Linus27

Would like to get some new strings for my fretless. I quite like the tone of flats but I always find that the E string sounds plastic and thumpy whilst the higher register sound clean and smooth. Is this kind of normal and more a case of me just getting used to the plastic sounding E string/setting the EQ better or can anyone recommend some good flats that offer a lot of clarity across the strings?

I have a Shuttle 6 and wondering how these Orange amps compare. Would it be a bad move moving from a Genz Benz Shuttle 6 to an Orange Bass Terror? Better sounding, different kettle of fish or pretty much same sort of thing.

Difficult to stick with three so I have cheated and put four Derek Forbes - For melody. Adam Clayton - For drive. Sting - For Jazz and simplicity. Peter Hook - For playing high up melody with two strings.

The fretless in this track, is it roundwounds or more likley flats? Plus, what about this one? Rounds or flats?

Hey Clarky, whats the Pino like? Anything special or just a run of the mill Precision?

[quote name='bobbass4k' post='1011071' date='Nov 3 2010, 05:06 PM']Is this when it's in bypass? If it's when it's bypass then it's definitely a crappy pedal, you could get a true bypass box if you still like the flanger effect.[/quote] Yes, this is when in bypass.

[quote name='DanOwens' post='1010646' date='Nov 3 2010, 12:34 PM']+1 It just depends on the circuit and the components. Why are you concerned? If you need it to sound flat, turn it off. If the pedal is overall too bassy, well that's a different kettle game. Dan[/quote] Yes, that is my issue, with the pedal plugged in, it makes the tone of the bass much bassier, despite having no flange effect coming through. Its not a problem with the actual flange effect, just that when the pedal is plugged in, everything goes bassier.

Got an Artec Vintage Flanger which is not bad. However, when I turn it on, it makes the tone of my bass a lot deeper and bassier. Even with the dials turned to zero with no flanger effect, it still makes the overall tone bassier and deeper. Is this normal or a case of the Artec just being a cheap flanger? Thanks

[quote name='merello' post='1000001' date='Oct 25 2010, 01:43 PM']Wow! OK! [/quote] HAHAHA, I did mean 3,750 smarties though

[quote name='merello' post='999906' date='Oct 25 2010, 12:27 PM']Cheers mate - I'm going to get 7string on to it soon and keep it until my next GAS attack! Liking the look of it![/quote] Ok, like I say, if you do decide to part with me, then give me a shout.

[quote name='merello' post='999634' date='Oct 25 2010, 05:41 AM']What are they worth? (I'm a Scot!)[/quote] Very difficult to say because despite being a cracking bass and quite rare, they are more of a unknown and only worth something to the owner rather than of any value. I would never sell mine as it has sentimental value and is the best Jazz bass I have owned but its worth more to me than what I could sell it for. You could say £600 but I think you would struggle to get that because you could get a Jap Fender 62RI for £300 - £400 and a MIA Jazz for £600. So maybe £300 is nearer the correct mark but to be honest I really do not know.

[quote name='Schnozzalee' post='999401' date='Oct 24 2010, 09:19 PM']Defretted that would be high on my wish list. Brilliant with frets as well though! ESP are vastly underrated.[/quote] When I get it, I'll post some sound clips. Did you hear the clips I posted of it fretted?

Yep, congrats, you have a great great bass and pretty rare as it has the European headstock. Doctor J is also correct in saying its a 400 Series Jazz. I have one also and I think 3 others here do. They were made at the same factory as Jap Fenders and based on the 62 Fender. They were considered better than Fenders which personally I think they are. Its the nicest bass I own. I am currently having a fretless neck made for it by Shuker (did not want to defret the original) which I should get back soon. If you ever decide to sell then give me a shout as I may take it of your hands.

[quote name='Nickytwister' post='991316' date='Oct 17 2010, 05:05 PM']Linus - yep, just looked at your pic on myspace (not the profile one here, obviously) and I seem to remember you! Nice one man. N[/quote] Nice one, I recognised you also. If you are anywhere near Surrey, you are welcome to have a play of my Aggy setup. Old Horse Murphy also has an Aggy setup with a Mark Bass head.

