Jimryan

I've been using one of these for a while now (Single element one) and think it's great. Run it straight through to my amp no problems and it sounds pretty damn good (on my bass). Also had it going directly into a PA at an open mic a while back and it sounded fine. Great little pickup for the money.

PM'd

Morning all, All of my gigging at the moment is part of an acoustic duo, consisting of myself on upright bass and my singer playing an acoustic guitar (or ukulele depending on the song). To date we've been gigging with him using a Roland street cube (for both vocals and instrument) and I've been using my TC rig (BH550 and a BC212) and everything's gone swimmingly. However, things have started to snowball and we're getting more and more bookings. Our current thought chain is to take the next few gigs earnings and put it into getting a PA. This is where our dilemma starts. We've no idea what to get regarding size. We've found a 300w job that looks ideal, and he's also found a 600w that again is perfect, but I guess it's what wattage we'll need. So, what do you guys use? Once we've got one, I'll probably continue to use my TC, so the PA will be solely for vocals (one channel at the moment whilst I'm building my confidence with BVs) with the other channels for acoustic guitar, uke (for quicker/smoother changeovers) and then if needed, I guess I could utilise the line out on the back of the TC. There's quite a few pages online regarding sizes of PA based on crowd size, room size, how the rooms decorated/furnished, so for arguments sake, let's just say pub gigs and private functions. Back when I was in a full blown function band we had a massive PA with subs and a everything but I know that's overkill for us. Budget we're thinking around £300-£600 should be enough. Anyway, yeah, cheers for the responses and advice in advance, James Also (shameless plug alert) if anyone is interested, search "Skaraman" on Facebook and you should find us. We're primarily ska/two-tone and reggae but also do a bit of hip hop and a few live lounge style covers.

Morning all, As some may have seen, I've been in a pickle rcently over strings. Starting on Rotosound found they lacked in the arco department. Then tried helicore mediums and they were unplayable, I thought I'd remedied this with helicore lights but to no avail. From there I was torn between the D'addario Zyex and the Evah Pirazzi Weich. After a bit of reading on here and talkbass, opted for the Evahs. However, whilst deciding between the Evah and Zyex, I messaged D'addario Orchestral for some advice on The Zyex regarding the differences between them and helicores, tension comparisons and tone. Over the past few days, I've had messages going back and forth with D'addario mainly asking what I'm after, what I primarily, what I've tried, loads of questions to find out whether the Zyex are what I'm looking for basically. Anyway, we concluded that I'd like to try them and their representative that's been answering my queries recommended I try them as she believed that they're the perfect string I'm looking for. All what you'd expect from a customer service/help and support page right? It's the next bit that threw me off. One of the last messages I received was "would you like me to send you set to sample in exchange for feedback?" Errrr yes please. Couldn't believe it. In my head I kept saying I'll try them once I've had enough of the Evahs and can afford another set of strings, but that's not a concern anymore. Genuinely can't wait to try them now (especially where I've a lot of gigs coming up). Credit where credit is due to D'addario, the representative was extremely helpful and the sting set really is going above and beyond. Whilst I've been waiting for them to arrive I've been looking at the rest of the D'addario range and I'm considering trying them for electric bass stings and possibly moving over from Rotosound. Cheers, James

[quote name='philparker' timestamp='1469884044' post='3101762'] Regarding teachers: don't be afraid to travel - indeed, it may be essential to find the right calibre of teacher to cater for your exact requirements and there are a few good teachers in Southampton who would fit that bill (although I don't have direct experience). I agree with your sentiment that someone who may be a great player, but with veritable bad habits and questionable technique, may not be the best tutor to give you the right direction. Strings: I've owned Pirazzi Weichs for over a year now and recommend them highly for both pizz and arco, the best hybrid I've used. I have recently taken them off my main DB, to my back up DB, and replaced them with Flexocors for arco only, but they don't necessarily bow any better and the Pirazzi's sound superb played pizz. I have also tried the D'Addario Zyex lights (on a fellow-Bass Chatter's DB) and was also very impressed. Depending on the tone you are looking for, the Pirazzi's are dark and moody and the Zyex are bright an punchy - they both bow and pizz very well. [/quote] Regarding the strings, which would you say had the better left hand feel?

Morning all, My quest for strings continues and I'm looking for another set to try. Having done a bit of reading there's a few sets in mind, but that's not set in stone and I'm welcome to other suggestions. My main criteria here, is synthetic core, great for pizz and arco (I'm looking to use arco more and more in the future), light tension is preferable here too. In a few of these threads I've also seen people saying knowing what genre is played helps. We play a lot of Ska, reggae and hip hop stuff and live lounge style covers, but all upbeat and fast paced (hence why I'd prefer a lighter tension). At the moment my bass is strung with a set of Rotosound strings and whilst I love the feel and sound of them, they're not particularly bow friendly. So, like I said, after a bit of reading online, I've narrowed the list down to three choices (so far)... Evah Pirazzi Weich D' addario Zyex light Innovation braided 140B Cheers, James

