mcnach

I'm a big fan of the DiMarzio Area J pickups, if you don't want to spend a fortune but still sound great. They're humbuckers but very traditional sounding for a humbucker... only fatter. If you don't care about cost, the Nordstrand NJ4SE pickups are my absolute favourite. They sound thick and defined and just lovely all round.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1466091861' post='3073307'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hey everybody! I've been away for quite a while, but it's nice to be back. �� [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sooooo, the title of my post is a bit inaccurate, but not completely misleading. I'm considering ordering another Sandberg, and I've got it in my head that I really want a Basic 5. I know single humbucker basses, such as a stingray, aren't maybe as versatile as a dual pickup bass, but there's just something special about that single pickup, perfectly placed..... Even more so with the Basic to my ears, because the pickup is slightly further forward than a ray. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Despite the obvious limitations, I think that with eqing, different strings, different techniques, etc, etc, there's probably quite a few sounds to be had. If you compare famous ray players like Bernard Edwards and flea, they have very different sounds, and I know Andrew Levy used a ray on a lot of the early brand new heavies stuff, but I wouldn't have instantly identified it as one. I've also heard people playing rays with a sound not a million miles away from a p bass. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]So, I was just interested to know everyone's opinion really, how versatile do you think these sort of basses are? Would you be happy to have a ray as your only bass? Do you feel you could manage to use one in any musical situation? [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Thanks for your input. �� �� [/font][/color] [/quote] If I had only one bass, it would be a Stingray. While a Jazz with its two pickups could arguably be more 'versatile'... a Stingray is not exactly a one trick pony. You can get a wide range of sounds out of a Stingray. It's not just changing pickups, but the EQ and let's not forget the style you play in. You can make a Stingray sit back in the mix or be prominent and cutting, or anything you want. If you *need* a typical two-pickups-on-full-Jazz sound... well, no, the Stingray doesn't make that sound. It doesn't sound like a P if you need that specific sound. But can it sound right for any style? Yes, you can make it sound right. For me, the Stingray sounds great and I don't have problems fitting into any band with it. It feels just right too. That's why it's my favourite bass. If I wanted versatile I'd have kept the L2000 with its two pickups and many switches, or the Warwick Corvette $$ with even more options. But the truth is, to me, the Stingray sounds better than any of the multitude of sounds those two basses can make. So... which is more versatile in the end? The Stingray, for me, as it works for me everywhere.

Is the power cord fully inserted? (probably, but let's make sure we sort the basics first: my CMD121P let me down once... and it was a power cord that had loosened up)

[quote name='Turnaround' timestamp='1465019937' post='3064646'] I've been lucky enough to see Bombskare live a couple of times and they were incredible. The whole audience danced and jumped around all through the show.Midge was right, light touchpaper and stand well back. Female bass player was good, very solid, didn't catch sight of her gear but tone was spot on. [/quote] They're fantastic live... and great guys (and girl, now, for the past year or so). We've shared stages a few times... they are loonies, but the good kind of loonies. Love them!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1465421906' post='3068170'] I played at a private party last year where I brought my 100-year old double bass and wished I'd just brought electric bass instead. It was a party at your classic communal hippy dwelling, with a dancing audience who were in a whole range of altered states. The gig was great fun (as was the rest of the night), but mashed people kept stumbling into the "stage" area and I just spent too much time fielding people away from the double bass, which escaped major damage but did end up with a bent tuner and a couple of new scuffs. [/quote] a double bass, or an acoustic guitar, is a different matter as they're rather more fragile. Didn't you watch The Hateful Eight?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1465382944' post='3067659'] At the sort of venue where there was a real risk to my musical equipment I would be far more worried about my own personal safety. Instruments can be repaired or replaced, that what you have insurance for - you do have insurance don't you? Human body parts aren't so easy to repair and replace, at least not to the standard where I would be able to carry on doing my job and enjoy playing in a band. [/quote] I have to agree with this. I can't imagine playing somewhere where I really would worry about my instrument... There's only been two situations where I took a not-my-favourite bass: 1) we were busking all day and we were going to be here there and everywhere, with chances of rain... 2) an unusual gig in a muddy forest (a motorway construction protest site actually) The only issue being that the likelihood of coming home with dirty stuff was high. So not really a big deal after all. I have a favourite bass for a reason, it seems a shame not to play it -the bass I like best and enjoy the most- because I'm afraid it may get dirty... I never played in a warzone what kind of 'dangerous' places people play?

