mcnach

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1388933983' post='2327756'] A shim lessens the structural integrity of the neck to body join and affects the transfer of vibration (thus resonance) through the instument, fact. You might as well make a bass from plywood if bodge-jobs like shims are built into basses. [/quote] I can see the logic of that thinking, about transmission of vibrations etc. However, in practice... how much a shim compromises this? I have used shims, and one of my basses has a micro-tilt mechanism to achieve what a shim achieves... and have I ever felt the basses were inferior in any way? Not at all. When I installed a shim, the only difference has been that I was able to improve the playability of an instrument without hurting its sound whatsoever... Shims allow to adjust the neck/body angle subtly but significantly. Mass production basses are not all identical, some neck pockets/necks fit better than others... it's the way they're made. Elegant? Perhaps not much. But it works and I doubt anybody would be able to tell whether a bass has a shim without dismantling it. I know I could not.

[quote name='graz66' timestamp='1388778964' post='2326042'] [size=4][font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][color=#333333]I'm considering selling my TC Electronic BH500 head & speakers ( two BC210's ) to help fund the purchase of a Markbass CMD 121P.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][color=#333333]Primarily i'll be using this in the house & possibly small pub gigs, but i was then looking to add a Markbass NY121 extension cab at a later date when funds allowed. [/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][color=#333333]I was wondering if anyone has got the same set up on here & if they do what they think of it ? Thanks [/color][/font][/size] [/quote] I don't have the same set up, but I was using a TC RH450 with a RS210 and a BC212 cab (sometimes just the RS210 alone) until in May last year I bought the CMD121P. I liked the sounds of the RH450 although was not in love with it. As a stage monitor a single RS210 cab did the job nicely, but for pub gigs without PA I definitely needed both cabs to get enough bottom end. The CMD121P was a revelation. I love it. I do not use it that much in the house, because I don't think it sounds that great at flat-friendly volumes. In fact, when I bought it, I nearly returned it! However it comes into its own at higher volumes. At home I generally use a small Behringer BXL450A combo (I don't care if you laugh ) or indeed the RH450 with the RS210. I use the MB combo all the time now for gigs. Most gigs I play have a reasonable PA, so the combo becomes my stage monitor only. Easy to carry, I almost never use amps that are provided already in multi-band gigs, because I can just walk in with the tiny combo, put it on top of whatever amp there is there, switch the DI cables to the MB's own DI (preEQ, for me, so that the tone adjustments only affect what I hear, not what gets out in the front), and away I go. In some small bar gigs I can get away with using the MB combo on its own as well. It's surprisingly meaty! I also tend to bring it to rehearsals, as the bass amps I find in most rehearsal rooms are pretty bad and/or knackered. Bearing in mind that the position of the volume knob can be very misleading (sometimes there is no much more volume to be obtained after about 60% of the travel, for example), my volume knob tends to be set somewhere between 10 and noon, suggesting I'm not pushing the amp much to obtain the levels I need. When I want to make sure I'm loud enough without PA, I add another cab. The NY121 will be pretty good, I am sure. I used the RS210 sometimes myself, and then a Barefaced Compact (loud but light 1x15"). The MB combo with the Compact make for a surprisingly loud and light rig. I cannot be happier, I love this little combo and its sound and how easy and light I travel these days.

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1389105968' post='2330020'] I just added a TC Electronic RH450 to my gear mix. The Markbass Little Mark lll head I have, is now a back up head for the RH450. [/quote] Interesting! I have used a RH450 since 2009, but last summer (edit: early May, actually, so technically still Spring) I bought a MB CMD121P (LMIII head in 1x12" combo version) and I''m doing the converse: I use the MarkBass as my main amp, and the RH450 is only a backup. In fact, I'm thinking of letting it go and buying an LMIII instead. What do you prefer about the RH450?

[quote name='paulie' timestamp='1389083479' post='2329591'] Musicman arent really rock n roll anymore. Rarely do you see them in a rock setting due to the fact that they have a very brittle high, huge low end but scooped mids. So if you play slap or if your not too concerned about cutting through in the mix then the MM is great otherwise go with a P bass [/quote] That's doing the Stingray a huge disservice and hurting its feelings to boot Brittle high? only if you want it. Huge low? only if you want it. Scooped mids? only if you want it. I hate scooped mids. I want my bass noticeable, mids rich, cutting through, but fat as well. I favour bridge pickups for that reason. I use a Stingray because it's fat, cuts through better than anything else I have, and it's got a very well defined focussed sound. It almost sounds like we're talking about two entirely different basses. How is this possible? Could it be because of how different people use preamp/amp controls differently?

I bought Michael's EHX Bass Big Muff Pi deLuxe pedal. A pleasure to deal with, and he sent the pedal very quickly and well packed. Thank you!

