Kiwi

lol

Bernard Edwards did a gig back at the Budokhan while suffering from...as he put it...the 'Tokyo Flu'. Turned out it was actually pneumonia and he died a day or two later.

There have been at least two previous threads on this subject of string through body.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1398346780' post='2433221'] Graph Tech Ghost - I think you get a bridge, or bridge saddles, plus a box called a Hexpander. [/quote] I have this system installed on my Shuker Headless 6. The hexpander is like a little mixer and filter circuit. [quote name='ratman' timestamp='1398420908' post='2433880'] What about a Sonuus B2M? [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bzrzretvuw"]https://www.youtube....h?v=_bzrzretvuw[/url] [/quote] For a box of tricks, the lag time is impressive. Would love to test the lag on a low B though. Shame Lee Sklar didn't explore that more on the other video here: [u][color="#0066cc"][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKJeT5wYoME#t=64"]www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKJeT5wYoME#t=64[/url][/color][/u] It's hard to detect lag on this one when there's such a slow legato on the string patches though. I think I will be giving this some serious consideration in the future too: [u][color="#0066cc"][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDrKJeT5wYoME&v=rKJeT5wYoME"]www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDrKJeT5wYoME&v=rKJeT5wYoME[/url][/color][/u]

[url="http://janartsguitars.com/index.php/methodology/tonewood.html"]http://janartsguitars.com/index.php/methodology/tonewood.html[/url] Not sure if this has been posted already but it's fascinating reading.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1395962990' post='2408564'] So… What's on the market apart from the Roland stuff? I've seen the Axon AX100 but they seem to be pretty rare. Is anything else currently in production? [/quote] The GK system works well with the Vbass set up. However you'll be limiting yourself to the usual issues of lag on low notes. You could go with the new Steve Chick designed, [url="http://www.industrialradio.com.au/"]Industrial Radio[/url] system but you will be paying well over £2k for the bass and convertor unit. Still, its one the only string based system available which is lag free. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGOICWocxVE#t=21"]http://www.youtube.c...GOICWocxVE#t=21[/url] He licensed the technology to Valley Arts, then Wal (MIDIbass) and finally Peavey (MidiBass/Cyberbass). Don't buy one of these basses without the convertor unit or you'll be wasting your time. An ex Pino Wal MIDI was for sale this time last year in the Bass Gallery - really nice sounding and looking bass, but not cheap. They had a Peavey Cyberbass in a number of years ago too but without the convertor unit.

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1392661166' post='2371269'] [quote name='owen' timestamp='1392647245' post='2371012'] Tiltback/monitor form factor as well? If this sounds like a shopping list, it is because it is a shopping list. [/quote] +1 to this feature request! [/quote] Plus two(s)

It's a good way to spend a wet Sunday afternoon. Although when you don't know exactly what it is you are looking for, experimenting with effect order and routing via scrolling menus can be a faff. This is where the user interface of software based systems like Native Instruments Guitar Rig really comes into their own.

I played the TSA 15 (separate head and cab) at the Surrey Bass Bash and was impressed. So I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on it's younger brother as Thomann are asking 95 Euro for them each. I am also thinking about getting it modified so there's more power sag available, probably through a resistor based mod rather than a full tube rectifier. Does anyone know what the amp circuitry is based on? I've seen some reference to Fender Champs on other forums but I don't think that was a technical opinion based on a view of the circuitry.

I looked at their review of the Trace dual comp with a little bemusement - it has been the best sounding compressor to my ears and yet it got a luke warm response on the review site. Prior to that I've tended to stay faithful to the natural fenderish compression that comes out of valves - ie more compression on the highs, less on the mids and lows. Maybe I'm looking for something different to the reviewer on that site but I'm curious about the Markbass unit now.

I've moved away from racks in an effort to embrace the one trip load in. As you'll see from my signature, I have two bass related racks - one main rack for gigs with effects/pre + 4 band para eq + power amp and the other for pitch to MIDI stuff. I've not yet used the MIDI rack live but even taking one 4u rack is a hassle. All of the kit in the main rack could be replaced by a Zoom B3 (incoming) into a Shuttle 6, both of which would fit into the pocket of my gig bag with cables, leaving just the speaker and gig bag to carry. The great thing about the Zoom is that it replicates other stuff like the Trace dual compressor that I might be tempted to add at a later date. The only short coming of the Zoom is that three slots are only just enough for the effects I'd have on all the time plus one other effect (dual comp/DI5/mod effect). One alternative to the Zoom would be to use software based effects and take a laptop to a gig.

I've played the P-38 and came so close to buying it but plumped for a custom strat instead because it sounded a bit warmer and funkier...and it was cheaper . The P38 was a great feeling guitar. I did read in my research that they had some issues at one point with the phenolic fingerboards delaminating. That didn't put me off at the time but it did make me careful about which questions to ask.

