mcnach

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1439579895' post='2844210'] how about putting the muff in a looper pedal with a clean blend (or a crossover) so that you get both your clean sound with all its low end, and your distorted sound blended together. I would suggest then going into a preamp so that it sounds more like one tone. [/quote] +1 That's been my solution for that kind of issue over the years. I used a Boss LS-2 for that.

I use mine at the end, the idea -for me- is to limit the extreme bottom end from ever reaching the amp, so that's the place for me.

[quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1439566091' post='2844036'] So why make a thread about it? If I made a thread about every time I have returned something this place would read more like Money Saving Expert. [/quote] When you receive a bass you've been excited about, and it is not how you expected it to be (whether your expectations are reasonable or not), it's normal to feel quite disappointed. Basschat is only a few clicks away, so we pour our thoughts/experiences onto it. I don't think it's that unusual. The OP was asking for our collective opinion, as many do every day about other things. I don't think it's fair to pick on him I'm glad the issue seems to have a happy ending. I cannot say I know the seller that well, I only exchanged a bunch of emails with him, but for what it's worth, he comes across as a very genuine guy. He's been very good with me during the order I placed for a bass a few months ago, and the bass was just exactly what I ordered. I was so happy, that I have placed another order, this time specifying a greater deal of details. I'm happy to hear that he continues to try to make his customers happy, whatever the issue.

Can you post some pictures? Just out of curiosity now, and because I love those basses! (although I should not put myself in a position to be tempted )

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1439513187' post='2843552'] Not quite, sorry. The people that have used this amp (according to this thread at least) actually like the amp whether it's rated for 20w or 20Mw.. [/quote] and that's the interesting conclusion so far. That is more valuable to me, as an indication whether I'd like to try it or not, than someone throwing a hissy fit about how numbers are reported and/or leaving the room "I'll never buy from you, oh you horrible horrible people!" I have owned some Behringer gear over the years too, and I personally never ever had an issue at all regarding their performance or longevity. IN fact, the first amp head to die on me was a TC RH450... heh. Yes, I can't wait for the day when there is a standard that actually means something... but until then... take the numbers with a pinch of salt and pay attention to the reviews. Then, if still attractive, go and try one in person.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1439490274' post='2843372'] I think I`d be a little fed up that the condition wasn`t as described, but this make me think hold on to it: "The bass plays like a dream, its well balanced on the strap and it sounds great. It utterly blows away anything else I have played" Sure contact the seller, see if they are willing to offer a discount due to the condition being somewhat different to as described, but flip the situation the other way, pristine condition, doesn`t balance, and feels/sounds sterile and lacking in character. A great playing and sounding bass in tatty nick is worth far more in my view than a pristine instrument that doesn`t play, sound or balance well. [/quote] This. All of it. For a bass that I could describe as the OP did, I could tolerate a lot of cosmetic damage. Of course, I haven't seen any pictures... but from the description I'd say I would lean towards keeping it. Maybe try to get some £ back if the bass was substantially not as described... but from the OP's description it doesn't sound like a bass I'd let go easily. A body refinish could be a lot less costly than the OP thinks too... if he could really not live with it but wanted the bass. And it would not be an emergency, so one could wait until funds are just right for that.

[quote name='Kejsi3' timestamp='1439465572' post='2843047'] I had mexican fender many years ago - it was not what I wanted. [/quote] I know what you mean, but the newer ones are a lot better. The "Classic" range is very good. Not just "for the price". My Classic 50 Precision (see avatar) is excellent in every way. Worth checking out, you might be pleasantly surprised.

excited, hopeful and nervous all at once! thank you for so many ideas!

[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1439381793' post='2842299'] I've done it before on a headstock with a string tree that sheared the screw flat. I used a very small drill bit around the screw, just enough to get some needle nose pliers in and grip the screw. I then drilled the mess out and filled it with hardwood dowling. It's easy enough, [b]you just have to be patient.[/b] [/quote] hmmm, we may have a problem then. Do they sell patience on ebay?