The bass is now with me, after the gig(s) on Friday... I have a couple of pictures to post too I'll get that sorted later today... What we also need is somebody else to take over! Surely there must be someone else near Edinburgh interested! I am probably going to be in Newcastle tomorrow afternoon, so that's a possibility too...

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1388914559' post='2327484'] I had never heard of that one until now - and here is one for sale... you wouldn't get much change out of two and a half grand after shipping and import duties though! [url="http://www.thebassplace.com/basses-used-basses-c-17_36/used-lakland-55-76-deluxe-flame-maple-5-string-bass-amber-p-1232"]http://www.thebasspl...ss-amber-p-1232[/url] [/quote] lucky for me, I don't like that kind of wood/finish... ouch, the USA Laklands are not cheap, eh?

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1388686953' post='2324868'] And for anyone who might be around Edinburgh tomorrow night, the gig is at the Counting House on West Nicholson Street. Jen and the Gents are on at 8pm and Sea Bass Kid at midnight, so why not come for the whole evening and see us both? [/quote] Indeed!!! What a great idea!!! ... and who wants the bass next? Come on, don't be shy!!! I'm in Edinburgh but I can probably transport it with me to neighbouring centres of population without much hassle.

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1388666285' post='2324488'] My first thought would be a G&L L2000 or L2500. Does a pretty good P-Bass, J Bass amd Stingray impersonation but with 36 different combinations of switches etc, it does have a sound of it's own. I always considered mine to be the "swiss army knife" of basses. I tried both the American and Tribute versions and couldn't tell much difference for the price. [/quote] totally agreed, except for the Stingray bit. The L2000 and Lakland 44-02 do not do Stingray *at all* due to the position of the bridge pickup. But they're awesome basses anyway.

[quote name='alhbass' timestamp='1388665809' post='2324477'] I've owned a number of instruments over the years (though not that many when compared to some BCer's!), and currently have a Yamaha BB1024x as my main instrument. I love it, but naturally it has it's limitations tonally, so I recently purchased a Peavey T40 in the hope that it would offer me some different sounds... I was particularly attracted by it's apparent tonal versatility and capacity to mimic various classic bass sounds (Rick, Musicman, T Bird etc - see YouTube for many and various demonstrations..), especially the humbucking ones that my Yamaha doesn't do (of course). It does seem to be able to make quite a variety of sounds, but I must say I've yet to fall in love with any of them... Maybe I just need to experiment more, and I might change the strings too (currently has La Bella flats on it). Anyway, it got me thinking about what other single bass I might consider trading my current ones in for... I'd welcome suggestions. I'd be looking for something that would offer great P bass and PJ sounds (like my passive Yamaha), but perhaps something with the option of active circuitry too, so I could get some more "modern", full, fat tones that would work with soul/pop music as well as rock and vintage/funky tones. My musical tastes and interests are quite varied - I currently play in a kind of urban soul/dub-influenced pop band, but also love vintage funk and disco, and have been in many much heavier rock and blues bands so my influences range pretty much across the spectrum from Lemmy to Nate Watts! I know there always have to be compromises along the line, and that (probably) no single instrument can do everything - but I suspect there must be some basses out there that would do a better job than my current set up. If I sold both of mine I'd have something in the region of £1000 to spend, so that's my upper limit really. Might possibly stretch a little further if a very attractive option turned up though... Suggestions would be very welcome. Happy New Year one and all! [/quote] It sounds like you're describing a G&L L2000 (or L2500) But do not disregard the Lakland 44-02 (or 55-02) either!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1388708389' post='2325278'] I had a 44-02, loved it... But agree on the sound, it doesn't get close to the Ray. If you want a Ray, get a Ray - but this is a good bass in its own right. The neck made it for me. Lovely player. [/quote] if only it were that simple... No Stingrays made with wide string spacing, I'm afraid and the lakland 55-76 (single MM pickup at the Stingray position) is so rare! The neck on the Lakland 55-02 is wonderful. I never tried the 4-string counterpart, 'though.