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1465116642' post='3065322'] So I've read about this phenomenon but playing in a classic rock band it's never crossed my mind when I got a new LM3, until last night when a little impromptu jam between songs turned into a slap fest by yours truly and a total amp cut out! Switched off, switched back on and all was good! Anyone else had this? I'm pretty sure I wasn't lighting up the input gain, I use a Spectracomp that that limits quite nicely too! Am I destined to never slap my bass whilst I have this amp!!!!!????? [/quote] I used an LM3 in a RHCP tribute band a while ago, so... no, you can certainly slap with that amp. Whether your bandmates think you should, that's another matter.

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1465121401' post='3065388'] QTX make some battery powered mini PAs. I have the 10" version, QTXqr10pa, although I think they also make 12 and 15" versions. Cheap and reasonably effective, with very good battery life. [/quote] This. I've had mine for 3 years now. Tonally is not the best bass sound ever, but it is not bad at all, and it gets surprisingly loud for surprisingly long. Certainly louder than we're allowed while busking over here. I used it in my band with two trumpets and a sax (unamplified), reduced acoustic kit (hi-hats, snare and bass drum), and three guitars through Roland micro thingies. I have more than enough headroom. I recommend an EQ pedal or a bass with active EQ, as the built in tone controls are not great for bass. I think the 10" is perfect, as it gives more than enough bass (for my needs, anyway) and it's light, small, and the battery last AGES. It will distort the bass if you push it, if the battery starts to run out, but that's to be expected.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1465552429' post='3069140'] I think it's probably because Alex (and Bill for that matter) had the cheek to tell us that our favourite cabs had been badly designed and that they could do a far better job. Some people don't like being told that. Personally one the reasons I read these forums is to learn. I'll make up my own mind about Barefaced when I get the chance to properly try out some of their cabs in a serious gigging environment. [/quote] You're too reasonable. Didn't you read the memo? That's not how you behave on internet!

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1463589446' post='3052654'] As for the standard tiny, heaving pub, that is where live music really 'lives'. There is an element of risk, so as guys have been saying, keep gear to a minimum and keep it as out of the way as possible. If the mood is good, then get stuck in and enjoy the vibe! Don't take it personally when drunkards tumble into you, and don't expect them to take it personally when you nudge them back towards their mates- it's all part of the crackling vibe of a real gig! Usually any real trouble makers will be ejected by crowd osmosis- the one or two guys causing trouble are usually as much disliked by the rest of the room as they are by the band. You [i]may[/i] have to repair a jack socket or two, and you might have to wipe some booze off your bass, but chances are you'll do it with a smile on your face. Enjoy! [/quote] smile on the face? It sounds like one variation of my idea of Hell...

[quote name='sellisnba' timestamp='1463428534' post='3051320'] Hi all, I'm thinking of changing to flat wound strings, I currently have rotosound strings on the bass. Great strings but I really can't get past the scratchy sound. My question is, if I stick to same string gauge will I have to get the bass setup at all. I'm thinking of giving Ernie ball cobalt flats a try, I've tried Fender flats but found the tension a bit high. [/quote] I find the Cobalts a bit more 'compliant' than the Fenders. I doubt you'll need to adjust the bass, but at most you'll have to turn the truss rod nut a fraction one way or the other, nothing else. The Cobalt flats are really cool. They are a bit like slightly used rounds, nowhere as dull as flats so if you don't want to change your sound drastically these are a good compromise... and smooth, so no finger noise. Love them.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1463839460' post='3054493'] Nice well built basses. Very large necks however. [/quote] one person's 'large' is another's 'just right'. I can't stand Jazz basses because of their slim necks

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1462707550' post='3045012'] Try the EB Slinky Cobalts, quite roundwound sounding to my ears, but with a far more polite top end. [/quote] +1 and you can make them darker with EQ/tone control if you wish.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1463821444' post='3054266'] IMO the better option would have been to take the amp out of the MB combo and use it separately with the Compact. [/quote] Which is why I ended with a LM3 head after a while... I wish the head in the combo was a simple loosening of two screws, slide in/out affair. But I guess their current conficuration works for Markbass: I bought both the combo and the head, separately

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1463826438' post='3054323'] I`ve considered this with many of my Precisions but at the end of the day, having too much versatility on a bass makes me a "twiddler". Constantly changing sounds - so I stick with the one pickup/one sound, and just get on with it. Probably why I don`t get on well with either Jazzes or Stingrays I suppose. [/quote] a twiddler. There's something there! I generally feel more at home on a single pickup bass and it's partly because it keeps me from trying to change my sound too much through control adjustments and I just do what I need to with my technique. But I still like 2 pickup basses, I just have to control myself I used to have a Warwick $$ Corvette. Two pickups, each with series/parallel/single coil switches, 3-band preamp... I moved to a Stingray after that with a simple 2-band EQ and one pickup and it was so relaxing