Cheers for the replies guys, all helpful stuff. My setup could definitely with a once over as there is a bit of a scoop. As for a catch up lesson, I've not had a lot of luck finding a teacher. There is a guy locally I've known for a while and is a great player, I'm hesitant though as everything I've read and everything I've seen in Geoff Chalmers' videos regarding technique are the opposite of how this guy plays. So I'm not sure I'd want lessons from him. In regards to the other posts, as I've just stated in the strings for sale thread, after trying only two sets of steels, I can't rule them all out. However, string wise I've tried two steel sets and one synthetic set and I'm always returning to the synthetic set. So you guys could be right and its synthetics that work best for me. Having done a bit of reading up on different strings this week, I've made a little shortlist of ones I'm considering and I've narrowed it down to... Evah Pirazzi Weich D' addario Zyex Innovation braided 140B

Evening all, Been playing and giggin my upright constantly since getting it back in September and loving every minute. When I bought it, I followed the general consensus and swapped the strings immediately (bought the strings before the bass actually). For a while now I've had a rotosound endorsement, so logic (but mainly wallet) told me to go down that avenue first. The rotosound strings are amazing, I love everything about them. The feel, the sound, the tension even the mismatched set. However, I don't like the fact they're not particularly bow-able. Over the years I've not been a huge fan of classical music (I like some), but more and more I'm wanting to use the bow as not only is it a good tool to have sound wise, but it's also pretty fun too. So with wanting to bow more in mind, I set out to find some new strings. First stop, basschat. Straight away I spotted and bought a set of D'addario helicore hybrids. They're a medium tension set so thought I'd be fine. Going from low to medium can't be THAT hard can it? Something in the back of my mind was starting to cause doubt though, and fortunately spotted a listing (again on BC) for the same strings but a low tension set. Or at least I thought they were the same until they arrived and whilst advertised as hybrids are actually orchestral. Anyway, they arrive after a week of Royal Mail being themselves, straight on that evening and I tell myself I'll let them settle and try them at rehearsal next week, rather excitedly). So along came Thursday, rehearsal day, we get there, we set up, tune up, check bow and rosin and try open strings and oh my did it sound beautiful. Let's get cracking. At this stage I don't bow a lot (mainly want the option to and to be able to have fun with it at home), so most of rehearsal is pizz. Half an hour in to our normal routine and I can't play. Left hand in agony and worn out, right hand covered in blisters. Rehearsal is off, I've called it. With the Rotos on the bass I'm fine doing our regular two hour set and extras (ska, reggae and hip hop), but not with these. Wait! I've got the low tension set I anticipated needing. Genius idea James. Got home and swapped them immediately. Now I can't play with these blisters, I'll let the strings settle and try again next rehearsal. So next Thursday comes, this time with the low tension set and what happens...exactly the same. Now I can't leave it like this, it's Thursday and I've a gig on Saturday. This time the strings come off and the Rotos back on, blisters covered in superglue and I was playing exactly as I was before. That brings us to now. As much as I love the sound and feel of the Rotos, I really want to do more with the bow. Thus, I really want to learn to get on with the new strings. Although the Rotos claim to be low tension, I've decided by comparison that they're actually ******* low tension strings. Is my plight merely a case of man up and get on with it, or are there any crafty little tricks or techniques for getting used to higher tension strings, something like change the G first to slowly built up strength and stamina, then slowly change them one at a time? Any little excercises people can recommend? There is always the option to change to Rotos before rehearsals and gigs, but that's too much hassle and a second bass is definitely not an option. Cheers, James Www.facebook.com/skaraband [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/image_zpsxmcuunsd.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/image_zpsxmcuunsd.jpeg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/image_zpsyxgw562t.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/image_zpsyxgw562t.jpeg[/IMG][/URL]

No idea I'm afraid. With my two ventures, one is passive and the active ray I did, had a John East fitted. Sounded fantastic, really crisp and lots of control. The status neck really improves the clarity. One bit of advice if buying a new neck. If they haven't got one in stock, they'll make you one. Whatever lead time they quote, ignore it. When I ordered mine it was a 3 week turn around. After it constantly being forgotten about and "don't know why, but it's not been done yet we should have it done next week" I eventually got mine 8 weeks after originally ordering it.

I've got a Status neck on my vintage modified squier P and it's one of the best mods I did to it. Also when doing up a Sterling SUB ordered one for that too. Go ahead with the status neck, you won't be disappointed. Mine is set dead straight with the strings low as possible. Only recently though I swapped my regular strings for black nylon tapewounds to combat the brightness. Now it's the perfect bass for me in terms of feel, weight, versatility and sound. Looks are nearly there, but would prefer some natural aging.

Evening all So, OK, I admit it. I'm guilty to constantly checking the Thomann deko section in hope of a bargain. Occasionally I've even found one but it hasn't been in stock by the time I've clicked on it...except this time. For a while now I've been curious about trying one and having one crop up as a deko, well, it was rude not to for £40. [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0052_zps3vabozxx.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0052_zps3vabozxx.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/jimryan88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0053_zpsuzbej6kt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0053_zpsuzbej6kt.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A uke bass. In my covers project the guitarist uses a uke on occasion and now I'll be joining in. It's going to take some readjusting, especially as the duration of our set is currently played on an upright. One thing I've noticed though is that although a "deko" it's perfectly fine. Further investigation showed that Thomann are no longer selling them as standard stock, yet there's loads in the deko section, so maybe they're just not selling so they've listed them as deko to move them on? Either way it's great fun. Sounds huge despite its size and the preamp is pretty decent too. Cheers, James