mcnach

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1363377470' post='2012176'] www.rothkoandfrost.co.uk [/quote] thanks!

No, not worth the hassle for stringthrough. I bought a Westfield Jazz for £40 a few years ago, fully intending to replace at least the pickups... but it was nice enough as it was. The body was solid wood, not sure what, regardless... it was good. I gigged with it a few times and it even features on a DVD If it feels nice and you like the sound... that's all you need. I personally detest locking jack sockets, 'though. If the original is not making good contact or feels a bit loose... I'd replace it, but for a smiliar one, just of good quality. BUt that's me.

are all bassists in a band? No. Some are in more than one band

Very nice! Now that's a cool decal. Where did you get it made?

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1363303625' post='2011469'] There's a simple answer, if you don't like them, buy something different. Like DIngus, I've had (and do have) several Stingrays and don't have this issue in a live or recorded situation. The problem with all basses is if you overscoop the mid range, the upper notes sound less powerful (when stood right in front of your rig) than the lower ones when you're playing with a band. The Stingray has a naturally scooped sound (as does a Fender Jazz and various other basses) - if you overdo the bass EQ and cut the mids (on a 2 band Ray this happens automatically if you put the treble and bass control on full), the lower strings will appear to sound louder than the upper ones - however they actually don't out in the room, although you might not be as present in the mix as you would want if you have the mids scooped too much - the way to get the sound back is to avoid excessive EQ adjustment. This phenomena can be achieved on many basses, but particularly a Fender Jazz with both pick ups on full (scooped sound again). I believe it's an EQ setting issue. I have a Markbass LM3 and if I put the VPF on full (scooped sound) I can create the 'weak G string' sound - well certainly in terms of the sound in front of the rig. Stingrays also respond to having the pick up level adjusted correctly (as per Musicman FAQ info). [/quote] I have a Stingray and a 2003 SUB. Neither of them seemed weak on the G to me. I find what you said about the EQ interesting, as I like midrange and I never boost bass and treble much. I seem to have the bass control at about a quarter to a third of its travel, and the treble maybe a tiny bit more, and that has a lot more bite than boosting both to max, which many people seem to do. The pickup on my Stingray is quite angled too, much closer on the treblier strings. Now, another curious thing. My SUB was great. Very punchy D and G strings. Then my G string broke and... it was the string set the bass came with when I bought it. I have no clue what the strings are. This happened at a gig, I quickly put another G string on, from a D'Addario XL170 set... and my G string was gone. Much much quieter. Ok, I thought it was probably not well matched to the others... so I set out to find out what the strings were. I never did find out... I was in between Ernie Ball and DR Fat beams. I tried the Fat Beams... Nice strings, same gauge as I had... but the G string was... weak. Oh no! Now the pickup on this bass was not nearly as angled as the Stingray's, and it sounded balanced. So I angled it more, so that the treble is closer to the strings, and then lowered the pickup a bit, equally. It seemed much more balanced. I used the bass tonight at a gig, and the G string sounded every bit as good as the others. The conclusion for me is that I remain sceptical about the idea of a "weak G string"... Yes, it can happen, but it's something that can be contributed to by a number of parameters that we have control over: strings, pickup set up and EQ. My guess is that the people who complain about a weak G do not use/want a tone similar to the tone I want... in that case, maybe it's not the best bass for them?

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1363273496' post='2010835'] because the stock Fender bridge is a piece of garbage. [/quote] however, it works for me... go figure.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1363215889' post='2010102'] I think there's a difference between might not enjoy and don't feel safe. Safety is paramount in any workplace whether it's casual work, hobby work, primary income etc etc. everybody has the right to walk away if they don't feel safe surely. [/quote] True. But they have played there before, knew the score, and still booked another gig... It can't have been THAT uncomfortable, or else, why rebook? Also note that they have not have any issues regarding payment yet. It's all second hand...

[quote name='TommyK' timestamp='1363191888' post='2009513'] My band are supposed to be gigging this Saturday night in a pub we have played twice before with no issues... however.. It has become renowned over the last couple of months for becoming the local gypsy fraternity's boozer and some of them are pretty unpleasant/violent characters to say the least. Our usual rent-a-mob fan base ain't keen. It is also St Paddys weekend which could add to the fun?? Also I have a mate who plays in a couple of other bands locally and he told me that the landlord hasn't been paying everyone their agreed fee at the end of the night. (They have always paid us ok up until now) We are a female fronted pop/rock/funk covers band and my gut tells me to pull the plug on it. Never done that before though.... Thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks TK [/quote] I feel it's a bit too last minute to cancel without a solid reason. I would still do it, just be alert... and in the future do not book gigs there if you feel nervous about the place.

