mcnach

My Warwick gigbag is well and truly done. It's served me well for a few years, but it's time to get it replaced. I was just going to get another one just like it... but I thought I'd check what other options are there. I recently came across a Tribal Planet GSX5BK case that looked really good, offering a bit of extra protection and enough storage space (which I need, I carry many things with me: assorted cables, wireless, earplugs, batteries, a pedal or two, a power supply, strings... the list goes on. Unfortunately that case seems to have been discontinued. It was about £70. I wonder what similar gigbags people here like. I am not after a full hard case. I have a few of those. I only use them when I have to. Most of the time the bass stays with me and I am not worried about it being mistreated by others etc. A gig bag that I can carry on my back leaving my hands free to take care of amp/cabs is what I want. A gig bag that's a bit more protective than most others is what I want to look at. It must have decent storage space. The iGig and Mono cases get great reviews. The Mono M80 seems a bit short in storage 'though, and quite a bit more expensive than what I'm really looking to spend (I have not seen one in the flesh, maybe if I did I would change my mind... but what I see in pictures does not convince me to part with my cash). The Protec Contego looks pretty interesting and the price is good. A bit more "rigid" than I was aiming for, but it seems it's still comfortable. It's the top of my list at the moment, but I am not entirely sure either. I may just go back to teh Warwick again... although the Jazz bass fitted there precariously, pushing the zip at the top noticeably... so another criterion would be that it can take a Jazz bass nicely. It will mostly be used with a Stingray, but I do use Jazz basses too. What is your favourite gigbag?

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1379800536' post='2216985'] Frankly, having had one fitted to my Jazz in the past, there's not much a Jazz with a J-Retro can't do. It can sound like a P or a Stingray if that's what you want. Or even a bog standard Jazz..... [/quote] A Stingray is something a Jazz cannot even begin to approximate, J-Retro or no J-Retro. Not that it needs to!!! Played it live last night. It sounded great. I really like these preamps... but I have to accept I'm a Stingray man at heart: whatever I play, I try to make it sound close to one. I love the Jazz and even P basses... but when it comes to playing live, I just feel a lot more at home with a Stingray. I guess it's mostly because of familiarity. When I use a Jazz, I tend to use the bridge pickup alone the most. I think one of the reasons I like a J-Retro in a Jazz is that it allows me to fatten it a little bit, as it can sound a bit thinner than I'd like by itself, on a passive Jazz. But the main reason I like the J-Retro is that semiparametric mid-sweep control. The ability to tweak the mids just right from the bass is so useful. Another gig tonight... hmmm... Red Jazz or Stingray?

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1379594789' post='2214584'] If you can't hear your battery dying before it finally goes then you shouldn't really be bothered by the tonal nuances of passive or active. [/quote] TRUE!

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1379591087' post='2214490'] Passive I've only ever owned one active bass, and that went through batteries like nobody's business. When your usual awesome tone has suddenly switched to sounding like a mouse fart a couple of times, it tends to put you off. It wouldn't be as bad if there was a gradual degradation as they ran flat. Decent batteries are not cheap when you're replacing them every couple of weeks, and woe be tied if you forget to change them... I've never been playing and thought "I wish this bass was active". Passive still kicks butt. [/quote] Every couple of weeks??? Good grief! I have my Stingray in a 6 month "reminder" to replace the battery. It would probably last a year or more, but I don't want to risk it for a couple of quid. I use this bass "all the time". Basses that I don't use so frequently are on a 1 year reminder. Some have a preamp bypass option too. It's not that hard to have a couple of 9V Duracell batteries in the gig bag, always. Just like I carry strings and a few other bits. If the bass that you like is active, use it. If your batteries last 2 weeks... get it checked, because that's not normal. Oh, and unplug your bass when not in use. Always. Even if it's passive. Sooner or later someone will trip on the cable and break your socket or worse. Just unplug.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1379532762' post='2213900'] How many people on here bang on about passive basses only to put it straight into a modern amp with an active EQ? What they are saying is they prefer a pickup with a really long lead [/quote]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1379527603' post='2213780'] I like to hear [b][u]THE[/u][/b] bass for all that it is, passive for me every time. There isn't an active circuit made IMHO that doesn't sound 'artificially enhanced' (a bit like boobs really ) however you set it. [/quote] and the amp... doesn't it "artificially enhance" the sound of the bass?

