fretmeister

According to the STRATosphere guys Fender are about to announce the end of the American Series - possibly leaving US production only to the Deluxe / Elite models and the Custom Shop stuff. I'm not sure how I feel about this. US Precisions haven't been worth the premium over the Mexican Standards for a long time, and the "posh" Mexican models like the Classic 50s / Roadworn / Lacquer Finish ones are amazing (as they should be for over £1000). If they just put the graphite rods in the Mex necks it would be the same instrument anyway.

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1474107907' post='3135650'] Might be worth giving the Yamaha THR-10 a try alongside the 1 watt Blackstar in a shop with your guitar and let your ears decide. [/quote] This. In spades. Valve amps just don't go with home practice only use. Even a 1W valve amp, when cranked, is massively loud and will annoy neighbours. The Yamaha THR series, or the Roland Cubes, or the new small SS Blackstars are a far better choice for lounge use.

You could add some mids. But I think it is far more interesting to get your best Jack Bruce hat on and realise that the "empty space" is merely the blank canvas for the bassist. If you were just playing roots, then even a swap to Root-Fifths, or octave etc will fill it up a lot. Don't be scared of doing a little walking too.

It seems a little different to that as the unit can work without the drive section being engaged. So I imagine it's a new clean preamp with a modified B3K / VMT in front of the whole lot - rather than using the B7K or the VMTD which are preamps and not just pedals.

If you are metal type chap - Ola has just done a Helix demo and has put his patches up for free. Apparently Pete Thorn is going to release his Helix patches too. I've got 2 main bass patches - my Cliff Burton inspired Mesa 400 rock / metal type, with clean options; and a GK based super-versatile patch with some switchable EQ curves, bit of drive and compression etc for just about everything else. Then I've got a shitload of weird noise ones!

Ah man. For ages Doug was on facebook saying there wouldn't be a fan. Now there is one. I hate fan noise with a passion I usually reserve for baked beans. I just can't have fan noise when playing with un-amplified woodwind instruments.

[quote name='Iain' timestamp='1474108952' post='3135659'] Fretmeister - any patches you feel like sharing? I find the L6 Custom Tone library frustrating to find bass-specific patches! [/quote] I've got a couple I'm very happy with. I've never uploaded anything before. I shall have to investigate.

I think (do check) that the AX8 doesn't do twin amp pathways. The Full Axe-FX does and the Helix does, but I don't think the AX8 does. Might not be an issue for you, but I love that flexibility.

I might have the 40P5 from you if you'll sell it on it's own (Provided it has the quick connect wotsit)

Bass Gear have a deal in a CMD121H combo at the moment.

The vat is applied to the item cost AND the shipping. Then there is about 4.4% import, and then often the courier fee for dealing with customs of about £10.

No. Not unless the celeb bass price was actually way lower than I could flip it for.

Pervert.

Do you know what model EMGs you have? If they are soapbars then all other EMG soapbars of the same size will fit - you might find that a different EMG model would suit you without having to rip everything out.

EMGs aren't sterile. They just have quite a flat response that passive fans aren't used to. They have a very clear signal. Removing them is easy. Just take all of the kit out! Only the stereo jack will be able to be used with a new active system. However - if the bass was built for EMGs then you might find there is no earthing to the bridge. Non-EMG systems need that. So you might need to drill a hole from the control cavity to the bridge to put an earth wire in.

Pickups are standard. The other bits - join the facebook Sandberg owners page. Gregor will be able to tell you what parts / screw size you need.

I don't know. I have thin and medium neck basses but the pickups, pickup position, and wood types are so different that I can't compare properly.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1473703416' post='3132425'] BEAD tuning won't harm your 4 string. New nut and a tweak of the trussrod is all it will be. [/quote] This. Or get a 5. Despite my first 20 years of playing a 4 I now wouldn't be without that extra string.

Purely because of an iTunes shuffle.. Sepultura's Roots. Haven't listened to that for at least a decade. Not really my cuppa these days, but it sounds raw and powerful.

I liked GHS Pressurewounds better - but on a 4 string only. I found the B to be bloody awful even on my Marleaux which has the best B I've ever heard in 30 years.

Leave the pickup black!

I saw that bass on fb too. I was very close to buying it! Dibs if you don't keep it!

All depends on the money.