mcnach

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1482794259' post='3202803'] Yes I've used them at practice but not at a gig of my own I might add. They worked brilliantly for me. I could hear everything fine. Very loud guitars and drums.. And me! Much higher quality experience than any of the "rubber Christmas tree" plugs I've been through which usually do cut alot of top end and give a swampy tone to everything I've found. [/quote] Interesting. I don't see how it could work so well, from the description and graphs... but it clearly works for some! One of the guitarists in my band bought them recently and he really likes them. What I don't like is that I feel he turns himself in his monitor louder than he used to, more shrill... which maybe is a reflection of the decrease in high mids/treble... but I can deal with it, and as long as his tone doesn't become more bassy, then it's actually better for me. I was not very happy with the "xmas tree" ones. I used them because I wanted protection but the sound was not great. I am actually waiting on ACS Pro17 custom plugs. Let's see how those go. I'd like to try the metal ones despite my scepticism (I've been wrong once or twice in my life before ) but they're a bit pricey for an experiment, so I'll definitely wait to see what the ACS ones are like.

[quote name='Downdown' timestamp='1482797300' post='3202820'] Is the headline 'vinyl outsells digital downloads' really so surprising in these days of music streaming? Does a spotify subscription, for example, count towards the 'digital downloads' number? Might just be that few and fewer people are actually buying music in any 'collectable' format. Fighting over the dregs of a market doesn't seem like great business to me. [/quote] I think you hit it in the head. People like me still buy the odd CD, but mostly buy digital format music, because I like to own the file and not depend on connection to a service. But I am increasingly finding I am a little 'old-fashioned' among my peers (generally a bit younger than me, I guess because I'm immature so I fit there better ). Then, my girlfriend (who is one notch) never buys any music anymore, and relies on Spotify and some other service entirely. Her friends are the same. I think streaming is not only attractive because it allows you to access almost anything almost anywhere, but because it's interactive and can suggest new music based on what you are generally playing. That leads to discovering new music. It's something I like a lot and even I are started to feel I want to start streaming (as well as buying)... There's been quite a few bands that my gf is playing and I go "how did you find that?" and the reply is "oh, Spotify suggested it". I thought I was enough of a dinosaur when I kept buying CDs (I mostly stopped now, too much space and I rarely use a CD player), but with all the streaming stuff I feel like a grandpa. THEN, the new thing becomes vinyl? Give me a break!

[quote name='Grahambythesea' timestamp='1482751689' post='3202485'] Like you I am sorely tempted by the Aliexpress offers, I am not even phased by the "fakes". Hadn't seen that 5 string Jazz with MMs , looks good but will it play good? Sometimes you just have to take a risk, don't you. Good luck, I may be following your lead sometime soon. [/quote] Yeah, the idea of the fakes just seems silly to me. Just about any bass out there has an affordable lookalike bonafide version, of known quality, if that's what you want. Ok, not if you want an R-bass (I love the name Chickenfaker ) or some boutique high end basses... I just like the idea of a cheap bass that can meet your criteria, if those criteria are not easily found already in other 'normal' brands. It's a risk, but it's a win-win. If it works out, awesome. If it doesn't... hopefully it looks good enough for decoration and a few BC members get to feel smug

Interesting products!

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1482698215' post='3202265'] But it is not a fender, it's an imposter , a poser, a fake It's got to be fender, end of [/quote] !!!

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1481146260' post='3190105'] EHX Small Stone [/quote] same here, it is simple but it sounds very good. The Soundblox Manta has some cool phasers too, but for phaser I prefer the EHX.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1482629349' post='3202052'] Totally unrelated to bass but I bought some carbon Race face Mountain Bike handle bars from AlIexpress. They have gone through huge amounts of punishment for 4 months. The same bars from the UK are £170. These carbon bars and they are carbon because they weigh the same as the real thing and i took them to a bike tech to veryfy they we're carbon. I stagger to say this. £15 posted to the UK. Work that one out. ??? [/quote] I'd be cautious with something like that, to be honest. It may be the right material but... why so cheap? I'd put that uncomfortably close to the 'too good to be true' category. I'd be worried that it's an item that failed QC and has some small structural defect which some unscrupulous seller decided to sell anyway. A mountain bike handle bar is something where you're sometimes going to be resting a lot of your weight on, and if it snaps under stress you could get badly injured. With a bass, only my self-esteem could be hurt if say a truss rod snaps in the middle of a gig Is there a way you can have the handlebar more thoroughly tested? I don't want you to get hurt, you post lots of cool youtube links on BC Having said that, a friend of mine started a business importing bikes and bike parts from a factory in China years ago. He dealt directly with the factory and he was amazed at how cheap (for UK standards) they could make quality stuff. He is no longer involved in that business, otherwise I'd offer to put in in touch.

[quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1482623022' post='3202029'] Was this a YouTube account by the name of Sonicwingnut? If so I saw the same videos, it's amazing how much an Aliexpress guitar can be turned around with a bit of imagination and elbow grease! I'm looking forward to seeing what you get, what state it's in and how you improve it! [/quote] I don't remember the account. It was a Telecaster with bound body, cherry sunburst I think, and a very figured grain pretty top. There were things like the control plate being slightly slanted and the bridge also being slightly at an angle, the pickguard not cut flush to the bridge plate, rough plastic nut... stuff like that. There was one thing that was nasty 'though... the neck was correctly oriented, but the screws were all at amazingly weird angles and one of them came off the neck very close to the edge... very very very sloppy... Fixable if desired (the guy claimed the neck was solid in place) but it shows you how careful (or not) they were when screwing it together. The thing is saying 'aliexpress' means little. There are sellers with patchy feedback, and sellers with great feedback, some have been operating for under a year, some for 2 or more years... I don't believe they are all equal. We will see... I still don't know what to put as a logo, 'though. I don't want to leave the headstock blank, and I most definitely don't want a "Fender" logo or anything like that. I was toying with the idea of making a logo based on the letters AE (for aliexpress) and/or including a hint to the seller's shop name... but I have not made up my mind yet.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1482599464' post='3201781'] Has nobody heard about the "Isolates" revolution? They are bloody amazing! They isolate your ear drums completely so you "hear" everything through your ears bone (sounds weird, I know!) I tested my new set for the first time at a Pixies gig (holy Paz! 😍) two weeks ago. I was right at the front at the barrier and stayed there all night. I got the most perfect mix of the band with no ringing whatsoever. I could even hear people talking. Very strange at first but after 10 mins it felt normal. The Isolates come in Aluminium and Titanium, I went for the Aluminium ones as they are cheaper. They worked perfectly anyway. Check em out. Such a simple idea but a TOTAL gamechanger! I was turned on to them by my best friend who's band mates now too all have a set each. I've been through every type of earplugs short of shelling out for a custom made set. These Isolates are the sh!t. Seriously. Check them out people, you owe it to your ears! [url="https://flareaudio.com/products/earfoams/isolate/"]https://flareaudio.c...rfoams/isolate/[/url] [/quote] How are they different from sticking your fingers in your ears? I had a look at their response curves and they seem to cut higher frequencies (above 1KHz, which is not terribly high) more... hmmmm. Have you tried them at a gig (onstage) and/or band practice yet?

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1482613491' post='3201955'] Myself and my nephew have been talked into playing, amongst others, 'rappers delight' for family xmas karaoke, lovely bassline and very hypnotic, and not my usual fare, so fun to play something different. [/quote] Rappers delight = Good times by Chic. Chic has a lot of tasty basslines in their repertoire, it took me a while to realise just how good they were!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1482604013' post='3201842'] Ah, I guess it's harder to change than a bass drum skin! I hope their time estimates aren't messed up too much by Chinese New Year. I've ordered something from China in January before, and it seems like everyone downs tools for a week then the post is backlogged after they start up again. [/quote] I'm not too bothered about the time of arrival, to be honest. Just like with the Maruszczyk I have in order, I do my best to forget about them, and when the arrive they arrive... It's like a Christmas you didn't expect, although you pay for your own presents

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1482587449' post='3201626'] Is it getting the Sea Bass Kid logo on the headstock, by any chance? [/quote] Ha! No, I still haven't decided what I'll put. I did put the SBK on the red Maruszczyk and I regretted it. Just as I got the bass I went through a phase being annoyed at the band and I nearly quit. No more band logos

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1482506691' post='3201160'] Ha... truth is, if you're a tinkerer, it sounds like you'll have a lot of fun with it regardless of the outcome. There are worse ways to spend your time and money :-) [/quote] Exactly... I get to have fun on NYE playing to nice crowds, and go home with a new decorative bass. What's not to like? I may even be able to play it, and the time I spend setting it up it's time I'm not out there on the streets getting into who knows what kind of mischief

