hamfist

I feel, and share, your pain.

[quote name='danthevan' timestamp='1358697926' post='1943527'] It's not the equipment thats sh*t, it's you. Practice more, get better, and your gear wont count for sh*t. Maybe. As a view from the other side. [/quote] Lol. Don't hold back !

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1358692214' post='1943400'] So, my suggestion: [i]'Why not spend the money that you [i]would[/i] spend on gear on decent lessons. You may find that the problem isn't your gear afterall.'[/i] wasn't really what you wanted to hear. Okay, so you're more interested in spending money than furthering yourself as a bass player. I must admit that there is something in your posts that doesn't sit very well with me. [/quote] I'm actually pretty happy with the standard of my playing, although that can always be improved for us all. For me though, my tone is pretty damned important also. I know the general public at a gig, and probably my bandmates, don't notice or care about it, but I do. We're all different and I know a number of great players who are satisfied with mediocre tone (all IMO of course), but for my own enjoyment, I am not. I'm not hugely desiring to spend lots of money, and I try to spend as little as possible in all my changes of gear. But, it is absolutely true that there are (at least) two distinct hobbies that are represented and fulfilled on BC. The first is actually playing bass, and the second is messing around with bass gear. Not all players are interested in both. Some are even only really interested in the gear. Doesn't make them worse or better than you, or me, just different. The comments about "losing sleep" are slightly tongue in cheek, although actually true. I always sleep lightly and poorly. My brain seems active all the time. It only takes having something small lurking around my subconscious to keep me awake by buzzing it around my brain, and sub-conscious thoughts and wonderings are frequently enough to disrupt sleep for me. For those who sleep soundly most of the time, then you are truly blessed. Insomnia is a pain. Your last line leads me to believe that you think you know me much, much better than you actually do.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1358686074' post='1943226'] Everybody needs something to worry about - it makes people feel as if they are being vigilant about potential threats and possible future problems - but if you are losing sleep over bass gear then I can only suggest you have got your priorities wrong . You should be worrying over something more serious like your health , personal safety , career, or your failing relationships with other people . [/quote] It's not as if my conscious mind is worried about bass stuff. I am blessed with a wonderfully stable and love-filled life and a satisfying job and life is very good.. But try telling that to my sub-conscious !!! - that's the bit that lurks in the background in the night bringing all sorts of topsy turvy thoughts and ideas into my head, while I'm trying to sleep ! Seriously, I've never been a great sleeper, and all it takes is my subconscious to have stuff to mull over and think about at night to completely ruin a good night's sleep.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1358685814' post='1943221'] My advice? don't change anything until you are [b]certain[/b] what's wrong... unless the thrill of the purchase is all that counts. [/quote] But the thrill is soooooo good. It's definitely a buzz that I'm slightly addicted to.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1358682399' post='1943151'] Buying and selling gear is an interesting hobby in itself [/quote] An extremely valid point, and it's a hobby I enjoy as much as the playing bit of being a bassist.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1358677023' post='1943029'] The counselior in me wants to ask the question; I wonder what else is going on in your life? [/quote] The answer to that is definitely ...... "not enough band activity". My band has been rather dormant over recent months. For me, my GAS and my band activity are inversly proportional. the more I play, the less I obesess about gear !

Well there it is, I haven't slept well for weeks. I seem to go through a constant cycle of feeling that something isn't quite right with my rig or gear and then have to go through the whole thing of changing it, and trying out loads of alternatives etc etc. I feel thoroughly unsettled and sleep awfully throughout the whole thing. What a sad, shell of a man I am.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1358616606' post='1942305'] Isn't the answer "both", in a fashion? You'll need the basslines - and, if that's the sound you're after, you could take an overdrive. But you still need to be playing what's right to move the band. [/quote] This.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1358500997' post='1940207'] I've got a pair of Wizard (Big) P/J pickups (a Thumper and a 84, IIRC) in my 93 Fortress, they fit just fine, and really bring the P/J tone: they're ballsy pickups, and I've mentioned in a few 'tonewood' discussions how close a Maple-bodied, Wenge-necked bass can sound to an Ash-bodied, Maple-necked one. The all-wenge neck's the fastest and slimmest I've played on a bass, too. That Just-a-nut thingy's a fantastic idea - I can get the action down to 3/4 of bugger all. [/quote] Cool. that's good information to know. The Warwick P/J basses have definitely been on my radar, but I was concerned about how "precision-like" they would be with the MEC pickups. To know that a swifty pickup change to a quarter pounder or something like that is a possibility with the Warwick is re-assuring

Thanks. Good suggestions from all. Just FYI, I have a G&L SB2 and a Blacktop Jazz on their way to me. Hopefully, one of those should fit the bill. For some reason I seem to want to buy new on this one. That may be because I suspect that I may well go through a few basses before I find what I'm looking for. Thank God for the distance selling regulations, and return policies !

