acidbass

I've played two HB models in the past and would highly recommend them - the Beatbass and the Jazz Copy (not sure of the model name). Both excellent basses that where the sound definitely surpasses your expectations for the price you pay. With a nice setup, straplocks and maybe a new set of tuners, you could have a great gigging bass.

Yeah, it's mainly just pickguards, bodies, necks and tuners which cause problems. Summary - Fender parts are not always compatible

I haven't had experience with either, but I think the obvious choice would be the Peavey. It would be more suited to your cabinet and probably give you a less coloured sound than the Ampeg would. Just my 2 €urocents

[quote name='paul, the' post='13737' date='Jun 7 2007, 06:49 PM']*restraining jazz tendencies*[/quote] Lol, good luck getting one, I've made a few seperate enquiries to be told the same each time - "I no longer make basses to order, and have none in the production pipeline for at least 6 months" Gutted

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='13699' date='Jun 7 2007, 05:04 PM']It set me back about £1k as I recall - maybe just under. It was from [url="http://www.bravewoodguitars.co.uk"]www.bravewoodguitars.co.uk[/url], and it is sublime [/quote] I've been in touch with the guy at Bravewood Guitars about a custom order Precision too, and apparently he doesn't make basses on order anymore? I was very disappointed. Was he swamped with work when you got yours made, Luke? And how long did it take to build?

[quote name='wizbat' post='10808' date='Jun 1 2007, 09:58 PM']We simply like to put on a good show whenever we play which is why we also have a big lightshow and about 14k of pa[/quote] I know what you're saying. A big part of 'a show' is about visuals and not just music. I bet all those cabinets look really impressive!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='7360' date='May 26 2007, 10:25 PM']Actually if you've bought a US Ampeg and you're going to want to run it off UK mains you'll need a STEP-DOWN transformer 240V - 110V.[/quote] Ah yes, my mistake! I always looked at it the other way round for some reason....ie the head is 'stepping up' to meet the voltage of the UK grid - not sure why I ever thought this?

[quote name='Ba55me15ter' post='9273' date='May 30 2007, 03:35 PM']Mine would have a magic 5th string which disappeared with the flick of a switch.[/quote] If your switch broke though, what would you do? God forbid any bass player would have to play a bassline using only 4 strings???

Classic! Speaking of which - does anyone remember the rant thread about guitarists on BW? We should definitely start a new one - a lot of steam was escaping from the pages of that one!

A LOT of bands in Northern Ireland use these, they're damn versatile as mentioned above. I managed to get a little play around with one in Sound Control Leicester, and it was quite daunting to figure out all the sounds available, especially to me who knows next to nothing about keyboards! I'd say if you played around with it for a day or so with the manual in hand, you'd have it sussed though.

I'd have Warwick make me a signature bass. In fairness, any company you wanted could probably build you a bass exactly to your spec, so Warwick seems a good option because their stuff is so great!

[quote name='rodl2005' post='8943' date='May 30 2007, 02:15 AM']IME a 2x10" & 1x15" combo IS one of the BEST spkr combos U can get! 4 small gigs U can just take the 15"-or the 2x10"- I used a 1x15"EV for 13yrs with GREAT results. Then for bigger gigs take 'em both! Sound wise this combo- as stated above- IMHO- sounds better by far than a single 4x10. The 15" gives a WICKED old school thump & 10"s give U punchyness & modern snap( tho a 15" will give plenty of punch, snap too). But this set up IMHO- is Perfect 4 U. 1. would match PERFECTLY with the V4BH( V4BH & SVT15= basically an old B15-as used by J.Jamerson on Motwn recordings) 2. covers a LOT of sound spectrum/versatility of sound. 3. IS extremely portable. 4. when put together the 2 cabs really do become greater than "the sum of their parts"!!!! A single 2x10" is great, a single 1x15" is great, but comining 'em = BLISS!!!!!!! 5. VERSATILITY(again) but U can leave the 15 on the floor-or on a crate- pointing straight out, & angle the 2x10 up 2 yr ears to hear really well!!!! Without having to 'drown out' the others in band. I could go on!!! If I was U & they're a good price & condition- NO QUESTION- I'd grab 'em! -IF U like the sound!!!!!!!!! Good luck. Let me know how U go! Rod.[/quote] I currently own an Ampeg SVT-4PRO and I run it through a 1x15 and 2x10 cab just as you said - what a monstrous sound! Much more portable and versatile than buying one big single cabinet. Highly recommended!