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1379520304' post='2213649'] I apologise if this has been done to death, I did use the search function but I ultimately decided that I wanted the opinions of experienced (and hopefully fussy) bass players, rather than just a straight "Here's the difference between active and passive basses". On paper, it seems really straightforward - you have more tone-shaping options with an active bass. But of the active basses I've tried out to date, the tones have lacked the immediate warmth I hear from a passive bass (except - and don't laugh - the Squier Troy Sanders Jag bass, which had some really nice tones). Bear in mind I'm a bass virgin and operating at the budget end of the gear spectrum, and so I undoubtedly won't have tried the better actives basses. What I want is to hear YOUR opinion on why you prefer either one over the other. As many pros and cons as I can obtain, before I splash my decidedly meagre amount of cash. It ultimately comes down to what I like best I guess, but I would like as much info as possible on the active v passive argument. Thank y'all! [/quote] I use mostly active. Why? It just happened that the basses I ended up liking were active (Stingray), and the ones that are passive (Jazz) I still prefer them with a good preamp (J-Retro, typically) because they make it easy for me to get the sound I want from them. I'd say don't worry about the technology. Just figure out which bass gives you the sound you want and feels good to play etc... and don't worry whether it's passive or active.

If you are after the Stingray sound without Stingray prices... the old Made in USA (2003-2006) MM SUB is the one to go for. It's "the real thing" in construction, electronics, and sound. Not available new anymore, but you do see them used here with regularity. About £350. I own two, awesome basses.

I bought this '94 Korean Squier Jazz here a while ago because I wanted a cheap Jazz and I wanted it red. The first one that came along was purchased. The electronics were not working and needed some general attention, but nothing terrible. I have two other fretted Jazz basses. What was my first real bass (a Vintage clone I sold and managed to buy back) and a CIJ75 RI Fender. This one did not have the sentimental value or the quality... but it was red , and the neck was delicious... so I kept it and gigged it a few times, trying flats, tapewounds... also trying different pickups (the original ones went, they were not very nice). I have used it with Seymour Duncan SJB-2 pickups for a while, but they were a bit too dark for my taste. I wanted something a bit more brighter and "traditional" and the DiMarzio Area J looked interesting, being humbuckers too (ok, so not that traditional after all ). And a J-Retro preamp appeared for sale, with Jazz-like concentric knobs. I bought that one too. Finally, last night, the deed was done. I replaced the pickups and fitted the preamp. I also have been using this bass without pickguard but I had this mint green in my collection, so I put it on. It sounds great! I have a gig tonight, and this red beauty is coming with me, giving the Stingray a rest

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1379504062' post='2213385'] apologies for my ignorance but what are half pots and where do i go to find replacements for my vmJ which is still stock apart from the bridge (which i have hacked away a chunk of the body with a sharp chisel to lower the gotoh bridge down flush to enable better adjustment)? [/quote] I guess it's one way to address that issue. Now write a label and attach it to teh chisel. The label should read: "ask BC for hints before using this again on a guitar"

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1379344933' post='2211500'] Swapping a set that are absolutely crap for some decent ones will make a big improvement , but swapping one fairly respectable - sounding pickup for another supposedly superior upmarket one can all to often end up being a sideways move , and that is true on expensive basses just as much as cheaper ones [/quote] Look at the wide range of pickups available for Jazz basses, from any single big decent manufacturer like DiMarzio. I would not say one set is better than another, but they vary A LOT in sound. You may not like a perfectly respectable pickup, but like another also perfectly respectable. Jazz bass pickups in particular, I have gone through quite a few in a limited number of basses,, so I got to try the same bass with different pickups: there is quite a big difference between, say, Seymour Duncan SJB-2, Fender USA (forget the model) and DiMarzio Model J. Oh, and Nordstrand NJSE. Which one is better? That's subjective, and it depends on the actual bass too.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1379343268' post='2211471'] Interesting! My experiences are completely the opposite! Doesn't make yours wrong of course (or mine) but just shows how differently people perceive things. I've found that a new (and decent) set of strings makes the biggest difference. Then pickups (which don't have to be all that expensive, but it is worth doing your research first). Tuners can be a cheap but worthwhile improvement. IME, "upgrading" the bridge makes little or no difference to the sound or playability of the instrument. YMMV, caveat emptor, IME, IMO, etc!! [/quote] That's exactly my experience too. Pickups may make little difference, or a huge difference. There are so many different ones out there! But it's generally, in my experience, a pretty sure way to change the sound of a bass, cheap or expensive it does not matter. The change may not be necessarily for the better, 'though! Tuners... I have never found a bass that needed new tuners, unless they were broken. It's not exactly hi-tec, and cheap tuners can work just fine. Bridge? I won't even go there. Strings and pickups is where it's at, for me.

