mcnach

[quote name='maldy' timestamp='1469093487' post='3095614'] Both my pickups were not flat to the body. I.e. the pickup was higher under the G string than the E string. To compensate any height difference in the string? Not sure if was intentional in the set up, but the volume seemed fine across the strings. [/quote]# It's normal: thinner strings give a weaker output, so the pickups/polepieces are often closer to the strings on the thinner string areas. How much, it depends on the pickups and the strings. Often is minimal.

evil...

[quote name='bigjimmyc' timestamp='1466669493' post='3077659'] Hi all. I'm considering adding a Hipshot d-tuner to my Tobias Toby Pro 4. Anyone have good/bad/indifferent experiences with this stuff? The exact model I need is the GB7 treble version, in black. I'm a lefty so as usual these are like gold-plated rocking-horse sh!t. Why do you want it they ask? We're playing a little number called Slither (Velvet Revolver) in our set. I currently tune the whole bass down to D, but it's a bit floppy and buzzy. Secondly, due to the tuning I only use this bass for one song which is a shame (it's my only 4-string) - I'd like to use it for Hysteria too. Checking out Duff's technique on Youtube, he practically stays on the bottom string throughout, and I could change to that method too. With this gizmo on board I can get my tension back, get my 4-string back, and maybe change guitars less in the set. So, who want to set me straight on the hipshot? Cheers Jim [/quote] I have several of my basses with the Hipshot. Originally because being in RHCP and RATM covers bands, I kept tuning and retuning between standard and drop-D. It doesn't take long to do it manually, and with practice it's really easy and pretty accurate without even checking with a tuner... but the Hipshot makes it reliable 100% and it's just so easy. Do it! If you even have difficulty with holding the tuning, just put a tiny bit of grease on the mechanism and it'll work beautifully.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1468691428' post='3092725'] Who said anything about a truss rod tweak and fret dress. I'm talking about a proper re leveling, re crowning and mirror like polish. Works wonders! [/quote] This man speaks wisely. Before going for a refret, take it to someone who does this kind of work and ask for their opinion. You may be surprised.

[quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1468924178' post='3094291'] Sorry Discreet...my initial post/question may have been a bit Hazey...I already own 'the big rig' and am fed up with hauling it around to every gig whether it needs it or not. I am putting together a smaller set up for this reason, but just wanted opinions on my initial question.. [/quote] I'm doing pretty much every gig these days with one or two TKS S112 cabs: single 12" speakers, small, about 10Kg each... I haven't found them wanting yet. If portability is what you're after, do it. Yes, a 610 cab situation like I used to have sounds bigger and fuller, but the extra 'oomph' is rarely worth the hassle, and it's not like the 2x12 solution lacks bass, it just won't make the glasses two floors upstairs rattle.

I'd still bring my amp and call it a monitor... which is what it'll be as you'll be DI'd. We played a gig once in a bar where they provided backline during the Edinburgh Festival. I had been there before and chose to bring my own amp: Two small 210 speakers stacked vertically. Yes, it was overkill in that I did not need the power, but the provided amp just made it really hard to hear onstage and I knew this would work. The sound guy was worried and pretty much asked me where I thought I was going with that. In a jovial manner I told him that it's ok, my amp has a volume knob too He laughed and... everything worked beautifully because I didn't need to turn up just because I could. I'd bring whatever I need to serve as a good monitor.

That's beautifully made.

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1468901797' post='3094136'] Chris is the man! I picked up a fretless 4 string Jazz Bass he made for me a week ago - fantastic hsnd-made instrument. Plays and sounds fantastic. [url="http://s7.photobucket.com/user/kevin_lindsay/media/McIntyre%20Smooth%20Mint%20fretless%204/FB_IMG_1468189770216.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s7.photobucket.com/user/kevin_lindsay/media/McIntyre%20Smooth%20Mint%20fretless%204/20160710_193428.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] That's great! I can't wait to meet the man. I've seen a refinish done by him and was excellent. That fretless looks sweet. But what caught my attention was the pink early 50s type Precision... what a beauty!

Chris got back to me. Pretty fast! He doesn't mince his words, does he? I think I like him. Cost is fair. I'm going to have a chat on the phone with him tomorrow.