[quote name='p58' timestamp='1363094672' post='2008284'] Friend of mine built for me custom instrument selector. My Stuart Spector Euro LX5 has very hot output, way hotter than my passive Fender Jazz Bass, so I wanted something that can adjust the volumes and I wanted to have it a bit fancy (pots with light etc.). [url="https://plus.google.com/photos/104146856705988679512/albums/5823559421929540209?banner=pwa&authkey=COXTnOaTp_C86QE"]https://plus.google....COXTnOaTp_C86QE[/url] [/quote] I don't need one, but that's pretty cool!

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1363043471' post='2007645'] Good grief, look what that's done to the frets. [/quote] and to the kitchen! The walls are all bent too! edit: I should have known somebody would have beaten me to it...

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1363025244' post='2007191'] Ha, but this was in Inverness [/quote] Oh, then it makes even more sense, I've played there!

End of March I will be driving from Edinburgh to Maidenhead... If the bass is somewhere near Maidenhead on Friday 30th or Sat 31st March... I could show up to the gig and bring the bass up North.

at the Voodoo Rooms. Edinburgh. It's £7 per ticket... and you get a CD! Bargain or what? [url="http://youtu.be/fOISxzHHIGk"]http://youtu.be/fOISxzHHIGk[/url] details here: [url="http://www.facebook.com/events/134467690058744/"]http://www.facebook.com/events/134467690058744/[/url]

I must research this option... it sounds like this is the way for things in the future.

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1362961744' post='2006890'] Am I likely to experience any issues when replacing pickup foam with springs to raise height of pickup? For example any noises /vibrations etc. I lowered pickup too much in my stingray copy which seems to have compressed foam and now can't raise again. Thanks [/quote] Just put more foam. I prefer foam, as the pickup stays in position more solidly. Just my preference, both methods work, but if your issue is just that the pickup sits too low, I'd add more foam. In fact, I have added a bit of cardboard when I had no more foam, under the foam, to the same effect.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1362875887' post='2005823'] and the crowd were dancing about like maniacs [/quote] They tell me that's quite normal for Aberdeen?

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1362942809' post='2006542'] How about fourstring with the pickup of your choice BUT put a 5 string pickup in instead. So strings are between the poles. Makes for a warmer sound so rumour has it! Meh! who are we kiddin, your going to have a P made arent you. So what you going to call it? How about "JUDAS". A (Still alive BTW) [/quote] it will NOT be a P unless the pickup it's at the P-osition

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1362753027' post='2004274'] I enjoyed that . The band sound very tight and you bass cuts through the mix nicely . Have you considered that changing the name of the band to a more affordable type of fish , cod or haddock for example , might broaden your appeal ? Just a thought . [/quote] ha ha, thanks! well, we spent days trying to decide what sort of fish we would want to be associated with. Haddock and cod are very good, but they get battered regularly. Sea Bass is only slightly more "upmarket" and does not get into fights quite as much. It's a fish for weekends. And so are we. Or something.

a new (blatant) promo for our band, Sea Bass Kid [url="http://youtu.be/fOISxzHHIGk"]http://youtu.be/fOISxzHHIGk[/url]

Yeah, Vintage is a crap name. But they do make some nice instruments.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1362633659' post='2002430'] I very much doubt that this 'knot' is causing the problem. The wood isn't growing any more but could - even though dried out at time of assembly - still be losing moisture through the finish. As others have stated, this shouldn't require a new neck and that a combo of neck, fret and nut work should solve this. [/quote] Like others said, I would be extremely surprised if that grain pattern was the casuse of any trouble, and even more surprised if your issues coudl not be fixed by a competent tech. Really, take your bass somewhere else for a second opinion. Find a reputable guy, not just someone who happens to say they know what they are doing. Many so-called guitar techs are pretty clueless.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1362663684' post='2002951'] The only person who will give a sh*t is you. Be prepared for the empty feeling inside screaming FAKE! every time you look at it. If you like the bass, be proud of its maker. [/quote] This! I personally get a kick out of getting a good performance out of a "lesser" bass.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1362648108' post='2002549'] One thing I thought of doing was snapping the sliders off so I could stack BMSs on top of eachother. Then all you need is a loop selector. [/quote] Ha! There was another one of those for sale locally and it did tempt me to get a second one (although not sure I'd go as "punk" as your idea... but bonus points for imagination! )

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1362645094' post='2002491'] I didn't think you could get analogue gear with presets (other than ones with motorised controls), but it seems I'm wrong. The new [url="http://www.harmonycentral.com/t5/News/Tech-21-s-Private-Stock-Division-Introduces-Blonde-Deluxe/ba-p/34719499"]Blonde Deluxe[/url] from Tech21 has digital recall on an otherwise analogue pedal, and I presume the Sansamp Deluxe works the same way. So there's hope for you yet! [/quote] I'll send a link to EHX with a note saying "well, guys, coffee break is over!"