[quote name='Junkyard Rocket' timestamp='1379359317' post='2211799'] Don't Markbass amps already have a built-in low pass filter that does the same job as a thumpinator? I'm almost certain I heard that somewhere. [/quote] I don't think so. The Thumpinator clearly has a very pronounced effect on mine. The VLF and VLE filters are something else entirely, if that's what you were referring to.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1379328955' post='2211226'] Leave them some feedback to the effect that they can be a bit pushy and/or unreasonable [/quote] Please, do. That's what feedback is for, not just to say "awesome guy/girl!" everytime. I mean, most times that's what people are, but I'd appreciate being warned that someone could be a bit impatient. It would not keep me from selling them something, but it would make me be extra communicative with them and warn them in advance of when I think I could post so that they don't get upset.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1379327618' post='2211208'] I would have thought the point of having this would be to put it at the end of the chain? No point taming the lows from the bass to add them all back on with fx! But yes, I'd like one too. [/quote] Yeah, that's how I use it and how it made sense to me to use it. But I heard of enough people who claim certain pedals appear to respond better when placed after the Thumpinator. Octavers, for instance. Presumably removing extreme low end makes pitch recognition a little bit easier and so it improves the tracking. I haven't tried it myself. The Thumpinator seems to have no noticeable effect (regarding pronounced speaker cone movement) when using my TC RH450. It appears that amp already has a markedly low high pass filter which removes a lot of the subsonic low end. My RS cab's speakers move a lot more when using the Markbass through them. I had a gig last night to which I took the Markbass and used the Thumpinator. It was just as loud as usual, but the speakers moved noticeably less. That has to be a good thing. Actually, someone came afterwards to comment just how nice the bass sounded and was raving about the amazing little amp I was using... but I doubt what he heard was a lot to do with the amp, but just that the sound guy we had knew what he was doing. Someone else who has seen me play with the same band many times before, a bassist himself, told me he thought the RH450 I used previously had more "oomph"... but we had different sound guy last night compared to other times, so who knows what was due to the amp and what to the sound man. On stage I prefer the Markbass. I find it easier to get a midrangey but fat sound out of it. BUt I digress...

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1379109086' post='2208903'] Mouse mat. Or those rubberised placemat things.. [/quote] This. Well, to be exact, two of these I superglued two mouse mats, rubber side out.

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1379195051' post='2209806'] What a lot of people are missing is that some things cannot be executed simply by practicing it a lot. A flute will not sound good in the piccolo register simply by practicing playing as high as possible for hours a day. There are better ways than others to achieve the best result. [/quote] We were not talking metaphysics, but a very common bass technique

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1379181277' post='2209607'] I find it's best to start with a click at a very slow tempo, however slow it needs to be that you can play the figure consistently then once your brain and your fingers know what they are doing, up the tempo by say, 5bpm and only moving up when you can play that consistently too etc. Personally I would hit that lick with 1st finger then 2nd and 1st for the 2 16ths, raking back with that first to begin again. Hope that makes sense. If you start very very slow you will probably find what suits you best. Any good with a pick? Could be easier that way. [/quote] This. It's a matter of starting slowly and being patient. It'll eventually work. I also rake back to the first note, with practice it becomes a soft rake and you don't really hear it once you're playing full steam. I find that I lose the ability to do it well unless I practice it often... so keep at it!

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1379085964' post='2208544'] Ahem,cough..hidden in FAQ's [color=white]What about thomann exchange rates if I am based in the UK?[/color] As we are based in Germany, we can only trade in Euros. This means thomann that all prices given in pounds on the website fluctuate with the markets and should be used for guidance only. If you are paying by credit card the exchange rate of the day we take the money from your card applies, please note that we only charge your credit thomann card shortly before the order gets shipped out. It is possible that your credit card company applies a different, more unfavourable exchange rate, please note that this depends on the credit card company and we unfortunately have no influence on that. Some credit card companies might also charge thomann extra fees for international transactions, which has nothing to do with the exchange rate itself. Again we have no influence on that and can´t be held responsible, sorry! [/quote] so, as previously noted... nothing much to do with Thomann. You are buying from Germany, in euros, regardless of whether you can see the price in GBP too. Final cost and fees will vary according to what method you choose to pay... imposed by the credit card company, not Thomann. It may be worth making a list of which companies' cards result in extra costs, so we can avoid them. I have always used my debit card (Natwest), as far as I can remember, and never incurred in extra charges.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1378986809' post='2207350'] Thanks Jose. Ah yes my bad. I don't have any official pics of her yet because she's not officially finished but just for you mate.... Goldie Alder bod - maple/rosewood heid Audere JZ3 VB G&L humbucker (of course) weird grey bobbin ex-Tokai J pup (possible one-off custom job) G&L bridge Schallers clear plexi thumbrest oh yeah Datsun gold paint on bod (the reverse is black) and heid [/quote] Not normally a fan of gold, but that looks very nice. Black on the back you say? Nice! I like where you placed the bottom strap holder too!

Not as good as the previous too... but this is one of our latest attempts to put a video together to give people something to look at while listening on youtube [url="http://youtu.be/9n5sYmb0BlY"]http://youtu.be/9n5sYmb0BlY[/url]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1378946140' post='2206992'] Last showreel I did - [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkCUkYczSzo[/media] Find us at [url="http://www.entertainment-nation.co.uk"]http://www.entertainment-nation.co.uk[/url] [/quote] awesome! really sleek!