mcnach

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1341906949' post='1725784'] I haven't tried their J pickups, but if they are as good as their Ps you might want to have a look here... [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-JB-Pro-Jazz-Bass-Style-Alnico-Pickups_p_318.html"]http://www.guitarfet...kups_p_318.html[/url] [/quote] I tried their Stingray style pickups a couple of years ago, and I was not very impressed by that, so I haven't gone back to GFS.

Karl just bought my Digitech Bass Squeeze compressor pedal. We have exchanged a few messages back and forth, the transaction and communication has been a real pleasure. I hope you enjoy your pedal.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1341828700' post='1724562'] My cheap J copy sounds great with Hammers in. Crisp and crunchy, but still sounding full and rich. Tone is very subjective and difficult to describe in words, but I'm happy! The original pickups certainly weren't short on output - in fact they were very hot indeed and rather microphonic! I didn't replace them to get a boost in signal, but just to make things more balanced and "musical". I bought the Hammers second-hand on here for £60 - which is a good price - but even brand new they are reasonably priced. To the OP: Next time I'm up in Edinburgh (about three weeks time) I'll bring the bass and you can have a try. [/quote] Nice one, I'd definitely be interested if you are around with your bass I have however just ordered a set of Seymour Duncan SJB-2. Never tried those, but seem high output and midrange rich... and look like normal Jazz pickups (which is a plus too... not a big fan of the big polepiece look of the SJB-3 or the hexagonal polepieces in DiMarzio Model J)... we will see. I had a last minute offer for a gig last night, and I played the red Jazz for 2h. Love it, but I am looking forward having a bit more "ooomph" there on the midrange.

Another gig tonight, and I used the Squier Jazz again. Loving it!

Hmmm, I emailed Andy, and he replied that he doesn't think his pickups work very well with nylon tapewounds... But didn't say in what way they don't work well. So I'm left with whether to just try for myself (Hammers or 84s?) or go for tried and tested Basslines... decisions.

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1339764442' post='1693949'] An EHX Small Stone is under £50 [/quote] This would be my choice. They are very nice and warm sounding. I have the "Nano" version and I love it. I have nothing against Joyo, I have their Ultimate Drive and I like it... but for phaser, the nano Small Stone is the one for me, and cheap too.

Nice! If it weren't a sunburst, I'd find it hard not to drive to Glasgow today.

I'm looking for a set of pickups for my red Squier Jazz. I currently have a set of some alnico Gotoh pickups that are not bad sounding at all. But I find them a bit lacking in output, and with the nylon tapewound strings I use on this bass I am aiming for that dark midrange grunt on the bridge pickup... which these get close to, but not quite, they sound too "vintagey". It's just a cheap bass but I am liking it more and more. I gigged with it last night and it's definitely not going to be the last... so I'm looking for a way to improve a bit what I have here. Looking at the Wizard pickups, which get great reviews here, I noticed the "Hammers" have a description that seems fitting... anybody has tried them?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341648483' post='1722186'] Can I be the one with the big moustache? [/quote] I think it would suit you I had moustache and beard once, but I also loved egg mayonnaise sandwiches... horrible combination. I prefer a fuzz-free face these days

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1341642408' post='1722141'] I'm hoping that it's down to the strings not suiting the bass so I've ordered a different brand in a heavier gauge. What do other Ray players on the forum use on their basses? [/quote] Generally D'Addario XL170 45-105 these days, but I have used DR Hi-Beams 45-105 also, which I like a lot. REgarding the pickup, it is angled towards the G... but the whole thing is not too close to the strings. Experiment a bit, I'm sure you will find that a few minor adjustments help a lot.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341595958' post='1721658'] Funnily enough I have just done a string change on my blue one ready for tonights gig, I tried holding a string near the pickup and the myth about the pole pieces is totally busted, even when the string is level with the pickup where its never going to be the magnets still have a lot of pull! They overlap from pole piece to pole piece would make it neither here nor there, I'd say you could put the strings between the pieces and hear little to no difference [/quote] Our own Mythbusters team: 1 - Myth: 0

And after reading this trhead... I've decided tonight's gig will be done with my Korean Squier jazz. The original pickups were a bit disappointing but the bass feels great, so I put some better pickups on it and I really like it.

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1341506380' post='1720249'] Tried to buy the vm squire from gumtree... The guy wont post it cos gumtree is for local selling only?? [/quote] yes, generally people expect local deals, in person etc. But if you are persuasive enough you may convince some to post...

