current band. Nice guys and good players, all pulling in the same direction. Yes, there are issues - but I think that can be a healthy thing as it challenges you and forces compromise. We are playing and writing original material that I actually have a lot of faith in. Only the one gig so far (but another one next month and a pseudo-residency planned in the new year) but responses were pretty favourable (apart from the volume ). Life is good!

[quote name='TPJ' timestamp='1352810540' post='1867637'] if you have many people waiting to hear from you, you might want to find a way to get in touch just to let people know.[/quote] Fair enough. But we don't know much about the circumstances here. He has already said (via WoT) that his computer access is limited. If the only point of contact he has with folks is their e-mail address, you can surely see how this would make communication difficult? Easy enough if you have someone's phone number... Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before openly criticising eh?

[quote name='lee650' timestamp='1351885796' post='1856686'] Gave me a fright when i started reading this thread, ive known Howard for 20 years, and a finer gentleman you will not meet, i thought he was ill for a mo [/quote] Yeah, me too! After all, he is a gentleman of "a certain age".... The internet is a funny old place isn't it? You message or e-mail someone and when you don't get a reply within minutes you assume all sorts of things...

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1352726232' post='1866529'] one of the pots has a slight crackle! [/quote] One of the pickups is wonky too...

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1348946105' post='1820077'] I remember reading a thing a thousand years ago when Clarke discussed hus thenrig.[/quote] Cool! I've been a fan of Hus Thenrig's for a long time - good to hear that Stan is a fan too.... Not enough about Norwegian bass players on here!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1352727354' post='1866552'] Don't blame 5 string basses for the technical shortcomings of the player. [/quote] True, but there are many members on here who are far from technically adept, but still enjoy themselves playing bass live and in studios. If they sound less good on a fiver then that is a good reason for them/us to avoid them. Not all of us have the time, ability or even desire to become as technically skilled as we would like to be...

I bought my GL jazz from here and it already had an EMG J set in place. To be fair, the wiring had not been done correctly and the sound was a bit weak, but after it was sorted by the Bass Doc it sounded fantastic! OK, maybe not as much "growl" as Geddys are known for, but much more usable for all that. In fact, the first time I used it at a rehearsal the band (ALL of the band!) commented on how good my tone was. I've [i]never[/i] had that before! Interestingly, I've never heard about the 18V thing before. Does it [i]really[/i] make that much difference? Adding a second battery will probably involve routing out a rear-access compartment, making the bass less "authentic". Not that I have any intention of selling it I suppose... Would it be worth me getting this mod done? On the general point about EMGs though - definitely not "sterile and soul-less"!! Clean - definitely. Smooth - totally. Classy and glassy. I love them in this bass, but not sure I would install them in my fretless. The added raunch works (to my ears) in a fretless application better than in a fretted one. YMMV of course. When I listen to Bobby Vega playing slap on his EMG equipped Jazz bass, I think he sounds more like Marcus Miller than any Fender MM sig bass!!

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1352666166' post='1865930'] everyone owns a Peavey some point in their career. [/quote] I've never owned a Peavey at any point in my career...

[quote name='turtus' timestamp='1352388315' post='1862469'] Go with bare knucles mate. I've got the 65s in my Precision and the difference is amazing. These ones: [url="https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=bass&sub=vintage&pickup=65_split_coil&series=p_bass"]https://bareknucklep...l&series=p_bass[/url] Changed my whole sound, best money i've spent! [/quote] Ninety quid!! I personally am a fan of GFS pickups. Not subtle maybe, but bloody cheap and a definite upgrade over Squier/Mex pickups IMV. [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html"]http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html[/url]

Considering most sets of strings are more than twenty quid, can you really go wrong at that price?

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1352269034' post='1860864'] Ok thanks guys, SPB-1 sounds just what I want, I don't think I could afford the Fralins [/quote] I've said it before, and I'll say it again! If economy is a major factor, I don't think you can go far wrong with these: [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html"]http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html[/url]

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1352325236' post='1861825'] Do check it's actually a 79 though. S9 serials were used intil 82. [/quote] So how could you confirm that it is a '79 then?

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/187524-hartke-lh500-bass-amp-and-yamaha-410-cab-l340/page__p__1858863__hl__hartke__fromsearch__1#entry1858863"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/187524-hartke-lh500-bass-amp-and-yamaha-410-cab-l340/page__p__1858863__hl__hartke__fromsearch__1#entry1858863[/url] He might consider splitting the rig if a 4x10 is too big for your needs...

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1352117228' post='1858832'] that's exactly what i'm looking for, clean and transparent tone without messing around with EQ[/quote] You could try a Hartke LH500 in the meantime.... just while you wait for a TF to come up of course!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1352019613' post='1857786']BC's own Conan kindly lent me his Barefaced Vintage. Of course, the cab weighs virtually nothing, but it's too big. [/quote] No, you're just too small. Actually, I know what you mean. It is, as you correctly say, very light. But somehow the positioning of the handles makes it an awkward lift. I actually find it easiest to carry it with one hand - but obviously that is only feasible over relatively short distances. Stairs are a real PITA... Pleased you like the sound though! All the frustration about size and shape disappears once it's plugged in and ready to go! And, not that you need it with your current outfits, but the volume it is capable of is just insane...

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1351251930' post='1849242'] you need the gtrs/basses/keys to turn down a bit and realise you all sound better that way. [/quote] Oh yeah, of course! But it's no good turning the instruments down if the drummer stays too loud. On this particular gig the lead guitar was barely audible at times and the vocals could have done with being up a bit. The root of the problem though is the big loud kit... although the shape of the room and stage didn't help much either. The room is approximately square, and holds 120 people when packed full. So it is not big. The far wall is quite close and the stage is about 18" high and hollow. Because the room is short and relatively wide, the punters are pretty close to the band and (more importantly) the backline. Not a good recipe when you add in the adrenaline of a drummer who is already loud playing a new (loud) kit on the first gig he had played for seven years!!

What a great story!

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1351258044' post='1849357'] For prog fans, and to extend the Trev connection, that's Alan White and Geoff Downes from Yes on drums and keys there. [/quote] Remember that TH himself was in Yes for a while too.... certainly sang on the Drama album.

No idea! The only bass I've ever owned that wasn't a 34" scale was a Carvin, which was 35.25". I can't honestly say that I noticed the difference in scale length so much as the differences in neck width and depth, fret wire size, fretboard material, action height and a dozen other factors! I do wonder if some people make more of this than there is... or maybe I'm just not as discerning as I like to think!

Well, my bitsa J copy sounds bloody great with Wizard Hammers in it! I guess you could pair a Hammer in the bridge position with a Thumper in the P position? BTW, you are welcome to have a try of mine if you want to get an idea of how it sounds.

[quote name='zefarelly' timestamp='1351243580' post='1849081']I sold my P bass as its crap by comparisson.[/quote]

[quote name='jonunders' timestamp='1351238919' post='1848982'] Now just got to get the rest of the band to take note! [/quote] Good luck with that! Typical of this is a comment made by our drummer following our first gig (which saw some people leaving with their hands over their ears). We suggested that he might have been a bit too loud and that maybe he could consider using his electronic kit so that we could turn him down to a level commensurate with the rest of the band... "I paid four grand for this kit [his Sonor acoustic kit] so I'm going to bloody well use it!"

All hail Simon - the God of Tone!