TRBboy

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1330461102' post='1557968'] Judging by the reviews and clips I've checked out so far the B3 looks great! I can't afford one at the moment so I guess im gonna wait and see if a second hand one comes up for sale in the next couple of months... But it's definitely worth checking out for the price it is! [/quote] Yeah that's what I've been thinking........ plus the fact you can loop stuff, it's a DI, comes with software to record, etc, etc...... And I could save/make some money!

Hey everybody! Now that I'm finally satisfied with my basses, my gaze has shifted to effects. I'm currently just using my MXR M80. I set the clean channel as a clean boost for slap parts, and set the overdrive for the few songs that require it. I've also got a Boss ODB3 and an EHX Mini Q-Tron knocking about, and I've been itching to get a compressor for a while. I'm thinking of leaving the clean as a clean boost, set the overdrive channel as my "normal" sound with just a bit of grit added (bend and gain low). I'll then use the ODB3 as my full-on overdrive. I would add a compressor, and also the Mini Q-Tron (even though I've only used it a couple of times in the last 15 years!). With this option, I would have to buy a comp, pedal board and power supplies. The other option is to sell the pedals I've got and just buy a Zoom B3, but is it really good enough? It would be a good option because money's tight, and it would be a much easier/tidier setup. So what would you do?

I bought an M80 last year to replace my Radial Bassbone. It is a great unit; quality sound, compact, solidly built. My only gripe is that you're stuck with the colour switch "on" and no other eq control when using the overdrive. One thing I found is that when I first got it, I set it up ready for band practice, through my practice amp with headphones on. When I actually used it at volume, in a band situation at rehearsals, it sounded completely different and I had to change all the settings! Whatever I think of the overdrive sound (it's more of a distortion IMO) on its own, I can't deny that in a band mix it does sound great!

These look really interesting. I've measured my Markbass rig and it would be just a little bit bigger that the Gramma Pad; does anyone know if this would cause a problem?

Although I'm primarily a 4 string player, I think a 5 is very useful to have. I don't think it's too difficult switching between the two, as long as you have the right 5 string for you, and you try to play both 4s and 5s regularly. Apart from the extended range, I think they can make it easier to play some parts due to the fact that you can play notes that would be lower down the E string higher up on the B instead. Some parts that would make you jump up and down the neck on a 4 can sometimes be played all in one position on a 5. I don't think it's about laziness, there's no point making things harder than they need to be! I've got a gig coming up with the local soul choir again soon, and I always use my 5 with them.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Can any of you guys recommend what CD a Rammstein virgin should start with?

The P/J combo is great IMHO. Gives you the best of both worlds and you can get almost like a humbucker sort of sound when blended right. Ad others have said, a him cancelling J is crucial. I'm using Dimarzio Model P/Js in my Yammy, and they are awesome! Huge sound, plenty of definition, and I think they're better than any SDs I've had before. The J is split coil hum cancelling. Gust0o - I used to have a BB414, but sold it because I always felt the pickups were lacking something. There was just no guts to the sound, it was just a bit hollow somehow. Put an Aguilar OBP2 in it, and whilst it was a big improvement, there was still something missing in the core of the sound. So I sold it..... Great basses to play though!

[quote name='snazz' timestamp='1330177317' post='1553744'] I've been looking around for a few weeks on and off for something I'm convinced i saw a link for on here or somewhere bass related. I'm possitive I saw a Sandberg California TM4 Supreme In white with rosewood freboard and block inlays. This also did [i]not[/i] have a painted headstock. Did I dream it? 'cos I can't find another. I don't play anymore, and I do have 2 USA Fener strats to get rid of, but I'd really have a hard time not buying that bass, I'm convinced I saw some time back. [/quote] I haven't spotted anything like that recently, but anything's possible.

[quote name='GregHughes' timestamp='1330210927' post='1554268'] Session Music in Frankfurt. Price seems pretty good and to be honest they are one of the only one's who have bothered to come to back to me. Think I've finalised on TT 4 string, Roquefort blue (adler body, lightest bit available) with maple neck (pearl block inlays). 12 - 14 week lead time so I'll post pictures when it arrives..... if it ever does.... [/quote] A good choice I think sir! White pickguard and pickup covers? It's gonna feel like a very, very long few months!

Are you talking to Synergy about it, or are you going through one of the German retailers?

I found this guy last year when I was looking for videos of Sandberg basses. He is superb, clearly loves playing and is very expressive. If you watch his version of Around the World by RHCP, and then watch the Chilis do it straight after, Flea's playing seems a bit....... dull I suppose......

Don't know if it captures the right mood, but Emergency on Planet Earth could work with female vox, and is a great slap line!

They look lovely, and very well built. I'll take a P/J in metallic green please!