[quote name='Simon.' timestamp='1468849525' post='3093739'] Seeing as you are in Edinburgh, Chris McIntyre is worth a shout. Quality work, and reasonable prices. [url="http://www.mcintyreguitars.com/"]http://www.mcintyreguitars.com/[/url] He did the reverse process on my Jazz - routed it out for a P-pick up and cut a new scratch-plate to hid the old J route underneath.. We also added plug & play connectors to the pick-up leads so you can swap it from a PJ back to a straight Jazz in less than 10 mins. [/quote] we've got a winner. I haven't met Chris yet but all I hear is excellent. He's at the same place where my previous go-to guy used to work: Rory Dowling, Taran Guitars... very talented but he's no longer in Edinburgh. I still meet him sometimes but it's more complicated as it takes me a good 90min to get to him. I think I'll email Chris and see if I get the whole thing done by him, as I tend to be a little impatient with a chisel and that's not a good thing Thanks!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1468846607' post='3093712'] SIMS... not the cheapest but will cut the shape to order. If you can't get the bass there... then scan it for them. They don't use crappy pickguard material either... If the bass is worth it, then SIMS are worth it. [/quote] I had SIMS do a pickguard for me in the past, it was very good. Thanks for reminding me!

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1468837542' post='3093608'] Warmoth do these. [url="http://www.warmoth.com/Pickguard/PBassPickguard.aspx"]http://www.warmoth.c...sPickguard.aspx[/url] [/quote] very interesting! postage is criminal but... this could be a good option if I do the routing on the body myself, thanks!

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1468834108' post='3093575'] The same person that is going to route the body for the pups maybe? [/quote] well, that was going to be me... I'm handier with a chisel than what;s required to make a nice pickguard with bevelled edges etc...

[quote name='bh2' timestamp='1468851524' post='3093761'] I've been a bit non plussed with mine, although active they're stunning. Going back to passive though as I'm getting too many repair bills for my rigs. [b]The east is too hot I figure.[/b] Vintage style and stack knobs. [/quote] But it has trim pots inside so that you can adjust the output. Is that not doing the trick?

I love the sound of the Jazz. I don't like the huge body or the thin neck. So I'm going to take my lovely yet redundant Matt Freeman Precision and add a J pickup to the bridge and change the P for a J. This requires a new pickguard routed for a J type pickup at the right spot. Now that BassDoc is no longer doing this, what is the best place to get this done?

[quote name='Dsmnoisemaker' timestamp='1468687652' post='3092702'] Great!! I received your order, i will ship it this week!! [/quote] Fantastic!

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1468683102' post='3092648'] So owners thus far are: police squad Musashimonkey Ruiner dazaudio njr911 King Tut Grant D rhcp128 Musicman20 maldy hiram.k.hackenbacker ....and that's just from this page without going through all the others. That's one popular model right there! [/quote] pity I'm all out of guitar rack space

[quote name='Dsmnoisemaker' timestamp='1468684506' post='3092662'] It is a great idea..i researched that option and others for wireless monitoring, but as you hinted, latency was a big issue, together with distance range.. The other option was radio frequecy, it is easy to build a radio emmiter, but you just can't put a radio emmiter for professional use (due to fcc regulations), unless it is UHF (like nady) and that's another world..the emmitter would be bigger and much more complex than the OCSD..so..i just went for the feasible option [/quote] Oh, really? You even considered that option? that would have made that little box... well, not very little as you say after all! Maybe one day the bluetooth technology will be better (30ms latency for *low latency* bluetooth is just not good enough, as I have found out), or there will be something else. No biggie. It was just a thought. Omnicabsim just ordered, by the way I was going to wait but after checking a few more reviews, it does seem this will be perfect for me. Can't wait!

Ah well, that's the end of the idea then At least regarding bluetooth. Thank you all!

So I was looking into a multi function cab simulator pedal (it's also DI, etc etc) that looks pretty cool and it also doubles as a headphone amp, with a dedicated headphone out. That got me thinking... what if we hooked up a bluetooth transmitter to the headphone out, and use bluetooth earphones with it? That would allow for personal bass monitoring onstage... which may be interesting if it's that simple. Would that work? I suspect a problem may be latency... if there's latency in the bluetooth signal it would be useless for this purpose. But I really have no clue about what transmitters would be suitable or anything. Does anybody know any reasons why this would not work? Or if it would... any ideas what kind of gear I would need?