With a username like '12barz', and 28 feedback with such comments as 'stunning guitar', it seems kosher to me? Someone may grab a bargain?

There's a time and a place for that kinda bass playing. I'm perfectly happy doing my thing in my band, playing the bass part and enjoying it, trying to make the band sound better as a whole. I really don't have any long term aspirations and just take each gig as it comes. I practice around an hour a day too, but have never taken lessons. I did consider it at one point though, but I'm a lot happier noodling at home than I would be with someone teaching me how to noodle! Just keep doing what you're doing, if your band likes it and the audience likes it, then why change?

[quote name='Oxblood' post='8618' date='May 29 2007, 02:47 PM']I'd add that to work well for Bass, a modern valve amp needs to have a seriously hefty, well-wound output transformer, capable of faithfully transferring all that LF power. On most guitar amps (and - as Dave pointed out - many so-called "bass" amps from the vintage years), the OPTs simply aren't designed to do this.[/quote] Very true. 4 string basses could probably get away with it, but in the modern age of 5 and more string basses, older style valve amps just won't cut it.

Remember that pickup height will also affect the output of the bass, as will the type of magnets used on the pickups.

[quote name='OldGit' post='7842' date='May 27 2007, 09:50 PM']Of you could post a "Luthier recommendation needed for [i]yourtown[/i]" post[/quote] That'd be a good idea. Sticky perhaps?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='7495' date='May 27 2007, 09:39 AM']I hope the articles aren't as sycophantic as in Bass Player.[/quote] I blame this on the Americans really. Although I generally prefer BP over the UK Bass Guitar magazine, I definitely prefer the language and tone of the articles in the latter!

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='7491' date='May 27 2007, 09:23 AM']Shim the neck. Depending on the thickness needed, I've heard of all sorts being used! From a piece of plastic document sleeve, via cereal packet cardboard, right up to slice/s of wood veneer.[/quote] I have a little bit of sandpaper in my Precision bass neck pocket, works a treat! You can vary the thickness of it by buying lighter grains etc too if necessary.

If I'm not mistaken (going by a video I watched some time ago) - Stuart Clayton has blue LED's on his neck, maybe he could advise you, assuming he's registered on BC?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='6999' date='May 26 2007, 08:39 AM']What about Warwicks? No potential there? They've reached a point of market saturation and were widely endorsed.[/quote] I reckon Warwicks will be the big vintage bass guitar in around 20 years time (as well as Fender and Gibson obviously), particularly the German made ones of the 80's. They even fetch big prices now at the moment! If I had the raw capital handy, I'd invest in a few, but sadly my pockets are as empty as a Frenchman on Valentine's Day.

I use a 4PRO with a step-up transformer with no problems at all. It can be a nuisance to carry around at times, one extra piece of equipment at a gig, but it doesn't really bother me when it's plugged in and I let her rip! I was considering voltage conversion myself though - the main UK dealer and repairer for Ampeg amps is [url="http://www.panicmusic.co.uk/"]Panic Music[/url], they're based in Cambridge. If I were going to have the voltage changed, I wouldn't look past them really. Hope this helps! Danny

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='6674' date='May 25 2007, 05:27 PM']At the moment I am looking to upgrade to a lightweight rig - so currently favouring the Epiphani UL410, and would run it with a Mesa Boogie Bass 400 +.[/quote] An anvil through a feather?

[quote name='BOD2' post='6052' date='May 24 2007, 09:20 PM']But at the end of the day I think it comes down to creating sounds you like.[/quote] Definitely. Even if you had a massive wall of Sunn amplifiers, you'd never create the same sound out of them that John Entwistle did (god I mention him a lot). Find a sound you're happy with, something that sounds good and suits your style and band, and you're away! Just remember - don't go out and buy the original amp that your favourite sound was modelled on, otherwise prepare to be disappointed

A little off topic - Can anyone recommend me a good luthier to do such a setup (ie, a non-Plek one)? I have a bass that could do with some fretwork and neck adjustment. Cheers, Danny