Well, I've had it for a couple of weeks now but I've been busy, which also means I have had a chance to use it beyond the initial 'wow' period. Still wow. What a bass! I can't believe these things go for such -comparatively- low price. I see it often compared to a Stingray, and it's obvious why... but I don't think it nails the Stingray sound. Is this a bad thing? Not at all... if it did I'd have no use for it as I already have a Stingray and a USA SUB Now, mine has been modified, so I don't know exactly how it sounded originally. Mine has a Bassculture pickup replacement (big polepieces like a MM pickup, set in rosewood instead of plastic, beautiful). I have the original pickup too but I'm not in a hurry to try it. The ash body has such beautiful grain that the transparent pickguard is very welcome... I also have the original black pickguard but again, not in a hurry to put it on. I saw it, and I had to have it... natural ash and maple, I'm a sucker for that combo... an I was curious about the ATK for some time. So... first impressions... this bass is heavy. It doesn't bother me, but it's heavier than my Stingray. I can use it for two hours in a row no problem, but I know some people would not find it comfortable. The neck is clearly modelled on a Stingray. It has a similar width, depth and profile. I use a Stingray most of the time and this one feels so similar... Sounds... well, I have to disclose now I'm using [b]Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds[/b] here. The strings it came with were not to my liking and had been on for quite a while already. I had these flats to try so... I went for it. These flats are unlike any other flatwound string I've tried, and I've tried many. Basically, you get the smooth feel of flats, with a very nice tension (a bit lower than I'd expect for this gauge) with a nice bounce to them, and they sound very much like roundwounds after you had them for a couple of weeks or so and they lose the initial overly bright zing that I personally don't like. They have a great midrange presence, lovely definition on the lower notes, and as much brightness as you'd like... which you can tame with the onboard EQ to get a more standard flatwound sound, yet with a better definition than pretty much any flats I've tried. The lower notes are very well defined, tight, and you can get a very nice fat 'finger funk' type of sound with this bass and these strings. Slap? You can slap on flats and you may like the sound but it's... a particular sound. You can easily slap with these and most people won't even realise they're not roundwounds (assuming you are not after a really bright tone). This bass has a 3-band EQ. I am not sure if the centre detents correspond to 'flat' on this bass, but I find myself boosting bass a *tiny* fraction, and mids either at centre detent or cut a *tiny* fraction, like 1/6th of a turn or less. Treble I leave alone, or I cut a fair bit for a rounder sound. It sounds fat, with similar presence to a Stingray, maybe a bit more middy? It is heard with clarity in the band mix, but it's not 'in your face'. It does not sound like a Stingray to me... but it's definitely close, unlike most other basses that I hear people say 'Stingray-like' this one can actually get close. But if you want a Stingray sound, go get a Stingray, or a USA MM SUB. Even my dear old OLP that I modified with new pickup and electronics sounded a lot more like a Stingray than the ATK300. But, it is in the ballpark, close enough. If you just want a bass that sounds great and you like Stingrays but you don't need the specific sound... this should be on your list of basses to try. As long as you don't mind the weight. It feels much like a Stingray and it sounds like a Stingray that grew up in another country so it speaks with a distinct accent An accent that is perhaps more low-mids rich. With the particular pickup I am using, anyway. The bass has a 3-way switch. From what I can tell, the bottom position is the full humbucker with coils in parallel (Stingray like). That's my favourite position. It is fat yet refined. The middle position is just one of the coils... I can't recall which one. It doesn't sound all that different with this pickup/strings... you can hear it alone, but in the mix I doubt it'll come through. The top position is the full humbucker in series. That is a bit louder, fatter, and generally more aggressive. It is a good sound, but a little too much for my liking. My MM SUB has the pickup wired in series and it's a great punchy sound. This one is a bit muddier, but not a bad sound. It definitely has its uses. Switching between parallel and series can be a cool thing to have, as it can get you that extra ooomph at the flick of a switch. If you're in a three piece band and find you want to fill in the void left by a soloing guitarist, that can be a good way to do it, especially if using an overdrive, as the extra output would give you some extra dirt too from the pedal. I will mostly use in the parallel position, I think. I'd describe this as the bass for the person who is in love with Stingray and already owns one or two and wants a slightly different flavour. Or the bass for the person who wants something that has similar characteristics as a Stingray but doesn't have to have a Stingray necessarily, and enjoys a slightly different look. I love it. What a beast. I'll take pictures properly later, but here's one for starters. I have just moved and the first thing I took to the new house was... amp/cab and a bass. Get your priorities right

