Linus27

Absolutely brilliant gig last night which was one of our regular acoustic residences that we host every other month where we introduce one or two acoustic solo or duo acts and then we as a band get up and play for just over an hour. Super busy with a very engaged and attentive audience who really clapped and showed their appreciation after each of our songs. It was a night of original music including 4 new songs and we ended up doing two encores. The highlight for me was the compliments I got after the gig. One lady came up to me and said, "apologies for interrupting (I was talking to my daughter) but I absolutely love your fretless bass playing, it reminds me of Del Palmer and the fretless playing on Kate Bush's first album". This absolutely blew me away as I'm a huge John Giblin fan, probably my favourite bassist along with Pino and Jamerson 😁 However, about 10 minutes later, another couple came up to me and thanked me for making her night so special. She said she couldn't believe the quality of music being played in a pub in Farnborough but to then hear fretless bass, her favourite instrument just blew her away and she couldn't keep her eyes off my playing. She turned out to be a vocal coach who also tours in a lot of different tribute acts but I was breaking her as that afternoon she had been to a funeral for a friend who happened to be a fretless bassist so it was joyous but a tough evening for her 😥 Then another guy came up to me who happened to be a Canadian drummer and said he was mesmerised by my playing and loved all the high melodic stuff I was playing but also all the lower stuff. He said I was watching you play and I knew there's no frets so at some point I was expecting you get it wrong and play out of tune but you never did, not once 😎 When you get compliments like that, it just makes what you do worthwhile. I'm a little bit on cloud 9 today 😂

Thanks everyone, will try all the suggestions. Just to confirm, with bass plugged direct into the amp, there was no hum. Back through the pedalboard and hum returned. I also got time to disconnect the Mooer Reverb and Bass Sweeper but the hum was still there so I'll try the others next time.

I seem to be getting an earthing hum from my pedalboard. I’m using a new Harley Benton ISO power supply which included the Euro plug and Uk adaptor. I’m using the power cables that came with it and patch leads that I bought separately. The thing is, it doesn’t always do it, only at certain venues and when I touch my strings it stops. I’ve also tried different basses and no difference. is there anything I can do to eliminate this? Anything I can plug in that will cancel the hum or is it a case of buying a better power supply.

I adore my Gnome IPro 280, it is small, compact, punchy and sounds incredible. It easily matches the volume of my Little Mark IV but just lacks a little bit of EQ options and transparency in the tone. If it had a little more tonal options like the 600w big brother then it would be perfect. Saying that, I have never not been able to get an amazing tone out of it and do use it live a lot of the time rather than using my Little Mark IV. Incredible amp.

It also still seems to have the old retro looking 8 bit display screen which is kind of nice for a retro feel but a more modern LED screen I think would of been nice. Probably put the price up somewhat though.

Ooooh exciting I love my MS-60B and depending on what is different, I might get this new one. Shame about the colour of the new one, it looks a bit cheap compared to the burgundy of the current one.

Here are my current fretless basses.

Looking amazing already, love the contrast between the body wood and the neck wood.

This thread has been brilliant. I've discovered that all the strings I've liked, played and come back to over the years have been Hexcore and the the ones that have been less favourable have been Roundcore. Up until now, I didn't even know the difference. As a fretless player, I've never tried Nickel strings but after a few comments on here, I gave a set of Rotosound 66 Nickel Hybrid SM66N a go on my fretless Jazz (needed strings anyway and they were in stock for £19) and oh my, the tone is to die for and they are amazing to play. So my next move is to purchase a set of Newtone Nickel Hexcore rounds. I'm expecting really good things after the comments on here.

Thanks @itu, I had a play around and I swapped the Spark Booster and Compressor (Zoom MS-60B) around and it sounds so much better. So my board for fretless now looks like this. TC Electronic tuner > Boss OC5 Octave > EHX Bass Clone Chorus > Mooer Bass Sweeper > TC Electronic Spark Booster > Mooer A7 Reverb (Always On) > Zoom MS60B Opto Compressor (Always On)

I use the 208 as posted above and bought mine new from Andertons for £199. So even new they are not mega expensive. Great choice though.

Warwick Gnome IPro 280 and a TC Electronic 208. Light and portable and can be used for practice and gigs. It's my small combo option.

Here's my pedalboard used for fretless. TC Electronic tuner > Boss OC5 Octave > EHX Bass Clone Chorus > Mooer Bass Sweeper > Zoom MS60B Opto Compressor (Always On) > Mooer A7 Reverb (Always On) > TC Electronic Spark Booster Not sure the compressor is in the best location but I read it's best after Bass Sweeper to stop the spikes. I'm wondering if I should move it last in the chain?

I had a Hartke HA7000 when they first came out and quite simply the best amp head I've ever owned. Bought a second hand one about 5 years again and it confirmed it was absolutely amazing. Wish I'd never sold it but they are big heavy old beasts but truly amazing.

For me it would be these two basses. However, I only play fretless so I have no need for either and they would just sit under the bed collecting dust. Fender Vintera II 70's Telecaster Bass Fender Japan 51 Reissue P-Bass

One of these is on my list as well but more of a case of taking on a new challenge as I only play fretless but never owned or play a 5 string before.

I'll have you know it Chicken Rogan Josh.

I think it's easy to find a decent bass for £1200. Take the Fender Vintera II Telecaster bass, it's a smidge over £1k and is an absolutely wonderful bass. For less money, the Squier 40th Anniversary basses are wonderful and can be had for less than £400. Second hand, you then have the choice of the Japanese Fender's for about £850 and US Fenders for under £1200. My main bass is either a Fender Japan 62 RI Fretless Precision which cost me £850 or an Fender Japan 62 RI Fretless Jazz which cost about £600 back in the mid 80's. I also have a £800 Fender Mexico FSR Precision which is my main recording bass as it sounds the best. I also have a Fretless Stingray that cost me £1700 second hand and despite being great, I prefer my other 3 basses and I get regular compliments at gigs when I play them.

Very nice and did it have gold hardware? Do you have any pictures?

Mmmmm I'm now thinking, white Jazz, gold hardware but ebony fretless neck. I think that might be a bit of a looker

I'm not putting Karn down, if you look at my original reply, I say he's a fabulous player and I am a fan. My comments are just tongue in cheek towards Frank Black.

How dare you say that, I am officially sulking now for 14 minutes 🤣

Well, in return I can offer you two responses, A: I am not a massively huge Jaco fan either and only discovered him probably mid to late 90's and way after Mick Karn so I am unbiased on both despite being more receptive to Jaco's playing. B: When there's Pino and Giblin to listen to, why would you listen to Karn, it's like drinking water when you could drink Whiskey 🤣

That is super nice and I love how it's got the old retro headstock design.