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1482504444' post='3201135'] I'm intrigued too... YouTube is full of horror stories, so best of luck! [/quote] I know, I don't expect much but also some successful ones. I think you just have to be realistic about what to expect. The reviews from people ordering that very bass model are reasonable. Some minor finish flaws here and there, sharp frets... usual stuff on that price bracket. I'm not saying this could be an alternative to Maruszczyk but this is the difference between not bothering with a 5-string or having one around. I've owned nice 5-string basses... an EBMM SUB5 and a Lakland 5502 were the best, although the G&L L2500 was nearly as nice... but they all went as I just don't *need* one. But occasionally I would like to have one around, and if I had one, I'd want it with an MM pickup type at the right place. So let's have a go. I might end up enjoying the 5-string world this time around and () end up emailing Adrian for my birthday next year again I watched a video of a guy with a Telecaster from aliexpress and there were many things he didn't like... but mostly they were cosmetic issues. If for £160 I get something that has most parts and a truss rod that works etc, I'll count it as a success. I enjoy tinkering, and I am counting on a serious set up job, and possibly redoing/replacing electronics, but I have all parts in my spares drawer... we will see. Worst case scenario: it goes on the wall I'll share the result here, so you can laugh at me and enjoy the experience without wasting your money as I'd have done it for you. I'm that nice.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1482504583' post='3201136'] No need to go to 4/4 when 5/4 is so straightforward... [media]http://youtu.be/RK_j2LE07G0[/media] [/quote] what the...

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1482501565' post='3201110'] It`s called a Sansamp [/quote] ugh... but seriously, ugh

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1482436153' post='3200637'] It's a Coke / Diet Coke thing. One day you accidentally buy full fat Coke, and MY GOD it's nice. [/quote] then you discover Coke Zero and never go full-fat again... we need a Coke Zero amplifier...

I have always viewed aliexpress as a haven for counterfeit instruments, and something that doesn't interest me. I only recently learnt that it's just a huge sellers market and you can buy legit stuff there too. My gf has bought a few small items of clothing and decorating and it's no different from buying on eBay, really... she had to complain twice, once because she was sent the wrong item by mistake and another because it was low quality. Both times she was refunded fast and asked to just keep it. Like eBay, it pays to look at the feedback score and how long a store has been trading. So as I checked something for her, I noticed lots of bass pictures (damn cookies, they know ME!). And I got curious. There's a few interesting looking instruments there... low prices... quality questionable, but in many places the pics are detailed enough and I'd say 'honest': you can see how the pickup routing is not perfect, how the finish is fantastic, how veneers are applied to tops and the edges are not terribly tidy... which helps me imagine what sort of instrument they may be. The sort that could be pretty cool if you are able and willing to spend a little time tidying it up after it gets into your hands. So far, no particular reason to be terribly attracted to the instruments there, except they offer some interesting combinations of features. And here's where I noticed "we can customise". A few of these sellers claim to either run their own manufacturing or work closely with a manufacturing plant, and that they can modify things to accommodate a buyer. So... here's the experiment. A few days ago we were offered two gigs next weekend, covering NYE, and earning us some welcome and unexpected cash, as initially we had a greed not to play NYE this year. I decided to use part of my fee towards a 5-string bass from a seller that looks good on paper, whom I approached and has been pretty economic with his words but addressing all my points. Just efficient communication, a bit like Adrian Maruszczyk Not that I expect the same quality, not at all! But I sort of want a cheap 5 string to explore 5stringness again. So... a bass caught my eye. It was a Jazz shape. Maple neck and board with block markers, ash body with a figured maple veneer top in natural finish, two big MM humbuckers, no pickguard, 3-band active. So I approached them asking whether they'd make one without the fender logo (I would supply something else myself), just one pickup positioned where I want it, no neck markers, body tinted purple (I supplied a picture as example)... and they said yes, just supply the logo as PDF, and they'll show me examples of the colour and they'll send me a picture when it's done... and if I don't like it, they'll do it again. I was warned it would take probably a month (only!?) and cost the princely sum of around £160-170 all included (price is in USD). So why not? He said the weight is typically around 4Kg, which is not bad for a 5 string. I then enquired about maybe using a Precision shape instead, which I find more comfy and being smaller will also likely be a bit lighter. The reply was "yes, I can make that". So I'll prepare a sheet with all the specs and a mock picture to illustrate all the key points and dimensions, get some kind of logo sorted... and I'll place the order sometime over the next week or so. I figured it was worth a punt to get a cheap instrument that will l be a bit different from what's around. Of course... it may prove to me a complete waste of money but if it's useless I'll hang it as decoration and then get a white Squier VM precision and modify that one with a MM pickup and a new pickguard. The 'base' bass looked like this on their site: Watch this space if you're curious about aliexpress... and sometime in February I should receive this, and a 4-string custom Maruszczyk as well... [u][b]EDIT 30th Dec' 2016:[/b][/u] post #36, decal designed