I'll go against the tide and say: do it. But do it well, with a neat route. Having the bridge pickup makes a Precision a much more versatile instrument. I'd consider a double J humbucker rather than a single J. In my opinion it balances better withe the P pickup. Or even an MM style pickup.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1463509928' post='3051968'] Been annoying me for a while now. G string on my otherwise gorgeous Fender CIJ Jazz Bass keeps going flat. Doesn't happen on the other three strings, can't be down to a duff string as it happened with last set as well. I always tune up to pitch, not down. Can the tuner be turned by the tension of the string? Tried tightening the screw on the back of the tuner but it's as tight as I can get it. I don't bend the G string or do any manic slapping. What gives? [/quote] How many turns around the post? If you have many turns and there's a little slack between the turns... you'll go flat over a period of time until the slack is gone. How do you anchor the string on the post? The thinner string is more prone to not anchoring well if you're not paying attention... sharply bend the string so that it anchors in the post. I generally only use 1-2 turns[*], and provided it's well anchored the tuning is solid. Does the G-string nut slot stick a bit? If if does... it can cause the same issue. Similarly with string trees at times. [*] except E A strings on Fender type headstocks without a string tree, where you rely on several turns to ensure the string exits from the bottom and thus providing enough breaking angle over the nut.

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1463594154' post='3052717'] On the back of this positivity for the eb cobalts ive commited to giving them a whirl. I bought a new (76) jazz bass which im itching to set up so new strings are a must! Even went out and bout some new imperial allen keys today Im easily pleased. [/quote] let us know what you think! I'm really liking them on the ATK.

[quote name='PaulFenderJazz' timestamp='1463403728' post='3051040'] Actually it is helpful as it's helped clarify my thinking. I've ordered the CMD121p plus NY121 as they're designed to go together, now we will see what the sound is like! [/quote] That's a sweet combination, for my taste

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1463045007' post='3047996'] Do these cobalts 'go off' over time? [/quote] I imagine they would, eventually... but very slowly like other flats. Strings tend to go off largely from gunk getting into the grooves. Roundwounds suffer the most and become duller faster. Flats, not so much. So I don't expect the sound to change much over the next few months. We'll see!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1463345233' post='3050694'] Hmm, how do we decide if we're a yes or a no here? I have a micro head and lightweight 1x10" for the situations where that works, but at least some of my next few gigs will be with a valve head and a couple of ceramic 12"s. I'm not sure which box to tick! [/quote] If they're similar to the S112, I'd say light

[quote name='Kex' timestamp='1463212601' post='3049512'] Weight. Thats what I am taking about, when I started playing back in the late 1970s (yep, really am that ancient) bass stacks were big and heavy. We had two transits to lug around our equipment, the PA alone took two men just to move each cab, and there were six of them. My amp was a 4 x 10 Trace Elliot combo, at the time relatively small compared to other people 8 x 12 Marshall stacks, but it was still heavy. Very heavy, I know because until last month I still owned it. Until recent;y i had never even considered the weight of a Bass, it was what it was, yet now I keep seeing 'how much does it weigh' in replies to adverts - OK, i am sure there are some people who have back / medical issues, but not that many surely! Same with equipment, number if times I have seen people with small lightweight cabs kidding themselves that that 8mm chipboard ply is going to produce the same sound as 15mm marine plywood is amazing. Go and try and lift up a professional full range B&W studio monitor, or even a high end home hifi, its massively heavy and there is a reason for that. So, whats with the weight thing, have we all become wimps [/quote] Back in the day when we wanted to travel to America, we'd get on a boat and spend merrily a few weeks, then unload our horses and cart and get to our destination, and nobody questioned how slow the process was. Now it's all jet here jet there... have we all become impatient?

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1463234031' post='3049796'] Sorry another off topic point here also about status strings- not half rounds in this case, but I had a set of rounds replaced 3 times due to a dead e string. Perseverance was required for the replacements! [/quote] it's a pity because I kind of like the company and the strings that worked were nice. My set of flats was spot on and were very good for that 'old school' Precision tone... but it seems that they're probably a small operation for the amount of emails they get and they just don't manage. I hope the issues were a temporary hiccups.

[quote name='PaulFenderJazz' timestamp='1463292830' post='3050151'] Anyone used a 12 plus 15 combination? I just saw a MB Traveler 151 at a reasonable price, thought it might make a good partner to the CMD 121P?... [/quote] I haven't tried that one. I tried the MB combo with a Barefaced Compact (G2, 15"), which was a pretty powerful combination but I didn't think it was a good pairing, tonally. However the Traveler 151 is probably quite different from the Compact... so... sorry for the very unhelpful post