Hi Nick, if you were working at the Bass Centre in 1998 then you probably sold me bass gear that I got from my record deal advance. Hartke was the big thing back then and I walked away with a Stingray and nice big 4x10, 1x15 and 700watt rig. Weighed a bloody ton but sounded great. How things have changed these days in terms of amps and cabs. Anyway, the Aggy stuff rocks. I have two GS112's and they are amazing. Old Horse Murphy on here got me into them and I am blown away. I run mine with a Genz Benz Shuttle 6 and the tone is so clean and pure. I find this setup is really uncloured so the natural tone of the bass does the talking. Its also the first rig that I have been truely happy with a Stringray tone. I have no niggles or doubts about my tone. Every other amp or cab I have owned has always sounded sh*t at some venue or stage but the Aggy's have always sounded amazing. Not that expensive either which is great. They get a massive vote from me and I can't see me changing them in the future at any stage.

I have only done original stuff but for I like it to have energy and be uplifting with light and dark. That can be from a playing aspect so when you go to a bridge or the chorus the song goes up a notch or from a vocal angle where a really catchy melody kicks in and lifts the song. Not sure that makes sense

It is interesting that Adam Clayton is mentioned as a root note player. What is being overlooked here is first, the early U2 stuff, Adam was not a root note player, even up to the forth and fifth albums he was not a root note player. Secondly, Adam managed U2 in the early days and got them the gigs, promotion and kept them all together untill Paul McGuinness stepped in. Thirdly Adam contributes to the music as a unit and does not just turn up and play whatever he wants or is told. The point to remember is that U2 works as a group so the success is shared where as Wooten does not. U2 is commercial where as Wooten, if he likes it or not, is not commercial and appeals to a niche market. Maybe to answer your question then Adam is more succesful commercially and Wooten has failed despite being a far better bass player technically. Mark King is probably the best example of getting it right. Technically an amazing bass player as well as being commercially successful with Level 42.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='988705' date='Oct 15 2010, 12:44 AM']I don't think I worded that very well - what I meant was that the VM Jazz is not merely a good beginner bass - its one that you can use to gig with. The basses I have been most disappointed with have been expensive ones[/quote] Yep, defo its good enough to gig as most of the Squire range is. The VM range really upped the quality of Squire basses to a point where they were better than the Fender Mexican range. I've used mine is the studio quick a few times now and it sounds excellent. They are cracking basses.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='988594' date='Oct 14 2010, 11:07 PM']I personally ignore it when people say that the Squier VM Jazz fretless is a good beginner bass. I;ve been playing for nigh on 23 years and the two best fretless basses I've ever played have been a 1995 Musicman Stingray and a Squier VM Jazz fretless. I kid you not, if I was still playing fretless then I would happily gig this every night[/quote] I've also been playing for around 23 years and there is no way a beginner can afford £3,000 for a Wal or should even consider spending that amount of money if they are just starting out on fretless. I would not even recommend they spend £1,000 on a Stingray or Warwick if they are getting their first ever fretless to try on. That is why a £150 - £250 Squire VMJ is a good beginner bass. Plus the fact that the quality of the Squire VMJ, despite being very good (yes I have one), is no way on par with basses like Stingray, Warwick and Wal's.

[quote name='webby' post='986960' date='Oct 13 2010, 02:08 PM']80's genius? Look no further than Crowded House. Awesome band. Tears For Fears are one of my faves, back then, and now. The 'Everybody Loves a Happy Ending' album of a few years back is great. Everybody Wants To Rule The World is one of my fave songs ever. I recall getting bored of some songs I liked back then, but I never got bored of that one, and I still don't. They were inspired by the bass line from Simple Minds' Waterfront and used it for Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Also, after not partaking in Live Aid, they contributed a sample of the drums from the The Hurting's title track to the Band Aid single. Listen and you can hear it at the beginning. Other top 80's bands, and faves of mine include Talk Talk, A-ha, Simple Minds, Simply Red's Picture Book was a cracking album, Del Amitri, FGTH, INXS, Propaganda, The The, Depeche Mode, and Talking Heads.[/quote] 80's music really was superb.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='985994' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:00 PM']I used to have a Squier VMJ fretless and whilst it was well put together I really longed for it to have a thicker sound with more midrange. It came off sounding a bit thin and clangy, but it was still very useable.[/quote] I tend to agree with this although recorded it sounds fantastic. I don't think there is a better bass if you are starting out on fretless and want to explore the whole world of playing fretless bass. Mine has served me beautifully but now its time to upgrade.