[quote name='obi 2 kenobi' timestamp='1482491642' post='3200981'] am I in an elevator ? [/quote]

that was great!

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1482388412' post='3200057'] So, I bet he plays with a pick like it's a guitar, he can't stop all the resonating notes and ringing open strings coz he can't palm mute and doesn't know why we use one finger on a fret to be able to finger mute the notes either. [/quote] if there's one things guitarsts can do while using a pick is palm muting!

whether you need a bass dedicated compressor or not has nothing to do with active vs passive or the output level. And let's forget that wrong notion that active = higher output than passive, for it's just not true. the output of a bass is different from a guitar in terms of frequency content, and sometimes the higher bass content can drive a compressor to tame the output across the board which may be what you're after or not. Some work really well, so why not. But a multiband compressor is often nicer on bass as it allows different levels of compression on different frequency bands. The MXR M87 is pretty cool and transparent and doesn't cost the Moon. But first I'd just use whatever I have near, and see if the result is acceptable. Also... I'd question whether a compressor is needed at all. Maybe he thinks he needs one before having tried, just assuming it would be needed.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1482405672' post='3200221'] The passive option on both active basses is like a "get you home" tyre. They'll get you to the end of the number [b]but in comparison they sound terrible.[/b] [/quote] That would depend entirely on what settings you use on your preamp. If you only need fine adjustments, then it will not sound that different. I like a preamp to tweak a good bass sound, not to create it from scratch. Others like a more dramatic effect. The passive switch does not need to make the sound terrible at all, only if the bass in passive form sounds terrible

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1482341663' post='3199759'] [b]Has that ever happened to anyone?[/b] I can't think of a way you would do a circuit where it would actually cut out due to battery death, as batteries tend to get flat, not just die. As a result, you will just start to get clipping, and as most batteries discharge quite slowly with the sort of power an acitve circuit needs. Certainly never heard of it actually happening since I got my first active bass in the 80s. [/quote] well, it happened to me in August I have generally experienced distortion with other basses, before it dies. But I have a Stingray with a John East preamp. Battery is not really an issue because I change it every year and despite getting a lot of use that seems enough. If I have some "important" gig and it's been a while I tend to replace the battery anyway as it's not a particularly expensive way to buy peace of mind. However it turns out I had forgotten to replace the battery in this bass since April 2014 (I write the date of installation on the battery). So I was merrily playing away in August when at the end of the first set I notice the output dropping dramatically. For a few seconds that felt like an eternity I checked my bass knobs and tapped the lid of the battery compartment [1], and visually checked the amp knobs and my pedalboard... then I engaged the preamp bypass switch [2] and it came back to life! No previous warning. [1] It's a 2002 Stingray, with the battery compartment where the battery just slots in and makes contact with spring-like poles at one end. I had that misbehave in the past, and tapping the lid results in either a temporary cure or at least noise. I 'fixed' it by bending the spring contacts so that the battery is held more tightly, so I thought maybe it was time to bend them back again (once every 7 years or so would not be terrible although not ideal, I admit). BUt that did nothing here. [2] It's an MMSR preamp, and I asked John to make the volume into a push/pull pot that would bypass the preamp. And I'm glad I did. A song later we went for a break and replaced the battery. Phew. Some people cite examples like these as a reason to avoid active basses. I think that's, frankly, silly. It's not hard at all to remember to replace the battery once a year or so. And even if/when it happens the solution is simple and no kittens are harmed in the process If you are able to remember to check the oil and tyre pressure in your car, I'm sure you can manage the battery in an active bass