TRBboy

I still have my first bass, around 30 years later. A Squier Standard P ('93 I think), which was Olympic white, but I took it upon myself to respray metallic purple when I was 16. I've pretty much kept it all these years out of sentimentality, and because it's not worth anything to sell really anyway. I am thinking about giving it a bit of TLC soon though, maybe change the pickup, and see if it's gig-worthy.

They seem to be virtually impossible to find, might have to go for regular speed knobs or the knurled ones. Or something completely different? I got these cheap not long ago, but they're actually quite nice

@BigRedX I replied to you, and then went on FB and saw this for £350! 🤣👌

Completely get this, and that's why I said to lesser and greater degrees. I remember seeing photos and videos of you, and the aesthetic is clearly a big part of the 'package' 😎👌 Also completely agree that there's less choice of original designs at the lower end of the price scale, but I guess that's because if you want to mass produce budget instruments, they need to be kinda 'safe' and universally appealing. There are some quirky budget shapes around though, especially on the used market. Am I right in thinking you had a Gus at some point, or is my memory as bad as I suspect? 🤣

Yeah absolutely right. I've seen some incredible musicians on cheap instruments and some who aren't on very expensive ones. Could also just be that if you've got the money, why not get something more expensive? Horses for courses and all that. I still maintain that most inexpensive instruments will get the job done just fine though.

Whilst I've never been a gear 'Snob' (insofar that I've always believed there are great budget choices, and would certainly never belittle anyone's gear), I think in my younger days I was made to feel like if I didn't have a more expensive bass with some prestige, I wouldn't be taken seriously as a player. And whilst expensive gear can be great, so can cheap gear. I've played fantastic and terrible examples at opposing ends of the spectrum. In retrospect though, most of the cheaper instruments I didn't like was because of fit and finish, whereas at the higher end I guess it's more just preference and what fits my taste. I've hated/loved electronics at both ends though. Through the years, I've gotten to know what I like more, and gained more appreciation for inexpensive instruments, and I guess with age comes less inhibition about judgement from others. I'm really enjoying the Ibanez GAXB-150 medium scale I scored recently, and also love my Yamaha BBN5 I customised. For me, Yamaha and Ibanez consistently nail the budget bass thing, offering great QC, feel, playability, and usually pretty decent electronics for the money. I had planned to change the pickups on the BB, but you know what, there's nothing wrong with them. As Josh Scott says, 'if it sounds good, it IS good!' (Excuse the poor pictures, lighting is crappy in my cellar/music room) I've also just been helping a local player sort her bass out. She bought an EMG PJ set for her Ibanez GSR200, but was having some trouble with the installation. She's an absolutely killer player, always sounds great, and she's been rinsing this thing bog standard for years. It feels fantastic, and she's played it so much, it has a feel on par with true 'vintage' instruments just because of how played-in it is. Whilst this has been out of action, she's been borrowing a Yamaha TRBX174. I played that too the other week at a jam, and that absolutely blew me away for an entry level bass too. If it feels good in your hands, that's the main thing in my opinion. Pickups and electronics can always be changed if necessary, which are what creates the sound/tone on a solid body instrument (without wanting to get into the ol' tonewood debate 🫣). Pretty much anything else is just paying for aesthetics/brand name/prestige, which is fine if that's what you want. Obviously aesthetics matter to everyone, to lesser and greater degrees. But I genuinely think a lot of people would be just as happy and save money if they judged with their hands and ears first and foremost, rather than eyes/brand/price. That said, I love my Sandberg! 🤣

I'm a sucker for cream pickups on a black bass 😍

No idea to be honest, worth emailing EMG though probably. I need to double check later, but I think my issue is fixed! It's also pretty embarrassing if it's what I think it is.... 🫣

@EddieG I get that at this point you're probably willing to entertain the promise of a build from Jon out of sheer desperation/frustration, because you want something to show for all the years and heartache invested in this sh1t show, but I completely agree with what others have said; he likely again won't deliver on another build and it'll just turn into another lengthy saga, it likely will be poor quality for your money, and even if it is playable, it will always have a very negative period of your life attached to it. Personally, I would have a last shot at getting him to commit to some kind of payment plan (even if it's relatively little a month). If that didn't work, I think I'd just have to walk away and leave the whole thing behind me for my own sanity. Good luck to you whatever happens next.

