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fretmeister

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Everything posted by fretmeister

  1. Yes - DR Hi Beams for me. Love the sound of them. They are round core so are a little more flexible than hex cores, and the wrap wires seem smaller than others so I get less finger noise. I've never really liked nickel rounds but recently I developed a nickel allergy so I can't use them anyway - I miss TI flats a great deal. The Hi Beams just sound ace. Nice and clanky with the tone up full, and nice and dull with it down, but still with a tiny edge to it.
  2. I remember that too. The 4 part frets were used as buttons underneath to help lower latency. It was quite an interesting idea but I'm not surprised it didn't work very well. I think these days more people play multiple instruments, so a bassist probably won't buy a digital bass, they'll get a hardware synth or a keyboard midi controller and some plugins for any sound that isn't like a bass guitar. The home recording revolution had definitely led to more multi-instrumentalists, helped by even modest instruments being so damn good now. I still remember my first set up. A Yamaha MT50 4 track tape machine, a Zoom 234 drum machine, my guitar and the Korg Pandora Mk1.
  3. Lightwave basses are probably the closest as they don't need magnetic strings, they use a light pickup system. But then again decades ago there was the Synth Axe so it's not a new idea.
  4. Always driving. I don't like to be limited to public transport times with my gear, or waiting for / being a burden on others.
  5. Joe Dart used them on his MIM Fender Jazz for years too. I find them a bit rough, but they sound nice. I'll stick to my Hi Beams for rounds though.
  6. If you don't fancy soldering - then I suggest asking @KiOgon to make you up a solderless loom with the controls you want (Don't forget the barrel output jack). You'll also need to measure the spaces between the body control holes to make sure the component connecting wires are long enough. All the connections will have a little screw block. You might have to strip a few of the existing cables once you've disconnected them from the existing system, but that should be about it. Dead easy job.
  7. The Ibanez Mezzo sounds bang on if the J pickup isn't used. The stock pickup is fine - just rip out the preamp and go passive. 32 scale, 2+2 headstock, easy to play.
  8. I had one of these. It was excellent. It was the lows amp in my multi amp rig. I’m quite tempted.
  9. Just buy the official one for £8 and then you'll have peace of mind. https://www.thomann.de/gb/voodoo_lab_voltage_doubler_adapter_ppay.htm https://www.gak.co.uk/en/voodoo-labs-pedal-power-cable-21mm-barrel-voltage-doubler-plug-output-10cm/100980
  10. These are great. I love mine.
  11. There's a second plug and socket next to the gain options. If you swap that one it changes the starting curve of the EQ for a slight boost to treble and bass and a small mid cut. Definitely improves the stock Barts a little, but still not as good as changing the barts for something worth having.
  12. Just don't leave it plugged in when you are not going to be playing for a few days or more. That's just wasting the battery then.
  13. I had a long rehearsal on Saturday so I thought I would experiment with the Lionel and the new pickup in it. I did the first run through with Fender 9050L flats, and the second with DR Hi-beam rounds that were already cut and stretched. I really like the flats but I have to say, in such a large ensemble, the rounds gave me more options and tonal variety just using the bass tone knob. I'm going to stick with those for this band. I've still got my other shortie with La Bella flats for proper thumpy stuff.
  14. The installed pickups don’t look like EMG, they look like MEC which are stock ones for that bass.
  15. The Demeter 800D (and other letters I can’t remember) is very clean, but not in a sterile way like the Tecamp / Eich stuff. Its an amazing amplifier.
  16. I am just amazed that a 500W amp with a Big Twin isn’t enough. If it isn’t, then the PA should be doing the work instead. I hope the OP has good ear protection.
  17. That is such a fascinating concept. Next time I'm at Bass Direct I'll have to try one out for curiosity. They've been around for a few years so clearly they sell in sufficient numbers, and if that means people with hand injuries or conditions can keep playing, then that is fantastic. There's not enough knowledge about alternative design instruments for players who have different abilities. I saw a thing on a flute maker who was making instruments for people with limited arm strength / movement. It was a challenge to get the right tone and range for a flute but using a far different shape.
  18. I find it easy to play guitar and sing, but bass and singing is more difficult as the rhythm of the guitar part often fits the vocal but the bass part often doesn’t. The best tip I ever got was to hum the vocal line while playing. It seems to lower the brain load as you are just making noises in time rather than remembering words as well. Then when that is right, add the odd word in the right place, then a few more and build it up u til you complete the line. Definitely works for me. I’d suggest picking some really simple songs for home practice to learn the skill before jumping into the stuff you might actually perform.
  19. My Lionel got the pickup change I wanted to do. Aguilar AG 4P-60. 1960s recreation. The stock pickup was closer to a SD QP to my ears - too much bass and treble and not enough mids for a P. This solves that for me. Also installed a @KiOgon solderless loom to go with it to complete the vintage tone package. Sounds more pleasing to my ears now. There was nothing at all wrong with the stock pickup, it was just not the sound I was looking for. Aguilars are a bit spendy, but I've got one in another bass and I really like it, so I didn't want to end up buying something else and then still wanting the Aggy and end up spending more. I have a rehearsal on Saturday to give it a proper run.
  20. I wish they did short versions of their Group flats as well. I really like them.
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