mcnach

[quote name='DanEly' timestamp='1380453208' post='2225386'] I own a Protec and I have to say.. I'm looking for a more comfortable alternative.The Protec is hard wearing but the velcro has given up on the handle. I walk a fair bit, say about a hour? and my back seriously knows it when I turn up for rehearsals. So who's using what, over long distances? Need some advice before I make a expensive mistake! [/quote] Disclaimer: I only owned the Fusion F1 for a couple of days, so I may still be in the honeymoon phase. I think the F1 is ideal for walking. It's essentially designed like a good backpack... then shaped like a bass, with extra protection where a bass needs it. The back is extremely comfortable and so are the straps, the added belt holds it to your waist for better support. When it comes to protection, I haven't seen first hand most of the good alternatives to the F1, but when thinking of walking for an hour or more with a bass on my back, I don't think any of those is designed as well as the F1.

I can't compare it to those others (Mono, iGig, Protec) because I have not managed to get one in my hands. But the F1 is exactly what I was after. I used it last night for the first time. Very comfortable, lots of pockets. Too many even, I could not remember where I had my earplugs! A bit bulkier than my previous bags (Warwick Rockbag deluxe and the like), but it offers so much more protection and still easy to carry. Love it. Even my girlfriend approved and showed interest in it, when she normally ignores any of my bass related purchases. I guess a gigbag is more related to handbags

The Fusion F1 arrived today. Really impressed! It is definitely quite a step higher from every gigbag I have ever had. Smooth action zip too, feels solid. Of course, there is a "but": it does not fit in the boot of my car! I guess the times I really need to have the bass in the boot I'll use one of the smaller thinner bags I have.

white ones are cool I was looking for one for ages... then within 6 weeks I saw THREE different ones for sale. One of them is mine, and that one is staying

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1380139060' post='2221500'] In the U.S. The finish is poly. Not sure if they ship overseas. They also run sales. [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-s.u.b.-ray4-bass-guitar"]http://www.musicians...ay4-bass-guitar[/url] [/quote] No. That's not the Made in USA MM SUB (made only between 2003-2006). Entirely different instruments.

And I just ordered the Fusion F1. "did it come in the colour you wanted?" No "excellent!" I had to go for the lime green and black one, as all the others were not in stock "available in 5 days, typically"... yeah, I know how long those 5 days last. I found one place who had just one left in stock, so I got it. £115, not cheap... let's see if it's worth it. I saw other cases for £50-70 that did not look unsubstantial, so I may have spent more than I needed to. I had to see one in the flesh, 'though, and buying one seemed the only way. It can always go back if I don't think is worth the price. I still don't rule out another bag in the near future. The Protec is still looking pretty cool, but I feared it may not fit my boot as well as the Fusion. I like the Mono Vertigo simply for the very very very solid bottom. I like a good bottom, myself. Although this thing about fitting in the boot could be a moot point as I'm about to spend about £700 on my 13 year old VW Golf... which makes me think that a new car will soon be in my "to do" list. I just have to make sure I take my bass and amp to any test drive I do, so that I buy a car that can take my gear, rather than buying gear that fits in the car

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1380114148' post='2220974'] I got one of these harvest gig bags earlier this year and not had any problems with it. It's not a lightweight case like some of the others named on the thread but it's robust. It only has a couple of pockets, one for the tuner and a large pocket in front for everything else. Enough for a couple of leads, strings, music, power supply for my bass. ipad and tools. I doubt if you would get anything bulky in there like a compact power amp but you could get a few boss sized pedals in there. [url="http://www.harvest-guitar.com/Bass-Bags/"]http://www.harvest-g....com/Bass-Bags/[/url] Jazzyvee [/quote] I have to say those are really really good looking. Not what I'm after, but extremely cool!!!

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1380042240' post='2220024'] I'll be interested to check out all these suggestions. I need a gig bag with a [b]BIG[/b] pocket(s). Enough storage to take a GK MB500 head, 3 pedals, and associated leads. McNach, did you have a Warwick Rockbag? If so, do you think that it would have the pocket space for this gear? [/quote] Yes, Rockbag but can't recall which model... it was one of the better ones, but I've owned a few and they all have similar sized pockets. You might get the MB500 in there but I think it would be tight. Plus three pedals? Hmmm, I don't think so.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1380038873' post='2219948'] Protection Racket seems to get a good write-up here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/216668-protection-racket-7051-electric-bass-guitar-bag/"]http://basschat.co.u...ass-guitar-bag/[/url] I had a Mono M80, very nice piece of kit but not too much storage, certainly not as much as the PR gets as described above. [/quote] I was just looking at the Protection Racket bags a few minutes ago. They look good! Another one I just found is the Fusion F1: [url="http://www.fusion-bags.com/products-in-guitar-gig-bags/f1-bass-guitar-orange-16115"]http://www.fusion-bags.com/products-in-guitar-gig-bags/f1-bass-guitar-orange-16115[/url] That one is seriously tempting me too. It's about £115, from what I can see.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1380037642' post='2219924'] I have a Protec Contego and a Mono M80. They are both really good, but I find the Protec more comfortable to wear on my back. [/quote] That's also what I've read, regarding comfort, although I can't imagine the Mono being "uncomfortable".

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1380036210' post='2219900'] Hey man, I've got the m80 - its great at protection and storage isn't too bad. If you're ever up in Aberdeen, welcome to take a look [/quote] A trip up North would be nice but it is not likely anytime soon, thanks anyway!

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.