Just to see what happens? Maybe I'll have a look.... Although I don't think the output lead to the controls would reach

So, update from tonight: lifted the pickups and they're good. Still getting the fuzzy overtones.... Ruled out amp, cab, cables etc. Then I realised that the bridge pickup is fine, and actually it's only the D and G side of the P pickup that has this effect.... Do you have any ideas guys? I'm starting to wonder if it's a dodgy pickup? 🤔

Surely Vic De Angelis is going to be playing one of those new Red Hot models? I would say she's the greatest marketing opportunity Dano have had for a long time

I did wonder that, but they seem quite low to me. Something else to experiment with maybe.... I'm keen to rule everything out before I go to EMG for help 😅

@EddieG really sorry to hear your story. 😞 I've been seeing him pop up all over social media and YouTube, and was sure there had been some kind of scandal on here involving him, but couldn't remember what. It sounds like he's entirely responsible for the situation he's created, and is best avoided.

It's really weird, it's like fuzzy overtones when you play the strings, and like I say there's some background noise when not playing, which is not what I'd expect from EMGs. I did see the note in the instructions on the bridge wire, so I've just taped it up. I didn't install the pickups, so I'm going to lift them and check the connections tonight. After that my only other thought is whether the barrel jack has a problem - one of my cables doesn't work with it but another does. I think it's the original one, so may be some wear and tear going on. I have questioned my wiring of the jack, but I'm certain it's right, unless the original Ibanez jack socket has non-standard configuration of the terminals (should be long - sleeve, medium - ring, short - tip?) Thanks for your help 🙏

Right, I've followed that wiring diagram and got it working as it should! 🙌 Only problem is, it has some weird fuzziness going on! 😫 There's a bit of noise when I'm not playing too.... Anyone got any ideas?

@orangepeelneil I've now found a schematic for what I want (hopefully). Will have a go tonight. 2-EMG-2v-1t-or-2t-no-switch.pdf

Hi Neil, thanks for this. I agree with you, the jumpers just simulate the middle position of the switch. At least it proves I can get a sound out of it though 😅. Can you see a way to wire VTVT without a toggle? It all seems pretty odd 😵‍💫 I would've thought that disregarding the green switch block would just mean that the neck and bridge pickup circuits are coming into that black connector and going out to the jack, and the switching element is 'optional'? 🤔

Hey folks, I'm having a bit of trouble... 😬 A local bass player asked me if I could have a look at her Ibanez, which she'd attempted to install an EMG PJ set in, but was getting no sound. No problem! I'm pretty good with wiring, and although I've never installed EMGs before, I knew that they were solderless connections, just click and play, right?! 🫣 She's bought a VVT setup, but added an extra tone pot. As far as I could tell when I opened the back up, and referring to the schematic, it was all wrong. Now, only one of the diagrams in the instructions covers VVTT config, but it also includes a toggle switch. I tried wiring out up the same but ignoring the toggle switch bit, no sound. So then I figured I could 'cheat' the system, and wire a pair of jumpers into the green terminal block where the switch would connect, to fool it onto thinking a switch was connected. And I got sound out of it! The problem is, both volumes control both pickups now, so you can't solo either... 🤦🤦🤦 I'm starting to think that she either needs to go VVT, or add in a toggle switch, as these two options are covered in the instructions. Does anyone here have experience with EMG systems and can offer any wisdom? Thanks 🙏

Absolutely Dave, that is by far the hardest thing! I've been in plenty of bands over the years with people that didn't 'gel', and it's not fun. This band was so awesome because we're all good friends first and foremost, that all go back a very long way. I'm searching as hard as I can, and using all the contacts I can think of, so hopefully something will materialise. Realising two things though; a) the local music scene is non-existent compared to 20 years ago, and b) I hardly know any local musos compared to 20 years ago 🤣 Fingers crossed it all works out though! 🤞 The most frustrating part is that we're getting loads of enquiries at the moment, but can't commit to anything! 🤦

Looks better in the flesh by the look of it. Quite digging the black sparkle Z3.... 😍👌

Well, after me saying earlier in this thread that our band was kinda stalling, it's all gone to shit this week. It's difficult after 13 years of stability and good times, and also because we're all really good, old friends first and foremost. There's no drama involved, but the rhythm guitarist has decided to pack it in with immediate effect because he's just too stretched, he has 5 kids and a busy job, and just can't commit right now. The drummer is in a similar situation, although not quite as bad. He's going to honour the handful of gigs we have booked in so far this year. So the singer/lead guitarist and I are busy trying to find some other musicians! Seems to be challenging around these parts..... I have a guitarist interested, but a drummer is going to be really tricky I think.

Yes, I believe so! 😊

I also really like the look of the '56 😍

Awesome! A bass that I'd definitely love to get one day 👌