[quote name='OzzyGreg' timestamp='1371681267' post='2117045'] I had it set up so that anyone could upload/download. The unfortunate side-effect is that anyone could remove files too! [/quote] Using a file sharing site like mega.co.nz may be a better alternative.

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/toppicks.shtml Looks pretty comprehensive and has some handy technical comments too.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1397847833' post='2427994'] Or have better QC. [/quote] Are you suggesting there are QC issues with Blackstar on the basis of a single issue, Wayne? Are you aware that companies can sue for defamation?

Thats great news...other manufacturers should take note!

I'm so screwed up by playing right handed for 30 years that both hands are useless for playing melodies. Well, that's my excuse anyway...

Tenderoni is particularly smooth - such a polished sound from a posse of musicians. I can't go for that has a new lease of life!

Nice choonz Good to see him coming back with his own thing and being appreciated for it rather than written off.

I guess I'm too late! If the sound is the same between both, and you plan to gig the instrument as a main bass, get the '83 if the neck is straight (there were QC issues around that time due to restricted supply of parts and CLF not putting truss rods in some necks - not Musicman's finest hour). If you just want it for occasional playing then get the '79.

It sounded OK but made me realise how much treble compression contributes to the sound of Fender valve amps. I also tried a new strat with active pickups which knocked my maple bodied Warmoth/Chandler Custom strat into a cocked hat for sheer warmth and funkiness. Now I'm starting to wonder if the Chandler isn't just a triumph of eye candy and specification over sound...hmm. I may need to get a new loaded pick guard with passive pickups rather than the EMG's and see what happens...the search continues.

The Yamaha Pacifica series has one of these stunners - the Pacifica 1412 which features a mahogany body and thru neck. It's been selling for around US$1600 in the US though, so no bargain. However the Ibanez Artcore AGS83b IS a bargain albeit with a different market appeal. One of these sold for £200 quid last week on UK Ebay. I had to walk away from the laptop in order to resist pushing the trigger.

I've owned two alembics and played countless others including a Series II 6 string standard point. There's definitely a difference between Series basses and the rest - mainly that they're a little brighter. The necks are superb but, as others have suggested, the non series basses can be heavy. The series basses have chambered bodies to reduce the weight a little. I've found Spoilers, Elans and Persuaders to be pretty warm sounding. The one Rogue I tried was a Series II so doesn't really count. I'm not a big fan of the filters to be honest, most of the time I keep them fully open and use a separate eq to shape. [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1396619842' post='2415756'] sorry i just don't buy it. some alembics are nearly three times the price of a Shuker, or a Sei. and Alembic don't put three times as much effort in to there making there basses than these makers. . they ride on there image, and can get away with the huge prices of there basses on that fact. its nothing to do with capturing peoples imagination. its about very cleverly forming an image, with top players, endorsees etc. and riding the wave and overcharging because the can. just like Fodera, fantastic instruments no doubt, but overpriced. yep. i think its very naive to think otherwise. [/quote] I suggest your view may carry some niavety too but there's nothing wrong with that. Just be aware that at the moment Fodera only make [b]a 10% margin[/b] on their instruments and that fact comes straight from Fodera themselves. Employing people in New York City and things like fully comp healthcare or pensions are extremely expensive. Plus Fodera chuck out a huge amount of wood purchased straight from suppliers but ultimately doesn't make it through the air drying process. I wouldn't be surprised if Alembic look after and invest in their people like Fodera do. This makes business sense - if talented employees feel protected and stay it also means companies don't have to spend 6 months to a year training their replacements to meet the same standards of perfection in craftsmanship. These instruments are subject to constant scrutiny because of their cost. Secondly, the amount of time it takes to put Alembic components together almost certainly adds to the cost. The bridge saddle and anchor for example are 250 quid each if bought separately and are hand made. That means some bloke standing at a lathe or vise and making the components out of brass blanks and steel tubing for a specific instrument. You can certainly suggest that the instruments could be made more efficiently but when you get an instrument, you know that every bit of it is hand crafted rather than just the wooden bits. Clearly, history shows there's a reliable market for these instruments. Martin and Jon's wood work is the equal of anything by Alembic and Fodera, in my opinion. Martin's necks are sublime. Jon's designs are beautiful. Neither employ a load of people, in fact Jon doesn't employ any - he says his time is spent more productively on building rather than training. Low overheads help to keep costs down. [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1396619842' post='2415756'] i personally would feel like a bit of a wally, walking on stage with a Fodera or an Alembic.[/quote] I suggest it might depends on the music you're playing. Pub rock and Mustang Sally? I would too. But anything with soul, RnB etc. and there's no reason to be concerned. Of course, you could always not worry about the opinions of people you don't know...