BassBus

All the help here is very useful. Used is an option we could go for but choice in that direction is not great. We are all based about 60 miles from the nearest big cities of Edinburgh and Newcastle. I wouldn't want to buy used unless I could try it out first. So new might be all there is as those can be easily tested. I'm going to take a trip to Soundslive in Newcastle soon and see what they can advise. They've always given me good service in the past.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1357387921' post='1921903'] Assume that budget is for active..?? That is a tough ask, IMO. If you are serious about the Mackies, get a demo to see whether they have clarity with your mixer. My problem with a lot of companies making the cheaper end is where have they cut to the bone. Ask about replacement horn parts... and what is the warranty like. [/quote] I hadn't really considered active until this week when I saw the Thumps. They are made in China like a lot of budget ranges. I'm looking at anything that might be useful.

Great, thanks a lot guys. Really useful stuff.

Thanks for that. I should perhaps have put in a bit more info. We are unfortunately on a budget, around £500, otherwise the RCFs would be great. I'm in a jazz band and we only really need the PA for vocals. I was recommended the Thump speakers in a music store. We need something that will cope with lots of talking while we are playing. I had looked at the Samson 308i but was told that would struggle. I have another store to go to for a second opinion before I buy.

Has anyone had any experience of the Mackie Thump 12a PA speakers. What's the volume like?

As you press the string down onto the fret that action stretches the string a little. That will change the intonation itself. So if you can get the intonation of the harmonic as close as possible to the fretted note at the twelfth fret then the open string notes will be as in tune as the fretted notes at the other end of the neck. Never heard it being done at 17th before but why not.

There are plenty of examples of Status basses on YouTube with phenolic boards. If you want a warmer tone then it might not be the best for that. I can get a lovely warm tone from my Status S2 fretless but I use halfwounds or flats on that and wind off all the top end. Round wounds are just too bright and sparkly for my ears.

It's much easier and gives better results, IMO, if you use Photobucket or another photo host. The link below tells you how. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191620-how-to-add-a-picture-to-your-post/page__view__findpost__p__1865098

I take it you mean check the intonation? If that's the case then it should be fairly easy. Plug your bass into a tuner and tune it to pitch. Then play the harmonic over the 12th fret, pluck the string while touching it but not fretting it. Watch the tuner to see how the tuning compaired to the freted note. If they are different then you need to adjust the intonation by moving the saddle back and forth until both are in tune.

It might only be 3 or 4mm difference in width at the nut but that can make all the difference. I can play a jazz neck at 38mm but much prefer my Status S2 neck width at 41mm. It's just personal taste and you have to try as many different basses with different nut widths to find what is most comfortable for you. Then there is the depth of the neck at the nut and the twelfth fret. The profile to the back of the neck. The taper of the neck. The heal. Getting board yet. Lots to consider. Just try lots of different basses.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1356226630' post='1908241'] I don't. I generally think about the chords when I'm walking. [/quote] This was my point. It involves a lot of thinking time if you have to decide what mode you use if chords change once or twice in every bar. On a tune like So What there are only really two chords in the whole thing. To keep things interesting then, yes, use the modes. There is plenty of time to think about what you are going to do. Otherwise, as Doddy says, work with chord tones.

I'm afraid I can't answer questions about modes and what I say I'm sure will will be roundly knocked by those with a greater theoretical knowledge than me. I think sometimes too much knowledge of what mode to play with what chord can loose sight of the warmth that actualiy lends more to the music you play. There are not many notes in the scale that will not fit whatever chord you play under. By all means learn the theory but use your ears as well. They will allow you to play a much better line and you won't have to think so much. There are plenty of backing tracks available on youtube to practice with. Just try playing by ear and find out which notes work for you and which don't. The swing you play with is far more important for me than the theory.

I'm not sure I would refer to some of the examples as "walking" bass lines. Maybe that's just the subjectiveness of music though. Spencer Davis Group's Blues in F is certainly walking. Perhaps more jazzy blues than pop though. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqXIMT18L_4[/media]

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlmqq9oRTzI

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1355737939' post='1901889'] He's definitely a custom builder who has no interest in making other brands shapes and styles, he's got his 'trademark' style and shapes and that's his niche really [/quote] And I suppose that's why we go to those individual builders. Rob Green at Status and Roger at Fylde can be the same. They all still make great instruments though.

[quote name='loushort' timestamp='1355618538' post='1900736'] Come to think of it this one got scrapped as well took it for a repair picked it up and its now got a new body [/quote] Now that is very pretty. What is the face wood?

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1355561349' post='1899864'] Just a quick one, but when do you ever really touch the fretboard? [/quote] When it's fretless and it's still gorgeous.

Never heard of him. Why do I think I won't be saying that in a couple of years time? I like the stuff I've just looked at on YouTube.

[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Rich beat me to it but what he said.[/color][/font]