neepheid

Well, setting aside the ridiculously muddled nomenclature issue, and to answer the OP's original question - the EB (2013-15) is a great bass. I had a bullion gold 2014 model for a while. It was a reasonable weight, well balanced and sounded good too. The push/pull pots which split the humbuckers make an audible difference to the tone. Comes with a nice hard case, and like you said, can be had for reasonable money. While this was the first time in ages that Gibson had put out a bass which had no corresponding guitar model, I'd keep away from using the word "commitment" when it comes to Gibson and bassists - they binned the EB in question after 2 years, which I think is a shame, and they did practically nothing bass-wise last year. Some commitment, eh? I'd argue that recent history is nothing compared to the productive time of the 70s and 80s - Grabber, G-3, Ripper, RD, Victory, IV/V, 20/20 to name but a few. I think they were much more interested in giving it a right good go back then, even though it wasn't always successful. These days I get the feeling Gibson make basses because they feel obliged to because Fender make basses. That 2017 new "EB" can do one - it's like they're not even trying any more - let's make a less distinctive looking bass than its predecessor AND remove one of the useful features (the coil splitting). Well played, Gibson. Slow hand claps all round. I expect to see it in a Thomann fire sale by the end of the year.

Ahh, but which Seymour Duncan Jazz pickups are we talking about? There are many different types, all with different properties. http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickups/bass/jazz-bass I used a Quarter Pound bridge pickup years ago in a project but I'll be damned if I can remember much about it, sorry.

I think the OP is referring to the EB (2013-2015) because of the phrase "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]a conventional shaped bass with decent pups" [/font][/color]but I don't blame anyone for the confusion - it was a terrible idea to call it that. Is this the bass you're talking about?

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1483353620' post='3206376'] Well, looking through recent posts on BC, it seems that a great bass player has: A fender P bass Clean hands Good dance moves Tone in their fingers Their own bass, backline and PA A partner that's fine with having their house filled with band gear. Oh, and I almost forgot, you've got to be sexy and under 25. I think that's got it covered? [/quote] Fell at the first hurdle, how embarrassing

Santa received my hint and I received my book. Lovely stuff!

I discovered that radio controlled Technic Lego was a thing on Christmas Eve, so I bought me some of that Nothing bassy though.

The last time I gigged my Tribute SB-2, the sound guy asked if it was active. Yes, MFD pickups are hot

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1482601520' post='3201801'] Which Gibbo model is that? [/quote] Grabber 3 '70s Tribute Bass http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Grabber-3-70s-Tribute-Bass.aspx

There was a 3 pickup Danelectro Hodad and of course the Gibson G-3 (original and modern "tribute"). The Hodad had full 7 options via a 6 way rotary and a switch. The Gibson offerings only give three options (1+2, 1+2+3, 2+3) so acted more like a two pickup bass with the pickup coils far apart.

The key thing for me is no movement within the package - don't stuff it so tight that you risk bursting the box of course, but pack it tight with soft material enough that when you shake the box, it feels like you're shaking one solid object.

See Jules' page for some closeups of the wiring of a properly done G-3 http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/G3_wiring.php

[quote name='DanEly' timestamp='1481304505' post='3191408'] Are the pickups meant to be out of phase with each other and does the coloured wired from each pickup suggest exactly where they go e.g Black + Red = Neck? [/quote] The middle one is reversed as opposed the other two so it will always be humbucking regardless of the setting of the switch. My reading of the circuit is that the middle one is always in series with either pickup or the bridge/neck in parallel (in phase) in the middle position.

I can't speak personally about the RBX line but I've gigged a BB300 before (cheapest BB bass at time of manufacture I think) without issue or complaint. And my bass tutor from back in the day gigged with an RBX170 often - sounded great to me

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1480538087' post='3185268'] I can't speak about the videos, but much of pop music for the last 30 years has been pants anyway. I had the misfortune to be a passenger in a car with the radio tuned to radio 2 the other day. [b]The Scottish guy[/b] going, Steve Wright on the journey back. What a load of absolute rubbish. I can't believe the number of elderly 'stars' who seem to have records put at the moment. It's coming up to Christmas I guess. Most weren't very good years ago. I mean, shaking Stevens ! [/quote] Och aye, because all us Scottish guys sound the same...

[quote name='Animalbeats' timestamp='1480546513' post='3185399'] Hi Looking for Gibson RD bass schematics so I can make my own, as I'll never be able to afford one. Can anyone help? Thanks Gordon [/quote] Let's presume you're talking about the RD Artist (as the Standard is a basic passive VVT schematic) - you say you'll never be able to afford one yet you want to recreate the Moog circuit? How much is your time worth?

Every drummer I've ever played with has been great, both in terms of temperament and ability. Been in three different bands with one of them. Seems I've been extremely fortunate from the highly anecdotal evidence presented here.

I really don't know why the more elegant pun of "Imprecision Bass" never caught on in the comedy logo world. I thought it was pretty funny.

[quote name='PawelG' timestamp='1479980263' post='3180701'] Any opinions on using toothpaste on chromes? [/quote] Your bass will be minty fresh?

I polish frets with either T-cut or Brasso, whichever mild abrasive I have at the time. I mask off the fingerboard with masking tape running next to the frets, then crack on. Obviously this is purely cosmetic.

Nice one, glad the cab made it down in one piece, that you had a good gig and the sound (and weight ) is to your liking.

Vin bought my Zoot 4x10 cab. Everything went smooth, good comms, paid super promptly. All good here

[quote name='Colonel36' timestamp='1479447715' post='3176584'] Thanks Bass bunny / Thunderbird. I've ordered one of those and just hope I've got the right length. Incidentally....what's the difference 'tween mono or stereo ones. [/quote] Stereo ones have a third terminal (for the ring part of a stereo jack). In electric bass terms this is mostly used to complete the circuit to switch on the power to active electronics using a mono jack plug (this bridges the ring and sleeve connections). In a passive bass it is irrelevant - use the tip and sleeve terminals as usual and ignore the ring.

All things going well I'm going to see 'Arry in May 2017. Unbelievably, Maiden are coming to little old Aberdeen again, Glasgow being the only other Scottish date. To be honest, I thought 2011 would be the last time they ever came this far up, 1990 being the time before that. This will be my third time seeing them (also saw them at Download Festival 2007). Excited!

Cool, in time for Christmas