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Kev

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Everything posted by Kev

  1. Kev
    [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1453845071' post='2963452'] That is a stunner. I personally just don't understand why anyone would remove the filter from a bass like this - but it's a cracker all the same. Bump! [/quote] Cheers To be honest, the preamp now has such an array of tone your not missing out on too much. Filter preamps are great but can be tricky to quickly dial in on the fly, each to their own
  2. Kev
    [quote name='therealting' timestamp='1453849574' post='2963530'] Optima have been in touch and are collecting the old string (for checking) in exchange for a brand new one. Fair play, that's good customer service. [/quote] Good, but necessary from that vid. Better would have been sending a string without asking for the original back, that is the experience I have had with other string manufactures before (Elixir).
  3. Kev
    If you have lowered the action right down up until the point of fret buzz and it is still that dull, definitely defective and I'd return them, can't imagine they are cheap?
  4. Kev
    [quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1453839842' post='2963366'] You ever think of getting into rentals Kev? [/quote] I'll never learn
  5. Kev
    I have had this bass for just a few weeks, it is truly stunning but I don't think it will get played as much as it deserves to. My mind is not set on selling this at all, but thought it worth floating for interest to focus my decisions! Here are the specs: Spec Level: Custom Okoume top with a 4mm wenge accent on a swamp ash body. 3 piece flame maple neck with an acrylic impregnated figured bubinga fingerboard 34" Scale 40mm Nut Amber LEDs on the side of the neck. ACG RFB pickup and a Hipshot Piezo Bridge Custom East U Retro Preamp - Modified with a Mag Mixer Circuit to allow blending with the piezo (~£245 upgrade) The bass was originally fitted with the filter preamp but this has been swapped out with the Custom East circuit, presumably to keep things a little simpler. Controls are Vol/Bal, Bass/Treble (Bright Pull), Mid Level/Frequency, and Tone control (Passive Pull), with switches for SIMS LEDs and Series/Paralell/Coil Tap for pickup. This bass is fantastically versatile as a result, piezo bridge is a new thing for me and its certainly a unique tone. Very light and well balanced. The bass is in superb condition, couple of surface scratches that are too difficult to photograph and a [i]very[/i] small ding on the side. At some point the bass was fitted with a D Tuner but that has been replaced with a standard Hipshot tuner, the new tuner is a [i]very slightly [/i]different shade of black, believe it or not. Full disclosure and all that! Bass is a dream to play with the Asymmetric neck. The top wood and fingerboard are outstanding pieces and photos do not do justice. Bass is strung up with a fairly fresh set of D'addario strings. A selection of pics; the lower pictures show the preamp in its current config i.e. 3 stacked 1 single. The bass will come with a fantastic Protection Racket case. Would rather collection or happy to hand-deliver for petrol money. Can ship as a last resort at cost as I do have a box and can pack very securely, I just don't trust the buggers At this spec, New I believe it would set you back around £2,200, I am seeing this one for £900 ONO. I am not interested in trades at this time. Update 7/2/15: Having just giving it a good going over before selling, if I am being [i]very[/i] critical, I have noticed that there is a[i] tiny [/i]bit of fret buzz behind the fretted A# on the top string if you play with a [i]really [/i]hard attack. There is no trace of such buzz anywhere else on the neck. Obviously inaudible through amp, but noticeable acoustically. A little adjustment of the truss rod has pretty much got rid of it, may need to be adjusted a little more to completely get rid of it. Worse case the frets may need a little dressing. Not something important enough to disclose really but in the interest of full disclosure I feel compelled to mention it . Price is dropped to [b]£850[/b], or it can stay at £900 and I will get the bass professionally setup and sorted for you prior to sale. Your call
  6. Kev
    I have a Prototype WMD Protostar on the way, which is basically a heavily upgraded super fatman. Interested in the Geiger Counter Pro too!
  7. Kev
    Just bought a set of Fender flats from Andy. As described, can't complain, cheers bud!
  8. Kev
    There could be no better word than 'Meh' to describe these. A shame, given I was rather curious from the build up in the article.
  9. Kev
    [quote name='roman_sub' timestamp='1453479776' post='2959916'] Kept the B3K, sold the B7K. Tighter sound, less knobs, and better EQs out there (IMO). [/quote] You are aware that, providing they were built in the same revision, the circuits are identical, so a flat EQ B7K in turn would sound just as tight as a B3K? The bells and whistles of the B7K all come after the drive circuit, with the EQ circuit flat they sound identical. This is based on experience and owning a B3K and B7K of the same revision at the same time. RE EQ points, this is why I have a B7K Ultra on order. The extra mid frequency switches excite me To echo others, the B3K could not replace a Rat, and visa versa. The latest revision of the B3K, with the attack cut switch, certainly warms it up, but without the EQ section it will always have that gritty dirt sound in any setting. Low end, the circuit in either iteration cannot be beaten IMO, the grunt switch set to Fat is about the bassiest drive I ever heard. But in direct answer to your question, the B3K is good. Very good. The EQ points on a B7K however are perfectly tuned to the dirt sound and add an awful lot. In truth, I couldn't go back to a B3K now. Given B7Ks have now dropped to £220 new (this was the price of a B3K not so many years ago), if I had the cash I would grab a B7K, overkill or not
  10. Kev
    Just an FYI on this, this is very much the prototype and it is just being announced at Namm. I think Summer is the target for these things actually being made and distributed
  11. Kev
    What an odd looking little box! Bizarre placement of Balanced Output and USB on the top as said, as well as the Aux and Phones. They seems to have just whacked little switches all over the top. Tuner screen seems to be very close to a stomping foot. I'm not really sure what the demand is for a unit like this in pedal form, its more of a multi effect pedal than it is a pre. Interested to see what it is all about.
  12. Kev
    Well, I received my strings a few days ago, thank you very much! For those interested, the 5 string set is 130 100 80 65 45. I have used D'addarios on and off for around 7 years and I am a big fan of their Flex Steel, Pro Steel and Nickel sets, depending on the bass. I tried these out on my Alpher Mako bass, replacing a Newtone Steel round core set 127 100 80 67 47, so a Nickel hex core makes for quite a different string , despite the gauges being very similar. Upon stringing up and tuning, first thing I noticed was the much higher tension feel than the Newtone strings. Whilst round cores are more flexible in general, I was still surprised at how much stiffer they were. I was quite amazed at how well these strings stayed in tune immediately after tuning to pitch for the first time. I can't remember ever tuning up new strings and not having to adjust the next time I picked the bass up. These strings are LOUD and very punchy. A good bit louder than the Newtons. Lots of low end and low mids rumble, quite a signature tone of these strings as eqing never really dialled this 'tone' out. Not boomy, but thick. Highs are very 'polite' with not too much zing for fresh strings. I haven't tried the Nickel D'addarios for a while but off memory they are a less zingy, and much less zingy than pro steels/flex steels. Finger noise is low and the higher tension meant low fret noise too. Its interesting to read some comments about the strings sounding 'open'; I actually found the sound quite focussed. They sound equally good with fingers and with a plectrum, they don't seem particularly suited to slap. Strings smooth and comfortable to play, good balanced sound across all strings with pleasant harmonic content. Use of these has been limited to amplified home use through a Markbass combo and headphone use through an iOS setup. Obviously have to see how they break in, and I understand longevity is a big part of the pitch here, but initial thoughts: [b]Pros[/b] Loud and punchy Nice sound straight out the pack Smooth and balanced [b]Cons[/b] Higher tension than similar gauge strings (which could be a Pro for others) Very much have a tone signature that some may not like Wont be bright enough for some For me, the tension is a bit of a killer as I like a more flexible string, so I do not think I will be investing in these beyond this beta set. However, lets see how they break in. I understand that these strings are going to be around the £30 mark, which if true will put them above flex steels as the top price of the D'addario RW range. If they make a lighter set when released I could revisit, but not as they are. This probably comes across more negative than perhaps is fair or even intended, but I think more than anything they were perhaps just not quite what I was expecting or hoping for.
  13. Kev
    I shudder at what the price might be, but this thing seems superb and Doug is really excited about it. It's the most ambitious project they have taken on and I hope it really works out for them. Foot-switchable B3K and Vintage citcuits, too...
  14. Kev

