mcnach

Some basses are hotter than the norm, so the so-called 'active' input (which is nothing but an attenuated input) provides a way to not run the preamp to hot and distort (which can sound ugly, but I'm not quite sure it can damage anything with the kind of signals an electric bass produces). It's better when we just have an input and a input gain knob... but hey, we use what we have to. Active basses are not necessarily hotter than passive basses. Most I have tried tend to be just around the same as most passive basses I've tried. My two Stingrays are no hotter than any of my passive Jazz or Precision basses, for instance. The L2000, passively, was hotter than nearly every active bass I've used. The loudest output bass I've owned is this passive Precision with neodymium magnet pickups... Thinking in terms of active/passive is pretty irrelevant in this context. I always use the Passive input if there's a choice, as on many amps the active input doesn't sound very good. But I pay attention to the signal I am using and I know which of my basses is hotter than usual so in the absence of an input gain control... you can often turn down the volume on the bass if it's an active bass. If it's passive that will change the sound... so it depends. The issue is not just with amplifiers. If you use pedals you encounter issues too... some basses produce a signal that's too hot for certain pedals to function nicely. But the vast majority of pedals work well with the vast majority of basses too. I haven't heard of pedals being damaged because a bass was too hot, however.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1459605277' post='3018028'] Ah, I meant to mention his ages ago. I noticed the same thing. Very odd! [/quote] True! It did drive me mad (momentarily) on my first Jake. I thought I was going crazy!

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1459574427' post='3017742'] Where does a tribute band get gigs? Considering there already seems to be plenty of them around? [/quote] I was in a RHCP tribute band, although not full-on tribute (we did not try to look like RHCP although we did try to sound like them... or better ). Most of our gigs were very music bars, we also played a few with other tributes (RATM, AC/DC...)... and we did a fair few where we were booked for an event (birthdays etc). It seemed very easy to get gigs once enough people have seen you around. But it does depend on the band you choose, I think. I was in a RATM band too during much of the RHCP period and we got a lot less work.

[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1459280326' post='3015125'] Guys, I am looking to upgrade from my Squier and wonder whether a Fender Standard MIM is a good choice? The used price range certainly fits my budget. [/quote] You have to try them and see. Some MIM basses will definitely feel amazing, others not so much. In general I don't think you'll find it a huge upgrade. Those VM basses are pretty decent. Definitely a matter of trying basses until you find one that you feel is an improvement.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1459545654' post='3017659'] I'm in the habit of checking local musicians wanted/available adverts and noticed a pattern which strikes me as bizarre. Now, I have no interest in doing a tribute band myself, but I'd always imagined that when forming one, you'd start with the frontman or most recognisable member. Yet in recent months I've seen a Police tribute looking for a Sting, a Bon Jovi tribute with no Jon or Ritchie and a Guns n' Roses tribute with no Slash. Oddest of all would have to be the Dio tribute looking for a Dio, or the Nickelback tribute looking for a singer/guitarist, bassist and drummer (so who posted the ad?). Apologies if anyone local recognises their band in this, but I just found it a little perplexing. Is this a common situation in tribute-land? [/quote] I have seen the Dio band... they've been looking for a vocalist for aaaaages. Not going to be an easy search!

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1459542904' post='3017635'] I had to remove the link because the tune we played isn't released yet and artist want to keep it private until release date. Mcnah, can you please edit your post to remove the link? I'll post later other tune when I get home. I don't want to have any trouble related to leaking stuff too early [/quote] done

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1459507309' post='3017191'] It's funny that actually gig bag that I am carrying the bass in is more expensive than the bass itself [/quote] same here: Fusion F1! well, actually about the same as the bass, I think it was 114 vs 119 for the bass

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1459498949' post='3017070'] As I said, I gigged mine last night. The sound from the camera is a bit crappy, and the room wasn't really suited for a music as it was a large hall with a lot of reverb, but you get the idea [/quote] nice I used mine in a few gigs right after I got it too. Mine had a little issue with the nut being cut too low on a couple of strings, but was still useable. I meant to replace the nut but my temporary fix of putting a bit of superglue on the string groove worked fine so I didn't bother with that. I'm a big fan of the Jazz sound but not of Jazz basses because the neck is so thin, but this one is nicer than most (for me). It's still narrow but slightly deeper than others, which makes it a lot more comfortable for me. Hmmm, I should really bring it out again.

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1459439327' post='3016610'] Where did you get the pickguard from? Did it fot without any problem? I am looking to get one from ebay. [/quote] the screw holes do not align, and I was reluctant to make holes because I like it without a pickguard too and didn't want to add more... so I ended up using a bit of double sided sticky tape to hole it in place and never drilled the holes. I can't remember where I got it from... it was a seller on ebay... I know it fitted my old Squier VM Jazz, which is what I originally bought it for. It's a little tight, but it fits.

That looks amazing!

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1459422083' post='3016337'] They do sound great, and surf green isn't boring by any means, still looks great and I might get one as a backup. Pickups do sound great, very growly. It reminds me of a MIJ Geddy Lee jazz that I had a few years back. Even with the tone rolled all the way down they still got some of that growl there. Did you keep the pickguard stock on yours? [/quote] I changed the pickguard and knobs on mine. Just because! I don't have pictures of it as it is now, just this one where I just placed the pickguard on it, unscrewed, and placed the cream knobs on top of the existing black ones... but it gives you an idea:

[quote name='RickyV' timestamp='1459426653' post='3016421'] Mmmmm. Have looked at these before but not gone for one. Now thinking I really need to! Probably go for the all black with the maple. What are the strings like tho? Are they a decent branded set or just stock J&D's which will need changing straight away? [/quote] I like the stock strings, so I left them on. It's very rare I do that, but they felt and sounded great to me.

[quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1459286805' post='3015225'] Update, I'm now in possession of a gorgeous 2eq black Stingray with a stunning maple neck - I love it! Although I think the black pick guard looks superb I've also bought a mirrored one, however I'll wait until I have a degree of competency before I fit it... [/quote] welcome to the Stingray club! Nice choice. I hope you enjoy it as it is and be done... *however*, if you feel there's a little something that could make it batter and can't put your finger on it, I'll share two experiences with 2EQ preamps that *for me* transformed a good bass into a much better bass. 1) replace the original 2EQ with a John East MMSR 3-band 3-knob preamp. Straight replacement. The mids are flat at the centre detent, so you get the 2EQ flavour still (although I find John East's a bit tighter and more refined than my 2002 one was), and the mids with mid-sweep frequency control just opens it up tremendously. So versatile. 2) rewire the pickup from parallel to series. The series configuration has a bit more punch, more mids... and for me that works perfectly with an original 2EQ. Just suggestions in case one day you get bored with it. I hope you don't

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1456091563' post='2985361'] The John East MM pre-amp is amazing, based on the original MM pre-amp, and with the optional sweepable mid control it's just so versatile. That's what I would do, in fact I did. [/quote] and that's what I did too in my 2002 2EQ model. It transformed a great bass into an amazing bass.

I have the 'boring' surf green one... pretty cool basses, eh? I like the pickups on mine too, they sound righteous!

[quote name='ribbetingfrog' timestamp='1459383596' post='3016112'] Just bought a pbxn to pop in a Squier Affinity I've got knocking around. The stock pups are flat, characterless and have no punch. Will put my two pence worth in when they are fitted. If I like it then it'll be the tuners next, they're crap too! [/quote] be prepared for a huge jump in output! Those things are loud!

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1459379507' post='3016090'] If a BB2 isn't loud enough (and I do understand what you mean) then it's time to DI into the PA. However, I know how good a pair of speakers can sound. That's why I also have a Super Midget to pair with my BB2. Frank [/quote] The 2x BB2 scenario is for when there's no PA to plug into. However I've sometimes used the BB2+Compact when I had PA support. Yes, it was overkill as a monitor but it was easy to get a good sound onstage without being loud.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1459271506' post='3015005'] I wouldn't touch the truss rod so soon after unpacking. The relief is nil I take it, i.e. touching the frets? Give it time to adjust and warm up, if there is still any issue I would contact them to ask why it has been set up how it has. Shouldn't have to worry about back bow or any other issues on a brand new freshly setup bass. [/quote] a freshly set up bass... in a likely different weather, after travelling and being stored cold etc etc... It's not unusual that something will move. But it should be pretty easy to restore it to what it was before it was posted, usually just a touch of truss rod one way or the other. However, that's just to restore the original set up. Who says that's what the customer prefers? I don't see what's so terrible about 'setting up' an instrument. I don't mean levelling frets etc, which should be perfect as it is new, I mean adjusting the neck curvature, saddles... Expecting others to set up a bass the exact way I like it is a bit too much. I nearly always tweak any new bass I get so that it plays the way I want it to.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1459112802' post='3013668'] I had a BB2 and a Compact - used them both a few times, and the BB2 alone couple of times. Moved the BB2 on because I'm not a fan of horns (and I needed the cash at the time), and I liked the Compact tone more. Bought a Midget, and used both together for everything. As good as the BB2 was, alone it was just too small for me onstage - I had the impression my calves (and the audience) were getting the best of the sound. If I'd have had the cash, I'd have gone with two BB2s (with the horns off) and been a lot happier. Edit: What I really should have got (and maybe will do at some point) is get two Super Compacts - that'd be nearer my tone goals…but that's just me… [/quote] Ha! I used to use a BB2 + Compact as well! I sold the Compact as I preferred the BB2... ah, if only we could have synchronised! I tend to use the BB2 with the horn control at its brightest setting, and cut down the top end at the bass if it's too much. I also like the stack of 2 (2xBB2 or BB2+Compact) because it just gets a better sound wherever I am too, as well as out in front. Considering they're relatively small and light, why not? It's not all about needing the volume. Most times I don't need to be that loud, and that's where the 2x S112 are perfect. I'm sure 1x BB2 out-performs them in terms of volume, but stacked vertically I like their sound a bit better and they're a breeze to carry.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1459111387' post='3013658'] I can't imagine ever needing a pair of BB2s. One is very loud indeed although, a part of me fancies try two. Just a thought... I have a BB2 and a Super Midget. That's three rigs - small, medium and overkill. Maybe add a SM for more flexibility? Frank [/quote] I have played enough times where 1x BB2 is not really enough. Not very often, but it happens. And I realised that 2x BB2 beat 4x S112 in almost every sense... I like the sound of the BB2 as is, I just want... louder.

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1459010113' post='3012845'] Our singist does something similar too, halfway through last number, cue excuse for mad w***ery by guitarists and a bloody drum solo....I just stop playing altogether and listen to the bottom fall out of the song, then kick into the groove again with a smug smile I hate soloing!!!! [/quote] that can be a cool and clear way to show what a bass does, without showing off

I had a CV Precision, and currently own a Matt Freeman one (CV in all but name)... I find the tuners more than adequate too. Are you looking for a 'vintage' look?

so yeah... I think I'm going to get a second BB2 and ditch the 4x S112 thing. Pity they seem so rare in the FS section... I've been using the BB2 a bit more now and I love the sheer power and tight bottom end of those cabs. One or two S112 will be just fine for most of my needs, and when I need more... Two BB2 are an amazingly loud and compact solution, which still fit in the boot of my A3.