Rayman

Last gig I earnt 20 quid 😒

SO Many of you may have seen me bang on about the Sunn bass. However last night I rehearsed it, with the pictured setup. I can't tell you how absolutely fantastic this setup sounded last night. Volume, punch, clarity and the bass plays itself. The only upgrade on the bass was the @KiOgon loom. The rest was a few odd parts, a fret dress and a setup. The bass was £50, the loom was £34. The amp was £40 from the bay, admittedly tatty, it functions perfectly. The Zoom B1on was £20. Having previously had Overwater, Roscoe etc, through a Markbass or Ashdown rig many years ago, I know what's decent and what sucks. Honestly, for around £150, this setup plays and sounds awesome. Just saying..... it IS possible to rig up on a budget, it's not all about expensive gear. 🙂

Er........ oh

SO Having got the bass back from my tech this afternoon, a lesson has been learnt. He thinks the pickup has either been removed and put back (reversed upgrade?) Or, the active/passive switch was faulty. The toggle switch has been replaced and the wiring has been checked. Bingo, it sounds great. Glad I didn't dive headfirst into some new electrics.

Ashdown Tone Pocket?

I LOVE Villex pickups. I had some in a Fender Jazz.... are they still available?

Awesome thanks for that

NEVER put your pint on top of the amp. I spent an hour with a hairdryer and a stripped Roland DB500 prior to a gig trying to dry it out.

Yeah, been there done that too. The bass is what it is, maybe I should live with it. I won't be putting a ton of money into it.

That's very decent of you, mate, I'll let you know

I turned the Hohner down when I got it, it was cranked, and the output was pretty silly. Now, it's on a par with all the other basses output wise. The Integra is quieter than them all. Set flat, the EQ just sounds lifeless and unexciting. With the bass, mid, treble boosted considerably it sounds better. I just want more level from the volume. I expected more of a Stingray style output I guess.

Mini pots and a bunch of scary wires, no sign of a pentometer to boost the output like I have on the Hohner.

Oooh, wiring isn't my bag.... setups etc no problem but I leave the electrics to my tech, I'll make a balls of it.

Yeah the volume is a bit on the low side (turn the amp up?) And compared to even a passive Yamaha RBX it lacks clout.

Yeah I saw that, unfortunately I need the MM style pickup with the "ears" ie a Nordstrand style

The bass was a gift from my Mrs, SO, it's staying. I think the EQ is the first port of call. It doesn't have a particularly powerful output, compared to the Hohner B Bass that sounds very big. Generally it just sounds weaker and with less tonal variations.

Those were my thoughts too

SO after having my Aria Integra 5 for a few months, I've decided that either the EQ or the stingrays style pickup, or both needs to go. The bass is lovely, but my other basses batter it tonally. The EQ is, master volume, 3 band EQ, active/passive switch, series/parallel switch (I think). Any suggestions on an EQ upgrade? If the pup goes, it'll be for a Nordstrand, but I'm going to do the EQ first to see what that does.

My Mrs and I have been together for 2yrs, since the start of lockdown, and with one thing and another we haven't been able to see any gigs together at all. On April 8th and 9th we're on a double header, her faves Skunk Anansie followed by an evening with Grayson Perry..... can't wait.

The good thing about flats for me is that they're a long term investment... ie: I almost never change them. SO I'm happy to spend £50 on my favourite TI flats.... or D'Addario Tapes, which I don't plan to change, ever. The Sunn has tapes on it in particular, and until they deteriorate beyond being useable, they'll be on it for the duration. It would still be interesting to know what y'all think of the alternatives.

I can't think of anywhere worse to keep an instrument. I work in an industry that builds conservatories, and regardless of the steps taken to regulate temperature, the vast fluctuations are difficult to regulate in most cases. Especially this time of year when under a clear sky, it's freezing morning and night, while warm/hot at midday. Personally I'd avoid it at all costs.

Love RBXs, awesome bass.

Fabulous. I've always been a Hohner fan, compounded by the arrival of a B Bass, a Jack is definitely on the want list.

SO after some years out of the game, and having sold up everything, my Stingrays, Fenders etc, I'm starting my collection over, and these are the first few to come in: Top: 90s Aria Integra 5, MIK, nice thing, low action, heavy, but very playable. Top left: MIK 90s Aria Integra 4 with Bartolini pups. Light, lovely tone, low action. Top left: 80s Sunn Mustang. My favourite. Very heavy, but a beautiful tone, nice neck, and plays beautifully with the tapewounds. KiOgon loom, .1 cap, warm P bass tone, old school. Bottom left: 90s MIK Hohner B Bass. Immense bass, beautifully made, loads of grunt, easy to play, modern sounding, such a nice neck. Bottom right: MIK 90s Yamaha RBX460. Plays itself, TI flats are perfect for it, P bass ish tones, and although the pickups aren't the most exciting, it has its sound, and it's awesome. 80s MIJ Hohner Tele in the middle, had it from new, changed colour about 5 times, but its still here, and it'll never leave. Literally the only guitar I've always kept. I want.... Stingray, MIJ Marcus Jazz, P bass, something fretless, etc etc, but who knows what will come in next.