ChrisG

It might be a result of the last pedals in the chain being true bypass (assuming the Ezekiel is I've never encountered one but boutique stuff is usually true bypass and the Mooers are) so there isn't a buffer to stop you hearing the click as you engage the pedal. True bypass isn't the answer to everything. If the Chorus is a Boss one (which will have a buffer) try putting it last and see if that solves it. There are other variables but it might. I used to have a Boss DD-6 last and never had the issue at all. I now have a Boss LS-2 lying around for this eventuality. If I set up with a true bypass pedal last I will stick them in a loop through the LS-2 (which should remove the click because you are engaging the Boss switch and the other one is already on) or just put the LS-2 in line after the pedals. As always with such advice I provide the usual YMMV disclaimer...

I've had EMGs on both guitars (a USA Jackson with the 'classic' 81/85 set) and on bass. I quite liked them on the guitar either for clean or heavy distortion. You could use them for mid distortion (blues/classic rock) but there are far better choices. I also had them on my Warwick Thumb 5. They were the stock pickups from 1986. I liked the middle three strings (E,A,D) but found the B and the G sounded a bit weak. I read somewhere that this is likely because the EMG Js that were fitted were designed for four string basses in that era (the EMG J 5 set is a recent invention) and the magnets are a bit short so they don't cover either end as well. Or maybe they were tired after 26 years of service. Either way I'm in the process of getting them replaced with Delano JMVC 5s and a Glockenklang pre-amp. My own opinion is that EMGs don't lack character they just have a character of their own. However they seem to polarise opinion (certainly among guitarists) because of the music they are used for and the players they are associated with.

It's absolutely fantastic - I must learn how to play it. Warwick tell me it's one of the earliest five strings they ever made. Not sure if that's just Thumbs or in general. I do know it's quite a weighty item. I'm currently looking at getting the couple of dings in the headstock fixed. I'm trying to decide whether or not to go with a complete refinish (possibly Ferrari Red or White again) or just repairs. Aged white is tought to match. Either way I'll get it done by a professional. The other issue I've found is that I don't find the 8T cab on my Genz Benz is very Low-B friendly so I'm looking at getting a bigger cab. I should have bought the 10T. Oh well, hindsight and all... Anyway back to the guitarist and his quest for audience-crushing tone...

Glad to be of assistance. I only know all this because I almost bought one but ended up buying a Thumb NT of the For Sale on here instead.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1347974354' post='1807436'] It would still mean carrying around a speaker for no other reason that to be a "load" though... [/quote] Not according to the manual: [size=3] [/size] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"]The POWER SOAK offers the following modes:[/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"]Normal operation - full power at 18 watts[/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"]Power reduction to 5 watts[/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"]Power reduction to 1 watt[/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"]Mute (Speaker off) = 0 watts[/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"] [/font][/font][/size][/left] [left][size=3][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][color="#6f6f6f"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][color="#6f6f6f"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][color="#6f6f6f"]Note that if you choose to mute the amp, you do [/color][/font][/color][/font][/color][/font][/size][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][size="1"][color="#6f6f6f"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][size="1"][color="#6f6f6f"][font="AGaramondPro-Regular"][size="1"][color="#6f6f6f"][size=3]not need to connect a speaker to the TubeMeister [/size][size=3]18’s SPEAKER output. Designed to enable silent [/size][size=3]recording, this option provides the full signal to the [/size][size=3]RED BOX output.[/size][/color][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/left]