    Korg Pitchblack Custom?

    Kev replied to Kev's topic in Effects

    It's being sold on Amazon as in stock?? Edit: actually, most major shops online seem to be selling it as in stock.
  15. Kev

    NPD Darkglass stylee

    Kev replied to nash's topic in Effects

    Ah, the new Vintage Deluxe, can't wait to try that. They are blooming excellent!
  16. Kev
    For a beat up old Squier, amazing. When you see some of the instruments you can get for that kind of money on here or on eBay second hand, its truly remarkable!
  17. Kev
    And replied:)
  18. Kev
    I also have a desire to support my fellow countryman wherever possible. Why commission someone thousands of miles away when we have such incredible talent here? When I picked up my Alpher Mako bass last year, I enjoyed the moment of being handed the bass and shaking the builders hand, as well as an afternoon of bass chat. You don't get that from the UPS guy.
  19. Kev
    Bump
  20. Kev
    [quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1452960089' post='2955108'] I wish thomann stocked pike pedals, at some point I will be buying the b7k, new vmtd and t bass di and will return two. I'm 99% sure for a designated drive I'd get a vmt, I'm just looking for something to provide a hair of drive and to warm up my sound a little. [/quote] Contrary to many people opinions, the B7K is capable of very warm gritty drive, there is an early demo video somewhere showing what it can do. It's not all about heavy drive and fizzy top end, you just need to know how to use a 4 band eq and the switches and see how they interact! However, if warmth is your main goal. A vmtd does make sense, and the new version looks superb
  21. Kev
    [quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1452954019' post='2955023'] If the era affected the clean side that would be the 1 pedal for me. As it stands, I'm not too bothered about the completely clean sounds from either the b7k or the vmtd. [/quote] Doug has said that you can achieve everything the Era knob could with the two mid controls. Not as simple as turning one knob, but the sounds are still there
  22. Kev
    Buy second hand and you will get a quality comp for £100. Keep eyes peeled
  23. Kev

    Korg Pitchblack Custom?

    Kev replied to Kev's topic in Effects

    No-one?
  24. Kev
    Nothing, some pedals do it for some and not for others
  25. Kev
    [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1452781935' post='2953457'] An improvement... [/quote] But it's only the preamp section that has changed, the drive circuit is unaltered so a change, or improvement as you put it , was always bizarrely ambitious!
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