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1439380006' post='2842275'] Very much so, I was told by a luthier that such a thing is a referred method, especially if you have sawdust off the exact same wood area you're filling. I think it was EvoStik wood glue in the green bottle that claims to be harder than the wood it sticks. The trick is to make it as thick a mix as you can & the bits as fine as possible. In the past I've achieved this by using a hacksaw and/or a file to make the dust. Alternatively you could plug most of the hole with an epoxy glue, that woudl take the new screw and put a veneer of the wood-glue filler on top of it. [/quote] Good to know! No need for a veneer, the hole is inside the pickup cavity and it would not be visible. Options, options... The one about cutting a chunk around it and inserting a dowel seems neat, but this one (cutting away wood carefully ro remove screw, then fill) looks less prone to accidents by someone like me who has a history of getting a little carried away with drills

[quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1439379502' post='2842266'] I had a similar issue with a bass a couple of years ago so I bought a hollow drill bit like this: [url="http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/hollowscrewextractor516.aspx"]http://www.highlandw...tractor516.aspx[/url] I drilled deep enough to catch the section of screw that had embedded to avoid breaching the back and then wiggled the wood containing the screw out with needle-nose pliers. I then glued in some dowel and drilled the pilot hole. [/quote] That's probably the neatest way to do it... if I'm careful... nice!

A few different a good ideas, thank you all! It's looking doable

[quote name='r16ktx' timestamp='1439369141' post='2842151'] Something like this? Irwin-Industrial-Spiral-Extractor [/quote] It's a very narrow screw for this to work on, I'm afraid, but thanks!

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1439370617' post='2842157'] Are you good with a drill? Maybe drill several small holes around the screw, just enough to make room for the pliers to get in & get a grip - then tidy up the area & glue a plug in - start again. Please remember there's not a lot of material thickness before you break through the back of the bass [/quote] That was my first idea... and also my fear: being careless and making a nice "ventilation hole" or "ventilation crack" if I'm too forceful. I actually have a small, very sharp, chisel, that I thought of using. If I go slow I stand little chance of damaging the bass. But it will be difficult to tidy up afterwards. Would it be feasible to make a paste out of wood glue and sawdust to tidy up an irregular hole? Would it be strong enough to hold the pickup in place? There will be some force applied as the foam is compressed to keep the pickup from moving.

The other week were screws made of butter... if you slip just once, the head becomes unusable. I managed to get the screw that got stuck out without much trouble (just a pair of pliers that had good grip, and slowly unscrewing it). I threw those screws away. Now, same bass... new screws. They looked more sturdy. This is for a Precision pickup. The original one had big ears, this one has small ears and so I drilled new holes for the new screws, a bit smaller than the diameter of the thread. Three screws went in fine. The fourth, as soon as I had to apply a little strength to tighten it... it sheared off. So now I have a nice chunk of screw embedded in the wood. Pretty much flush with the surrounding wood. I need to get it out, but... how!? I could only thing that there could be a way to drill out a cylinder of wood around the screw, and then I could put a dowel in of the same size, with some wood glue, and try again. But that seems scary and I'm not even sure what tool I could use that's small enough. Any ideas?

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1439309929' post='2841794'] It`s not so much of that, but the lack of manners really - sure everyone has a time when they need to scoot, but inevitably I`ve found bands who turn up with no gear expecting to use the headliners gear just turn up, play, then leave. I find it a little rude tbh, as also inevitably those bands rarely say thanks either. [/quote] ah, I understand that, yeah.

[quote name='hairychris' timestamp='1439306436' post='2841735'] I have nothing to do with this but oooooooh: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/267595-usa-sub-2-band-4-string/"]http://basschat.co.u...-band-4-string/[/url] [/quote] and THAT is the bass I'd get

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1439244933' post='2841325'] Definitely doable however a complete and total faff as well as I quite frankly find it a pain to take the bass (mono case is pretty bulky on rush hour busses), amp and a pedalboard, as well as it doesn't sound like it would do my (already screwed up) back any good! [/quote] Get your girlfriend more interested in the band, then you'll have a spare set of hands! My gf has helped me tear down a few times... she gets some interesting looks when she approaches the Barefaced Compact and lifts it as if it were an empty box. People assume it's heavy and that she's SuperWoman. She enjoys that

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1439244688' post='2841323'] You don't need a car to take a giggable rig to a gig. Gig bag on back, lightweight combo or small cab in one hand, bag with everything else you need in other hand. I've done it. Plus, as a bass player if there's a pa you don't "need" backline. DI box (ideally with Preamp) and you're fine. [/quote] That's true! if it comes it it... Preamp+DI box will do. Only you'll be at the mercy of whatever monitoring there is available for bass, which is generally poor in that kind of gig. A small combo is ideal, but you can do without *if* you have to.

