Pinball

Hi Rich, Re: "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Given that I'm really comfortable with the scale length of electric 6 string guitars (strat, les paul, etc), I'm wondering generally if it would be easier for me to get a short scale bass".[/font][/color] I would take a step back before buying a short scale and just to check that you aren't trying to play a bass like you play your guitar. When I began playing bass I often attempted, what were in retrospect silly "lead guitar style" left hand stretches that made playing difficult and sometimes painful. You can move your left hand around and don't need to stretch like that. The first thing is to look at your technique and enjoy playing within the limits of your instrument. Once you get that you can improve/get faster with practice. Then go and look for the right bass. There are plenty of very playable basses out there. If the jazz doesn't work then other famously playable thin necked basses include the Japanese Bass Collections or the current Ibanez SR's. You may like short scale, you may even find that you prefer thicker necks or that 34" works for you.

Hmm interesting. I use a pick some of the time and palm mute and tend to palm mute the low B . When playing finger style I use the low B as an anchor point for and and then play it with my thumb so I must use my fingers on the other strings as a rest. I think I palm mute when doing that although have never analysed it before. I used to simply play 5's like a 4 string and then bring in the low B when I needed it but as my playing has progressed I'm using the B more and more in a percussive way. As I'm self taught player playing his own music I guess my technique is a mess but hey it works for me I never thought about it before.

Sorted thanks....I'm ashamed to say that it was a vibration problem of some kind. I'm still not sure what but maybe something to do with the edge of the speaker unit. It occurred to me that it was actually sounding worse when out of the cab so it may be something to do with vibration. I went back and tightened everything in the cab and put back the speaker taking care that it sitting right and wasn't touching any of the sides as it is a snug fit. It now sounds great-better than it has for ages so I maybe fixed more than one rattle Thanks all

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1485046513' post='3220765'] Have you checked all the speaker mounting screws and rear connector panel are tight and airtight? [/quote] Good thinking but I checked that when I took it apart for a look. The wires to the speaker are long enough for me to take it our and place it on the floor and it is still sounding dodgy. It's like a torn cone but I can't see any evidence of that. Note: I haven't pushed it as I just use it at home but I bought it 2nd hand a couple of years ago

Hi, It seems that the speaker of my Genz Benz Focus LT cab has gone. Although I can't see a problem it can't cope with the low B without distorting and rattling.. Can anyone tell me where to get a replacement or recommend an alternative Details are: Genz Benz Model: GEC 12200-08 8 ohms !2" I reckon its worth doing as its a nice light cab any assistance or advice is much appreciated

Cool, I was just looking at his site in the NY

I can't see Cotwold's site anymore...is it still going? Is david OK?

£300 on ebay? Bargain http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122320024081?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1484913155' post='3219605'] I've owned a StingRay for the past 30 years and have run it through various amps over that time: Trace Elliot GP12 combo with 4x10 speakers Ampeg SVT Classic with 8x10 cab Ampeg SVT200 with 8x10 cab Ampeg SVT3 with 4x10 and 1x15 cabs Genz Benz Streamliner 900 with Genz Benz NX212T cab The only amp setup that I didn't get on with was the Trace Elliot as I found it too sterile and clangy sounding, but the Genz Benz rig really seems to suit the StingRay (or vice versa). [/quote] I have a GB Streamliner 600 and Nx212T and agree it sounds great

Some combinations just don't work that well in the signal chain. I was really happy with sound from my ESP/Spoector, EMG powered guitars with my Ashdown rigg but not with my current Genz Benz kit. The Ashdown seemed to color the sound in a positive way, where as the GB is very transparent.

Love it

I spotted it early and missed it by 10 mins...if the deal falls though I'm next in line but I suspect that it won't

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1483694440' post='3209271'] I would imagine there was an issue with the pickup, battery and setup on the Ray 5. I've tried many many Laklands, and whilst they make a fairly cool 35" 5 string bass, the Musicman 5 strings I've played always sounded MUCH tighter with more of a kick on the B string. [/quote] I was thinking that, I'm on my 3rd fretted SR5 and 1st fretless and found all of them to be great basses. I only moved on from the first one because I wanted a different colour

Somr of my favourite fretless rock stuff here...awsome. Lou Reeds New Sensations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-fq_BOj3ho

I've used roundwounds, flats and harf-rounds on my G&L's and Stingrays and have now abandoned the rounds completley. I mention both basses because both are really good at cutting though in the mix and therefore retain some of that "zing" quality. Having said that you will need to be willing adjust your EQ settings to dial it back in. Also I can get half rounds to sound like roundwounds but flats will always sound like flats IMHO It is also worth noting that flats can vary a great deal. Fenders start fairly bight but then darken a bit with time, the Ernie Balls that I have on my L1505 are quite dark sounding and give a great dubby sound. If you want to retain the ultimate zing go for half-rounds. Chromes or Rotosounds flats that are at the brighter end of the scale and very consistent over time. Have fun!

I remember trying a fretless SR5 in PMT Bristol and thinking the same about 4 years ago-love at first sight. i popped in again a few days later and the price had dropped £500 so I went home and got everything I could think of to trade and went back with two basses and acoustic guitar and some cash and redturned with the Stingray. I have never regretted it. One bass that you love is worth a whole bunch of others anyday....infact I'm off to noodle on it

I don't know if this has been posted but I love it. What a great instrument bass guitar is... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CrSdJPZLss"]https://www.youtube....h?v=7CrSdJPZLss[/url]

You know that G&L's must be doing something right when my other favourite manufacturere are following them. Watch this vid and notice the slightly hotter pups on the Cutless. I could wear with my eyes shut that it was an SB-2 and what about the two volumes controls of the Caprice. They look like nice bits of kit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FfUNsdb55Y

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1482772413' post='3202637'] Pet hate of mine! Much prefer one vol and a pan pot.... you can't do volume swells with two volumes! [/quote] RE: Sb-2 You can still do you just need to turn the J pup down as the front pup sounds great on it's own. Of course you will be left without tonal options but what a great tone it has This guy explains it well, and nice tones near the end.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIp-czCOiw

Hi, I had a couple of MIJ Ibanez SR's from that period, an SR1000 and a SR1300. Both had a Bartolini system and pups and sounded great to my ear. Both basses had a touch of magic about them and sparkled in terms of build quality and sound. I only moved on because I found the necks too skinny and because I was moving towards 5 strings. I have heard that the ones with the ibanez pups aren't as good but have no experience to back that up I'm not a fan of variable mids on a bass as for me it is unnecessary complication...I have plenty mids control elsewhere If it has barts you may find that you don't want to change it anyway I hope that helps

Cracking choice

I tried out another tele style bass last week and the bass felt most comfortable when held in a more horizontal position than is usual for me. I think the ASAT "neck dive" is a reference to that. Some people will be very comfortable and others not. This guy demonstrates what I mean. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TuBzfEK43Q"]https://www.youtube....h?v=6TuBzfEK43Q[/url]