Hmmm, about the headphone out... I've just had the crazy idea of using it to plug in a bluetooth transmitter of some sort together with wireless earphones: compact bass monitoring onstage. I wonder if anybody has tried something like that. I suspect the issue may be ensuring no/low latency from the bluetooth...

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1468633529' post='3092324'] *sound of D string snapping in the distance* [/quote] At least it wasn't the G...

[quote name='sellisnba' timestamp='1468594444' post='3092040'] Felt the need to resurrect this post a bit. I had these strings on my bass for around 6 weeks, bearing in mind I alternate between two basses and always look after my strings. So I'm fine tuning today and the D string snaps for no reason, pretty poor in my eyes for expensive strings. I've mailed Eb let's see what they say. It's a shame really because they are nice strings to play. [/quote] that's very disappointing! hopefully that is an exception, as I want my strings to last substantially longer than that (mine have been on for just over two months... fingers crossed)

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1467836491' post='3086677'] Killer pedal. Exactly what I was looking for, quite amazing what this thing does to your sound through headphones/DI. Im still not sure if I will use this through an amp, but such is the quality of the sound I'm getting through headphones I will give it a go at rehearsal on Sunday, see what it does. There is very little about this company on Basschat; small business based out of Chile, here is their website [url="http://www.dsmnoisemaker.com."]http://www.dsmnoisemaker.com.[/url] I thoroughly recommend everyone check them out. Great bloke, already had a good chat with him about this pedal, cut from the same cloth as Doug Castro. [/quote] I was interested in hearing your comments as I think I'd use it pretty much the same way as you... and you've done nothing to disuade me. I must get my hands on one of these... MOT coming within the next couple of weeks. If it's good news I'm going straight to the website to order one!

[quote name='bassintheface' timestamp='1468010521' post='3088118'] At short notice (last sun eve 'URGENT Facebook message' ) I got asked to attend and judge in a high school 'battle of the bands' by my mate who is head of music at a local school. The other judges were the singer and the drummer from my function band, plus another good friend (head of music at another school) plus none other Uli Jon Roth (of The Scorpions). We were asked to play a short set at the end of the show as judges, plus Uli Jon wanted to play a song too! Cue Monday eve and I find myself rehearsing 'all along the watchtower' with my drum buddy, keys player / teacher mate and Uli Jon Roth! An experience in itself! He had the famous 'sky' guitar with him (all 30 odd frets, scalloped, some whole tone) and some other crazy gear. It was like being in my own personal 'Spinal Tap' and I could type hundreds of words about it (like how he asked my mate to double up on a fast Cm arpeggio thing he was playing at lightening speed, which my buddy picked up super quick and got the best compliment from Uli - "when I played this with Steve Vai last year, he didn't pick this up as fast as you"). My mate you see used to play keys for Echo and the bunneymen, the lightning seeds and others when he was a session player!! Uli is a really nice guy and an amazing guitar player and musician, plus LOVES Hendrix! Get to Tuesday and we arrive at the venue having sourced a Marshall 4x12 for Uli (his gear was in transit from Spain to Denmark or something), do a quick sound check and are good to go. Show goes well and the kids are great, then we play a set, then the song with Uli - fair play, he was brilliant but also very complimentary to us all. He's now asked if he can guest with us in the new psychedelic blues band we've formed at a festival in Aug and do some shows with us going forward, plus we've swapped numbers and emails as he Said he liked my playing and asked if I'd be interested in playing bass with his band when he next tours! He has warned me though that he likes to play LOUD! This is the man who EVH, Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen and many more cite as a major influence! Music. Bloody hell. [/quote] wow!!!! amazing I quoted the whole thing because I loved reading it so much! I'm envious, but I can still feel lots of warm fuzzies even if it's not happening to me :-p I've never been closed to the man. I only saw him live once, a few years ago, with Glenn Hughes and someone else (Michael Schenker dropped from the bill due to 'personal issues')... Uli was incredible, and he does come across as a really cool guy.