[quote name='smaz' timestamp='1439237569' post='2841222'] I had a gig not long ago where once we'd finished soundchecking, the next bass player asked me if he could borrow my amp as he didn't have one. I was a little annoyed, but I couldn't say no - my gear was there, set up. But to then ask me if he could borrow a cable too, as he didn't bring one of them... C'mon, at least make an effort or ask in advance. I almost offered to play the gig for him, too. [/quote] you should have! [quote name='smaz' timestamp='1439237569' post='2841222'] I don't expect every bass player from every band we play with to have fantastic gear, transport, or whatever else - but I expect them to make an effort in making sure the gear situation is covered. Turning up unprepared is poor form. [/quote] exactly. That's what gets to me, how often people act as if they were entitled to stuff... I stopped being generally helpful with sharing when I was feeling that I was just being a fool, and taken for granted. [quote name='smaz' timestamp='1439237569' post='2841222'] It sounds like you've done the right thing in trying to find out what's going on & making sure there's gear there. Just be honest with the other guys, offer to help if there's any way you can and always thank whoever leant you their gear. If it's the headline band & you've got a train to catch, just say - I'd rather someone say to me that they have a bus to catch, than disappear. [/quote] voice of reason here, well said.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1439236269' post='2841205'] Plus, inevitably if the headliners have provided it all, many of the other bands then go home once their set is over. Having a bit from each is a good way of stopping this. [/quote] if you depend on holding other bands hostage to have an audience... something is wrong there. I never understood that rationale. My first gig with one of my first bands we had... seriously, less than 10 people, and 4 of them must have been friends of ours. We were the first band, very early, on a Sunday. In time, that changed. It happens, and it's ok. I'd hate to think people are there because they're just waiting for me to finish so that they can get to their amp that they lent to me.

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1439226969' post='2841045'] This is basically a "what would you do" question but needs quite a bit of explaining. Here's my post from Daily Annoyances thread which does so : Booked for a multi-band gig type thing. Used this 'promoter' before and had no issues. This time however has been quite different. Picked up the tickets for it last week and messaged one of the people working there asking if backline is provided as we were under the impression that it was but weren't 100% sure. Waited 3 days to get a reply that was less than helpful but it basically said "full backline minus breakables provide but can you bring your own guitar and bass amps?". Replied saying no we couldn't but will cabs/drum kit and P.A be provided? to which I still haven't had a reply. So I phoned the events manager today who said backline is to be provided by the bands. None of my band drive so taking gear from one place to another isn't easy (especially if it's cabinets/the guitar amps). This wouldn't be an issue if any of us drove and had our own gear that was to a standard of being able to be gigged (I don't even have a cab as there's no point when I can't transport it from home to gig!). I'm mostly annoyed at the lack of professionalism by the promoter as the other bands that are on that night were also under the assumption that backline would be provided (one band were even told not to bring any gear!). No backline being provided for established bands is understandable as they will often be in a position to afford and transport equipment but when it's a gig that's being put on for local/small/unsigned type bands it's almost a given that these bands can't always afford full gigging equipment. Okay now you've read that the promoter finally replied today simply saying "I'll get another band to supply equipment." But quite frankly I don't really feel comfortable using other bands gear for the same fact I don't feel comfortable other bands using my gear. I certainly don't want to have to allow other bands to use my amp head. Even excluding the fact I don't want to risk other people breaking it, I don't even know if I'll be able to stay in the venue till the other bands are even finished due to bus/train times! Ideally I don't want to cancel the gig as I think we have quite a few people coming but I don't really feel comfortable with the way it's been conducted. What would you do in my situation? [/quote] It's a tough one. The 'hard ass' guy in me thinks that if you want to gig, you need to have the equipment to do so (and a way to transport it, whether it is your own car, or a friend who helps or whatever). The idea that younger bands are somehow expected to be given a free ride seems weird to me. Even when I was a lot younger! It really isn't that costly, when it comes to gear. My first bass amp was not a MarkBass or Genz Benz. My first amp was a Behringer BX4500T head, and a matching 2x10 cab that I bought used for the princely sum of £100, about 7 years ago. Was it excellent? No. But it made suitable noises and kept me going. You don't need to spend a lot to own equipment that works. Transport etc is a tougher one. And basically, if you can't transport your gear, you're going to either forget about gigging until you can, or compromise a lot: either only play gigs that are close enough and accessible enough, or open your mind to sharing what you do have so that you can borrow what you don't. Both are quite limiting: when you borrow you may not like what you end up playing with (sometimes it's terrible), and when lending you often become a hostage and have to wait for others to finish using your stuff. It sucks, but if you cannot afford to use your own gear, what other options are there? If you think it sucks but better that than no gigs, then suck it up, sigh, and proceed If not... wait until you're ready. I bought a little combo (MarkBass CMD121p) because it's easily transportable, takes little space and nobody objects to your bringing that when there's already another big amp on stage, and it works very well as a stage monitor. I very rarely share these days. I do have transport and that's not a problem, but space is sometimes... so I can show up with my little combo to those gigs, play, and go. It's not a big problem anyway in teh kind of gigs I normally play, but sometimes we do play those multiband gigs and are asked that bands sort out their backline shares. Frankly, I don't think we should encourage those gigs. A drum kit takes time to set up, ok, I get that. But amps? Really? How long does it take people to set up? The days where a big bass cab was the only way are long gone. Nice when we can have it, but not *needed*. So if guitar combos are ok to bring in and out, so are bass rigs, they're not that much bigger... and if they are, that's teh owner's problem! If they're happy to move it about, fantastic. I was once asked by a Glasgow band we were suporting to use my amp (coming from Edinburgh) because their bass amp was a 410 combo and was heavy, and it was hard to park near the venue. The cheek! How did they think I was arriving? And if your amp is too heavy for you... get a smaller one! Nah, that day I needed to leave right after the gig because... I don't know, I needed to wash my hair or something. Their amp showed up onstage without trouble. Sorry, but a lot of people are just lazy and/or want the freedom to walk about without gear, so they save transport, they can drink etc... Get your priorities right. I'm not playing ball. And you know what? We don't struggle to get gigs Ok, rant over! So, to the OP: I really sympathise, I really do. And if you and I end up in the same bill, I will happily share with you even if I don't yet know you personally. I do share. Several members here have played through my gear. But I share with people I know or like or respect or all of the three. I know how it feels to depend on others for transport/gear... I'm afraid you'll have to compromise and share a bit if you need gear too, or make sure you only do gigs where everything you need is already provided. There are a few of those too, but obviously you'll be somewhat limited in teh number of gigs you can take. If I were you, I'd save to get some small lightweight cab as soon as possible, something you may use as a stage monitor and can carry easily in a foldable trolley (or in your hand, but trolleys are great to walk around with cabs). Most gigs you will have PA to reinforce your bass, so you only really need a stage monitor. You can then easily take a taxi (share it), or bus (it'll be hard, but not impossible... ask Londoners! a lot of them use public transport for gigs)... and consider getting a new band member who owns a big car or a van Good luck!