This is from H&K's website on the Red Box in the Tubemeister: [i][size=3][font=Arial]The built-in RED BOX feeds preamp and true power amp tone straight to a stage or studio mixing console. It authentically emulates the sound of a 4 x 12" cab and delivers a balanced line signal to the Speaker Out for use in rehearsal rooms, on stage, and even to pipe that sweet tube-driven sound straight into the PA. In combination with the power soak’s silent recording option (Speaker Off), the RED BOX lets you lay down professional-quality tracks any time day or night. You can even feed the signal to in-ear monitors on stage without having to fuss with a cab or mic.[/font][/size][/i] [font=Arial][size=2][size=3]I[/size][size=3] believe you can switch the wattage on the Tubemeister 18 from 18w to 5w to 1w to speaker off - this means that the Red Box absorbs the load and you don't need a cab if the speaker is off. There is also a 36w version but it runs about £700.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=2][size=3](Edited to correct silly small font.)[/size][/size][/font]

It's a bold move but in my opinion it's probably the way things will go in the not too distant future. It won't be long now before you can't tell the difference between a modeller and a valve amp. With the Kemper we may already be there. I think the Axe FX has become pretty much the industry standard these days. But as you noted they ain't cheap. I read that Opeth (my only vaguely death metal reference point and probably too wimpy for you) were using the Boss unit (I think it was the GT-80 at the time) into a power amp and into their cabs. I read that they have now switched to the Axe FX as well. In terms of the 'consumer' units I've heard (as mentioned above) that the Vox Tonelab is meant to be good but never tried one myself. I do recall that they don't have the ability to edit/save sounds but the newer ones might. The valve is meant to help but personally I've always been a bit sceptical of some of the claims made about anything that uses valves in the pre-amp only. The Boss unit has the ability to save and edit sounds and recall them but some people dislike/despise the Boss overdrive and distortion sounds. I think they're okay. I think this is where I'm meant to put YMMV. The Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister amps also have the Red Box built in. They ar epretty small and light and have a pretty good high gain sound on the 18 and the 36. They are also all valve but may need an extra pedal for Death Metal. If it was me I'd probably look at the Boss GT.

Nice to see there will be a new dealer. I hope they have a decent range of stock to merit the day out. GuitarWorks in Reading used to have Warwick (they did need to stock a minimum amount of stuff which included amps and Framus guitars) but they (like so many) are now closed.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1344869746' post='1770364']can we see photos of your thumb? which one was it you got? [/quote] I've got the one Shockwave was selling a few weeks back. I don't have any new photos but there are quite a few on the sale thread: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/183068-sold-warwick-thumb-nt5-1986-in-vintage-white/"]http://basschat.co.u...-vintage-white/[/url] I need to get a couple of dings in the headstock sorted otherwise it's in pretty amazing condition considering how old it is.

I really like the one I just picked up on the for sale forum although it's an older NT rather than a bolt on. I did watch this video before I made my purchase. I should note that my technique is not nearly as good. I've got a price list for 2012 here - they are just over £2K for a thumb 5 bolt on (that doesn't include any optional extras of course...)

Pretty much everything I could think of has been covered. Rough edges on the bridge are the first thing to check for. If that's okay then try swapping string brands but if it's heavy strings and a light pick then it's probably technique. I don't know for certain but would assume that those who learn with an acoustic tend to play harder because they need to generate volume and they would carry this over. Those who start with electrics just turn the volume up. I've broken a guitar string once in many years (it was a D'Addario - never used them again) but to be fair the strings probably needed replaced anyway. As a lefty playing right handed my right hand is my weaker hand so I don't seem to suffer from the breakage problem (I currently use 10 gauge Ernie Ball strings and a .71 or .96 pick). Nice to see other folks in Didcot

I was in Denmark St a few months back and at least wander through if I'm in the area. Generally I've tended to do okay in customer service terms but would agree it's not what it used to be. The niche they are trying to occupy appears to be old gear no-one else wants. I had a chat with one of the guys in Rockers and apparently Westside Distribution's shiny new shop (they sell whatever they distribute in the UK including Mesa/Boogie and Martin) has caused a lot of discontent in the street as they have taken staff from existing shops and the established shops have stopped stocking their brands. I guess it shows there is still a bit of life in the place. As for Wunjo's they have never had anything I've wanted. Maybe if they cleaned some of their stock it might help.