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1341513346' post='1720411'] Opened the link and got a Trojan warning.....hmmm! [/quote] it's just a gumtree link, hmmm...

[quote name='OutSpoon' timestamp='1341490955' post='1719907'] So - I have a '78 Fender Jazz, well, it's a '78 neck on an 83 body and an 83 fingerboard (I think) - with Nordy pickups and a Schaller bridge; so already a bit all over the place - but what would make it 'perfect' I think would be block inlays. I know a luthier local to me who already did a great job putting new inlays into an old Ibanez that I had, so thinking to trust him with the Fender. I didn't pay big $$ for the Fender but wondering if it would increase, decrease or destroy the value of it... What do you all think? Keep it original(ish) or continue the journey it has had, and make it personal... [attachment=112250:IMG_1804.jpg] [/quote] I personally love the neck like that... but if I wanted blocks I'd probably try to get a neck with blocks, and see if I am happy with that, before doing the surgery on this neck.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1341425302' post='1718856'] non bass players often can't tell the difference between a P a Jazz, a stingray or anything from sound. The "oh you played an upright tonight, oh i didn't notice", I'm sure happens sometimes too [/quote] This. I remember when i could not tell the difference between a Jazz and a Precision, and "bass is bass, innit?"... then I learnt Jazz has a thinner neck, ok, then I thought "that is the difference that matters then". Ridiculous, I know, how could I not tell??? I had been playing guitar for years at that stage, and I could hear the difference between a tele and a strat, P90 pickups, humbuckers... but I guess I didn't care for bass. That changed rapidly between 2005-2007 'though To the OP: if you hear it, it's what counts the most. In my opinion, cheaper instruments benefit the most (generally, but not always) from pickup changes. Soemtimes teh difference is subtle to the ears of the "non-initiated non-bassplayers"... sometimes it just gives you a more balanced output, with a bit of extra body and that deeper "thump" that most people might not notice, but you feel when playing it. If I hear it, if I feel it, and I like it, I play beter. Simple.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341434649' post='1719114'] Any idea what the 5 string nut width is? I can see the 38mm nut being a big selling point, a lot of folks ask about options for a Stingray with a narrower nut on here. [/quote] yes, but for me it has the opposite effect... which is a relief, as a 2-band walnut stain looked very very sexy indeed, but I don't *need* one... the narrow nut does it for me. I'm safe However, the 5-string... I don't need a 5-string. But If I were going to get one, I'd definitely check it out, as I am a sucker for maple fingerboards.

spotted on Gumtree (Edinburgh): http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/70s-kay-bass-guitar/105900597

[quote name='Jono Bolton' timestamp='1341313592' post='1716700'] My Precision is Mexican and I love it! I bought it on ebay blind for £180, with a hardcase, and once I'd cleaned it and set it up it was brilliant, nice and comfy to play, and even with the stock pickup my bandmates at the time commented on how good it sounded. I sold it on here in about 2008 and then received it back in a trade last year (I had no idea it was my old bass until I took it out of the box!) I've made a few mods to it, a new bridge, new wiring from KiOgon and a tort scratchplate from The Bass Doc, and when I got the bass back it had a Wizard Thumper instead of the Duncan 1/4 Pounder it had in it when I sold it, and it's my go to bass now, I'm sure this is said about many basses that eventually get sold on but I reckon it's a keeper. I briefly owned a US Standard P Bass and I much prefer the lowly Mex. I've never found that the build quality of Mexican instruments has been poor, the neck pocket on my Jazz has a slight lip on it but I've seen that on higher end instruments too. I'd recommend a Mex Standard, I think they can be great basses, but if you have the cash I'd definitely go for a 50s Classic P Bass, they're outstanding instruments. I tried one in Sound Control up here in Glasgow and actually ordered one online because the shop didn't have black, only Fiesta Red, but due to my impatience I cancelled the order when I found out it wouldn't be instock for about 6 weeks (despite the site saying otherwise), which is what led me to buy the US Standard. In hindsight, I wish I'd waited the 6 weeks, shortly after the price went up and I've never been able to afford another one since [/quote] so, how would you compare the Thumper vs the quarter pounder?

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1341251080' post='1715803'] 15 minutes! You need a lie down my son. Take it easy. We dont want you breaking out in a sweat now do we. Have you told your GF? She will be well impressed and will probably make your tea for you. Pad it out to 20mins and you'll be on a promise. What a hero Same time next year? A [/quote] Maaaaa! apa is making fun of me!!! AGAIN!!!!