[quote name='bottomfeed' timestamp='1330094668' post='1552656'] What a beautiful looking collection, TRBboy.... I see you have a greenburst/clearplate in your armoury!...[i] tres cool![/i] I could use taking some better pics soon... found this for now, my basic5... [/quote] gorgeous! I've often wished that my greenburst had a maple board! Looks lovely! It's nice to see a few other people rockin the Basics! I had a California PM for a while, but it just didn't have the same feel as the Basic for me. They are truly superb basses. Here's a link to the other thread if you're interested: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/168556-sandberg-love/

Wow, this has taken me the whole day to read, grabbing a few minutes where I can here and there. I love threads like this! There's been some very interesting and varied opinions shared, and I think pretty much everyone has said something that I can agree with in some way. Going back to the start of this thread, it strikes me that it's not really about "old" or "modern" players. Most of the names that I've seen mentioned have related to one of two groups as far as I can see: 1) Players who everyone cites as "great players", the likes of James Jamerson, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, etc, etc, etc. I think the reason that most of these sort of players stand out is because they either created a distinctive sound/style all of their own, or because they have really pushed the boundaries of the bass world and upped the stakes from a technical perspective. I guess you could say that these people are kind of the "revolutionaries" of the bass guitar. 2) Players who are great players, no doubt about it, but who know their place within the band and do not really stand out as especially unique or revolutionary. Personally, I think I've always drawn more inspiration from the second group. For me, there's nothing like hearing a song with a bass part that fits the song beautifully and really locks in with the drummer and nails the groove. I watch people like Victor Wooten and think "WOW!" but I can't listen for long before I get bored, and it really doesn't inspire my playing at all. When I hear people like Cass Lewis, Andrew Levy, Stuart Zender, or Matt Freeman, I really get a buzz out of it, and it does inspire my playing. I hear something and think "that's an idea/approach I could use". It's not that I scurry off and learn the song note for note, but that phrase or idea goes into the memory bank and helps to influence my playing, usually subconsciously. I did have bass lessons when I first started out (13/14), but I was always lazy with the theory side of things, and as a result my theory knowledge isn't great at all, and I can't really sightread. Despite this I have been fortunate enough to be involved in various live and studio projects over the years as well as a bit of musical theatre. "Proper" musicians who I've worked with (including my old teacher) have told me that I'm a very intuitive player, and usually seem to play the right part. You do definitely need good technique, but this can come from just playing lots and experimentation; "learned" knowledge instead of "taught" knowledge if you like. That said, I know I could be a much better player if I had learnt all my theory and learnt to read. I definitely agree that feel is more important than textbook knowledge, but it does need to be backed up by a certain amount of knowledge. A few people have used blues guitarists as an example, and I think it's a good one. Blues should be boring; on paper it's predictable, repetitive and simplistic. However, the emotion and feeling than can be conveyed through blues far exceeds the sum of its parts. I love Robert Cray, most of his licks are quite simple but he has a great sound, and the dynamics and feeling that he plays with is incredible. Please don't take it personally blackmn90, but I (perhaps naively) didn't realise that anyone actually had such a clinical approach towards music! I've always played because I really enjoy making music! It just seems a bit like indulging in conjugal activities with the missus by way of a textbook; " no, no, your ankle needs to be another 2 inches over my shoulder, you're doing it all wrong!" It just wouldn't be quite the same........... Just my 2p worth

Personally, if I had the money to buy a brand new one, I would want it to be all shiny and new. If you're into aging, the Sandberg guys do an excellent job of it, but it's not for me I'm afraid. You wouldn't go and buy a brand new car from the showroom with rust, scratches and dents!

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1330044673' post='1552076'] are these true humbuckers or split coils under chrome? obviously they look like humbuckers but the exposed pole pieces make me ask. [/quote] I agree, they look like "fat" split single coils.

Yeah, not great really. Even though it's clearly a design flaw it is mounted slightly off-centre too (toward the G side) from the look of your pics. You're just gonna have to bite the bullet and stick an MM 'bucker in there!

My current armoury: [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100360] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100367] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100361] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100362] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100363] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:100145]

Actually, looking at the above picture it's clear what the problem is; the pickups are the same size, but one's right at the bridge, the other's right at the neck. It looks like the polepieces are spaced for the neck position (as with the Squier VM tele?), so therefore the polepieces are never going to line up at the bridge. This is why Jazz basses have the bridge pickup longer than the neck, and they're not spaced as far apart as these. Not a QC problem, a design problem. Still should sound fine though, I wouldn't let it worry you too much if you really like the bass.

Looks nice, good score! If it makes you feel any better, there's plenty of US Fenders out there with misaligned pickups and/or bridges! Hmmmm...... Pair of Dimarzio Model Ones?

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1329999907' post='1551051'] Here you are lads, I started a sandberg thread in the gear porn bit. Hope you don't mind TRBoy, i called it sandberg love after this thread. Dan [/quote] Thanks Dan, I probably should have done that to start with!

[quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1329950863' post='1550432'] Here's mine [/quote] Nice collection Opticaleye! Is the PM quite an old one? I notice it's got a different bridge and string retainer to any I've seen before, along with fretboard dots and no logo on the body. Oh bugger, this thread is starting to give me GAS for a JM...........