I love the 55-02!!! Except for the sound. Oh, nothing, it's great... just... not a Stingray. Pity, as it is absolutely lovely to play... If only this were a 55-76. But where are they? I could convert this one... remove neck pickup... route for the MM closer to the neck, get a pickguard made Stingray style... and a John East MMSR preamp... ha, I can hear the shudders of a few people from here

[quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1388492572' post='2322557'] Well, it certainly [b]was[/b] correct when I bought and blew up the piece of equipment in question (September 2007 for the record - just looked at my order history). Understand I'm only talking about Tech21 gear; I agree that most items are fine, and Tech21 may even have altered their products since, but the screen shot of the voltage/fuse panel was taken from their website about 5 minutes before I posted. [/quote] to be fair, you don't know what caused your Tech21 to blow. My first TC RH450 blew the third time I used it or so... sometimes it happens. Given the harmonisation of voltages across the EU that has been going on for years, I doubt that the 230/240V was an issue. In fact, I am not entirely sure the power supplies will be any different... But I do not have authoritative information one way or the other, I admit.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1388589196' post='2323712'] I am not dismissive of the three band Stingray by any means , but most folks would agree that in use there is a discernible difference between that bass and the traditional two band version [/quote] But the 3EQ is not "a 2EQ plus a mids control", it's a different design and it is not a surprise they do not sound the same. Not saying one is better than the other, just that they are different. The John East MMSR 3-band *is* a 2EQ plus an extra mids module.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1388508146' post='2322846'] There are , apparently, all kinds of complications and unwanted interactions that can be caused by introducing a midrange frequency to a two- band bass and treble EQ preamp . That's why Roger Sadowsky refuses to offer a three band E.Q on Sadowsky basses. On the Stingray, EBMM first introduced the three band as an extra -cost option and eventually made it standard . The midrange control was, however, a bit of an afterthought when they should have in fact redesigned the entire circuit if they wanted to make it three band , and a lot of aficionados have commented, just as the previous poster has done, on how it messes up the basic sound of that preamp. I personally don't think the three band EBMM Stingray sounds that terrible in itself , but it definitely does sound significantly different to the classic two-band preamp , even with the mid control set flat. By comparison , the preamp specifically designed for the Bongo with dual- frequency midrange controls sounds fantastic. It's also worth mentioning that one minor but potentially significant difference with the two band Ray is that there is no centre detent on the EQ controls, you just have guess where 0 is, so that can in itself lead to those basses sounding different in use. [/quote] I love the John East preamp. It is a 2EQ (based on John's own '76 Stingray), with an added midsweep module (that does nothing when at neutral position). It means two stacked knobs, but it does not detract much from the classic look, I think.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1388141966' post='2318791'] I figured that a lot of people would put down their reasons anyway Considering I've not played a Stingray before, I was initially leaning more in that direction simply because the pickup is situated closer to where I'm used to positioning my right-hand thumb on top of the Jazz bridge pickup. I'll definitely play as many variants of both basses as I can between now and the end of January before making a final decision. [/quote] yeah, I supposed I could have elaborated, but I wasn't sure whether you were after a simple poll or something more Stingray for me, although I do like the sound of a Precision. I find the Stingray allows me to dial in the "right" tone more easily than any other bass. When I say the right tone, I mean the right tone *for my liking*, of course, within the band. I tried Stingrays in the shop and was never really in love with them, until I found myself in a RHCP tribute band. The guitarist said "ah, it would be cool if you had a Stingray" when I was trying my various basses figuring out which one worked best (Ibanez SR300 P/J, a Jazz, a Warwick Corvette $$, and some others). I bought an OLP Stingray copy... and I felt "aha!!!" once I played it in the band. That led to me upgrading it in various ways, and finally buying a Stingray. I play in different bands, and the Stingray always manages to sit right where I want it in the mix. It has a huge bottom end, but a pronounced midrange too that allows me to hear it well onstage, and for it to not indistinct mush in the mix, easily. Precisions are lovely too, but the Stingray is the one I feel most comfortable with. I generally favour bridge pickups, and the Stingray one is at the right place I feel: closer to the bridge becomes thin, closer to the neck becomes... well, it still works great. I guess the Stingray pickup is the closest to the bridge I feel sounds fat enough still. In addition, I like to generally pluck strings around the position of the Stingray pickup, so the pickup became a natural thumbrest for me. This is something I never liked about Precisions but did not think about it until I played Stingrays. Now I instal a thumbrest on my P basses roughly where a Stingray pickup would be. Both basses can be great. I just prefer the Stingray.

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1388060779' post='2318156'] What do you prefer? I don't want to get onto the differences between the two basses, etc. I'm just after your preferences. [/quote] You're only interested about our preference? Nothing else? Stingray then. Without hesitation.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1387480043' post='2312552'] That is mainly because many bassists don't know any better and really shouldn't be writing reviews. Zoom multifx pedals are toys hence the low prices on them. [/quote] Ah, ok then.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1387921182' post='2317312'] I was talking about SUB 4s only. [/quote] I know, and I have two SUB 4s, one is parallel (late 2005 or early 2006) and one is series (late 2003). Sorry my response seemed a bit confusing. Both alnico.

[quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1387913219' post='2317212'] I've heard the Bass Doc on here is the guy to talk to [/quote] this