[quote name='Treb' timestamp='1439243243' post='2841310'] Good luck making a choice... Do play one before buying, that Stingray sound can be very in-you-face. If you really want that sound go for i[b]t but remember, there is no substitute for da real thang.[/b] [/quote] I'd normally agree with you, but in this case... there sort of is a substitute: the Made in USA SUB It really depends on whether you can live with the cosmetic differences. Same pickup and preamp, same neck dimensions (as a contemporary -early 2000s- Stingray)... if the lack of body contour does not bother you, or the type of finish... it is a Stingray in all but name. I'm talking about the USA ones, made between 2003-2006. You can find them used typically for £350-450, depending on condition and whether the seller is in a hurry to sell or not.

another vote for the Made in USA EBMM SUB. The white one in particular is beautiful, and they really *are* Stingrays in feel [1] and sound. [1] ok, the finish of the neck in the SUB makes it feel a bit different, but it's the same profile/dimensions.

It is a great bass! (that's the one in my avatar, I just replaced the pickguard). The neck is very very comfortable, it's my favourite thing about that bass. It is a bit wider, but the profile is kind of shallow. It feels chunky to some because of the extra width, but I think it sits beautifully in my hand... and my hands are not big at all. I'm a "tinkerer and pickup replacer", but I felt this one was beautiful just as it is. I replaced the pickgurad because I did not like the feel of the metallic one. They all have lacquered necks/fingerboard. Some are nitrocellulose. Mine is just the standard glossy lacquer. Try one before you bite the bullet, because clearly a lot of people think the neck is a bit too big. But I really don't think it's that chunky. Many budget basses have chunkier necks. The Classic 50s one is just a little wider (I love the extra spacing, myself) so it's not a slim neck. But the profile is shallow and I find it very comfortable.