Build quality costs more, although one has to factor in R &D time etc etc. Basically, any pedal on the market on costs a couple of quid in parts I suspect. What companies change for them is basically what they can get away with. Personally, I'm interested in the pedal. It sounds rather unique to me, although I'm disappointed that the whole of that demo vid was done with the drive knob firmly on max. I would have liked to see what it can do at lower levels. The lack of a clean blend doesn't bother me as, IMO, these rather lower levels of drive sounds don't really need a clean blend. Higher gain, yes. If someone knows of any lower gain demos of this pedal I've love to be directed to it.

What a great argument between the "technicians" and the "musicians". Personally I find technical displays boring after about 10 seconds. Good music I'll listen to all day. I suspect that Hooky will be delivering some great anecdotes and some good "music". note to self - must start new argument about the definition of music.

Also, I'll add that it is probably the most transparent pedal-based compressor, tonally, that I have ever used.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1358376890' post='1938342'] You say rock bass but I reckon you would get a proper streamer for about 700 second hand. Actually - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188958-warwick-streamer-neck-thru-1988-wenge-emg-750-gbp-nownew-pics-and-price/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url] There one is!! [/quote] Yes, I'm aware that a used Streamer LX is bordering on the top of my price range. However, having never played one, and being unlikely to do so, unless I actually commit to buying it, I have no way of knowing how "precision-like" the Warwicks with a P-type pipckup are. That is probably one of the bigger things holding me back. I used to own a German STreamer $$ and found it very playable, and the build quality was superb. If I could get a bass like that, actually sounding genuinely like a P, I'd be thrilled. And yes the bass you refer to will be well known to most on here, and does have an "issue".

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1358370070' post='1938130'] A few randomn thoughts - this has become my favourite configuration now, too. Swapping necks is easy and the absolute sure-fire way of getting a P-Bass with a Jazz neck.. I bought a MIJ P Bass that had a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on it, albeit with tinted laquer. I swapped with someone for a clear laquer and it went on with no problem. It has become my favourite bass at the moment, especially with a P-Retro on board. Fender Jazz Bass Special and/or Power Jazz Bass Special (this is the active version). They are P shaped, P/J pups and a J neck. Nice. But I wouldn't necessarily say they sound P-Bass-like. My Power Jazz Bass Special is more aggressive, although that might be because it has a SPB-3 in it, which I am not entirely sure about. Thinking outside the box, as they look nothing like a P- Bass - a Hohner B-Bass or a Hohner Jack Bass or a B2A cricket bat can all manage to sound exactly like a woody old P bass and have skinny (ish) necks. you get a lot of bass for your money with those, too. A Westone Thunder (or similar) fitted with a decent P-Pickup - say a Wizard Trad - will sound like a P-Bass but have one of those lovely Westone/Matsumoku necks that are nearer Jazz sized. [/quote] Thanks Paul, some decent, and well articulated ideas there. If I bought a Fender std P, would any std Fender Jazz neck fit on it. Are they all std sized heels and body sockets ? ie. everything interchangable, so long as I stick with Fender.

Really nice compresors but big.

[quote name='Ambassador' timestamp='1358356698' post='1937740'] I have a Warwick Fortress One which holds up pretty well against my MIM p bass for that particular tone and has the j pickup at the neck for more versatility [/quote] INteresting. Do you know if the Warwick "P" pickup is the same exact size and shape as the Fender ones ? ie. are they interchangeable with std aftermarket P pickups ?

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1358356328' post='1937720'] Second hand Lakland Skyline Duck Dunn. [/quote] These seem to be universally recommended, but as common as rocking horse sh1t. If you've got one to offer, I'm interested !

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1358355544' post='1937690'] <<<<<< Standard MIM P with Allparts Jazz neck, as in avatar. [/quote] SOunds like a good option. However, I'd be nervous about swapping necks. Are they all the same size heel etc ? I'd have no idea about shimming. So I'd probably have to pay someone to do it.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1358355765' post='1937697'] Fender Duff McKagan Signature Precision. P/J config, plus a TBX (treble boost) control. I`d have had one of these in a snap if it had a P size neck. [/quote] Yowser, thats a lot of money for a MIM PJ Lozz. What makes it so special for you ?